I also wanted to add that when I try to go to sleep, it's like my stomach cannot relax. It's in constant knots. I've tried breathing exercises and medications. Medication helps for a short time, but doesn't last long. Breathing doesn't help. I'm seeing a new doctor tomorrow, but i'm still looking for answers and to find out if anyone else out there had this problem.    (Wed Aug 30 17:45 2006)

Back in May I was hospitalized due to a bacterial infection of my large intestines. While in the hospital, I found out I also had anxiety. In this entire process, I was broken up with by my ex. fiance' who I was supposed to marry this month. This just made my anxiety hit me full force. I never thought I could feel like this. My symptoms are mainly in my stomach, not my chest. Doctors have done tests to see what is wrong and they've found nothing so far, thank God. But i'd like to know why i'm dealing with all of this still..I get burning in my stomach, tension in my neck and shoulders, tightness/pressure in my stomach, I break out in hot and cold sweats and when none of that is happening, I get a feeling in my stomach that is undescribable. Does anyone else out there experience this? Oh and to Billy and Mel who I was speaking to in Chat. I apologize for not returning. For some reason, I could not get back into that room. Please respond if anyone can help. It would be much appreciated. Thanks-   (Wed Aug 30 17:41 2006)

  I was hospitalized for one week due to some thoughts, or feelings I had been having. THis did me alot of good. I just broke down again and I feel like my life is at a standstill because I work once, or twice a week. My problem is I really need to be out in public instead of being all cooped up in my house. This is part of my problem.  I feel everyone's pain also. MY doctor found oput through several tests that I have body pain that  leads to my tension.  
   So, I hope my life works out like all of yours has.

                  Julie
   (Thu Aug 10 16:11 2006)

Hi all. I'm so glad I have found this site.
I've suffered from GAD for about 12 yrs along with atypical depression. Been on loads of diffrent meds some of which helped a bit or not at all. Therapy especially CBT mainly helped bring my panic attacks under control. I worry all day about everything but I do find that as hard as it is to motivate , being busy even with a simple task eases the anxiety.
Currently on 2 antidepressants,valiun(diazepam) and just recently commenced seroquel(quetiapine).
Again hi to everyone.    (Mon Jun 26 5:28 2006)

I have GAD and I hate it.  I suffer every day from this disorder.  But I also know that there is help for this problem if I'm willing to accept it.  I do therapy, but also realize that I need medication to assist me in making my therapy more effective.  We need to know when something is or is not working for us.  Just because a therapist has credentials, does not mean they are the right one for us.  It is Ok to say I need more then therapy (medication).  But I also realize with many medications, comes trial and error.  I have tried numerous medications without good results but I can't give up.  No two people respond the same to a medication.  What happens to one individual may not happen to another.  If I can say anything...don't get discouraged and take control of your mental health.  Ask questions and do what it takes to feel better and get your life back on track.   (Fri May 19 22:48 2006)

I am so sick of my internal anxious thoughts. I can't get out of my own head.I have been having panic attacks for 20 months now.Just started taking cipralax.Anyone out there on it too? It's been 3 weeks since I started taking it.I thought I was doing better until today when I had a sob fest over how messy the house was. I 'm afraid my husband doesn't understand .I just want to feel like me again.   (Sat Apr 22 22:16 2006)

I have had panic attacks and known what they were and managed to cope with them effectively with cognitive behaviour therapy and meds (ssri and xanax) but now I am left with what i think is GAD.  I have major muscle tension (I think this is what it is), constant worry about shifting topics but it is not acute - just worry and worry usually about health related issues.  Cant stop thinking, have trouble staying asleep, have nightmares and VERY vivid dreams, lucid dreaming, aches and pains and the continual fear that I am not going to get better than I am now.
Anyone else with GAD who would care to talk via email for mutual support.  I am very solution focussed and will try anything to feel more 'like myself' again.   chn67@hotmail.com     (Sun Mar 12 5:42 2006)   (Sun Mar 12 5:46 2006)

This is a response to Nadine's maessage.  I have been recently diagnosed with GAD and realize now I have suffered from this since childhood.  I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.   (Sun Feb 19 11:17 2006)

Hello my name is Nadine and I am working with some children within my school district who have been given this diagnosis.The parents have MANY questions about things to expect or things to work on. I was wondering if there was anyone out there that would take the time to answer some of my questions perhaps through email about challenges or concerns you had raising a child with GAD or even some challenges you yourself had. I thank you all for your time and look forward to hearing from someone! Take care. :)   (Fri Feb 10 23:43 2006)

For a while i have experienced to be what i thought to just be worry,few examples i have a husband and a 15 month old daughter, and i'll watch something on t.v. where someone will get into a accident or someone will break into someone's house and hurt everyone including the kids and while watching i'll get this overwhelming feeling of grief that i cannot explain and just start to cry and i'll hold my daughter and just keep thinking these horrible things that's happened to these people and put my family in to it, or while watching the news and a bad storm is coming and it's a tornado watch or something i'll get extremely nervous and start doing crazy things, i have even gone as far as closing me and my daughter who was about 6 months at the time and sleeping, into our very small bathroom and when i say small i'm talking downstairs bathroom(toliet and sink and that's it)over a tornado watch. i'm not really sure what has made me become this type of person, but it's gotten to the point where i get nervous walking in front of a group of people especially men,sometimes crying after sex, becoming very upset with my husband for differnt reasons, sometimes not even wanting him to come home from work. i just really wish something would give cause i'm tired of people like my mom saying "Janet you worry to much".   (Mon Feb 6 6:00 2006)

d says hi to everyone   (Mon Jan 30 16:02 2006)

hi   (Mon Jan 30 16:00 2006)

    STOPPPP! BREATHE.  Anxiety has a root cause.  For you, it is the fear of HIV infection.  The word itself scares you.  The "What If"  thoughts consume you.  Here lies the answer my friend--Stop having sex.  Wait for six months, concentrate on good thoughts, begin an exercise program, stay off sugar and caffeine, and for God's sakes please give up the mushrooms.  This can screw up the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain resulting in deficiencies that may create your anxiety.  NO DRUGS!  NO SEX!  Guess what--NO ANXIETY.  There are requirements for conquering anxiety; it is basically good wholesome living.  I don't mean to preach, but Anxiety is fiercely painful, and I want to help you.  If you keep playing around with hallucinogenics, you're going to fry the circuitry in your brain and be left as an anxious mess.  It's not worth it.  If you work this program for six months--Voila, these harsh feelings you have will be gone!  Good luck.  

I do the same thing regarding my health, especially with STD's, cancer, etc...  But just remeber, you can't reverse anything that has aready happened.  So just start now trying not to worrt. It doesn't help anything.  In fact I think it is counterproductive and unhealthy.  Try to live a healthty lifestyle,.  USE CONDOMS!!!  Get to know your partners and talk about your sexual history together.  Sex is more fun when you can relax.  Just do everything you can to prevent disease but then LET IT REST.   Worrying is more likely to cause problems.  Be cautios and concerned but don't be paralyzed with fear.  Change your mind.  Face your fears, see what you can do, and then let it rest.  If start worrying again, focus on your breathing, chill, and start all over again.   Good Luck!!!   (Wed Oct 8 13:43 2003)

Another note to noneother:  You may need to ask your doctor about silent reflux...I had chest pains and what felt like bronchitis and it was treated with Prilosec which is a prescription drug used to treat silent reflux....

A note to noneother:  Stop eating shrooms and I bet you'll feel better....Go get tested for HIV so you will know for sure...Go to a regular doctor you trust and tell him how you are feeling....Effexor will help you tremendously...Good luck!!

I do not know what it could be but since I have discovered the symptoms of GAD I noticed that I also am beginning to experience these.  I do expect the worse but rarely only when it effects my health or bodily harm. Recently (I'am 19 years old) I have been worrying and worrying and I will be tested for Iam not sure, But i had promiscous sex and this person two months later had a blood test and it came back HIV negative. But I still worried and I will test myself also but I still worry and worry at first I did not and all was fine but then I came down with bronchitis which can be caused by many things virus, colds, air pollution or dust which i work alot around. and I began to wander could it be because of HIV???? maybe she has HIV and it didnt show??? ANyhow I became ill and did not know what it could possibly be until the doctor told me. SO then i went on pills and then it went away and then the breathing was stil there when the pills ran out but the bronchitis was gone. I still had pains in my chest some kind of feeling in my heart or near it. and recently also feelings in both my arms like at the vein or something I do not know but it is gone now and the chest pains wee gone when i finally trie dto get myself to stop but now the chest pains are beginning to come back and my bretahing was just about fine but then I took soem shrooms and ate alot of them and my muscles felt really weird and thats all that happened but then aferward it stays in your system for 3 days and i could feel it. BUt then i worried like what if its not that what if its HIV???? I know now that i type it it sounds stupid but what if? so now my hands tremble and i notice it does subside alittle when i dont think about it but then it comes back when i begin to think what if??? its hard to get rid of these thoughts and feelings but im sure it is anxiety I just cant shake it.