Anxiety Over Anxiety Meds

What dose and how long on it now? I KNIW you're going to get relief and you're going to be like "why didn't I do this sooner?" But today is all we have and when we know better we do better.

That's a huge deal not have needed it the past few days. Good for you. Seriously, that IS a good sign!

When I was on Prozac, I only ever took 20mg. But, that was 20 yrs ago when I was in college. My mom is 77 & has taken 20mg since Prozac was released in like 1987 or 1988 LOL! She's said before "you can take away all my meds BUT my Prozac!"

Back then, I just took it for 6months- year and got off of it. I took it a 2nd time and it worked good then too. Tried in 2008 w/my last bout and it didn't work that time, wahhhh (don't know if my body didn't respond to it anymore or since I'd only had the name brand before, if the generic wasn't cutting it?). My mom switched from name brand to generic with no problems so who knows.

At any rate, it's a good med and I think you are going to be relieved and not think abt crap 24/7 like we've all been dealing with lately.

In 2008 when Prozac didn't work for me, I went on Cymbalta. It's an SNRI. It worked fabulous for 6 years. Then some life changes happened last yr and early this yr and I felt the depression/anxiety creeping back up (3 of my 5 friends in the city I lived in moved away. One is my BFF)! Soooo, before it got too bad, I went to psych & said I think need pioping out on me & the NP switched me to Zoloft. (She asked if there was a med I'd like to try! Remember I told you awhile back my psych office asks what meds you may like to try to) lol. I said Zoloft bc my BFF & several others I knew liked it.

Well. It was not for me. It took a month to present itself but it made me worse! Bad crash. Just wasn't for me. Sooooo, I did a med dance from Feb til now kinda. They put me back on Cymbalta & tried to add a couple of things but no change. (I wasn't a total wreck this whole time btw lol).

Switched me from Cymbalta to Pristiq (SNRI) in June & added Wellbutrin 2 weeks ago. I am feeling better and I know from past experiences (I have "bouts" of this crap, nothing that has ever been chronic although this is my longest lasting one), that it takes a cpl months to get back on the horse so to speak.

I actually had a panic attack Friday while visiting my brother in law at the hosp & just said "ok, gotta go, call he if you need anything" (my sister is there with him) & left. Of course they didn't know anything was wrong. I bolted home, talked myself down and didn't even take a Xanax!

Anyway, that's my story lol!!!

Lisa

Yeah, hospitals are hit or miss with me. I grew up "in them" but not for anything bad but to visit my mom or sisters as they're all RN's & oldest sis a family physician. My oldest sis's hubby in hospital for over a week now. He's got an autoimmune blood disorder and has had fever & trying to figure out the source. Jeez. My sis is so strong. As is my other sis & mom. I'm the only sibling outta 5 that struggles with anxiety/depression (that I know of)!

Yeah I'd never been on a med dance. It has been a struggle but like I said, I haven't been a total wreck these past 5 months. Prior to mid June switching meds, I started getting more frustrated and started having that depersonalization weird crap. I still have it mildly some days but I think it's lifting. My husband reminds me I'm grieving the loss of my friends too and I forget that! Bc depression/anxiety makes you think it's some weakness in you. I'm glad to be reminded bc God knows I get caught up in my own stinking thinking too much sometimes!

We are going to come outta this ahead. I feel it it my gut even though some days I struggle to believe it. I still don't know how I'll feel "all alone" here in this city once my BFF finally moves (they have to be outta house by Aug 29). I met her when I moved here 9 yrs ago and we've been BFF since. She's gone through the same crap we have and then some (she has fibro). We are both homemakers and did everything together. I'm going to have to get at least a part time job to fill my days bc I'll have too much time on my hands. I was laid off in 2009 & haven't worked since. Being a homemaker was fun when I had other homemaker friends but the 2 friends left work full time and have families (my BFF is like hubby and I- no kids, just dogs).

I have a fear of interviews/starting new jobs on a "good day", let alone when I've felt so vulnerable gah! I'm lucky in that I don't have to work for finances (we aren't rich), but now my homemaker purpose isn't cutting it emotionally so that's another challenge I'll be facing (and conquering!), sometime in the near future! Woo hoo!

Thank you M.A.L.! When I took Prozac, I said it was like taking Tylenol for a headache. You don't feel the Tylenol working then at some point, you realize the headache is gone. It'd be lovely if AD's worked that quick lol but you catch my drift.

I just returned from the hospital again. Took my sis & her hubby carry out food. They're sick of hospital food lol. My husband went with me. We stayed and visited for abt half an hr then left. Had a tiny anxiety but got through it fine. I think the panic attack Friday was brought on bc A. His room was warm. B. His room is small and there were a total of 5 adults in there. C. I can get claustrophobic easily. D. All of the above lol.

Interesting. I keep hearing the meds will just be working. My Psych said my friends might comment that I am not as crabby or sad. Huh? ....

A more stressful day planned today. We shall see if the good feeling lasts.

meetup .. That's too bad about all the partying. In my area, it's a lot of yoga and exercise groups which is good, but I need to get in better shape before I show up.

I find it very difficult to make and keep friends. I reconnected with a couple from school, and neither kept in touch despite all the usual "Let's get together" stuff. I could have followed up, but it's always so one sided like that, and I suppose I get weary of it.

I would have been so thrilled if someone bothered to look me up, I would be best buds forever. Ahh well, this is a issue for me too, and honestly, I have self evaluated myself so much, I don't think I'm "driving people away", it simply seems like people don't want or need friends. Or I'm not willing to always be the one initiating it and keeping it going. And I look for the deeper meaning in life, most people seem to care about casual things.

So I understand in my way about friends and trying to make new friends. Heck I've done things myself for so long, by now I'd probably find it annoying to have to wait on other people lol...

Lisa you are a good friend, I can tell! You bother to post compliments and follow up. Anyone would be lucky to be your friend! Yes, it's like empty nest syndrome to lose friends, those people you had depended on to have fun with. It's a hollow feeling to have them gone, because while you may well stay in touch, it's never the same once they move away.

I'm sure you will make new friends though, you seem like you make friends easily. It's just a matter of finding something to do on a regular basis where you meet people/women in your area/situation. A new hobby, a class. I met a lot of people in college to be sure! I also googled like crazy to find things to do in my area. Still am. I have a list of local places and things to do. It's helped a lot! You might try that too.

Thanks, I appreciate the observation. I feel pretty good again today, despite the stress of the dude coming over to upgrade my internet . But you are right, it feels almost like.... Anxiety was a headache and prozac is the aspirin. Good analogy!