Anxiety and depression thread (Please read OP)

jsms88

caniask86 wrote: »

I am a nightmare lately. Panic is extreme. I have got loads of checks done and health wise seem to be ok but just feel this heaviness in my chest. I honestly feel like I might pass out and my throat gets tight, each time I think Im dying. Does anyone else get this feeling with panic? My stomach feels super full too. Weird i know. I am not looking for heath advice as I have taken myself off to Hospital a few times and all is clear, so has to be the head.

Anxiety is torture.

It's a terrible feeling. I don't have the physical pain. In my case, I get overcome with a sense of hopelessness and feel like crying, which I suppose is a sort of physical thing. I get a horrible chill down my spine as my head fills with thoughts of all the bad stuff that could happen in the future. ☹️

caniask86

jsms88 wrote: »

It's a terrible feeling. I don't have the physical pain. In my case, I get overcome with a sense of hopelessness and feel like crying, which I suppose is a sort of physical thing. I get a horrible chill down my spine as my head fills with thoughts of all the bad stuff that could happen in the future. ☹️

I wouldn't wish it on my enemy. Its like a dread for me too but the heaviness and almost like I forget to breath. It is scary. I started a new Zoloft today. Really hoping that eases some pressure.

jsms88

caniask86 wrote: »

I wouldn't wish it on my enemy. Its like a dread for me too but the heaviness and almost like I forget to breath. It is scary. I started a new Zoloft today. Really hoping that eases some pressure.

What's a Zoloft? Sorry... excuse my ignorance ☺️

Tell me how

jsms88 wrote:

What's a Zoloft? Sorry... excuse my ignorance ☺ï¸

Medication (brand name of sertraline, anxiety med)

Think poster is starting a new prescription of it.

caniask86

jsms88 wrote: »

What's a Zoloft? Sorry... excuse my ignorance ☺️

It is a medication that treats panic disorder or OCD or depression. My case Panic and OCD! I went to the doctor in tears after another bad panic attack. Sometimes its hard to show that side to my doctors or anyone as I usual keep it inside but I am just fed up at this stage. I need a break from my constant worry. Unfortunately it can take 4 to 6 weeks to kick in but I know I am on the right path now so that helps with waiting.

jsms88

caniask86 wrote: »

It is a medication that treats panic disorder or OCD or depression. My case Panic and OCD! I went to the doctor in tears after another bad panic attack. Sometimes its hard to show that side to my doctors or anyone as I usual keep it inside but I am just fed up at this stage. I need a break from my constant worry. Unfortunately it can take 4 to 6 weeks to kick in but I know I am on the right path now so that helps with waiting.

Best of luck with it. Hope it works out for you.

caniask86

jsms88 wrote: »

Best of luck with it. Hope it works out for you.

Me too!!

Tell me how

caniask86 wrote:

Unfortunately it can take 4 to 6 weeks to kick in but I know I am on the right path now so that helps with waiting.

I used to always get a positive uplift when just starting a new med, the hope that this would be the one that worked.
I've heard similar stories from others followed by a downturn a week or so later (which was really just a return to normal low level) which made them think it wasn't working.

You mention 4 to 6 weeks so I think you realize it does take time for your system to be affected in the right way.

Also worth remembering when coming off meds!

Gremlinertia

Yeah think i had that initial 'lift' too, caused more by me finally going to seek help and feeling good about it rather than anything else i think. I've seen a few here, including myself, have a rough patch a week or so later with any change of med. First time i found it the most discouraging thing ever, nearly stopped bothering, so glad i stuck it through.

caniask86

Tell me how wrote: »

I used to always get a positive uplift when just starting a new med, the hope that this would be the one that worked.
I've heard similar stories from others followed by a downturn a week or so later (which was really just a return to normal low level) which made them think it wasn't working.

You mention 4 to 6 weeks so I think you realize it does take time for your system to be affected in the right way.

Also worth remembering when coming off meds!

Yeah I am giving it time. I do feel that positive feeling knowing I took the first step and hope. I also got referred for some counselling too. Medication can only do so much I guess.

caniask86

Gremlinertia wrote: »

Yeah think i had that initial 'lift' too, caused more by me finally going to seek help and feeling good about it rather than anything else i think. I've seen a few here, including myself, have a rough patch a week or so later with any change of med. First time i found it the most discouraging thing ever, nearly stopped bothering, so glad i stuck it through.

Prepare for my rant in about two weeks :P

Gremlinertia

caniask86 wrote: »

Prepare for my rant in about two weeks :P

Microwave popcorn and beanbag on order!

trixiebust

crispycrisps wrote:

After months and months of hiding my depression and anxiety I came clean to my doctor this week. I don't know what I was expecting when I told her but I didn't think she'd write me a prescription for anti-depressants and send me on my way with no other information.

Long time lurker, first time poster, but I wanted to reply to this. I did exactly the same thing today.

Nice to know I wasn't alone

Jrop

Today is a really good day ! I slept well and am in a good mood hurrah !!
It feels like a weight has lifted off my shoulders

sunshine and showers

Have been on several different antidepressants (Lexapro, Effexor, Cymbalta) for 6.5 years now for depression and GAD. Haven't had a depressive episode in well over a year/year and a half now, so decided to bring down the medication dosage from 90mg a day.

Brought it down to 60mg a day in March with minimal side effects. Went down to 30mg a day about three months ago and it was not pleasant. Headaches, brain zaps, tiredness, stomach problems, anxiety - only really feeling back to normal in the last few weeks.

Getting from 30mg to nothing is going to be hard, I think. 30 seems to be the lowest available dose in Ireland. I've decided to stop taking it (last night I didn't) to see if it will be as bad as expected. I'm going to give it a few days (maybe a week) and if it's unbearable I'll take it again and look at other options.

Doctor is fully aware of this and supportive of me coming off. I didn't get a chance to see him to talk about this last step down, but he did say 2-3 months at the 30mg dose was a good time period before trying to come off completely.

Just wanted somewhere to talk, really. My boyfriend is being super supportive, as he has been with previous decreases, but I'm not sure he "gets it". To him, most of the side effects are in my head, but I know for a fact that discontinuation syndrome (or whatever you want to call it) is real and is horrible. Used to knock me out if I missed one dose of Effexor.

crispycrisps

trixiebust wrote: »

Long time lurker, first time poster, but I wanted to reply to this. I did exactly the same thing today.

Nice to know I wasn't alone

Well done trixiebust. It was so hard for me to say to the doctor I am concerned about my mental health. I had to bite the bullet and fess up.

I'm a week into my medication. Side effects have decrease. No mood change yet, but its still very early days.

trixiebust

Thanks. I took my wife with me, found her to be a great help. She articulated everything I couldn't yesterday. Had been before about a year ago, for the first time, didn't find it very helpful.

I got my first good night's sleep too last night ( put me on 500mg of Xanax ). There had been mornings recently, where I'd woken up having drenched bedsheets, pillows, in sweat, through the night.

trixiebust

Now I've posted...I can't stop !

The thing that brought this to a head yesterday is back again. Constant & insesenct noise from our next door neighbours. Parents away every day.16 year old, & 6 of his friends blaring dance music which I can hear through the walls, hanging around smoking weed in the garden, and intimidating me.

He's also " babysitting " a 6 year old & a two year old. And they have their friends in the house, and around the road too. There's currently about 12 people in the house, constant noise all day. And that's before the parents get back, creating their own noise. There is no escaping them.

Rant over..time to take the dog for a long walk and clear my head.

Tell me how

Life and Living are wonderful. When you can see it and enjoy it.

A&D robs people of the ability to see this.

That's the scary thing about the illnesses, when you are in a really dark place, you cannot even remember what a positive emotion felt like. Even though you can tell yourself you were happy once, you can't remember what that felt like. That makes it very hard to believe you will feel that way again.

It can and does lift though.

caniask86

Day 2 and its not working?! :D

Weirdly I have some side effects, tingling and bit dizzy and seeing stuff at corner of eyes. Anyone get these feeling when starting meds?

jsms88

Tell me how wrote: »

That's the scary thing about the illnesses, when you are in a really dark place, you cannot even remember what a positive emotion felt like. Even though you can tell yourself you were happy once, you can't remember what that felt like. That makes it very hard to believe you will feel that way again.

In my case, I sometimes cant understand how I was ever even able to function normally. I forget what it's like to not be anxious and screwed up.

sunshine and showers

caniask86 wrote: »

Day 2 and its not working?! :D

Weirdly I have some side effects, tingling and bit dizzy and seeing stuff at corner of eyes. Anyone get these feeling when starting meds?

Haven't tried that specific medication, but if you get nausea then eating a banana helps.

I feel super weird today. Over 48 hours since my last dose, two tablets "skipped". Not as bad as missing one tablet at the higher dose in the past. Still could barely drag myself out of the bed this morning from tiredness. No brain zaps yet, I'm dreading if they start.

caniask86

:cool:

jsms88 wrote: »

In my case, I sometimes cant understand how I was ever even able to function normally. I forget what it's like to not be anxious and screwed up.

At the moment I am the same, wondering how I did stuff in the past, like flying, going on adventures, last minute stuff etc. We will get back there tho!

hank scorpio89

There is so much ignorance in this country in regards to mental health.I was one of those people years ago until anxiety/panic came knocking on my door.people asking what have you to be anxious about ?they don't get that it manifests itself not only mentally but physically.I had all sorts of check ups in the hospital because I was spaced out and dizzy before I learned it was a psycological problem.it can literally just strike I now realise this began just after my father passed away.even now I have friends saying aww you'd wanna get off those tablets there not good for you.I can honestly say zoloft saved my life because I was at breaking point . Medication takes time and effort on your own part to help excersise and eating good food helps.alcohol is your worst enemy I have struggled with it a lot over these past few years.to anyone who's suffering inside tell your friends and family because it really does help to talk.it's not shameful to be afflicted with mental health problems.if you broke your leg you wouldn't hesitate to get help.your mind is far more important and we neglect it out of pride at times.its great to read some of these posts and realise it's not just me.there is light you just have to look for it.

caniask86

hank scorpio89 wrote: »

There is so much ignorance in this country in regards to mental health.I was one of those people years ago until anxiety/panic came knocking on my door.people asking what have you to be anxious about ?they don't get that it manifests itself not only mentally but physically.I had all sorts of check ups in the hospital because I was spaced out and dizzy before I learned it was a psycological problem.it can literally just strike I now realise this began just after my father passed away.even now I have friends saying aww you'd wanna get off those tablets there not good for you.I can honestly say zoloft saved my life because I was at breaking point . Medication takes time and effort on your own part to help excersise and eating good food helps.alcohol is your worst enemy I have struggled with it a lot over these past few years.to anyone who's suffering inside tell your friends and family because it really does help to talk.it's not shameful to be afflicted with mental health problems.if you broke your leg you wouldn't hesitate to get help.your mind is far more important and we neglect it out of pride at times.its great to read some of these posts and realise it's not just me.there is light you just have to look for it.

Exactly. Just started zoloft. Did you find the physical side of panic attacks went after you went on Zoloft? I am just waiting for a break!

hank scorpio89

caniask86 wrote: »

Exactly. Just started zoloft. Did you find the physical side of panic attacks went after you went on Zoloft? I am just waiting for a break!

Yeah it takes a while to really kick in about 1 month but once it does you should start to feel a lot better.I failed to mention in my first post I'm also on a tablet called zispin I was suffering with terrible insomnia and my doc recommended it .I take it at night but see how you get on but I recon the combination of the 2 is what's working for me .

inca2

caniask86 wrote: »

Exactly. Just started zoloft. Did you find the physical side of panic attacks went after you went on Zoloft? I am just waiting for a break!

I'm on it two and a half months now and I used to take propranolol "as required" quite regularly for anxiety-induced chest pain, palpitations and sweating. I now haven't needed to take one in about two weeks, so I'm delighted. No doubt I will need them again at some stage soon, but my dependence on them has pretty much been taken away and I hope to only need the odd dose. I'm feeling more human 90% of the time, which is amazing. Hang in there, hopefully things will start to improve soon.

caniask86

Had a terrible night last night, heaviness in my neck that spread to my throat and chest. Still have the tightness now. I lay awake until 5am thinking I was going to die any second. I cant cope with the heavy feeling. Feeling like someone is squeezing me. Its horrible. :mad: fed up.

Took a xanax last night and today, no help.

Ray37

Saw this in The Journal today, may be helpful, and good idea for us sufferers to keep tabs on what is happening with regards to mental health services in Ireland http://goneonfortoolong.com/

veganrun

I just need to vent here a bit, am feeling a bit down.

I live and work in the north now but I had been working in Dublin more or less constantly since I was about 21, except for a few spells abroad. Just over two years ago I was getting fed up in Dublin and wasnt happy with a few things so I decided to move back up here and I found a job. I've been here since and it's mostly ok but I'm starting to feel unsettled again and starting to feel like I want to go back to Dublin. I'm currently on citalopram 10mg and went back on them two years ago for anxiety starting the new job etc although the dose back then was 30mg.

Part of me wonders will I ever be happy and am I just ungrateful.

I was out walking with a friend of mine there other day and I said to him I was thinking of moving back to Dublin and I said it's probably a stupid idea seeing I left because I was unhappy before. He said "why is it stupid? Had you stayed you'd probably still have been unhappy so you decided to change things and try something different and you prefer Dublin, what's wrong with that?"

I guess he has a point but I start wondering am I mad to be considering moving back. I start to think how's much more expensive it will be there compared to where I am now and how hard it will be to find a place to rent. I moved closer to where I'm working now to cut my commute and I joined a club but I haven't really made any friends that I would socialise with. I've made a few friends at work but they are all married etc and there doesn't seem to be that many company nights out, although I automatically am reluctant to go anyway as I feel awkward at these things.

I guess I could move back but would I just fall into the same rut again? I know more people in Dublin but I didn't make much effort to socialise there the last few years I lived there so I don't know if it would be any different this time.

I have a lease here till December after which I think it changes to a monthly thing so I can't really move anywhere until that's up but I've already decided that if they want me to sign a new lease, I am not doing it and will just go back to commuting. I want to have the option of buying a place or moving back to Dublin so I don't want to be tied down to another 12 months.

I am not really sure what to do, I just wanted to get this off my chest. I kind of plan to stick it out and hope things get better socially between now and Christmas but if not, I might make a move back.

Am I mad?