First time on medication for Anxiety

[Four]

Hey everyone,

This is the first time I've been prescribed medication for anxiety by my GP. It all started when I had my first panic attack. I was terrified that I couldn't breathe/wasn't getting enough air, my chest felt tight and restricted, my heart felt like it was literally beating out of my chest, I could even hear my heart pounding in my ears. I couldn't move from my bed because I was terrified of having more panic attacks. I didn't leave my house for weeks unless it was to go to the hospital/medical centre who all kept telling me the same thing - it's anxiety. But they couldn't tell me how to manage it.

My blood pressure and heart rate was through the roof so my GP prescribed medication. This only controlled my heart rate and blood pressure, it just 'masked' the actual problem.

I was feeling anxious about having panic attacks all the time and my life began to be ruled by it. I was never an 'anxious'  or stressed out person so I think I was in denial for a while. I appeared calm on the outside but on the inside my head was all over the place.

I started to feel like I was on edge all the time. I wasn't worried about a specific thing, I just felt panicked all the time. My brain began to race at 100 miles per hour and I felt like I couldn't control my thoughts. I started to feel like I was losing it. This is when I went to seek help. 

My gp than prescribed another medication and assured me that because it was such a low dose, I wouldn't feel ANY side effects. He was wrong lol. I've been feeling EXTREMELY drowsy, dizzy, nauseas, hot - I can't stop sweating and slightly anxious before I go to sleep. I'm thinking of changing the time I take my meds. On my prescription it says to take one pill in the morning after food but I've heard if the side effects are affecting you negatively, you can take it in the night...

Does anyone have any advice regarding changing the time you take your meds? I've only been on it for less than a week but I'm sick of feeling out of it/spaced out during the day. Also, I'm really worried about upping the dosage because of how I already feel on the low dose, any advice? I can't afford to feel like this when Uni goes back in 2 weeks. 

[meglucas]

Hi Four, 

I had a similar problem when I changed my medications, a while back, I was extremely drowsy, unable to drive, day dreamy and had difficulty paying attention to anyone or anything for an extended period of time. I felt like I was on autopilot, and to be honest, I still do from time to time depending on when I take the medication. I'm supposed to take it with food an hour before bed-time, and at first this was difficult for me because my bed-time was always changing. I didn't really have a routine. However, after a few months of figuring out how the medication affected my body I was able to choreograph my life around it so I was able to be productive with my studies, social life and personal life. I began taking the medication earlier in the evening with my dinner which meant the medication would be digested with the food and I went to bed earlier which resulted in me feeling more refreshed when I woke up the next day.

Before you make any changes to when you take your medicine, make an appointment with your GP and tell them everything you have just mentioned in your post. Ask them if it would be possible to take the medication at night. It may be hard, I know I get nervous when I have to discuss anything medication related, but it is your health and if they are a good GP, then they should understand your situation and do whatever they can to help you. If you're feeling up to it, perhaps you can have your GP refer you to a psychiatrist. Not to undermine your doctor, but psychiatrists generally have a better grasp on the different types of medications and how they affect different people. Alternatively, you can check out Headspace (I hope there is one local to you) and they may be able to help you find a psychiatrist. You do have to go through all of the administrative stuff which can be tedious (again, trust me, I know) but if it helps you in the long run with your overall wellbeing, it might be worth a shot.

I hope this makes sense! Good luck with everything, you can do it. xxx

[Paul]

Hi Four, Welcome!

I'm so pleased you're actively seeking some assistance with anxiety, it can be so tiring and upsetting.

I have a friend who experiences what you've described, he has a panic attack and then after that he is on high alert at any of the signs of another attack because it was so frightening the first time. The trouble is that in being on high alert, that increases anxiety which in turn brings things to an edge where the slightest upset can be another panic attack. Thankfully he has seen his Dr as well and some medication should help to break the cycle of anxiety causing more anxiety.

Pharmacists are awesome at medication type things. You may find a chat with your local pharmacist helpful regarding your medication. The phone number of the pharmacy must be on the label and also the pharmacists initials if you wanted to speak to the pharmacist who served you initially. My local pharmacy is small and very very helpful.

Let us know how you go.

Take good care Four.

Paul

[Narniakid]

Hi Four, welcome to the forums and thank you for reaching out to us.

As you've seen from meglucas' post, you're definately not alone, and I remember experiencing similar side effects when I was figuring out my medication. I do think it was poor of your doctor to assure you that you wouldn't suffer any side effects initially, as most anxiety medication and antidepressants come with those symptoms for the first couple of weeks as your body adjusts to them. 

I do suggest perhaps waiting a couple of weeks and seeing if the symptoms persist and if you notice any changes in your mood and coping with anxiety etc. If not, and you feel like you aren't getting anywhere, see a psychiatrist who can help you tailor medication to your needs. And make sure you do not stop taking your medication without your doctors approval.

Hang in there! I can assure you that it is well worth finding the right medication 🙂

Crystal

[Four]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the concern, advice and support. It's really resassuring to hear peoples personal experiences with anxiety and especially medication and the fact that I'm not alone or going 'mental'. I took your all your advice on board and saw my GP today (I called 4 times had to wait 40 minutes in a busy/crowded medical centre but it was worth it!) 

I told my GP all about my symptoms and he was surprised how sensitive I was to the medication and said it was lucky he didn't give me the 75mg straight away. He said that my symptoms were common and that he could give me other types of meds without as

many side effects/would kick in much faster but

they were 'highly addictive'. It's a

pity he didn't mention these 'common' side effects before so I had a heads up. I think I know what 'types' he's talking about and am thinking of taking them if I find no success

with what I'm on. He informed me that if I'm feeling drowsy than I need to take it at night before bedtime so if I do feel drowsy, I'll just go to sleep for the night instead of feeling out of it all day and being non productive. So I'm going to take my pill tonight before bed, he recommended I take it around 8pm but I'm a very late sleeper, I'm thinking of taking it a

bit later after 10pm? He said there was no need to take it with food but Im going to just incase...(prevent nausea and so it can digest properly) 

He also recommended something natural to help with the nausea so I've purchased and taken that, hopefully that will help as well.

I'll keep you updated with the trials and tribulations of my situation,

4

[blondguy]

Hey Four

Your anxiety attacks...the symptoms and the cold sweats are exactly the same as mine 'were'

Your GP sounds like a legend....AND...well done for waiting for so long with the 'Anxiety Parrot' sitting on your shoulder...I could'nt have waited that long....

Stick with your GP..its sounds like are comfortable with him....another HUGE bonus....

If you wish you are very very welcome to let us know how you are going....good or bad...Okay?

Just a tiny point(s) I hope helps...(and if it doesnt...no problemo 🙂 )

* ipads...cellphones before you go to sleep can be a pain...becuase they make the 'brain more active'...(they actually stimulate your brain activity...but Ill leave that one to you...

* What you have here...even though very scary...absolutely..is so very common....its everywhere...Except you have a 'Head Start' into your recovery by getting on here and saying how you feel! Great work Four!

Looking forward to hearing how you are going (if you wish that is) 🙂

Paul