I do I take paxil every morning and xanax as needed, I am truly trying to calm down and not put so much on my shoulders, however with both my parents sick, mom with 3rd of bladder cancer and my dad having to a plaque removed from his heart and prostate problems. Then as always my ds Thomas who will be going for his annual heart check-up on 1/14 kindly say a prayer, its not always easy, also I wish to try to not to worry so much about my ds Thomas and all his stomach problems as well. So if anyone here can offer some other means of realaxtion I am all ears..Peace to all the lovely caring ladies and gents on the boards...Catherine

I would add prayer to the list if you don't already do that! Sounds like you have many reasons to be stressed and anxious. Hang in there!

Hmmm... How I relax.. cut out the caffeine.. listen to soft music, or one of those rain CDs. Watch funny movies and have a big belly laugh. Go have a massage or get your DH to give you one
I also take the herb valerian root when I get too uptight. It really relaxes me and helps me sleep. You can buy it at walmart 100 caps for about $4

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Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

Make sure you can take valerian root with Paxil /Xanax if you go that route Catherine. Some of those herbals, etc... don't mix with SSRI's.

I'm with Kathy. I could take all the meds in the world, but if I didn't have prayer and a relationship with God (or a higher power), nothing would work.

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If you're not living on the edge, you're wasting space.

Mostly definitely having my faith in God is a big one for me.For Susiecat I will look up on the internet about that herbel supplement and read about it thanks. As always I would never take something without speaking to my doctor first.For I also take maxalt for my migranes which thankfully have gotten better.I was taking imitrex however the side effects to those pills were way way too strong and scary, however for anyone who suffers from a migrane knows how painful they truly are . Peace thanks for all the help so far. Peace and stay safe in this holiday season. Catherine

Catherine...I do understand just how painful migraines can be. I have suffered with them for years. I have been taking Relpax for about two years and it has made a huge difference in my day to day life. I don't know if you have heard or it or tried it, but it has been a wonder drug for me. It is not a daily medicine, you only take it when you actually feel a migraine coming on. It is very strong and it is recommended that you do not take it more than once or twice a week. I tried several daily meds and could not tolerate them. I am not one to take drugs unless there is not other choice, I don't even like taking asprin, so to take a drug every single day for something that I only needed a remedy for three or four times a month seemed crazy to me. I haven't heard of Maxalt, is it fairly new?

Yes Tammy maxalt 10 mil is fairly new and like you is only taken when I feel the migrane coming on. On the migrane medicine you mentioned I tried that one as well, however it did not bring relief as the maxalt does for me.While the dosage of the maxalt is small is does work for me.As far as the Imitrex I had taken 2 different miligrams and the 50 did help some the side effects were there, but I did take the 100 and boy does it work, but the side effects are not worth it, its very strong and for me the side effects lasted several hours.I experienced tightness in my arms neck shoulders and hands. But more then that I also experienced a really weird sick nervous feeling. Again like I said migranes are far the worst, I rather suffer from anything else, they are so deplitating.So I fully understand, both more women suffer, if you are nervous,do not eat right, get enough sleep, pms and your period I could go on and on.I did read however there was a new medication I believe it started with a T . I read about it in a magazine.Feel better As I know dear all too well about migranes.. Peace in this holiday season. Catherine

Medical marijuana perhaps?

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"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way."
Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

Hypnothereapy. You would have to go to therapy to learn how to do hypnotherapy on yourself, basically they would teach you how to put yourself into a deep state of relaxation. You would have to find a therapist who specializes in this, not just any therapist can do it. I know it worked for me as it helped me overcome panic attacks (anxiety) , I have been in remission for over 18 years now, no panic attacks and no medication. I have a family history of alcohol/drug abuse and was unwilling to take medication, like Xanax and alot of others which are addictive, so I was open to pretty much anything before medication (for myself). My ex was addicted to Xanax and other prescription drugs and I was also going through a divorce at the time, so another reason I refused any medication, I just couldn't take the risk of becoming "hooked" myself, not with my family history and what I had been through with him. Anyway, you have to be open to being hypnotized, the therapist does it to begin with, then they teach you how to get to the same state of relaxation on your own. And it is a real therapy, so you would need health insurance, it is expensive. I hope you figure something that helps

Oh, I almost forgot, and I never got any more migraine after that either.

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fever few worrks wonders for the head aches. have a friend who has taken it for yrs and not had a head ache since she started taking it.
as for stress busters, a nice long hot bubble bath works great for me.

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Penny thanks for your post I will definitely look into it. I would love not to take any form of medications especially for the migranes because the side effects of the imitrex was horrible.Believe it or not however when I am feeling nervous there are so many times when all I do is ask my dh Tommy to do something silly or funny and its totally takes away the feeling, he will be 45 this 1/9/09 however he will remain a kid at heart and knows how to make me laugh after all these years.As far as panic attacks I have dealt with them all my life. I might experience a panic attack once in awhile however the true fear of panic attacks and what would happen are gone, but as a nervous person its my personality to always worry. Thanks for all the help.. Peace . Catherine

Yoga and daily meditation books. ~Lisa

Here is another med that you can try : Zonegran. It is for your kind of headaches and seizures. After my dh had viral encephalitis four years ago, he has severe headaches and seizures. This med has helped him.

Do you think marijuana would be a good choice in the presense of anxiety and/or paranoia? Or might it exacerbate those conditions?

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

It might make you really hungry, too...which could cause you to gain weight and become even more depressed....ah, a vicious circle, indeed.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

OK...it won't let me write what I want, changes it on me.......but laughing anyways....

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Thanks for the offer however I never have nor will take any illegial drugs of any kind, nor do I drink or smoke ciggys, all those items would only add to me being nervous, but thanks. I am going to my doctor on monday and I am going to talk to him and add a bit higher dosage of paxil which is wonderful so not to worry about having to take the xanax as needed rather only when I truly truly feel the need. I believe with the new year 2009, I am going to focus on being less stressful and doing more yoga and exercise and continue with my healthy eating habits and perhaps add a few more vitamins. Peace Catherine

Good luck with this.



In some states medical marijuana is legal. Not sure about yours.

__________________
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way."
Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

Catherine, you say you drink lots of tea. Is it Decaffeinated? Caffeine is bad for anxiety/panic.
I've been caffeine free for nearly 20 years now. It's not hard to do after you get past the first 2 weeks.

__________________
Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

Susiecat Yes I am guilty I am drinking hot tea as I am posting. Hot tea is one thing I simply love to death.I always think about the caffiene which I know too much is no good. Perhaps I will try decaf I just do not want to lose the taste of the tea I love so much...Peace. Catherine

I also love hot tea, I drink hot green tea, decaf.. I can't tell any taste difference at all. I wish you luck with less panic attacks.. I know how horrible they can be.

__________________
Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

Thanks so much susiecat, like I have said before the panic attacks do not happen often and this point after suffering so long I no longer have the fear of something terrible will happen, its just more of me being a nervous person who seems to worry about so many things but again its my personality. However 2009 is coming fast and I truly want to work on not worrying so much.Peace to you and all on the boards. Happy and healthy New Year to all. Catherine.

How is your vitamin intake? When I'm feeling anxious, I up my b vitamins and I swear it's like a relaxer. How is your iron level?

For me personally, I pray and read comforting scriptures. Also, I love to have hubby give me a massage to relax me, even if it's just my shoulders or feet.

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Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near."

I take a variety of vitamins each day and alot of b vitamins especially vitamin b-12 and yes I am anemic and take a iron supplement as well. I know when my stress is high I get very tired but at this time in my life, its truly alot on my shoulders taking care of me and my own family and then worrying about my parents whom are both elderly and sick and when your the only daughter its seems everything falls on my shoulders. I do have 3 brothers and 2 sister in laws and I guess they do the best they can , but like me they have their own family to take care of and their own problems.But reality is , I am the oldest and the only daughter and my parents seems to want and need me more and feel more comfortable with me.I know I am not alone in this suituation, there are plenty more women out there. Thanks to all for the advice and help. Peace. Catherine

I do understane where you are coming from. some days it can seem as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders. I wish I had some great advice for you. I think there are many of us women who struggle with this. We feel like we should be able to do it all. Be super mom, work full time, care for parents and grandparents........ I am learning I am not wonder woman. Gosh I sure wish I were. It is almost like we feel like a failure if we can't keep up with everything and keep the house spotless and cook dinner while helping the kids with homework and making sure sick family members have everything they need. That is a lot to expect of ourselves. I sometimes feel like I do sooooo many things but do none of them well. It is like you are trying to doggie paddle constantly to keep your head above the water so you don't totally just end up in a mental hospital. lol Sisiter i am so there right now myself. I decided tonight that I AM GOING to take some time for me no matter what I have to do to get it. lol Dh will just have to take over for me one night very soon and I am going to go get lost in a movie theater all alone of window shop or just sit in my car in a parking lot and listen to quiet. yeah peace and quiet. I can be such a better mom if I have a small break from my daily stress once in a while.

mommysheri I know how you feel. There are times I just want to lay in my bed and pull the covers over me. However that is not reality I have responsibilites .As a mom and wife those are very important to me and I sincerely make them first always. However my parents whom I love dearly have become like 2 more children for me to take care of and worry about. Like I said I wish sometimes I had a sister but that was not the case I was blessed with 4 brothers, one Sonny who passed and sadly out of the 4 he was the best and if he was alive I know he would be offering me more help and taking some of the stress off my shoulders. But I know I am only human and only do so much and if I do not take care of myself first then I am good for no one. Thanks to God everyday I do have a wonderful dh who never ever complaines and helps me around the house with cleaning and always always is there for our children and lets me do what I have to do for my parents.Thanks hon so much for the kind words. Peace. Catherine

my daughter used to have terrible tantrums and I'd play a CD of ocean sounds when she started and it always calmed her down, you could try that for relaxation~

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Smile and the world smiles with you!

Tami ~*~

Amen to that.