topic Off Balance / Dizziness / Bright Lights Jelly Legs in Anxiety

Off Balance / Dizziness / Bright Lights Jelly Legs

AnotherOne12 — Thu, 30 May 2019 06:09:59 GMT

Hello, hoping to get some other stories to help me work out what is happening.

I recently started taking an AD for anxiety and started on the lowest dose. After a few weeks I went up a dose and all of a sudden had dizziness when looking a certain way, an off balance self swaying feeling and for some reason I cant walk into a shopping mall or grocery store or under bright lights otherwise my legs go all jelly and I feel it seems to trigger an anxious adrenalin rush. Anyone else had or have these feelings? Its really weird and a bit freaking out. I told my doc and he didnt know whether it was a side effect of the meds or my anxiety. Any help please...

Off Balance / Dizziness / Bright Lights Jelly Legs

Nurse_Jenn — Fri, 31 May 2019 11:29:39 GMT

Hi there AnotherOne12,

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing these symptoms. This can be really unsettling. It is really positive that you are staying in touch with your GP and reaching out for support on the forum. Having a supportive health practitioner is really important when you start taking a new medication. When starting any new treatment, you might find you have more visits to the Doctor than your normally would and this is okay. Be kind to yourself during this time.

I encourage you to start a side effects or symptoms journal. You could write down each day what occurs in your body and what you were doing and the sensations you feel. This will help track your symptoms and possibly identify a trigger. If the experiences you have are side effects, you may want to revisit with your GP and create a new plan. Sometimes people need to stay on a lower dose of medication for a longer period if they are experiencing side effects that they are not tolerating but this should be discussed with your GP. Everyone is different in how they tolerate medications.

It can be difficult to determine where these symptoms are coming from exactly but you know yourself the best. Listen to your body. I encourage you to continue to be proactive in your care and work closely with your GP until you get the right balance.

I wonder if you are trying other strategies to help lower your anxiety that may help in conjunction with the medication? There are many posts on the forum towards helping people with anxiety and I encourage you to have a look around.

If you ever feel like the symptoms you are experiencing are too much, make sure you make an appointment and get a check up. You can also call the beyondblue support line on 1300 22 4636 if you want to have a chat about the stress that you are feeling.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

Off Balance / Dizziness / Bright Lights Jelly Legs

Cat_19 — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 01:54:27 GMT

Hi AnotherOne12,

This is my first post (only joined today ) so I felt as if I have written your post.

I have been on AD for many years and I have the exact same feeling as you have described, off balance and to say I hate going to shopping centres is un understatement .The lights bother me and I also feel as if people are zooming past me (if that makes sense) like when something is fast forwarded on TV

For me I know it is anxiety , as I can feel the wave of panic coming over me .

Hope this helps and I'm glad to e_meet you AnotherOne12