SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

My anxiety is sky high! it's been that way for a loong time.... and I'm at a loss of what to do right now...

I've tried some meds... one worked but took such a hit to my sex drive that it wasn't worth it.... another was a total disaster.... now I'm left with the emergency ones that can be highly addictive and I use only for an emergency as needed to calm down for bed and to get some sleep....

I just can't kick the feeling... I've seen the Dr. and talked about what I can do... if meds don't work for me what's left?

I exercise daily.... it makes me feel somewhat better.... what's left to try?

H knows something is wrong- we've talked... and yet HE seems to think I don't need meds.... I've always been the strong put together one... and people have told him how "together" I am.... so that likely makes him feel I don't need any help.... the last time he told me this I responded with "we all have our breaking point".... and the way my life has been the last few years... the EA he had... kids leaving home... uncertainty with work... ever increasing job stress and pressure of losing one of our jobs... pay cuts.... being everything to everyone (don't get me wrong on this one- I am sooo grateful that if my kids need something they call me first).... but I just need more....

I know what it is... panic attacks, shaking, wanting to throw up, etc... the Dr. does too.... but meds don't work for me I guess.

Any ideas on how to handle this without trying any more meds? Has anyone tried things like meditation? I'm lost here.... Ideas on how everyone else handles this would be great!

have you talked with an IC? they may have some techniques/tools you can use to help with the panic attacks and anxiety. emdr, meditation, self hypnosis etc...

I'm so sorry you're suffering . it's got to be exhausting

I've started to have them lately. Don't know if this applies but I'm told that menopause causes anxiety and panic and my current life state is adding to it.

Thanks for the replies... I saw an IC early on.... my insurance is now an issue so I'm not sure that is an option anymore....

I'm way too young for menopause... That I'm sure of! Not even experiencing any perimenopause... to that is out as a cause.

It is exhausting.... I'm always on edge, even if the day is a good one.

Any ideas to help me?

some IC's will work with you on payments or on a sliding scale.

Just some ideas that I have tried with a bit of success:

Praying. I'm not religious at all but I do believe that fear is one of my problems.

Deep breathing while mentally listing the things I'm grateful for.

Cleaning. If you knew me irl you'd know that is something that calms me.

One thing I'm going to try is a group. My friend said that ACOA is helping her. I've also gone to Alanon and felt much more grounded in reality.

If exercise works maybe it would help to do two workouts a day - spaced out so that the endorphins are flowing all day instead of once a day.

How much less anxiety would you feel if your H were to put his arms around you and say "We will get through this together"? If you think that would help maybe you could ask him to do that.