Can't find medication that works for my severe state of anxiety.
Posted , 6 users are following.
I cold turkeyed Effexor XR 37.5mg that I had been on for about 4 weeks at the request of my doctor, as he was switching me to Citalopram because he thought it would work better for my anxiety. Effexor XR is the only medication that I have taken that actually left me feeling good and has actually semi worked for my anxiety.
I had horrible physical withdrawals from the Effexor XR and bad startup anxiety from the Citalopram. I was on 20mg Citalopram for about 4 weeks and it left me in a very bad state. I had severe cognition impairment and memory issues, was slurring my words and just generally felt like I was on another planet. My thoughts were always racing and I felt almost dissociative from my thoughts.
I again was told to cold turkey the Citalopram and was told I was having a severe adverse reaction to it. I was off of it for about 4 weeks before I had a mental breakdown. At this point my anxiety was sky high and I was having severe intrusive/obsessive thoughts.
I was then put on Zoloft 25mg for a week, then upped to 50mg. I was on 50mg for about 4 weeks and was then upped to 100mg for 2 weeks and then upped again to 150mg. The Zoloft has done wonders for my mood, but hasn't touched my anxiety. I've been on it for a total of 9 weeks. Once again I feel really spaced out, my memory is moment to moment and very poor, and I just generally feel incredibly anxious for no reason at all and feel like I'm losing my mind.
The only thing keeping me partially sane is the .5mg Clonazepam that I was given to take PRN. I generally tend to take it once daily and it helps calm everything down. But ever since the Citalopram, I've been developing constant Pure O OCD symptoms including repeating thoughts, constant subvocalization of inner dialogue, automatically repeating what I or others have said during a conversation, but in my head, etc.
I was diagnosed with GAD, OCD Tendencies, and Major Depressive Disorder. I can't seem to find any medications that have managed to help me cope or manage this anxiety. Even when I'm feeling good, I'm plagued by thoughts and worry about the anxiety, I can't seem to dismiss it from my mind and it makes me feel like I'm batty and the fact that the Zoloft isn't touching my anxiety or OCD worries me that nothing will.
Does anyone any advice or suggestions as to which medications I should try? I'm currently in therapy with a Psychologist for CBT, I'm active and social, but constantly struggling with severe anxiety and intrusive thoughts from the moment I wake up, to the moment I go to bed, but the anxiety is lessened at night a bit and mornings are the absolute worst.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, I feel stuck.
2 likes, 17 replies
lattifa7777 Preston89
Posted
OMG, reading your storey was like i was looking at my self, i new that eveeyome who had depression and anxiety felt terible and described many symptoms i had. to be honest i never thought anyone really new what my head was like!! and you described it perfectly.
the repetstive dialogue , not being abke to stop thinking about the anxiety 24 /7 even when socialising!
i was only slightly down when i went to the dr.
she gave me 30mg of citalopram, i only took one dose, and that was it.
it ruined my life.
went to a&e as i was having the worst panic attack of my life. didnt think i was in this world at all. apoarantly i too had an adverse reaction.
then for a whole month i was not me anymore, constand panic loss of appetite intrusive thoughts couldnt be at home especially not alone. i felt stuck in my mind.
then i had to go back to my gp and had to take sertraline 50mg. i was really scared to take it but i did aventually. i got worse became suicidal, felt like my insides were shaking all the time. i also had a heavy fog over my head and i croed a lot. i just didnt feel normal anymore. after 4 weeks things imprived on sertraline.
but i have only felt normal and much better since march.
i think the citalopram caused me a kind of brain damage??? for me anyway i shouldnt have been given it. certainly not 30mg
o have friends that take it and they are fine on it.
for me however i will be traumatised for life !!
Preston89 lattifa7777
Posted
It's somewhat relieving to hear that someone else is going through the same thing. I haven't been the same since the Citalopram and I have also worried that it did something permanent to my brain, because I never had issues with intrusive thoughts or any of that kind of stuff before taking the Citalopram.
Now it feels like my mind is constantly churning out worries all day everyday and even when I am not feeling so horribly anxious, my mind is stuck on repeat with worry about the anxiety or just generally thinking about it. Very few things have managed to actually pull my attention away from it and make me forget, but it doesn't last. I hate feeling like I don't have control over my thoughts.
I also noticed that when I adjust the dosage of my Sertraline, I tend to get worse for about a week or so with increased violent/suicidal intrusive thoughts, anxiety spikes and I just generally feel really depressed.
Psyched_Out_Kim Preston89
Posted
Give the Zoloft a bit more time to try and get you regulated. Seems like you've been put through a lot when it comes to meds, and your system needs time to get the previous ones completely out while allowing Zoloft to do its job.
I'm not on Zoloft now, but was for many years. It did help with anxiety quite well, just not at first. When I went off of it, there was definitely a big difference. All of the heightened anxiety that I took Zoloft for in the first place was back with a vengeance.
So far it seems like Zoloft is working for you, and there's no adverse reaction, so all you really need is time. I know it's hard, but it will be worth it in the end. Hang in there.
Preston89 Psyched_Out_Kim
Posted
Yeah, I'm trying.. I've just been going through this severe anxiety for about 6 months now and I'm at my wits end and I don't understand why is has been persisting for so long. I would have thought that the Zoloft would have kicked in by now, but it doesn't seem to be changing. I tried to increase to 150mg after being on 100mg for two weeks. Didn't seem to be working on 100mg, but I was on 150mg for around 8 days and was going completely batty and had to reduce back down to 100mg. That was about 4 days ago or so and I've been struggling since then with increased intrusive thoughts and anxiety. Wondering if there isn't something else I can take alongside the Zoloft that will maybe help out with the anxiety and calm my mind down, it just seems to endlessly race on its own all day.
linda61597 Psyched_Out_Kim
Posted
Psyched out, I really need help I suffer from anxiety & depression.
I started on Xanax a couple of years ago & now found out it's very additive. I started Zoloft 50mg 4 weeks ago & I think I'm even worse.
I can't give up the xanax because I feel the anixity even more.
I have memory loss, no appitite & also agitated since starting Zoloft.
How do I wean myself off Xanax & still stop my anxitey?
I drink 3 glasses of wine a night so I won't take the Xanax at night.
I was NEVER a drinker & now I find myself doing this.
WHAT CAN I DO?????
Psyched_Out_Kim linda61597
Posted
The Zoloft is a very small dose, and probably not fully in your system yet since it's only been 4 weeks. Many people get increased anxiety during this time, so the Xanax would actually be beneficial now. Once you're past the beginning side effects of Zoloft, and on the proper dose needed, you'll actually find that you have a significant decrease in anxiety. At that point it would be good to see a doctor who can properly wean you down or off Xanax. Going off of Xanax abruptly can be very dangerous. Having a drink once in a while is fine, but substituting 3 glasses of wine every night is a nightmare waiting to happen, especially with meds in your system.
Be kind to yourself, and let a doctor help you.
Xanax can be addictive, but that's not always a bad thing, especially if it's very much needed. I can say the same thing about my thyroid medication. Technically I'm addicted to it because I need to take it daily or I'll end up with a bunch of screwy symptoms. Some addictions are nesasarry in order to live a good life, but they should recommended and supervised by a doctor.
linda61597 Psyched_Out_Kim
Posted
How long before I see a difference? in your experience what dosage is the trick to get me totally off Xanax? By me having 2 to 3 glasses of wine a night what could happen?
Psyched_Out_Kim linda61597
Posted
Honestly, I'm not sure how to taper off, because I've never done it, and still take it. I've only read about how people tapered very slowly, to the point of just shaving a tiny bit off of one pill. If they normally took 2 or 3 a day, only one would get shaved. Everyone is so different, that's why it's best to have a doctor walk you through it, and explain what to expect.
As far as the wine goes, that's a downer much like the meds. Too much can certainly slow down your breathing, and heart rate to a dangerously low number, or even stop the organs completely. A drink here and there tends to be fine, just not all the time. All medical conditions should be taken into consideration though.
matthewbarrota Preston89
Posted
Anxiety and depression and everything that follows takes so much from us. I've been on prosac for 8 plus weeks now and now I'm feeling better. Just abit now. I incorporated physical activity, good nutrition and healthy supplements. It helped me. When I calm and focusEd on something I do, movies, video games, hanging out with family/friends. These intrusive/obsessive thoughts aside and I felt normal and helps your realize that anxiety/depression really messes with your mind. Changing everything you think by it changing your brain chemistry. Anxiety is evil making you believe you are going crazy with these thoughts and feelings that seem so real. I know it hard when it feels too real and you can't really cope. But try to remember in the darkest times try to tell yourself it's anxeity and depression making you this way. Help cure that and eventually these thoughts and obsessions will be no more.
Preston89 matthewbarrota
Posted
Did your intrusive/obsessive thoughts ever cease while on the Prozac? I try to do everything I can to stay active and distract myself, but it seems like my mind is constantly racing with thoughts about the anxiety, reminding me how I feel and making it incredibly difficult to focus on anything else. I've only managed to accidentally distract myself from the anxiety while talking to someone or doing certain things, but I can't seem to do it on purpose. Seems like the harder I try, the stronger the anxiety becomes. Working on accepting it and not fighting, but this is proving to be a difficult matter. I wish the Sertraline would work and start fighting back against the anxiety, so I could feel good like you on your Prozac.
Any relief at all would be helpful, honestly. Even the Clonazepam doesn't take it completely away, I'm still constantly focused/thinking about the anxiety and I just wish I could forget about it completely and move on, instead of being stuck in fight or flight all the time and feeling insane.
lisalisa67 Preston89
Posted
lisalisa67
Posted
Preston89 lisalisa67
Posted
Luckily I see a new Psychiatrist tomorrow, so I'm hoping to discuss some different options with her. What other forms of medication besides benzos and SSRI's are used to treat severe chronic anxiety?
g.90572 Preston89
Posted
Preston89 g.90572
Posted
Yeah, I remember when I first began taking it.. I still had anxiety, but I just didn't care because I felt so calm and at peace, it was easy to dismiss it and just smile. It didn't last to this incredible extent though and I began having issues with Restless Legs while trying to sleep at night. Thats why my doctor ended up trying to switch me to Citalopram after having me cold turkey the Effexor XR and everything just went to hell from there.
linda61597 Preston89
Posted
I am on Zoloft 50mg & Xanax which is hard to get off.
I have been on Xanax for a couple of years & now it's not working like it use to. I have been on Zoloft for 4 wks & I think I'm even worse.
I smoke more, no appitite, wake up at 4:00 every morning when I use to get up at 7:00. & I believe the Xanax is playing with my memory.
I can't remember words anymore & can't think straight.
I really don't know what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Psyched_Out_Kim Preston89
Posted
Just checking up to see how you're doing, Preston. I hope things have gotten better for you, and all is well.