I've had GAD for years, but my attacks were ALWAYS triggered by something. I had mirena inserted Nov. 13th, and probably within two weeks my anxiety began increasing.

I smoked pot for years (please spare me the lectures) because it actually calmed me down and made me feel normal, I didnt want to be dependent on pills, my mom calls is "self medicating"

anyway, i began having small attacks, out of no where. i'd be watching tv, or sitting in class, or at walmart. I smoked before I went to bed and it threw me into a huge panic attack, which has never happened before, it lasted about 2 hours. At first I thought it was a fluke, there's been a few times since then that I've been able to smoke and I felt fine, but now I can't at all. Not that that is the real issue, but it plays a part.

Everyday all i think about is my anxiety now. I'm constantly paranoid of when I'm going to have another attack, am I going to make it through the day without freaking out. My boyfriend has been really worried about me and he doesn't really understand anxiety disorders and thinks it's in my head. It's not. I won't go to Walmart alone anymore because I go in and begin to feel like I can't breathe. My chest always feels heavy, sometimes my heart will pound when i'm just laying around relaxing after school.

I took a chance about 2 months ago and smoked with my boyfriend and it threw me into the worst attack I've ever had. Heart racing/pounding, racing thoughts, felt like i couldnt breathe. It lasted 4 hours and took two xanax to get it to subside. After about 3 hours I was shaking, all over, so bad I could barely walk. After my chest feels like I just ran miles on a track. I quit smoking that day, thinking that was the problem, that maybe I'm just one of those people that just can't smoke anymore...

But nothing has changed. I'm up all night stressed, I'm constantly fidgity. I get that feeling you get when someone scares you, that weird feeling in your chest, i can't really explain it.. all the time. I even woke up this morning and had a small attack within 10 minutes.

It never occurred to me that it could be the mirena causing all of this. if it is, I can't live like this for 5 years, I feel crazy. I'm always worried I'm going to die, or something. I never used to think like that.

I just want to feel normal again, be able to smoke pot, go to walmart and buy groceries alone, enjoy going out in general and not worry about attacks. I called my doctor today and she wants me to come in to talk to her about everything on Monday...

I guess I just need opinions, if you think the mirena has been causing all these issues or not. At first my mom thought it was the pot, but after talking about the mirena and when i got it she's since changed her mind. I've smoked for 3 years, everyday, and I have never had an issue until now. If it was the pot, my quitting would have fixed it.

I love not worrying about birth control, not being paranoid about getting pregnant... but it's not worth feeling like this...