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Posted 1/13/2014 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
I was recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and my doctor has me on something called Cipralex. This is supposed to be a long term medication but it apparently takes 2 to 4 weeks to take effect.

In the meantime, he prescribed me with another med to help me NOW when feelings get out of control... not sure of the brand name, but it is something similar to Ativan.

Here is the routine so far ( after nearly 2 weeks of meds ).

I take the Cipralex in the evenings between 8 and 10 pm and they make me slightly drowsy and I do seem to sleep a little better than I used to.... 

However, when I wake up ( anywhere from 5:30am to 6:30am ) my head is usually swimming... no matter what subject I think of it turns into an obsess fest... and the next thing I know I'm in full panic mode. My body gets all warm and I simply can't cope with the onslaught in my brain... and then, I inevitably get up and take one of my Ativan pills. This seems to settle me down and I can get on with my day at the office and it usually keeps me good for MOST of the day.

Then, I come home , mostly pooped out from the lack of sleep AND the medication... and I do very little until I take my nightly Ciprlex and the whole thing starts over the next day.

I REALLY have tried to do everything I can in the mornings to alleviated the attacks ( breathing exercises, meditation excercises ) and on 2 occasions I made it through the day without taking the Ativan...

My questions are, for those out there that have taken a Cipralex type medication, is there a time when I can STOP taking the daily "helpers"??? Will my morning "panics" get better? Is it better to take the Cypralex in the evenings or in the mornings? 

Any other info on this combo of meds would be very much appreciated.

Thanks            

    

Posted 1/13/2014 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to the A/P.

I am sorry to hear of your anxiety and Rx trouble currently.

It is not unusual for an SSRI to initially increase anxiety symptoms upon start up...so know that this is not unexpected.

However, if you feel that your benzo and your coping skills (great job on using those!!) are not enough to help lower your anxiety...and it is severe to the point of you not being able to cope daily any longer...

...then it may be time to talk to your doctor in regards to an alternative.

After hearing about your experience, your doctor can determine if you should stay the course and push through, or if this sounds like this is a medication that is just not going to work for you and your unique system.

You see, everyone has their own personal Rx needs, varying chemical make-up, ect...and therefore, more than one attempt at getting an A/D med right, might be required.

I wish you the best in getting the help/answers that you need ASAP!

I encourage you to check out our Anxiety Resources here on the main page of the forum (1st post) for more information, self-help skills and other great ideas for managing anxiety, and keeping stress levels as low as possible.

Post with us anytime...support is key!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/13/2014 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Cat,

I didn't realize that the SSRI's might increase anxiety to begin with... Prior to medications I would wake up with slight anxiety, but since starting the SSRI it has gotten slightly worse, so good to hear that it's NOT unusual.

Hopefully it will settle down and based on the timeline I am expecting that to happen in the next week or so.

I just hate having to rely on the daily "helpers"... can't help but think they can become somewhat addictive. Like I mentioned, I went a couple of days without taking one, but it was a little difficult and MOST days the anxiety wins.

Just so I have it straight... and all things being equal. If the SSRI I am on ends up working for ME, should I expect less anxiety in the mornings and throughout most of the day?

By the way, I am NOT in serious trouble here... I would put my worst anxiety levels at 6 out of 10, but that is MOSTLY in the mornings and for the most part I am only about a 2 out of 10.

Thanks for your concern and your valuable information!!!

Cheers
Posted 1/13/2014 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry that this process is such a confusing time! ;(

I find it frustrating that some medical care specialist don't tell their patients that YES, SSRI's more often than not make symptoms worse...before they get better.

If this this turns out to be a compatible med for you, then yes, you can expect less anxiety all around...morning and throughout the day.

However, know that the a.m. is a challenging time for many people due to the increased levels of Cortisol in the body. This is a stress hormone, that while essential to get us up and moving after sleep...can cause increased anxiety for those already sensitive/susceptible to it.

This is where your coping skills will come into their important starring role! To help with breakthrough anxiety (anxiety in spite of your medication) use those exercises.:)

You have little risk of getting a dependecy issue from your Ativan. Your short term plan of use, and your concern about the possibility, both speak contrary to that happening.:)

Keep up the good work, and keep posting with us if you find it helpful!

S.C.
Posted 1/13/2014 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
^^Ditto^^ to what our S.C. has posted! :)

Absolutely, for the first few weeks, (as well as some people feel it again when their dosages are adjusted), you can get a little spring-board type of effect where your anxiety levels feel a little wonky at first. But most of the time, this does dissipate. It did with me, anyway. Every body is different.

As for your "helpers," remember, they're just that: "Helpers." If you broke your leg, you'd rely on crutches until which time you didn't need them, right? Well, in the meantime, until your body is stable, you're simply engaging a support system.

And that is absolutely okay. Really!



M.
Posted 1/13/2014 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again SC,

I will have to have a look at those "coping skills", mine are lacking a bit right now, hahaha.

Cheers,
Posted 1/13/2014 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and wishing you well in this trying time. If you have been on the meds for a few weeks and still have this issue, you may want to switch to another med. I have been on Paxil for years and that did not give me any major side effects. You are probably on one of the newer anit-depressants. You are doing great and remember sometimes the more you think about symptoms--the worse they get too--I deal with that. Keep up the great work you are doing.
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