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High anxiety levels and physical symptoms.

Posted , 5 users are following.

Dorsetem
Dorsetem

Hi. I have been off work for the last 2 weeks and been signed off another 3. It all started with breathlessness and palpitations. The breathlessness was dreadful when I would wake up during the night. The doctor initially put me on 20 mg citalopram. During that first week my head and face and jaw started aching and feeling of intense pressure, also my ears felt under extreme high pressure too. 2.5 weeks on and I have had no let up on this and my left arm has started to feel weak and fingers feel a bit shaky. 

i saw the doctor again last Friday and he had doubled my dose of citalopram. I feel calmer now but my body is still intensely feeling anxious. It is also comical (although it's most definitely not) that when there is a loud nose I startle as if I'm in a cartoon, way too exaggerated but I can't help it. 

i have had anxiety and stress problems before, but never, never as bad as this and only lasted a few days. Today I have self referred to have cbt therapy.

Has anyone experience all this  and evantually felt a bit better? 

Many thanks for reading this and looking forward to replies. 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • rachel18350
    rachel18350 Dorsetem

    Posted

    Hi dorsetem! I'm experiencing the same as you at the moment I've been out of school 2 weeks because of mine and yesterday i got properly diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression.. I'm starting my meds and cbt in 2 weeks so hopefully I see a let up soon😊 I'm only 17 too so it's horrible going through especially in my most important year of school 
  • holly_t
    holly_t Dorsetem

    Posted

    I think it will defintely be the side effects and the meds kicking in. I would give it 8 weeks and then go back to your doctor, they don't always get the initial dose right.
  • gillian20097
    gillian20097 Dorsetem

    Posted

    I think it happens with lots of anti depressants as they are kicking in. Years ago when I was on Citalopram I was exactly the same then kind of just felt better all of a sudden. Was kind of bizarre looking back. At the time I was just relieved.

    Ive just increased my dose of Mirtazapine last night and I'm feeling a little on edge today but I think that happens with the increase also.

    xx

  • anne240
    anne240 Dorsetem

    Posted

    Hello, because you call yourself Dorsetem I wondered whether you lived in dorset, as I do.  With anti depressants, unfortunately you usually feel worse before you feel better.  They do take anything up to 8 weeks to show any benefit.  Oh my dear I do hope you feel better soon.

    I am not on any medication at the moment.  I don't know whether we are better on or off medication.  I will be interested to know if the CBT helps, as never tried it myself.  Let us know how you get on, and keep in touch, as we all understand how each other feels.

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