New with questions about GAD

HI!  I am new to the board and feeling awful.  I have probably had problems with depression (more anxiety)  in the past and treated with Prozac somewhat successfully and able to come off about 8 years ago after 6 months of treatment.  about 3 weeks ago, I was hit with pretty nasty anxiety out of the blue.  It started with my elderly dog waking me at night and disturbing my sleep and has spiraled out of control from there.  I saw my GP == she put me on Lexapro and Xanax to try and sleep.  The lexapro made me feel awul -- a foggy zombie with increased anxiety.  I took that for about 5 days and quit cold turkey.  The xanax helps at night but of course I worry about it -- oh goody -- the anxiety.  I have only taken about 6 pills total over the 3 weeks as of last night.  I saw my GP yesterday and we decided to try Prozac again since it helped once before.  She said that it could have a sedating effect.  Aaaaahhhh -- not this time! I took it at 8:30 pm and tried to sleep around 9:30 pm -- even thought I was tired, no sleep.  I gave up and took the Xanax at 10:15 and sleep but was woken up a few times last night by the dog and other things (snoring husband :))!  So I guess I will try Prozac early morning instead.  It stinks b/c I know this is ridiculous -- my anxiety revolves around my sleeping.  The rest of my life is going pretty well.  But all day long, I battle thoughts back to not sleeping which of course get worse as night comes.  One month ago, none of this was true.  I could be asleep within 20 minutes and go right back to sleep in the middle of the night and grumble we the alarm went off.  I just feel like crap and pretty bummed out right now.  I just cannot imagine if this does not get better.  Sigh ...

rudaygator

Hello and welcome to HealingWell and the A & P Forum. I am sorry you are having a spike in your anxiety and I sure do know about worrying over not being able to sleep.

First of all with the Prozac you may have forgotten that it can take up to 4-6 weeks for the full effect of the med to kick in.  Also with any of the SSRI drugs you will have side effects getting onto them so if you prepare your mind for that ahead of time it should help you.  Just know it is a given with these meds.

If you have the Xanax to use at night, use it would be my advice.  Another mediction that works well for sleep is Trazodone and this is what I and several others use nightly.  Using trazodone as a sleep aid is a common "off-label" use of the medication. Drowsiness is a common side effect of the medication therefore it works well for many to use at bedtime. 

Here are a few other tips to help you get to sleep:

• Play some soft, soothing music that will lull you to sleep. 
• A glass of warm milk 15 minutes before going to bed will soothe your nervous system.
• If you don't like milk—or are avoiding dairy products—try a cup of hot camomile, anise or fennel tea.

Again welcome to HealingWell.

Kitt

Dear Rud,

I know exactly how you feel, I really do.  I was so impatient for the meds to work, for side effects to go away, to feel like me again.  I know all about putting that front up and that is a hard thing to pull off when you feel like crap!  Do give your meds time, what else are you going to do?  If they don't work out for you, don't give up.  One day soon you find what is right for you and you WILL feel better.  I also understand about taking meds that are so called addictive, they do get alot of bad press.  But if you had to take high blood pressure meds, would it bother you?  Or a med for any other medical problem?  Look at it like that, follow your Dr's. instructions to a "T".  Keep a good attitude and you will feel better soon and when you do it will be a relief.  Also know that you cannot rely on meds alone, there is work for you to do too;  eating right, exercise, in others words take care of yourself.

Best of luck to you,

Gem

Sunshine,

There is always hope.  I have had the same problem, I feel for you right now.  don't give up, hope and faith are what get us through.

Gem