Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Anxiety is my worst enemy, too....

I've been on Zoloft for a couple years and was able to be off of it for a couple years. Then I started taking Effexor and was on it for a couple years until just recently getting off of it. The Effexor was the worst for me. Terrible side effects which makes me leary of taking any other anti-anxiety/depressant ever again. It took me 7 months to wean myself off of it. Now I am trying acupuncture and chinese herbal medicine. It's a little too early in the treatment to notice any drastic improvement, but I can see mild improvements. The bad thing about acupuncture is that it is not a "quick fix". Whereas going to the doctor and getting a prescription is generally a quick fix. I do feel a lot calmer after an acupuncture session. I still have about 5 months to go in my treatment, though. So am hoping for the best. Another thing that really helps me is exercise. But, it's so hard to get motivated to go work out when I don't feel good. My mom and I joined Curves for Women and really enjoy it. When I felt good, I was going 5 times a week. Next week my goal is to go two or three times. Exercise releases the natural brain chemical, serotonin, which is lacking in people with anxiety/depression. Even just going for a walk helps.

Good luck!
{{{hugs}}}

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