General Anxiety diagnosed

[hottytoddy93]

Was wondering if anyone else has this diagnosis. I also get dysthymia which is a medium or low underlying depression. I'm in a predicament because pregnant and benzos are considered unsafe for baby. However, I am not doing well with panic attacks due to increasing pain. I hope someone can relate to GAD. It's REALLY hard to cope without proper meds. I do cognitive therapy biweekly and exercise 3 times per week. Acupuncture used to help but they can't place needles where they need to right now. Seeing new pain spec next week. Hoping that will reduce anxiety unless they say they can't do anything because of baby. It's frustrating. Klonopin is what I normally take but cut it back so much that I'm having panic attacks.
Thanks for the input!

Lauren

[fivefoottwo]

I can relate completely. Am past the baby years so I am treated for panic for many years now. Remember to give yourself permission. You can leave any situation that makes you panic. Feeling confined makes it so much worse. Remember that is is fleting and will pass. Try the rubber band on the wrist. If you feel panic coming on, snap yourself with it. You just may find it helpful.

[greeneyes]

I can relate as well, I've had depression and panic attacks on and off for 16 years. It sounds silly but when I'm in a panic attack I ask myself can you see the TV? Can you hear? are you breathing? YES, then I know I'm not going to die. In the beginning I had memo's all over my house and hanging on my computer at work that said "I don't like it that's ok I can stand it any way". It helped me alot.

[fivefoottwo]

Oh Green Eyes, you sure do stir the memories. Hotty Toddy 93 needs to get herself a book by Dr. Claire Weekes. I think it was called "hope and Help For Your Nerves." She only wrote the one book and even though this great lady is deceased now, she had the greatest insignt into panic. Tunnel vision, legs that won't carry you, difficulty breathing and swallowing; all the goodies that go along with panic disorder. I read and reread that book so many times, it is a miracle I can't recite it from memory. You can reach her on the net just under her name or your local library may have her book. Please read it, You won't be sorry. Panic cannot harm you. It just tries to make you feel like it can. We have enough to deal with in IC we don't need panic!