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Crippling anxiety, need help!!

Posted , 5 users are following.

jmarti41
jmarti41

I've been having severe, crippling anxiety for the past month and a half now. I was totally fine, going out with friends, in a good headspace then... I got a huge migraine one day and went to the doc for migraine meds. They gave me Imitrex which I've taken before and they worked fine. I took the Imitrex and it made me feel really weird and anxious and out of it this time. I only took it that once then 2 days later when I was at work I started feeling like I was about to have a stroke or heart attack and had to go to the ER. Tests came back normal and they said it was a panic attack or bad reaction to the Imitrex.

Ever since then I haven't felt right at all. I'm constantly drained, brain feels like it's going to shut down or explode, dizzy, jittery, can barely go to the store some days. I have no social life since then bc I'm too anxious or tired to go out. I used to work out regularly, now I can barely do that. I've had to leave work several times bc it's hard to make it through the day. I've even had thoughts of having to quit sometimes. I've been on Citalopram for 4 weeks now which has helped some. Some days I feel pretty good and others are torture.

I've seen many of you are experiencing something similar. What seemed to work best for you all? How long did it take to overcome this? How do you cope with going to work everyday? Any suggestions you have are appreciated! I just want to feel normal again

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • jmarti41
    jmarti41

    Posted

    I also had an MRI done bc of course I googled and convinced myself I had a brain tumor but brain scan came back normal.

  • laura37392
    laura37392 jmarti41

    Posted

    I feel your pain..I started sertraline then duloxetine and made me near crazy..I'm on day 25 of citalopram now and feel not great..I cant help unfortunately but I'm here if u wanna chat

    • jmarti41
      jmarti41 laura37392

      Posted

      Thank you for your response! I'm sorry you're going through this to. I'm also here if you want to talk

  • tracy3210
    tracy3210 jmarti41

    Posted

    I understand what you are feeling. I have the similar symptoms, very tired to go to work every day. I have been taking Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for 6 months, and I still very tired and have anxiety.

    If you can afford to stay home for awhile, that is good for you. Or, you can work a half of day.

    I cannot afford to not working, so I work full-time. I have my own office, so I can take breaks at anytime. But, yes, I am very tired at the end of the day.

    My friend work half of the week and take other half to stay home as sick or vacation leave. Other friend took one year as temporary disability to stay home.

    Hope, we all get out of this mental illness soon.

    • jmarti41
      jmarti41 tracy3210

      Posted

      I wish I could stay home! Unfortunately, I can't afford to. I was working from home for 10 years up until they brought us all back in the office in March. Working from home would be perfect right about now. I'm nervous to mention what I've been feeling to them because I don't want them to think I'm just making things up or trying to get out of work. My boss is in California so we have no face to face interaction. Did your friend take disability leave due to anxiety issues?

      I have Lorazepam but I haven't been taking it bc it makes me drowsy. I guess I should start taking it on days that are really bad.

      I hope we all get out of this soon too! 🙏 I wouldn't wish it on anyone but it's comforting to have people here to talk to that understand it

  • tracy3210
    tracy3210 jmarti41

    Posted

    Do you have any benzodiazepines to help you until the antidepressant kicks in?

    • tracy3210
      tracy3210

      Posted

      I take Alprazolam (Xanaz) every day, most of the time is a half dose. I have taken the Alprazolam for 6 months. My doctor said it is ok to take it until I feel well enough to stop it. If the Lorazepam makes you feel drowsy, take a half or a quater of dose.

      Yes, my friend took short term disability for one year because of the anxiety disorder. She lives in CA, US. Lucky her, her company bought short term disability for employees.

      Another friend is working from home because of anxiety, too. She is afraid to drive. She got an order from her doctor.

      You should talk to your boss if you can work from home a few day a week. Maybe, your boss will understand your illness. I talked to my boss, he understood my problem.

    • jmarti41
      jmarti41 tracy3210

      Posted

      You're right, I should talk to them. And I'll try the half or quarter dose of Lorazepam, that's a good idea. Thank you!

  • theyayav
    theyayav jmarti41

    Posted

    i have bad health anxiety so i feel you . i havent felt normal in what feels like ages . everyday is a symptom and a feeling of doom

    • jmarti41
      jmarti41 theyayav

      Posted

      Anxiety is the worst! I hope you overcome it soon 🙏

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