Body tingling, fearful thoughts... Please help
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hey everyone,
6 months ago I discovered my wife of only one year had an affair, and my world was completely blown up. I was completely blindsided to say the least and I haven't been the same since. We were together 8 years, married for 1, had a new house, and life was awesome. I'm 37 years old, my wife is 31. I have always been a bit of a worry wart, and always had a very small case of OCD, nothing alarming, and nothing that has ever consumed me before this.
I have had anxiety non-stop for 6 months, obviously because of the situation, but also because our lives have been in limbo, as I haven't been able to decide whether I should leave her or try and make it work. I have literally been thinking about it non stop for 6 months straight. I know I have never been the type of person to get over something like this, but I can't pull the trigger and let go of this awesome life we had going. I'm so stuck and so I keep asking, Should I stay? Should I go? What's the right decision? How can I possibly start over at this age?... over and over and over...
3 months ago, my GP put me on Citalopram(Anti-Depressants) which I was very hesitant in taking. Eventually I gave it a shot and was on them for just 3 weeks. The side effects were absolutely unbearable for me, and I needed to get off them asap, so I weened off them for a week then stopped. I had some withdrawals lasting about a month (Brain zap, tingling, feeling of going crazy) until things subsided slowly. I don't know if its just in my head, but I honestly feel I have not been the same since trying the SSRI's. It's been 6 weeks since stopping them now.
To make things worse, the past 2 weeks I have been feeling very detached from myself (Very weird feeling), I have been having fearful thoughts with anything regarding the future (My age, growing old, dying, being alone, starting over from the divorce), and my entire body is tingling/vibrations non-stop all day long. I am feeling like I am losing my mind, and its really starting to scare me causing more panic. I have been taking Lorazepam 1mg only as needed for about 4 months. At most, like 1-2mg a week when I ABSOLUTELY need it. For the most part, I've been fighting through it.
Is this tingling and fearful thoughts still withdrawal from taking the anti-depressants? Did they do any permanent damage? Or is it caused by the constant anxiety everyday? Why only now has the tingling and thoughts started, and how do I make it stop!!! I'm getting desperate and freaking out that I'm losing my mind and will never be myself again. I finally have an appointment with a therapist this week. Please any reassuring thoughts to help ease my mind would be awesome to hear... Thanks, and I apologize for venting... Please tell me I'm going to be ok
0 likes, 16 replies
Anxiety1995 Dobber80
Posted
Hey!
I have tingling from anxiety. It started after a large bout of persistent anxiety/stress. I am not withdrawing from antidepressants. I have read many boards filled with people who were getting tingling from anxiety.
I'm sure it's this. Anxiety can mimic many conditions and neuro ones are included in this. I think you'll be fine!
Dobber80 Anxiety1995
Posted
If you say its from persistant anxiety/stress, then I can totally relate. As mentioned, I have had bad anxiety upwards of 6 months due to discovering the affair, and the undertainty of the marriage. Having said that, how do I make it go away? Leaving my wife, and all the stresses should go with it, but I'm afraid of then falling into a depression, and the fear of being alone etc.
Anxiety1995 Dobber80
Posted
NP
Dobber80 Anxiety1995
Posted
The anxiety I have felt up until this point was managable. Some days worse than others, but overall I could live. The past 2 weeks is whats starting to scare me, with the tingling and fearful thoughts. I never felt those until now. Has the anxiety gone to another level, and can it still be reversed? I fear it has gone too far and is now embedded itself and I'll never be the same..
marleen85993 Dobber80
Posted
Hi sorry you are suffering so much.The antidepressant you were on haven't caused you any damage and they are out of your system.Your life has been turned upside down and you are grieving for your relationship.l think anyone would be feeling torn in your position however the pair of you have a lot of decisions to make and you have to be in the right frame of mind to make them.Don't do anything in haste sit down together and talk it through.Then perhaps you and your wife would benefit from couples counseling.I hope everything works out well for you.
Dobber80 marleen85993
Posted
Thank you. It eases my mind that its not the AD. The affair was discovered 6 months ago, so there was lots of time to discuss. My wife has begged for forgiveness, and does want to stay with me, but it's me who can't forgive and is dragging it out because I'm scared of losing everything and starting over, causing tremendous stress and anxiety. Thanks for the support
marleen85993 Dobber80
Posted
Well you have answered the main question if you can't forgive her let it go.You are better to be on your own than be in an unhappy marriage out of fear of being on your own.You will adjust and move on however it will take time.
Dobber80 marleen85993
Posted
You are right, and I just cant seem to make the damn decision to forgive or leave. I have a hard time letting go. Somebody I know has also mentioned rumination, would that cause anything or add to the anxiety? I'm just very worried the anxiety has gone to another level, and it wont be reversable, and I wont get any better
Dobber80
Posted
I've read so many discussions with people who have suffered the symptoms for long periods of time, which is scaring me that this wont go away.
marleen85993 Dobber80
Posted
Ruminating is part of anxiety you go into a loop and it goes round and round.Listen to me please you under immense stress at this time so your anxiety is going to be awful.Do not take other people's anxiety as examples.Everyone is different so don't worry about the future regarding anxiety.I have known lots of people who have recovered.Just try to find some way of relaxing.Try to exercise as well and eat properly.
Dobber80 marleen85993
Posted
I have been exercising and eating well. This anxiety feels like it has gone to another level... I can't focus, my head is cloudy, I can't stop thinking about my situation. Its been 9 days like this and it's pure torture, I can't take it anymore.. Everyone says it will go away once I decide on leaving my wife, all the stress and anxiety will go away, but I'm so fearful I have my doubts it will go away
marleen85993 Dobber80
Posted
You are under extreme stress at the moment and l would imagine anyone in your situation would feel any different.Try to stop looking into the future as none of us know what's ahead.Anxiety will play on your fears and insecurities.Focus on what you have to do and do it.Trust yourself and make the decision that will benefit you.
edwina97301 Dobber80
Posted
Hi sorry your having such a bad time. All your symptoms do sound like anxiety. You have been through it over past months and it seems to be all consuming. All you can think about and your anxiety is loving it, anxiety jumps in when you are down. Don't think it's your anti depressants. Years ago I took similar for few weeks but came off, it was pretty hellish, similar to anxiety, but the tingling, feelimgvofvgoing mad, fear of death, being alone, etc, all sounds familiar, but should be gone now, glad your seeing therapist, sure it's anxiety related , hope they can help you, hope you get some reasurance here, and sorry you're having such turmoil about the future of your marriage, ??
edwina97301
Posted
Just read you think your anxiety has gone to another level and not reversible. I've had anxiety for years, I know with this level of anxiety I thought I must be worse than everybody else and would never feel ' normal' again, you will, having therapy and talking here is good idea, one day at a time support and reasurance you can learn to cope, I can manage anxiety much better nowadays, it is do-able, there is hope.??
ann55375 edwina97301
Posted
edwina97301 ann55375
Posted
Sorry to hear your feeling like this, remember when I was so down I couldn't go out, didn't want to answer phone etc, you really need to push yourself as at this point I'd almost given up and thought it was just easier to stay locked away. Looking back the best thing to do is see doctor, tell him/ her how you are feeling( I don't know about the med you mentioned) but doc will know what's best if nothing else has worked. Hang in , you can get through this , I know it feels hopeless at the moment, I've tried everything, it's trial and error but worth it to get some sort of life back. Please see doc and don't waste anymore time locked away, I wasted years, talkbanytime it really helps, ??