As some of you read, a while back I was struggling with alcohol and panic attacks.
Well about 4 months or so ago I found out I have a hiatal hernia. This caused severe acid reflux and was causing me to have trouble breathing and the doctor said was a contributing factor to my panic attacks. It was not bad enough to warrant surgery so he said not to push it and take it easy.
Well I took it too easy because I started noticing I was way out of shape. I asked him if I could exercise and he said go easy at first and see how it goes then proceed from there.
I got into the best shape of my life. I lost nearly 10 pounds, I wasn't over weight, just out of shape, and I put on a decent amount of muscle for someone who was 6 foot tall and weighed 130 lbs soaking wet in high school.
One day I went for my usual twice a week run, only 2 miles, and half way through I had the worst heart palpitations I have ever experienced. It felt like my heart just stopped. Boom, down. I fell down on the pavement and was gasping for air. My wife ran home and got the car, we were right next to the house, and drove me to the hospital. EKG, Blood work, everything was all fine. No problems. Went to my physician and he said my diaphragm, because of my hernia, has a weak spot where the esophagus comes through, and was just having spasms.
Well everyday for the last 3 weeks I had debilitating panic attacks. I missed school, missed work, I was terrified to even leave the house. I was having to take Xanax, prescribed of course, at least twice a day. I was a walking zombie. I couldn't remember things, I was sleeping all the time when at home. Finally, I sucked it up and went to my neurologist. He put me on this medicine called Viibryd. Started on 10 mg. First day was wicked, almost crap your pants, diarrhea, dizziness and just confusion. Panic attacks still happened. I suffered through for 3 days where on the third day I fainted at school. Stopped taking the Viibryd and on the fourth day at work I nearly fainted. By this point I really considered death to not be so bad. Sorry, but it is the truth. Death to me seemed to be better than living like this every day.
Got to see my neurologist on an emergency appointment and he said I was experiencing the bad part of taking SSRIs and that this is the trial and error part of trying to find out what works. He said because I was worried about sexual side effects, in other words no libido and no desire to have sex, that he tried this. So he finally talked me into taking a different medicine. He said it has a chance to cause my member not to be able to perform but he can give me Viagra if need be. Now im not even 30 yet and the thought of having to taking a medicine to fix the side effects of another medicine and then to maybe have to take other meds to counteract those side effects, well, you get my point.
I decided to go with this medicine, which is Lexapro, because he said it has a higher success rate and that it may help.
Well guys I must say, I just started it, and for the first time I feel happy and worry free. I know this can just be because I want it to work. But I do not care. I have dealt with these issues since I have been a member on here. I think it has been at least 5 years. I am also the type that hates taking meds. I just thought I could overcome my own illness, but I see now I was wrong.
The bad side is that my reflux was so bad that I had to stop using snus until I get all of this under control. Nasal snuff works but it does not satisfy nic cravings. I am dipping now because it satisfies my nicotine cravings, but I hate getting the sores in my mouth and watching my gums recede from using it. My jaw gets fatigued too and it hurts when I brush my teeth.
But I must say for the first time I am optimistic about the rest of my life. I just hope the one side effect I dread most, libido paralysis, does not happen. It is a condition that can permanently render your penis useless. This can be changed when you get off the meds or it could last your whole life.
My fingers are crossed but I just needed to tell someone about how much better I feel and that I hope side effects stay at bay. I am only only the first week, which is 5 mgs, next week ill be at my full prescription, which is 10 mg, and all I have noticed so far is a slight dizziness.
Cant have any alcohol for awhile so those of you that can drink please drink for me next time you have a few. Cheers everyone and glad to see snuson is back up and running again. Damn snus terrorists.
Well about 4 months or so ago I found out I have a hiatal hernia. This caused severe acid reflux and was causing me to have trouble breathing and the doctor said was a contributing factor to my panic attacks. It was not bad enough to warrant surgery so he said not to push it and take it easy.
Well I took it too easy because I started noticing I was way out of shape. I asked him if I could exercise and he said go easy at first and see how it goes then proceed from there.
I got into the best shape of my life. I lost nearly 10 pounds, I wasn't over weight, just out of shape, and I put on a decent amount of muscle for someone who was 6 foot tall and weighed 130 lbs soaking wet in high school.
One day I went for my usual twice a week run, only 2 miles, and half way through I had the worst heart palpitations I have ever experienced. It felt like my heart just stopped. Boom, down. I fell down on the pavement and was gasping for air. My wife ran home and got the car, we were right next to the house, and drove me to the hospital. EKG, Blood work, everything was all fine. No problems. Went to my physician and he said my diaphragm, because of my hernia, has a weak spot where the esophagus comes through, and was just having spasms.
Well everyday for the last 3 weeks I had debilitating panic attacks. I missed school, missed work, I was terrified to even leave the house. I was having to take Xanax, prescribed of course, at least twice a day. I was a walking zombie. I couldn't remember things, I was sleeping all the time when at home. Finally, I sucked it up and went to my neurologist. He put me on this medicine called Viibryd. Started on 10 mg. First day was wicked, almost crap your pants, diarrhea, dizziness and just confusion. Panic attacks still happened. I suffered through for 3 days where on the third day I fainted at school. Stopped taking the Viibryd and on the fourth day at work I nearly fainted. By this point I really considered death to not be so bad. Sorry, but it is the truth. Death to me seemed to be better than living like this every day.
Got to see my neurologist on an emergency appointment and he said I was experiencing the bad part of taking SSRIs and that this is the trial and error part of trying to find out what works. He said because I was worried about sexual side effects, in other words no libido and no desire to have sex, that he tried this. So he finally talked me into taking a different medicine. He said it has a chance to cause my member not to be able to perform but he can give me Viagra if need be. Now im not even 30 yet and the thought of having to taking a medicine to fix the side effects of another medicine and then to maybe have to take other meds to counteract those side effects, well, you get my point.
I decided to go with this medicine, which is Lexapro, because he said it has a higher success rate and that it may help.
Well guys I must say, I just started it, and for the first time I feel happy and worry free. I know this can just be because I want it to work. But I do not care. I have dealt with these issues since I have been a member on here. I think it has been at least 5 years. I am also the type that hates taking meds. I just thought I could overcome my own illness, but I see now I was wrong.
The bad side is that my reflux was so bad that I had to stop using snus until I get all of this under control. Nasal snuff works but it does not satisfy nic cravings. I am dipping now because it satisfies my nicotine cravings, but I hate getting the sores in my mouth and watching my gums recede from using it. My jaw gets fatigued too and it hurts when I brush my teeth.
But I must say for the first time I am optimistic about the rest of my life. I just hope the one side effect I dread most, libido paralysis, does not happen. It is a condition that can permanently render your penis useless. This can be changed when you get off the meds or it could last your whole life.
My fingers are crossed but I just needed to tell someone about how much better I feel and that I hope side effects stay at bay. I am only only the first week, which is 5 mgs, next week ill be at my full prescription, which is 10 mg, and all I have noticed so far is a slight dizziness.
Cant have any alcohol for awhile so those of you that can drink please drink for me next time you have a few. Cheers everyone and glad to see snuson is back up and running again. Damn snus terrorists.
....something you could consider. Most people think its bullshit and say herbs dont work but for me it was a god send. seriously give it a shot....its cheaper and not bad for you
Comment