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I need urgent help and feel like I'm losing my mind

Posted , 6 users are following.

Beezwax
Beezwax

Hello everyone, I feel so lost at the moment and really don't know what to do. I cannot see a Doctor until next Wednesday and I cannot see a Psychiatrist until almost the end of January. I have been on the drug Fluoxetine for about 9 weeks now and its just caused so many bad side effects that its causing problems rather than solving them. I feel like a nervous wreck all day everyday and I've now just lost the will to do anything. I haven't slept in 2 days, the nights last forever and I seem to always have a full head thinking these random thoughts, then I'll start dreaming even though I feel completely conscious. It will feel like 4-5 hours have passed yet I'll look at the clock and I've only been in bed under 2 hours. Its just a never ending cycle of this all night and I get really confused thinking my dreams are actually my reality and whatever happens in my dream will cause anxiety and my heart will race. 

I have asked my Doctor to take me off Fluoxetine several times but he just said he wants to wait for the psychiatrists opinion even though I'm literally going through hell right now. I'm constantly nervous, I shake now, have no appetite whatsoever, Insomnia, can't leave the house. I just feel at rock bottom at the moment and this sleeping issue is really not helping at all. 

I was on Mirtazapine for over 2 years prior to starting the Fluoxetine and decided to come off that because of side effects as well. Though they were no where near as bad as what I get with Fluoxetine. All I feel like doing right now is drinking alcohol in hopes that I can get some sleep tonight. My head is heavy, I cannot think straight, my hearts racing and I feel like my chest hurts. Since starting Fluoxetine I have felt very detached from myself and I hardly recognize who I am anymore. I feel my cognitive function has declined and I generally feel like my IQ has deteriorated. I just don't know what to do. I'm dragging my Family down with me all the time and I just feel like a burden. I'm just sick to death of it now. Ever since I started anti depressants, I've been in a cloud and not really alive on a descending slope. The Doctors always say I need them for my anxiety disorders and depression, but I feel they've made more issues than they've solved. I feel a shell of my former self and the sad thing is I'm only in my early 20's. 

The sleep issues started boxing day night and have been with me since. I drank excessive amounts of alcohol on Christmas night because were with with Family and I had a good time whilst under the influence. I feel like drinking is my only relief at the moment even though I'm trying to not make it an issue. 

I've also been having panic attacks lately which I tended to not get whilst on Mirtazapine. I feel like I have a short fuse towards everything and the slightest thing will really bother me and I'll dwell on it for hours upon end. If anyone has any advise I'd appreciate it. I don't know what to do with myself in this state.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • pamela51740
    pamela51740 Beezwax

    Posted

    Sorry to hear what you are going through but I seriously wouldn't drink alcohol it makes things a million times worse the next day and also whilst on antidepressants. Maybe this is why you are a lot more anxious because of drinking too much Christmas day. I avoid drinking because my hangovers last a week and my anxiety gets so much worse and in the end it's not worth it (I'm even staying in new years eve and I love going to parties on new year!) Give your antidepressants time to work again and take care x

    • Beezwax
      Beezwax pamela51740

      Posted

      Hey Pamela thanks for the advise. The truth is the anxiety has been worse ever since I stopped taking Mirtazapine. The alcohol definitely makes it worse the next few days but in my honest opinion, either the Mirtazapine is giving me insane withdrawals, or I'm not getting on with Fluoxetine and its making my symptoms worse (I think its the latter). I feel so down and don't feel like I'm going to get any relief anytime soon. 

  • brown45840
    brown45840 Beezwax

    Posted

    Hi Beezwax,

    So sorry about what’s happening with you. It could be the alcohol that’s causing the problems. Try not to drink so much while taking Fluoxetine, because that can cause your problems with anxiety to get worse. I know it’s hard but try to find something you like doing; go for a long walk, get some fresh air, drink lots of water, stop eating processed sugar, listen to some quiet music, and do some meditation or mindfulness techniques on YouTube. Best wishes for you Beezwax!

    • Beezwax
      Beezwax brown45840

      Posted

      Hey Brown, thanks for the advise. I have been trying my best to do the things I love, but its just not been enough for me since stopping Mirtazapine. I have constant anxiety now and simply can't do the things I used to do. The thought of leaving the house right now just seems impossible. I do the meditation thing every night and generally feel calm upon going to sleep like usual, but that's just stopped happening now. I cannot fall asleep. I feel like I need to be on something primarily targeted for anxiety instead of depression because I'm literally a nervous wreck.

    • brown45840
      brown45840 Beezwax

      Posted

      I understand, because I went through a period where I didn’t sleep for a week. Try not to drink and allow the medication to work.
  • kim27383
    kim27383 Beezwax

    Posted

    I understand what you're saying I've been on Lexapro and since I started it I haven't been able to sleep well and I wake up panicked and jittery and I get scared with a fast heartbeat. I haven't taken it the last two nights and I was able to sleep. My doctor isn't going to be happy I'm not taking it tho.

  • borderriever
    borderriever Beezwax

    Posted

    Hello Beezwax

    Your GP will be reluctant to change your medication until He gets feedback from your specialist especially if you are balking on the ones that you have tried in the past.

    If you have been drinking heavy your medications will cause severe side effects, one effect is lack of good quality sleep and memory disorders. including your IQ although your IQ will not have changed as generally the Iq remains constant, more dependent on age

    I would recommend you go easy on drink, I drink several days a week. Two nights 2ltrs Cyder. Two nights half litre beer and a double malt whiskey, in some instances I feel rough until lunchtime, caused mostly by Opiates although I feel AD medications do not help. Even at Christmas and New Year I never drink over that limit.

    If your drink is more frequent and in excess of regular intake you will have problems, it will be the drink causing problems not medication, stp drinking.

    Wednesday is not long to wait when you consider we are entering a weekend and Monday is a Bank Holiday.I would advise you go on the wagon and stop drinking excessive until after your appointment.

    Your GP will not want you to enter a treadmill of different medications that is why He is seeking advice

    All I will advise is to keep taking your medications until your visit to see your GP

    BOB

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