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We shall see.

I have terrible anxiety! It's Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. And some phobias. And things like what you guys said. It's terrible! It's awful! I always obsess over stupid, unrealistic things everyday like "What if my hands are contaminated with deadly bacteria and I spread it and kill everyone?" I have to wash my hands all the time because of this. AAARRRHHHHGGGG!!!! It's frustrating! I obsess over other things too but I will not share all of it.

Well dear goodness seek help, because its no way to try to exist. I have G.A.D and it is horrible. I started today feeling awesome, but not now. Its crazy and I need my medicine to saturate my system soon so that I can get evened out.

I guess it just depends on the severity of the anxiety then. I know I have anxiety, and once I thought I had OCD. I think I have some of the symptoms but I've learned to control them and ignore those aggitating thoughts. I used to wash my hands a lot and get racing thoughts that make no sense. And I still do...only now I've learned that I'm the one that's in control, not the racing thoughts.

Since being prescribed Xanax for anxiety I have slept like a log. The Doc was right, it is anxiety and untill my anti depressant medication takes full effect, I am going to need that Xanax from time to time to pull me through. That and whatever inner strength I can muster after a week of this mess.

The whole idea that it is just anxiety and not sleep apnea kind of raises a red flag with me. Doctors often have this tendincy to "explain away" things, but in some cases we know our bodies better than anyone else would. A lot of times doctors ignore problems that could potentially become greater later on. This way, they will make money for the treatments you're supposed to get. Seriosuly, I don't trust the hospitals and pharmecutical companies.
I agree with Pumpkin Man, I wouldn't "let up" on the idea that it could also be sleep apnea.
I once spent four hours in the ER because I had chest pains, a head ache, and a stomach ache. They diagnosed me with a sinus infection. A Sinus Infection! Even though they couldn't really find any traces of a Sinus Infection. And they scanned my head, but the chest pains were more prevalient than any head aches I had. After four hours of waiting in the stupid ER, that was the best they could come up with? That was a waste. I ended up missing work because they put me on some stupid medicine after that, and I was fired the following week, because then my car decided to die on me (I've had my share of problems with that "puddle jumper" I've got.)

My husband is going thru the same thing that you are. He has panic attacks too and takes Xanax and I hate it, it makes him act like a totally different person (not a happy one). When he takes it, I just hide in my bedroom because I feel like it's not him that I'm around. He also drinks alcohol which makes it even worse. I feel like running away sometimes but I have kids and would never do that. I hope you get to feeling better, I know the effects of this but only as an outsider and it's a bad situation.

ilovemichaelmyers wrote:My husband is going thru the same thing that you are. He has panic attacks too and takes Xanax and I hate it, it makes him act like a totally different person (not a happy one). When he takes it, I just hide in my bedroom because I feel like it's not him that I'm around. He also drinks alcohol which makes it even worse. I feel like running away sometimes but I have kids and would never do that. I hope you get to feeling better, I know the effects of this but only as an outsider and it's a bad situation.

That's a tough situation. How often does he do this if you don't mind me asking? Xanax is no joke. The times I've taken it I had the worst nightmares I've had in my life. It does change the way your brain works and not in a good way...

He no longer takes it, I told him that I would leave him if he took them again and believe me I would know if he did. I would be out the door because I can't stand him when he takes it. I flushed the remainder down the toilet and begged his doctor not to prescribe them again. It may be a good medicine for others but not for him. He would take like 4 a day and would be like the Devil and I hated him. I laid the smack down though and now he doesn't take them anymore. He does however take pain medication for an injury incurred 3 years ago, he shattered his heel, had surgery on it and is still in agonizing pain. The pain med doesn't make him like that at all, he's so much better now and not in alot of pain. He does still have times where he says he may be having panic attacks and feels like he can't breathe. He is really never around other people and can't understand if that's what he's really having. He is being seen by a doctor and all the tests that they've done on him indicate that he's fine. I was also seen by a doctor when I was really stressed out and they gave me Zoloft, I have never taken them and never will because I feel fine without them, a little stressed but fine

So sorry, man! My husband has anxiety attacks. We have made several trips to the ER with him thinking he was dying. No one can understand how you feel if they haven't been there. I, too, will send positive energy and prayers to you. You are closer to solving your problems because you are seeking help. My hubby refuses to take meds. So, many sleepless nights.

Glad to hear that ilovemichaelmyers. Sometimes us guys just need a good swift kick in the pants to realize what we might lose if we don't straighten up. I hope everything works out and he stays off the stuff.

Why on earth do they make meds that, while they help the patient, make people around the patient suffer?

I get a kick out of reading the small print in medicine advertisements. Sometimes the side effects are much worse than the condition that they are meant to alleviate.

Yeah I love those commercials for meds that have to include all the side effects and dangers. They'll be like "side effects may include..." then for the next minute and a half they're just listing off all these horrible things like it's no big deal, all the while playing peaceful music and showing a mother hugging her children or a father and son playing catch, smiling, leading a seemingly "normal, happy" life. This world is insane. It really is.

if I may quote Marilyn Manson:

"We're all stars now, in the dope show."

I think I'm going to Michael's at lunchtime and stare at the new Fall stuff. That'll make me feel better than any prescription would