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[EcleticJoe]

Okay, Dude, JaMom, Beck, Rahul, et al let's keep it going.

[Soccer_Dude]

This is the continuation of the "Please Tell Me It Gets Better" thread...

[Soccer_Dude]

I hope everyone is doing well. I had quite a bit of anxiety yesterday, nervousness, today isn't so bad, although I did wake up with some anxiety as I started to worry about something, but now things have calmed down.

[EcleticJoe]

I'm fully convinced (when my anxiety calms down to the point I can think rationally) that I have some mental hypochondriac issues that blew up on me when I went off the Lex in the first place. I am always a reader of side effects and symptoms and while the side effects are real and worse on higher dosages, the anxiety level in my body makes them go sky high. Then I start thinking the worse, obsessing, yada, yada, to the point I can barely function.

How do you fix that?

[Soccer_Dude]

Hi Joe, I think this is called Health Anxiety... I think I also deal with the same thing....I spend so much time looking up symptoms, side effects, etc.... It causes more anxiety. I think we do need to be aware of our health concerns and if we have side effects to know where they are coming from, but we have to be careful not to spend too much time looking stuff up, because may symptoms are related to many different issues, which can just make us more anxious. That's why I think we need to make sure we discuss side effects with our doctors, keep in touch with people like us who are on the same meds, and just kind of sit back and let the medication do it's job. That's what a friend said to me one time, embrace the med and let it do its job. Easier said that done.... I think we just need to focus on the getting better, the hope that we will have soon as the med kicks in the the benefits. Once you start feeling better, enjoy those feelings and live life. I'm just rambling here, but like JAMommy said, is that we need to focus on more positive thinking.....

[Soccer_Dude]

One thing I've thought about was.....Before I came down with this Anxiety stuff, when I was feeling pretty good......Any time I thought about something that was stressful, like a bill to pay, or a speech I had to give, or whatever it was, I would get a shot of anxiety running through me, and depending on the thought, I could feel it rob my joy at that time, and then I would feel down or stressed. So, now we are in this situation, and think about all the things we are worried about, our health, side effects, meds, are the meds going to work, when will I feel better, so we probably are causing more anxiety in our minds, more than we probably even realize, whether those thoughts are in the back of our heads or not, they are probably making us worse by having them. So, I think the best thing we can do it focus on the positive, look forward to feeling better, look forward to these feelings going away being replaced by positive happy ones, etc....So, try to focus on positive thoughts, and looking forward to feeling better, and see of you can relieve some of that extra anxiety, and feel more comfortable.

[Rahul]

i'm in. will respond to soccer dude's and eclecticjoe's posts when required.

p.s. i don't remember who is on remeron (i am) but at 7.5/15 mg it is an excellent sleep-aid! i was prescribed it to combat the insomnia my ssri precipitated.

Edited by Rahul, 07 June 2012 - 12:49 PM.

[Soccer_Dude]

Hi Joe,

I think I mentioned this place before, but check out anixety centre dot com, as they list all the symptoms related to anxiety, and anxiety attacks. Seems like he lists every symptoms known to man kind, but I assume they can all be related to anxiety. That way, you can at least find some relief that some of your symptoms that you might be worried about are just anxiety related. As always, if you have a concern, talk to your doc.

Soccer

[triciaann21]

I was pretty stressed out last night but it was managable because I had a really hard work out (lifted weights and did 20 minutes on the treadmill). d*** vivid dreams keep happening ....waking me up every few hours but today so far has been a success. I attended a real estate closing that I was nervous about ( two clients have been negotiated a commercial space) and I drove a friend to pick up his car. Now I'm back at work and feel better. Jaw clenching is coming on again LOL It's only be two weeks so hopefully that will back off a bit.

I did take .25 Klonopin and one tylenol pm to sleep last night so maybe I'm still a little calm from that. I find that if I take the Klonopin every other day it does help. If I take it every day it makes me bluesy. Actually who knows at this point since I'm just starting Celexa and anythings possible.

I am reccommending that we all read "
'Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy' by David D. Burns" I started it last night and it really put some things in perspective for me. It also has a depression screening exam that can help you determine if you are depressed or mildly, moderately, or severely. It could be a good barometer on our success with meds.

[triciaann21]

Just curious how old everyone is in here...and what part of the country or world they live in. I live in the Southeast and I'm a 33 yr old female.

[Soccer_Dude]

Hi, I'm 42, male, and I live in Oregon. Nice to meet you.

[jonine1975]

I am following this thread too, it's nice to be in a place where everyone can feel comfortable with each other and share similar experiences with their anxiety/depression. Tonight I am taking a big step in my anxiety...I am going to go to my 5th grade daughters school program and I am a bit nervous because usually the only 2 places I go is therapy and the psychiatrist. I wasn't able to go to my sons zoo field trip, because my therapist and I agreed it could be a little too much on me. So I am taking small steps...tonight its the school program and I can stand by the back door in case I need to get outside for a second. My anxiety and depression feels better, but I haven't done enough outside things since I have been going through this. Wish me luck!!

[jonine1975]

Oh, ps I am 37 and live in Washington

[JAMommy]

Hi, I'm JAMommy, live in Illinois with my dear husband and two young boys. I lived in Colorado for several years though, so that kind of still feels like home. Anyway, can you believe our last thread had 7,000 views??? That's crazy. There must be a lot of people out there struggling as well.

Still going through Klonopin withdrawal, but had a better afternoon today than I did yesterday. I may have to start a thread somewhere else on this forum in regard to that.

[Soccer_Dude]

Hi,

I hope you have a relaxing nice time at your daughters school program!

Glad to hear that you are doing better.

Soccer

[Soccer_Dude]

Hi JAMommy,

Glad to hear that today is a little better for you. My day today is definately a little better than yesterday. I had all that anixety yesterday, but not so much today. Still dealing with the negative thoughts, hopelessness, etc....They come and go. I just can't wait for a lift in my mood and anxiety on Lex.

Are you feeling any more joy or excitement feelings? I know it's probably hard now that you are having some Klonopin withdrawal, but hopefully you still see some improvements.

Soccer

[triciaann21]

JAMommy.... how long were you on Klonopin for? I took it for 8 weeks in 2009 and safely withdrew. I've been on it now for 3 weeks about every other day and .125 at night with one Tylenol PM. I wouldn't stress yourself out so much about getting off of it so abruptly if you feel that you still need it for anxiety. My psychdoc said she gets people on and off of it all the time. Her nurse said she took it safely for 3 months and had a nice taper with no withdrawal. I just don't want you to add on top of your general stress. But you know yourself best. My friend has been on benzos for almost 15 years and never abused them. He thinks he can probably get completely off of them if he wants since he is now on Celexa and has been for 3 years.

You are all in my prayers... I hope were all going to be better soon.

[Soccer_Dude]

So,

How long can you take a Benzo, regularly and be able to stop without having to taper, like 2 weeks tops? Even at two weeks it might be good to do a quick taper of some sort I would think just to be safe... And if you are on a SSRI, how do you know when it's a good time to stop? I'm assuming the SSRI will make you feel better beyond what you were feeling from the Benzo?

Soccer

[triciaann21]

Everyone is different. I've been reading about it and I saw that dependency usually arises between 6 and 8 weeks. I think the lower the dose the better. I don't see any reason for someone to not be able to take them once a month or so if something really crazy happens (emergency). I'm taking it now just when my anxiety prevents me from eating while the Celexa kicks in. SSRI's always rev me up in the beginning and the Klonopin makes it much much more bearable.

I have an uncle who takes 2 mg a night to sleep and has for almost 8 years. He said he never slept in his life before the Klonopin and will never take more than his dosage because it is just for his sleep. I'm in no way advocating benzo's. I know they are not the answer, but I would hate for someone to put themselves through untold misery just to avoid taking them during a short rough patch.

[jonine1975]

I've been on klonopin for 6 years. Started at .75 3xs a day, then after about 6 months and feeling better I started slow taper, and finally got myself to .25 2 xs a day where I sat at for quite a few years. Now since March and anxiety/depression returned I am back to my .75...when I feel better I will taper again. I have never abused my med and it has been a great help for me.

[triciaann21]

Jamommy....if you have come this far though you are probably right to get off of them on a regular basis. Hopefully the Lexapro has almost fully kicked in and you won't need them any more. Sending prayers your way ;)

[JAMommy]

Soccer, I honestly think I WOULD continue to show improvement if I weren't trying to get off Klonopin. Maybe I am trying to get off of it too soon, but I really don't like meds, and the Klonopin was a temporary thing for me just to be able to get on Lexapro. I am so, so sensitive to SSRI's and have unbearable start up anxiety. I think you know the feeling.

I think I want off it so badly because I just want to see what the Lexapro is doing. I think I am still having start-up fatigue from Lexapro, and I also get really sedated from the Klonopin. So, I want to get back to "normal" with just Lexapro. But I am going to listen to my body and if my doctor's taper plan is too quick, I won't do it. She had me cutting 25% of my dose every 2 weeks. But if I am not ready to cut it again in another week, I absolutely will not.

Surprisingly, I am feeling decent this afternoon. So days 6 & 7 of weaning from Klonopin were the worst so far. It could still be bumpy as my brain has to adjust to its normal GABA levels. But this afternoon my boys and I were painting "pet" rocks. That is significant because when I am anxious, I have ZERO creative ideas. It's like my brain just goes into survival mode and all I really want to do is curl up in a corner.

So I feel confident that the Lexapro really is working underneath this benzo withdrawal stuff. I know it is. I have had many moments in the last few weeks where I felt better than I have in a year or so. Just want off the Klonopin and hope I never need it again.

Do you ever feel, with all this med stuff, that you have more knowledge now than you ever cared to have about this stuff? I sometimes feel inadequate because there are a lot of things in life I just don't know or know much about, or know how to do. But then this psychological stuff... I feel like I have a huge pile of experience and knowledge, which I never would have chosen to have because of the suffering. Well, maybe it will help someone else down the road.

Oh, I have been on Klonopin for 3+ months. I was on it for a few weeks, then off, then on again once I started Lexapro at the end of March. Started at probably .75mg, then was at maybe .60m, now I am a bit below .5mg. But my body is obviously very sensitive to it even though it's been a "low" dose, as I am having withdrawal symptoms from it.

Edited by JAMommy, 07 June 2012 - 04:47 PM.

[Soccer_Dude]

Hi JAMommy,

It does sound like you are getting better on the Lexapro. So, that is wonderful. I'm sure it will keep getting better.

Ya, I feel I know more about this stuff than I would hope to. But, like you said, it might help someone else some day. The Lord could use it for His ministry some how.

I could use prayer. I just heard today that my disability insurance was denied. There is an appeal process, but that could take forever. I'm in a major pickle financially. This is a huge panic/stressor for me. I was hoping, counting on that this insurance would be approved. I only need it for a short while, until I get back on my feet. Definately not something I'd take advantage of. Anyway, I could use a miracle about now, for healing and for my financial situation and for low stress.

Thank you!!!

Soccer

[Soccer_Dude]

I did get some good news, possibly....

My ND said, "...People with Celiac's will react quickly, seconds to hours. Sensitivity to Gluten tends to be cumulative, and
slower to react like days."

So, it's possible I don't have Celiac, but just a gluten sensitivity. Those times where I thought I've gotten gluten, or know I have, I didn't have break out anxiety until 1-3 days later, not seconds or hours. So, it's possible it's just a sensitivity if anything. Gluten Sensitivty can still cause problems, but at least it's not a auto-immune disease where my body is attacking itself. I still need to be careful not to eat gluten, or very very little or avoid any complications.

Well, it seems I don't have celiac, which is a relief if that is the case.

Soccer

[Rahul]

im 47, father of 2 sons and live in india. my older goes to college this fall. i've been on meds. (in my signature) for the last 4 years.

some people are able to taper from benzos without any difficulty; others have great difficulty. some take the same dose for decades without any adverse symptoms; others need to climb up and up owing to developing benzo tolerance. each case is different and it is probably determined genetically. some people are able to quit it easily the first time around but have ennormous difficulty the second time around (like me). the only generalization that can be a made is that for a majority of the people, it is tough to quit (via taper) though not impossible for scores have done it after decades of use. again, in general, the smaller the dose and shorter the use (less than a year), the faster you can taper off of it. dependency can occur in a matter of weeks (after which you have to taper to get off of it).

Edited by Rahul, 08 June 2012 - 12:07 AM.

[Rahul]

Surprisingly, I am feeling decent this afternoon. So days 6 & 7 of weaning from Klonopin were the worst so far. It could still be bumpy as my brain has to adjust to its normal GABA levels. But this afternoon my boys and I were painting "pet" rocks. That is significant because when I am anxious, I have ZERO creative ideas. It's like my brain just goes into survival mode and all I really want to do is curl up in a corner.

nice! *fingers crossed*

So I feel confident that the Lexapro really is working underneath this benzo withdrawal stuff. I know it is. I have had many moments in the last few weeks where I felt better than I have in a year or so. Just want off the Klonopin and hope I never need it again.

agree with you. lex. will also mitigate K withdrawals to an extent, ergo. you should recover fast.

Do you ever feel, with all this med stuff, that you have more knowledge now than you ever cared to have about this stuff?

LOL!

Anyway, can you believe our last thread had 7,000 views??? That's crazy. There must be a lot of people out there struggling as well.

yes! it's the longest thread i've witnessed.

Edited by Rahul, 08 June 2012 - 12:49 AM.

[EcleticJoe]

48, male, middle of the us.

I am convinced my anxiety is the problem. I simply cannot relax enough to think rationally about this. The high dose of meds don't help. I feel like in time the lex will restabilize (at the four week point now) but my question is what do I do in the meantime?

[EcleticJoe]

The only time I can sit still most of the day is when I read these forums. I walked seven miles yesterday and didn't feel like I did anything. I am in such a worried anxious state. The last two days have been a little better since my Lex dose was reduced.

Here is my real question: Do the anti anxiety effects of SSRIs take longer than the anti depressant effects to kick in?

[Soccer_Dude]

Hi Joe,

I've been feeling like you the last few days. Constant anxiety and worry, but I think mine is more related to my financial situation, and just feaking out about it all. The only thing that helps me the best is Ativan. But, it's a benzo, and i want to avoid them if possible. I have taken some Magnesium and Gaba, and they kind of help. If you are not using a Benzo, you might try Gaba, some people get really good relief from it. You can buy it at your health food store, or online. It's cheap. You migth ask your doc about it first, before using it with a SSRI, but since they target differnet things, it should be okay, but you might stil ask. Other than that, It's hard to avoid the anxiety. It's just sticks, but if you try to think of something positive, think aout something that gives you hope, looking forward to something, that will some times help me. Keeping busy, not thinking about your situation so much can help, but is difficult to do, I know. :)

As far as what benefit is hepled first, anxiety or depression, it's probably different for everyone. But, I think one will follow the other fairly quickly I would think... For me, when I first tried Lex and stopped, and started Remeron and got sleep, my mood improved right away, but I think my anxiety was already getting better. So, I think for me, anixety was the first to start getting better, and once I got sleep my mood got better, but then my relapse happened. So, I'm back on Lex, and hoping that in another week I will start feeling the anxiet relief, and hopefully depression relief since I'm already getting decent sleep, thanks to Remeron. Just hang in there........

Soccer

[EcleticJoe]

About an hour ago I had a "Dammit this is ridiculous I'm feeling this way" thought and actually got angry. Three months ago I was level headed and full of self confidence. I welled up a little bit and felt better. I haven't had one of these in weeks so maybe it is a good sign.

[Soccer_Dude]

So far today is not fun for me. I feel anxiety, not a ton, but it's there, but I'm feeling a lot of discomfort, fear, nervous, remembering old negative feelings, worry, etc... I'm just trying to be patient and hope that Lex will start brining on the feel good feelings. I know they are still there somewhere, as I felt them a while back...I think I need to get out of this house, and keep my mind busy on other things. I have two job opportunities, one is with my old company, basically my old job, which is still on hold for me for the most part, then a small company that I used to work for wants me back. The later is closer to my home, like 5-10 minutes away, a small quiet office environment. The former, is a large company, more stress, the office is about 30-40 mintes away depending on traffic, but it pays a lot more. So, I'm trying to figure out which is best for me. I'm not mentally ready to go back to work, I need more time, but since my dis. ins. was denied, and I have all my bills this month to pay with no proper way to pay them, I'm forced back into work, which is also causing me anxiety, but at the same time could be a good thing.....

What helps me is having something to look forward too, like a NBA Playoff game, which there isn't one on tonight, dooh! But there is tomorrow night. It's these small things that helps me. I'm single and live alone, so I don't have someone to spend time with every day/night. My dad and i get together and watch the NBA games a lot so that helps. I wish I were married and had some support that way, but it is what it is, some day maybe. :)

I need to find something to do, not sure what. I have company coming over this afternoon, so that will be nice. In the mean time, I'm bored out of my mind. I'm doing some laundry, but I need something fun to do. Hmmmmm. Maybe I should go see a movie.

There's supposed to be a thunderstorm today, I like storms. So, that's something to look forward too. :)

Soccer

[triciaann21]

What helps me is having something to look forward too, like a NBA Playoff game, which there isn't one on tonight, dooh! But there is tomorrow night. It's these small things that helps me. I'm single and live alone, so I don't have someone to spend time with every day/night. My dad and i get together and watch the NBA games a lot so that helps. I wish I were married and had some support that way, but it is what it is, some day maybe. :)

I need to find something to do, not sure what. I have company coming over this afternoon, so that will be nice. In the mean time, I'm bored out of my mind. I'm doing some laundry, but I need something fun to do. Hmmmmm. Maybe I should go see a movie.

There's supposed to be a thunderstorm today, I like storms. So, that's something to look forward too. :)

Soccer

You sound just like me... I go over to my parents and watch the playoffs.... Being down here in the South were pulling for Lebron to finally pull one off. And we've had non stop rain for a week so those things definitely help relax me. Tomorrow night will be a great game. Can't wait! I'm 33 and single so it's not the easiest thing either. But it's better to be alone than with the wrong partner who is boring or bossy. ;)

[Soccer_Dude]

Hi,

I guess we know who's not working and has time on their hands.... ME! :) I hope I don't fill up this thread..... :)

Anyway, I'm really feeling the weight of depression today, I think.... The last two days I felt the wave of anxiety, but my mood wasn't too bad, surprisingly. But today, I seem to have less anxiety, although I should have plenty with my current situation and worries. I'm sure there's anxiety/panic in there, it's just not showing up physically as much as mentally, and is probably the cause for the depression feelings. I don't mind the anxiety so much, it's just the low feelings, which makes my mind start to wander and focus on all the negative which causes more anxiety and bad feelings.

I'm trying to avoid taking an Ativan today, as I'm sure it will help, but I just don't want to get addicted, but at the same time, I need to keep my mind and body leveled out. Maybe if I took a little each day, until Lexapro starts to kick in ,I will be better off........Then depending how much longer it wil take Lex to kick in, I may or may not have to taper.

The thunderstorm never got here, athough I see dark clowds and rain in the distance, so it might be coming, or maybe it will pass another direction. I like stormy weather! :)

Ya, tomorrow's game should be good!!! I'm kinda want Boston to win, since they are the old guys... :) But, I know that Lebron really wants to win a title, so, either way, I'm okay with who wins... You are right about having the right person in your life, it's important that whoever you date or marry, that they are the love of your life, someone you can laugh with, share life with, grow together in things with, etc....Wow, it would be nice to have someone like that to help get me through this struggle. I'm glad for family! :)

[triciaann21]

Just something to think about... My Psych doc told me Celexa is more calming than Lexapro.... And again my family doc confirmed the same thing. Lexapro is supposed to work faster for depression, but since my symptoms are mostly worry and anxiety I have never went on Lexapro. Anyone take the name brand Celexa or do most of you take generic?



Yes having the right partner would be nice...most of my anxiety and stress is because I haven't met the right person and I would like to start a family. It started to weigh heavily on me when the guy I was seeing turned out to be a really pompous jerk and then my Grandmother is really ill. I started stressing about not having my own family some day...and that's when my anxiety really started flaring. Hopefully I will get back to my old self soon so I can meet the right person and move in that direction. ;)

[EcleticJoe]

I'm sensing a connection between you two. LOL.

[triciaann21]

Also is anyone else having sleeping problems? I maybe slept three hours last night on and off. I took one tylenol PM but no klonopin. I'll have to take a big ol dose of Benadryl tonight if I can't pass out.

[EcleticJoe]

I didn't sleep for ten days other than here or there. Didn't really like the Remeron grogged out feeling but it made me sleep. Tried 10 mg Melatonin time release last night and it worked well enough.

[Soccer_Dude]

Now Joe, this isn't a dating forum. :)

I take Lexapro name brand....

I haven't heard that Celexa was more calming than Lexapro.... My symptoms were mostly anxiety at first, although looking back before it hit, there was some depression as well I think, and now there is a bit more. I think the anxiety and panic is causing me to feel more depressed. The insomnia didn't help either, although I'm sleeping better now. Remeron at 7.5mg has helped me sleep, like no other....

So, not sure what Lexapro will help me with first. I thought the first time I tried it, my anxiety was getting better, but my mood hadn't lifted yet. It seems that these SSRI's make me feel worse than better at first. My mood was better before going on a SSRI. My anxiety wasn't better, but....I think that my depression causes some anxiety, and anxiety causes some depression, so once one of them is lifted, I think the other will follow. I hope. :) If it doesn't work, I'm going off Lex, and starting natural treatment... Not sure i can take another SSRI start up. So, let's hope Lex works!!!

The first time I took Lex, it made me very tired and lethargic, this is when I already had insomnia. And so after a two weeks I started taking it at night, but it didn't help me sleep any better. I think because it was still stimulating... Anyway, once i tapered Lex (first time) I started feeling a little better, took some magnesium, slept a little better, but as soon as I took Remeron, I slept a lot better. Anyway, I'm hoping that once Lex kicks in this time around, that eventually I will be able to sleep on my own, and then be able to get off Remeron.

I have Ativan to help me with increased anxiety/panic, and it seems to lift my mood also, but I think that's because anxiety is making it worse.

Try not to worry too much about being single. I think many people worry about that too much and think they need to be married with family. You are young, and there's still time. People are getting married and having kids who are much older than you. Kind of the new trend I guess. So, don't put any pressure on yourself. Just be patient, so you will find the right guy and things will be wonderful.

Soccer

[triciaann21]

at EclecticJoe....uggggg Guess were dealing with this together. I didn't have too bad of an issue with the sleep at 10 mg...but at 20 it's like I wake up every hour and then dose back off into a weird dream again.

[Soccer_Dude]

Melatonin can help with sleep, but i hear also that it can cause depression. Not sure if that is just for those who already have depresssion, or what....

Melatonin is made from Serotonin, so if your Serotonin is low, then melatonin is probably low, I would think, so you'd think if you took melatonin, you'd be preserving your serotonin. And it wouldn't cause depression. Sounds reasonable. But, who knows how that all works.

My mom told me that she knows someone who gives her daughter a high dose of Melatonin which calms her down, I think she has add or something. I tried it once during the day, but I think it made me feel depressed, maybe because it made me droggy. You could try it for anxiety once, and see if it helps, maybe 1mg, but I'd becareful about feeling droggy, or depressed. I tried to look it up on the net, but there wasn't much info about using melatonin for anxiety. I think I did see one article though. Lavender is supposed to help, and works off the gaba receptors some how, but..... Not sure you'd want to use lavender if you are using Benzo's.

Soccer