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Has anyone had similar experiences?

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Posted 5/30/2017 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
So I was on 10mg Lexapro for about a year and a half for anxiety and depression. Besides for the first few weeks while my body adjusted to the medication, I felt pretty good while on it. My only concern was that I've gained almost 50 pounds since starting it so I decided to ween off it. I have now been off Lexapro for 2 weeks and a few days and I can definilty see a difference in my mood, however it hasn't been too horrible.

This past week I haven't felt the greatest and I'm assuming it's either withdrawl symptoms or me getting sick. I had diarrhea one day, I've been slightly nauseous, had headaches and body aches. I went to the Urgent Care yesterday (memorial day) and they gave me a z-pack (azythromycin) and prednisone (60mg to start) for a sinus infection. After I took the medicine it was the worst I ever felt. I became very emotional and began to panic at night. I didn't sleep at all last night and ended up calling into work (my first day at a new job...I know, how great.)

I went to my doctor today and he told me to stop taking the prednisone but continue the z-pack. He also wants me to start taking wellbutrin, which I will begin tomorrow. Overall I'm feeling a little nervous. My doctor seems to think that my symptoms are just from me being sick and that the prednisone made me panicky last night. I guess I'm just neverous about starting a new medication on top of starting a new job. My biggest fear is that I won't be able to sleep again even though I've been doing fine since going off the Lexapro. Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated.
Posted 5/30/2017 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
AF,

Steroids are known to induce panic in some people...especially if you are already struggle with anxiety.

I am sorry you are feeling rough right now. You do have a lot going on currently! A recent discontinuation, getting sick...starting a new job...it is a lot!

If you feel uncomfortable starting a new med at this point, you could try really focusing on some self help coping skills first and see how you do.

Have you also considered therapy? (sorry I can't remember) If this is a possibility for you, I can personally recommend it...

...and if not, we have some on-line options in our Resources here. Look at the top of the main forum page for Moodgym and E-couch links.

I wish you the best on your decision...I hope the panic lets up soon and stays away...and I wish you the best in your new job!

Keep us updated, so we can keep you in support,

S.C.
Posted 5/30/2017 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Not going to lie...I think the prednisone has really got me messed up right now. (Even though i only took 60mg one day and then stopped.) I have no appetite, my stomach is cramping up, I'm having to go to the bathroom a lot, I can feel my heart beating fast and every time I try to sleep I feel panicky and wake up. Hopefully it gets out of my system soon.

I'm struggling to decide if I should start the wellbutrin tomorrow or wait until my side effects from the prednisone go away first. I don't know much about the start up of wellbutrin but I've heard it sometimes causes people anxiety. Man I really regret taking that medicine and wish it wasn't even given to me.

Post Edited (Ashlee Frances) : 5/30/2017 1:18:33 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/30/2017 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Ashlee,

I was on a zpack last week for an ear infection and it made me feel horrible: lethargy, upset stomach, headache, etc. Once I finished it up, the symptoms slowly subsided. As SC said, steroids can have this effect on you, too. I hope your infection clears up soon so you can get off those guys!

Wishing you the best in health (both mentally and physically)!
Keep us posted
Posted 5/31/2017 1:40 AM (GMT 0)

Ashlee Frances said...
Not going to lie...I think the prednisone has really got me messed up right now. (Even though i only took 60mg one day and then stopped.) I have no appetite, my stomach is cramping up, I'm having to go to the bathroom a lot, I can feel my heart beating fast and every time I try to sleep I feel panicky and wake up.

I'm struggling to decide if I should start the wellbutrin tomorrow or wait until my side effects from the prednisone go away first.

I suspect what your are experiencing is anxiety/panic attack and not the Prednisone. One day of 60mg of Prednisone should not cause all of the symptoms you are having.

Go ahead and start Wellbutrin. Give Wellbutrin a chance, some do great on it.
Posted 5/31/2017 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
From your original post, it really does seem like the symptoms you could be experiencing could be withdrawal symptoms. This is a difficult one because you actually have a sinus infection. Withdrawal symptoms mimic biological illness to such a degree that it yes, it does feel like you have a cold or the flu when experiencing withdrawal.

Panic can increase during withdrawal. I only had a slight increase in anxiety with the withdrawal from Xanax, but I had a slightly more intense withdrawal with the clonazepam. Both times - again, it feels like the flu or a cold.

I really do think it is withdrawal, but again, very hard to say since it is not the only variable to consider at this point.
Posted 6/1/2017 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Update: I did start the Wellbutrin. (I believe it's 150 mg) I'm almost done with day 2! lol

The only real symptoms I'm having now are slight headaches, trouble sleeping and sometimes diarrhea. I assume this is all normal since I'm just starting the medication, but I've noticed I don't feel like myself already. I'm very agitated and more depressed than usual. I feel just extremely unmotivated and keep crying randomly for no reason. I hope this all passes soon! I can say I do feel better than I did when I started Lexapro about a year and a half ago....but I also recall the Lexapro taking months to kick in and actually make me feel normal agian.... sad

Also to respond to a few comments: According to my doctor, Predisone is basically known for causing insomnia and panic attacks....so it shouldn't have been given to someone like me. I get sinus infections almost every 2 months so it was prescribed to me in addition to an antibiotic.

Post Edited (Ashlee Frances) : 6/1/2017 5:14:39 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/2/2017 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
AF,

Wishing you the best on your start up. Yes, as you know, it can take time to build to therapeutic levels...

...and things can get challenging until then...but do your best to give it a chance if you can hang in there.

Use all your coping skills...and if you need more, see our Resources!

Keep us updated, so we can keep you encouraged. 😊

S.C.
Posted 6/2/2017 12:31 PM (GMT 0)

Ashlee Frances said...
Also to respond to a few comments: According to my doctor, Predisone is basically known for causing insomnia and panic attacks....so it shouldn't have been given to someone like me. I get sinus infections almost every 2 months so it was prescribed to me in addition to an antibiotic.

It is true Prednisone comes with side effects, and more than your Dr. stated.. Those side effects, if they happen, isn't on the first day at a low dose of 60mg. It is with longer usage. Usually with a sinus infection the length of time a patient is on Prednisone isn't very long nor is the dosage very high. I have experience with Prednisone, higher dosage and longer length of usage and the varied side effects. When I stated what you were experiencing for symptoms wouldn't have been due to Prednisone after one day I was telling you the truth.

Take care and I wish you all the best with Wellbutrin.
Posted 6/2/2017 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm. Well all I know is that a few hours after I took the first dose of Prednisone I started feeling super panicky, I had no appetite, and I didn't sleep at all that night. That normally doesn't happen to me so I assumed it was the Predisone. When I called the doctor and told them what I was experiencing they told me to stop taking it. Sorry I wasn't trying to imply that you were lying...I just find it ironic that all the symptoms came a few hours after taking a medication that's basically known for those side effects.

Snoopy said...

Ashlee Frances said...
Also to respond to a few comments: According to my doctor, Predisone is basically known for causing insomnia and panic attacks....so it shouldn't have been given to someone like me. I get sinus infections almost every 2 months so it was prescribed to me in addition to an antibiotic.

It is true Prednisone comes with side effects, and more than your Dr. stated.. Those side effects, if they happen, isn't on the first day at a low dose of 60mg. It is with longer usage. Usually with a sinus infection the length of time a patient is on Prednisone isn't very long nor is the dosage very high. I have experience with Prednisone, higher dosage and longer length of usage and the varied side effects. When I stated what you were experiencing for symptoms wouldn't have been due to Prednisone after one day I was telling you the truth.

Take care and I wish you all the best with Wellbutrin.

Posted 6/2/2017 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone is different...so the reaction you had was real, and maybe just how it affected you...

...no matter what others experience...that has nothing to do with YOU! 😊

So just know for yourself, this is somerhing you'll want to try and avoid (or ask for an alternative) in the future.

Sending wishes for progress!

S.C.
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