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I know, but want reassurance

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 8/31/2015 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Comrades! I solute you all:

Interesting history:

At 20 yo I came down with panic disorder. Was on the brink of Agoraphobia...

Suffered terribly for 16 years. Finally discovered Paxil. Gave me life back. But also gave me an extra 30 pounds.

(tried to taper off a few times but couldn't take the SA) after 10 years wasn't working well. I felt it had stopped.

But now the anxiety and Panic were coming back but i also felt very "weak" emotionally. When to top notch doc and said it's mild depression. (So the Paxil gave me depression?) So he put me on Cypralex. Now here is nice part: I felt absolutely *terrible*. I mean just terrible. Totally zapped out. Just wanted to crawl under a rock. Didn't want to talk to anybody. Just lied in bed all day and watched every war movie on youtube. But then I saw in a forum somewhere "that before it gets better it's going to get worse". I even saw that this is, like, a good sign, because it means the medication is really effecting you but your body just hasn't gotten used to it!! Well after *12* weeks things did start getting much better and etc everything was ok. Hurray!

Now fast forward 2 years this April I forgot to refill. I felt OK. This wasn't like Paxil that if I missed a day it would cause me chest and back pain. So i kept going...another day and another day and I felt OK. (I was anxious, like, "when is this going to jump back at me....") Now of course I know that cold-turkeying an SSRI can be terrible, but I felt fine.

Last week I felt again this emotional "weakness" thing. (Usually i am a very strong personality) and was afraid I would slip in again to .... who know what. So I started Cypralex again and I am again feeling terrible. Like a Zombie. No interest in anything. Don't want to talk to anybody.....

Now based on my OWN experience I expect this state to eventually go away. But I would like to hear input about anything I can do in the meantime to not feel *so* terrible. Someone suggested boosting Omega 3.

Also if anyone has experience with Cipralex round 2....

I appreciate anything and everything....

Raffi
Posted 8/31/2015 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Raffi and welcome!

Here is your reassurance...it is completely normal to have challenges during a new Rx start up!

Your body is going through an adjustment (with SSRI's Seratonin levels initially drop, until the brain's auto receptors adjust) that is temporarily increasing your anxiety.

If you can use coping skills to get you through through the initial discomfort...which can last a few weeks...you may end up with a med that performs really well for you. :)

We have some great self help material here that can really aid in making your transition as smooth as possible. Here is the link:
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206


Practicing these daily are key!

What other methods if any have you explored for anxiety management? Therapy has been invaluable for many here, including myself!

Keep posting with us if you find it helpful. We understand and care...so keep talking with us.:)

Scaredy Cat

Posted 8/31/2015 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you.
Could anyone comment on the fact that i cut cold turkey and felt as if i was still on the meds? Does it take so long for serotin to leave the brain?
Posted 9/1/2015 8:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

It seems to be the norm for things to get worse before they get better when starting a new medication or having a medication increase so I would stick with it if you can Cipralex is a good medication imo I had good results with it when I was on it so I hope it works well for you.

With regards to stopping cold turkey that is not a good idea and can cause loads of problems so you are always best slowly reducing your dose under the supervision of your doctor.

Hibee
Posted 9/1/2015 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
Is there anybody else (missory loves company:) that while going through the "it's gets worse before it gets better" syndrome, that your emotions change back and forth so much? I mean i woke up this morning feeling very good and then 3 hours later feel doomed again. Then feel good for 20 minutes and then again like i am finished.
Thank you
R
Posted 9/1/2015 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Also i would very wecome some input how i should react when the "crawl under rock" cloud hits me. Shoukd i fight it and force my self to stay in tbe open or should i let it flow and run its course???
Posted 9/1/2015 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Rephael,

I do not take meds...but my anxiety can cause me some mood swings like you describe...back and forth...feeling good, then within the same hour, struggling at times!

Using coping skills during the challenging times is key! What do you respond best to?

Are you a mover? Try exercising Are you good with words? How about journaling? Need to feel calm? Meditation and deep breathing are key.

If you've not done already...check out the link above I posted. There is a lot of great material there that can help!

S.C.
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