Anxiety flare up

[lelebe]

Hi,

About 5 years ago i had my first panic attacks i seeked therapy and slowly improved but i could never shake my phobias.

Recently my family has had a couple of stressful months and the anxiety has flared back up again. I know anxiety is so individual but has anyone with panic disorder found relief from anti depressants? Or is there any other therapy anyone has found useful?

[lelebe]

Thank you so much again Sola you're a lovely person for checking in on me and you've also helped me a lot.

I'm only starting off on a small dose so hopefully side effects are minimal.

I'll check in with you and let you know how i go 😊

[BballJ]

Hi lelebe,

That is great to read, already on the right track. I will say that keep in mind, meds don't always work right away, well my experience with anti anxiety medication taught me that, I am no professional by any means but don't lose faith, follow what the doctor says and how to use them.

As always, keep letting us know how you are going.

My best,

Jay

[lelebe]

Hello everyone

Just letting you know i took my first tablet last night and I've woken up this morning feeling so tired and dizzy I'm hoping this is just temporary... otherwise I'm not too bad.

[Ladyhawke]

Hi Lelebe,

I've just read your first post and all the positive and helpful replies you've received. Well done for being proactive, reaching out for help on the forums, and seeking professional assistance.

I've been in treatment for major anxiety and depressive disorders for around 20 years, although my anxiety was initially triggered at around the age of 6 when I started school and experienced severe separation anxiety.

As the other respondents have indicated, certain classes of ADs can be extremely helpful in treating anxiety and episodes of panic. In my case, I require additional medication to the ADs to control my levels of anxiety. Initially I was resistant to taking medication, however, my anxiety eventually reached the point where I became housebound for six weeks. My attitude to meds now is if they do the job, I'll take them. Medication and therapy really were a godsend in my case.

The symptoms you describe are quite common when first starting on psychotropic meds. Everyone responds differently and you may experience the symptoms for a few days or a few weeks. My experience with ADs has been that they can take up to 4-6 weeks to kick in; for others the effect can occur sooner.

If the side-effects increase to the point where you find it a problem, check back with your doctor. Hopefully though, they will dissipate within a week or two.

So pleased you have taken such a positive step to gain control over your anxiety. Life doesn't have to be hell everyday.

Best wishes, LH

[lelebe]

Thankyou ladyhawke for your reply.

I'm really hoping these AD's help me so that i can get the most out of therapy and get better. As the day goes on I'm finding i am still groggy and i am starving even though I've eaten? I know its only day one so I'll see how i go, hopefully i can stick with them.

[Ladyhawke]

Hi again lelebe,

My personal experience with ADs is that the groggy feeling wore off after a week or two. Some ADs can affect your appetite and occasionally some people can gain weight (in my case, I lost weight), so it might be helpful to know the feelings of hunger are the result of the medication.

My doctor warned me about the potential of weight gain and suggested I increase my protein intake and not to reach for a quick hunger-fix with junk-type food. Your doctor can give you guidelines if it becomes an issue.

LH

[BballJ]

Hi lelebe,

Did the doctor say they could be side affects initially? It may be worth asking them if you are unsure just to make sure it is all completely normal and your body just needs time to adjust to them.

My best,

Jay

[cakeboss]

Hi there i can so relate to this persons post.I have had a very stressful financial situation going on.Its going to take time to sort out .Ive unfortuately set of the dreaded anxiety panic attacks.I am in regular contact with gp who is awesome.she has put up my antidepresant which unfortuately made my anxiety worse.We have been trying to sort out meds.Its horrible isnt it .I have to wait another week now to get back to the original dose of med i was on it goes back to that.Ive had some terrible days over the last few weeks.Panic attacks anxiety feeling as though somthing was really wrong me .I went to drs they said that id had a major panic attack and anxiety through roof.Ive been nauseated badly blood tests issued said i had low vitamin d so i taking a strong dose prescripton once week of it which they said could be why my moods all over the shot.Unfortuately i have to wait another week before they can look at review of my meds again.I was thinking things where going to happen that had not .I am in counciling and they gave me relaxation cds .I find these hard to get use to .I was told that walking may help and ive been doing this.I have had some good days then a day of panic .Im in regular contact with gp and counciler .Hopefully my finacial situation will be sorted out soon.Panic attacks are horrible and they cause me to nausea on and off and make you feel like not eating at times.I had a bad one last week i found gp reasured me my pulse was normal and my blood pressure normal they said try and walk and i find music i like been my saviour.Im doing best i can and know that anxiety panic attacks are a illness .what do others on here do to get through a panic anxiety attack .

[solabear]

Hi cakeboss, I'm in a similar situation as you, financial problems, anxiety, depression, I was diagnosed with bipolar, so I have good days as well.

i really feel for you, anxiety attacks are really difficult to deal with. I'm glad that you are having support from Medical professionals and, and I hope that you will feel better soon.

We are here to listen and we understand. May be you can start your own thread where we can keep an eye own you with regular updates, you will feel supported.

i think you're a very strong person and you are a fighter. .... you are making a huge effort to help yourself by visiting GP and also posting on here. Well done for doing that.

Hugs from Sola

[solabear]

Hi Lelebe, How's it going with the medication? I hope you're feeling better and not too drowsy. let us know how you're going

hugs from sola