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Mostly anxious 24/7 w/depression...help

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Posted 5/25/2018 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I've had episodes of depression and anxiety throughout my life and seem to always come through better than ever. It's been also associated with Chronic infections- autoimmune Thyroid issues, Lyme disease and co-infections, Epstein Barr, Etc. Lately (age 60) I haven't been able to shake it and trying to accept where I am. I have really cognitively declined and feel I can't work anymore and thank goodness able to do that with husband's support....but feel terrible about not having something to focus on or do besides leisure activities or cleaning!

I am on Cymbalta 60 mg and I feel so disconnected from myself. I am so anxious I can't concentrate, my mind bullies me, and loops, I feel a bit numb, can't organize or remember things and fear just about everything that is going to happen in the future and all the uncertainly of life at this age and all the decisions that need to be made..plus the exhaustion from it all leaves little motivation to get up and go and do things though I force myself.

I also wonder how much Cymbalta may be making feel more anxious than necessary. But was feeling this way before starting again 8 months ago...at last I sleep now.

I try to do a meditation, breathing , bodywork, go to therapy, and have a psychiatrist who prescribes the Cymbalta plus other doctor for infections.

Granted I have had stress in my life, and just so upset with myself for not being able to handle it. Lots of blame and shame.

Can anybody relate? And what strategies do you use. This episode has been since the summer and getting tired of it and trying so hard.

Thanks
Posted 5/25/2018 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
I would try a different antidepressant. I hate Cymbalta and will never go on it again - whilst I was on the drug I broke up with two friends, about a year apart. The Cymbalta wasn't directly responsible for this, of course. But what it failed to do - both times - was halt my slide into a severe depressive state, which in turn affected my relationships. In fact I suspect it may have even exacerbated the slide. I'll never know now though.

It also made me groggy, sedated, unable to concentrate, anxious.

Please talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask about reducing the Cymbalta dose and/or trying another antidepressant. There are plenty of other meds which can help with sleep, although finding out which one suits you the best is a matter of trial and error unfortunately. For whatever it's worth, I give the thumbs up to low-dose Seroquel. It hasn't helped my mood (although at 25mg I suppose it wouldn't), but it's a great sleep aid.

Most people don't cope well with stress. You are not alone on that front.
Posted 5/25/2018 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Seroquel wiped me out on 25 mg...was really not good for me but thanks....looking to keep my mind occupied
Posted 5/25/2018 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Cymbalta was prescribed for me for fibro pain. If made me very cranky and angry with the world, and did nothing for the pain.

For depression, I take effexor with wellbutrin. It seems to work well enough.

The best thing I ever did for depression was swimming 3-4 times a week. I had to quit the gym with a pool due to finances. Now, exercising and being outside are my go-to activities for relieving the stress.
Posted 5/25/2018 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Emotions,

I agree about talking to the doc about this. Maybe a medication change is in order. Continue with the breathing and the meditation. Both which really help me with anxiety and as a sleep aid.

Myself,

You said you take Wellbutrin with the Effexor? My psychologist said at one time I could add Wellbutrin to the mix. How does it work for you. Does the Wellbutrin give you any energy? I am thinking about trying to add it but I am on two meds for depression now and don't know if I want to take anymore pills.

Hi all...

Have a good day...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 5/25/2018 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Myself 09..thinking I may ask the psychiatrist to cut down on the Cymbalta... she tells me I have more of an agitated depression.... the anxiety is really the main issue for me. I just don't know what to do with myself anymore and all the ways I'm trying to get well. It really stinks to have this all the time!
Posted 5/25/2018 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
and thanks "getting by" for the support ...wish we all could meet up!

Have any ideas about volunteering even though I have really bad anxiety and I cant remember things and feel I won't be able do it without repeating myself for directions etc?
Posted 5/25/2018 5:36 PM (GMT 0)

emotions said...
Seroquel wiped me out on 25 mg...was really not good for me but thanks....looking to keep my mind occupied

Yeah, that's where the trial and error part comes into it. Side-effects vary from person to person. Some people swear by amitriptyline or a first generation antihistamine for sleep, but neither helped me that much. I was expecting Seroquel to wipe the floor with me, but it hasn't - at least not at the current dose.

emotions said...
Thanks Myself 09..thinking I may ask the psychiatrist to cut down on the Cymbalta... she tells me I have more of an agitated depression.... the anxiety is really the main issue for me. I just don't know what to do with myself anymore and all the ways I'm trying to get well. It really stinks to have this all the time!

That's the type of depression I have as well. Antidepressants can definitely make agitated depression worse. It's tricky, extraordinarily tricky. There's evidence, if memory serves, that antidepressants don't help with some personality disorders (e.g. borderline personality disorder) and that only talking therapies help. I'm not claiming you have a personality disorder, but perhaps you have a personality, or brain, which doesn't respond particularly well to antidepressants.

At any rate Cymbalta is one of the stronger antidepressants; perhaps a milder SSRI may be gentler on you. Or have you tried the SSRIs already?
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