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| Wed, 03-08-2006 - 3:26pm |
Hello,
I'm probably gonna post this on a few different boards like this, but since I do have anxiety, I'm hoping that you guys can help out.
My anxiety was discovered almost two years ago. Looking back, I've had anxiety for a long time, probably beginning in the teenage years. I just always thought i worried too much, that that was just me. Two years ago I first realized i had social anxiety, which has helped greatly, since I now know that things i think aren't necessarily real, and can create closer relationships with people. Only a few months later, I had my first real panic attack. It was horrible. I thought i wasn't breathing right and became obsessive over it. It took me about a year, but I've overcome that for the most part, although it comes back every once in a while.
Because my anxiety normally begins around bedtime (that time of lying there tring to go to sleep), I began taking Ativan. I've been on it now for a year, although I was on it two years ago with Lexapro, which i hated!!! (i could never wake up, it wasn't treating the anxiety, i just hate ssri's) Because i wanted to learn how to control the anxiety without meds, I only used the ativan right before bedtime, or before a stressful situation. This was working, but then this semester started.
I have a big workload this semester, and my anxiety came back. I began taking the ativan the way i should, 3 times a day. The first time i took it in the morning, it was great. I felt happier than i had felt in weeks, euphoric, like the old Lizzie. 3 hours later tho, I crashed. I went from beaming on the bus to incredibly depressed in a classroom. This has now been the case for the last month.
I can't take this anymore. I wake up every morning depressed, feel a bit better after my first ativan, but then by the end of the day, I'm irritable, moody, and depressed. These have never been things I would have been before this. It's getting too much now. WIth my workload this semester (i'm graduating in may, so there is an end in site!) this isn't good. When i wake up, I'm depressed, and then at some point during the day, I'll go to the other end of the spectrum, almost at the flip of a switch. I can't concentrate because of the depression, and it makes it hard to focus on schoolwork.
Tomorrow I'm going to the doctor, and I'm interested in taking something to complement the ativan. It sux cuz although i get depressed, it helps me sleep at night and takes away that anxiety. I just need something during the day, to keep my mood steady and keep me focused. my DF went on wellbutrin about 6 months ago for his bi-polar and it's worked great for him! i'd like to try this, but I dont know if it would work so well for me, and i was wondering if theres anything else out there that could help.
Thank you for reading this and i'd appreciate any advice :)
Lizzie

This can be a side effect when your body begins to develop a tolerance to your medicine. If you hate SSRI's you may want to talk to your doctor about Wellbutrin (they do have a Wellbutrin XL which is an extended release med, it may help level you out throughout the day). Bupropion is different from SSRI's mainly because its major effect is on dopamine. It works out to level out all of the neurotransmitters. Thats awesome (!!!) that your DF has had such a positive outcome on Wellbutrin. The best thing to do is talk to your doc about all your symptoms, what you would like to see happen as a result of taking meds, how realistic your goal is and the possibility of trying Wellbutrin or a different medication. He/she can best advise you on that angle. I wish you well and will be sending you some P&PT often!! :) Panic attacks are a very scary part of any anxiety disorder, there are some great coping techniques on this board. The best thing to do is find one that works for you and you will soon find you are taking control back over your anxiety :)
Andrea
Andrea
Hello Lizzie,
I am also in school and this semester is heavy, I graduate in May too ;-)
All the stress with this final semester has been relly rough and that adds to the anxiety. I find that I am getting more run down and need to take more time for myself. I put everything away at 9:00pm and give myself a "calm down" before bed. I watch a show, grab some flavored hot chocolate, and curl up in my blanket.
Look in the coping tips folder for some helpful ideas, join a weekly chat(Tue&thur night), or just keep posting. I get a lot of support here from the other ladies and it has helped me tremendously.
By the way, what is your major?? I am after my nursing degree.
Lisa
Hello, Lizzie! Welcome to our caring community. You are NOT alone. As Lisa said, there are many alternatives in our *coping tips & tricks* folder. Some awesome ones that will help you with the racing thoughts as you try to fall asleep.
There are other antidepressants out there besides the SSRI's. The tricyclics & the MAOI's are still used successfully for those who are unable to tolerate the SSRI's. They do have different side effects, but like all meds, they affect us individually & tend to gradually disappear over time. You might ask your dr. about them.
Whatever method you choose to deal with your anxiety, we're here to support you. We want to see you succeed in feeling better. That's great news that you're nearing the end of school. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan
Hi Lizzie, I remember posting to you yesterday, but it didn't show up, hmmmm...
Sheri Ann
thank you guys for all your responses :)
Yep, i did have the appt this morning, 9am was wayy to early. she prescribed me wellbutrin xl 150 for the first week, then 300 after that. I'm just gathering up the energy right now to go walk over to eckerd and get it.
Some part of me is happy. I saw how DF acted the first week, how happy he was, and how much like himself he seemed. However, it's never gotten back up to that stage completly. Last night he had something like a psychological seizure, which really freaked me out. I think it was a combo of different things tho. He took his pill 2 hours before he took the one the previous day, he was drinking moderatly (3 1/3 killians) and we were having a slightly depressive conversation.
I know every medication reacts to people differently tho, so i'm gonna go into this with a clear mind! thank you guys so much for your responses again :)
Lizzie
p.s- glittergold, I'm graduating with a degree in history, not as challenging as nursing tho, thats great that you can do that! my dream is to teach history in a secondary setting, so im gonna get my masters after this and go for that then!
Hi Lizzie,
Hope your DF is ok, seizures are scary. And you are right, everyone has a different reaction to medication. So don't worry too much about the possible side effects; just keep them in mind.
WOW a degree in History. That is impressive ;-) It may not be nursing but it is still very challenging!! It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to earn a college degree and you are right on track. Just think of all the minds you will get to teach when you are done.
Thanks for the update,
Lisa