Anxiety and medication journeys
Posted , 5 users are following.
I've started this thread as the other one "Any one taking Escitilopram and Mirtazapine " has got so long.
A bit of my background.
I am 57 and have suffered from anxiety and depression for many years.
This escalated when I was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 43.
It escalated again when I lost my mum last year.
I was initially taking Citalopram, Tamazepam, and Zopiclone.
This was after a while changed to, Citalopram, Diazepam and Zolpidem.
After a few years, I was changed to a different AD, but after a few months it was obvious it wasn't working for me.
I was then put on Sertraline, which I could not tolerate at all.
I was then put on Trazadone along with Diazepam still.
This worked well, until on a visit to my GP at the end of May I mentioned my anxiety had been playing up again.
He took me off Trazadone cold turkey..... big mistake!
Put me on Mirtazapine, after a few weeks increased the Mirtazapine which sent my anxiety rocketing!
I was referred to the mental health nurse specialist at my surgery who told me to taper off Mirtazapine and introduced Escitilopram at 10mg daily.
For two weeks I was a wreck, I had horrendous withdrawal from the Trazadone and on top of that withdrawal from Mirtazapine and side effects from starting Escitilopram!
My GP then introduced Quetiapine too, as I was running on pure adrenaline , having daily panic attacks etc.,
So now I am currently on,
Escitilopram, Diazepam and Quetiapine.
Things appear to be settling down, into my 6th week of Escitilopram.
But my sleep is still a big issue, go off to sleep but am awake a few hours later!
Well that's my background of my journey with Anxiety and medication, I have a appointment with the mental health nurse specialist this afternoon, so will see what he has to say.
0 likes, 104 replies
karen32905
Posted
Good morning everyone,
Hi Nikki and Ann, how are you both doing?
My sleep has been a little better, still awake early though!
Getting anxious about this holiday, I'm sure I'll be fine once I'm there!
I have my GP this afternoon so will see what he has to say now as still getting waves of anxiety and am into 7th week of Escitilopram.
Bit wet and cloudy in Gloucestershire at the moment but humid too!
Sending hugs 🤗
ann55375 karen32905
Posted
i have now been lowering for several weeks and it has got reallynhard. My depression has hit a low and anxiety too. Have had to take double diazepam this am.
i am not sure if its the lowering ofmthe mirtazapine kicking in and i need to ride the storm, but any hopes of going out or doing anything, seeing friends etc is gone.
if i knew it was just a temporary phase i would be able to push through, but i just dont know if its my original illness getting worse. They say titraring down can bring on these effects but how can i tell?
i am so annoyed the psych secretary didnt ring me back, just expect me to contact crisis team if bad. Psych services are awful. I wish i could go private but thats no better according to my GP.
how im going to get through today i dont know. Still in bed.
sorry to go on when you are having a nice holiday to look forward to. At least your meds are working!
karen32905 ann55375
Posted
Oh Ann my heart goes out to you, you go on as much as you want, we're here to offer support as best we can ??
I'd be fuming with your psych secretary too!!
How can they not see you need help now😡 !!!
I think it's possibly withdrawal from the Mirtazapine?
I was like that when withdrawing from Trazadone and Mirtazapine!
Absolutely horrendous!
Thankfully my Dr eventually realised how bad I was, that's when he gave me Quetiapine.
I don't know which meds are working, whether it's the Escitilopram or the Quetiapine? Or a combination of both topped up with Diazepam?!
I'm praying my Dr gives me two packets of Diazepam this afternoon!
Don't think I will be able to get through the holiday ( which I'm dreading) without them.
Sending you massive hugs 🤗
karen32905 ann55375
Posted
How are you doing Ann, been worrying about you?
Nothing from Nikki today, I hope she's ok?!
What date in October is your psych appointment?
It's such a way off with no support in between!
Are the crisis time any help or your GP?
Hugs 🤗
ann55375 karen32905
Posted
bit concerned nothing from Nikki today, hope all is ok for her.
did you get the diazepam to help you today? How long are you away? Can you still use internet? Keep in touch and have a good relaxing time.
karen32905 ann55375
Posted
Hi Ann,
Gosh that seems ages away but time goes by quite quickly.
Yes GP gave me two boxes of Diazepam!
Away for 11 nights!!
Yes, hotel has free wifi!
I'm sure I'll be ok once I get there!!.....well I hope so!
See my mental health nurse specialist on 27th September.
Glad your day picked up a little for you x
karen32905 ann55375
Posted
Hi Ann,
Nikki has asked me to update you.
She's in a very bad place!
She had to call family in the early hours and the duty dr came out too!
Her own GP called her today as didn't realise what a bad way she was in.
She's also just had a call from the crisis team to check on her.
They are trying to get her some help around the home too.
She's been told not to bother stopping the Zopiclone and not to taper the Escitilopram.
Her GP is calling her and seeing her next week, I don't think he was in agreement with what the psych had said about medication.
Nikki doesn't know what he's got in mind at the moment.
She said to say she's thinking of you too xx
ann55375 karen32905
Posted
so sorry to hear from you about nikki. I am praying for her to get the help she needs as soon as possible. This illness is just so awful, especially when you arent getting the right medication and help.
i assume you will hear from facebook somplease let me know if theres any news.
karen32905 ann55375
Posted
Hi Ann,
I go away on Tuesday, dreading it!!
Yes I will msg Nikki again later through Facebook to see how she is.
I'm just thankful that she's getting some help.
How are you Ann? Xx
ann55375 karen32905
Posted
yesterday was awful. I am not sure id its the illness or the titration ofmthe mirtazapine but anxiety was through roof. However slept a bit better (seems one night on, one night off) and trying to think about getting through today.
glad you have a few days to get yourself up for a holiday. Is it a sunny place? Its meant to help being in sun.
hoping for a better day for us all. Very worried about Nikki.
karen32905 ann55375
Posted
Hi Ann, I didn't notice that heading from Nikki, but I don't always read new ones.
Sorry you are still struggling, I was like that, one good night one bad one, same with the days too.
We're going to Portugal!!
At least the flight isn't too long!
Getting very anxious about it, I'm sure I'll be fine once I get there.... fingers crossed 🤞
I think sometimes the thought is worse?!
Obviously I wasn't this bad when we booked it or we never would of booked it.
I hope your day gets easier.
Hugs 🤗
karen32905
Posted
Hi Ann,
Have copied a message from Nikki to you xx
Ah that's lovely of her and thank you for sending it on 😘please thank her for me and send my love.
Well I fell asleep for a couple of hours just on the mirt then woke twice and did my usual 3.75 zop each time. Finally up about 8. So I got some broken but it was because of the drugs, better than 3 hours though!
I think I was going through zop withdrawal and lack of sleep on top! Scary.
Trying to remain hopeful that there'll be a long term solution for me.
Xx
GerardCB karen32905
Posted
That must be really tough Karen. I send all my love to you and your journey. I just want to let you know that you will make it.
I am 23 years old and I have never experienced anxiety until 2 years ago. But because of that, when it hit, it hit like a train. I was never even familiar with the feeling of anxiousness, but I was hit with panic attacks every day for a few months. I wanted to kill myself. After going to the doctor, taking meds (citalopram, then went to Zoloft for a bit, and ativan) and learning about remedies I finally got out of that season of panic attacks.
However, I still struggle with anxiety on a daily basis. I think something just clicked on once I hit that age. Currently I am having trouble sleeping as my heart is always beating hard 24/7.
But I think the biggest and best thing you can do to combat this anxiety is your attitude. I write in a journal every night and write what I'm thankful for. When I keep this attitude, despite all the anxiety and depression I face, it always gives me hope at the end of the night. I live knowing that my anxiety has a purpose. Which is to help others with their anxiety.
God Bless Karen. If anyone ever needs to talk, feel free to message me.
karen32905 GerardCB
Posted
Thank you GeradCB,
It's good to hear some positivity in this awful illness!
It is a awful thing to suffer from as you obviously know.
I think you must of been in a awful place too to of had those thoughts.
I'm so glad that all though your still suffering from daily anxiety you appear to be in a better place with it?
Keep writing to us, I think the more we all support one another the better, it helps us all to know we're not alone.
Hugs 🤗
GerardCB karen32905
Posted
Even though I still do struggle with anxiety, I am in a better place. I no longer get panic attacks which I am deeply deeply grateful for. And now I can help out people. I've helped lots of my friends. When you give your anxiety a purpose, it turns into a blessing.
You want to build a community here to help others out and I'm sure it makes you feel great. You're doing a good thing Karen!
karen32905 GerardCB
Posted
I've failed miserably GerardCB
Had to cancel holiday as anxiety is out of the window 😢
I've taken 50 steps back in my recovery
GerardCB karen32905
Posted
Karen!
So what happened exactly? What specific anxiety symptoms are you struggling with? Do you get panic attacks which makes you terrified of the holiday events?
I'm not sure if I have already recommended this, but the most helpful thing I have done for anxiety is to read. Specifically a book on panic. I looked up popular panic attack books on amazon and found one with good reviews. I read a few pages a day and that helped so much because I learned how to control my panic attacks and learn to get over them. I already got in trouble for stating the name of the book too many times, but I'm sure you'll find a good one.
God Bless Karen!
karen32905 GerardCB
Posted
Hi GerardCB
I don't know what happened!
I was looking forward to the holiday, then Saturday I could feel the anxiety creeping higher and Sunday was full blown anxiety, panic, shaking, feeling sick?!
I've been on holiday before no problem and flown before no problem so really don't know what happened this time, other than it was too soon into my recovery?
Thank you for your support and kindness x
GerardCB karen32905
Posted
Dangg have you though of instead of cancelling it, just take benzos just for those days?
It is really important that you don't let your anxiety and panic dictate what you do. Of course anxiety feels horrible, but in the book that I read, the most you let it change your actions, the more it will get worse.
I also read that you should take steps little by little to start doing the things you normally do again. So take everything one step at a time without stepping too much our of your comfort zone because you would have a relapse, but at the same time step a little out.
Of course. I love helping people because I know how it feels. And i don't want anyone feeling the way we all feel.