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Does anxiety "look like" depression sometimes?

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 7/6/2009 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
A few months ago my GP put me on Celexa because I went to see her, crying, not sleeping, etc. she was trying to ween me off of Xanax and I think it was problems with that that had me messed up and not depression. On Celexa for two months, I was so nauseous all the time, became hyperactive, very irritable and crazy racing thoughts, chest pains and trouble breathing which all went away when I took my normal dose of Xanax.  I gave it 8 weeks and then tapered myself off and I feel better than I did when I went to see her initally.  I really think the Celexa made my anxiety worse and my Pdoc who retired, had put me on Xanax because obviously at that time I needed it.  I guess my point is, if you need Xanax and you are not abusing it, and you have no side effects from it, why mess with something that is working?  I have a new PDoc appt on July 15th.  I am only taking .5, 3 times a day.  does that sound like an extreme dosage?  At one time I was on 3 mg a day and I have gotten down to 1.5 and feel well, not overly sedated and sleep well.  She wanted me taking .25 twice a day.  That did not work.  My anxiety is constant and severe and my old PDoc, when I asked him about the long term use, said, so what, if it works and you feel good, take it.

Thanks for any input and I hope everyone had a great July 4th! turn

Gem

Posted 7/6/2009 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
Gem,
Im on day 5 of Celexa and not sleeping well due to anxiety. I was naver a pill taker so when they gave me Xanax .25 yesterday i was anxious to take it. Tried to sleep on my own last night...one hour! Took a xanax at 3am and slept until 6am. Not too long. But, i was so anxious after taking it that it probably made it worse. I just want to fell better...I feel like im in a rut and cannot get out.
Posted 7/6/2009 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hey sunshine,

For me taking Xanax just when I absolutely needed it was not good.  I guess I would wait too long.  My PDoc had me take it on a regular schedule and I felt so much better.  when I started messing around with the dosage and time, that is when I got into trouble.  I have heard that Celexa works really well for some people and I hope you are one.  Sounds like you are in the "start up" phase.  I have never been able to tolerate pharmecueticals very well, so I have been through quiet a few.  Depression was never really my biggest issue, but hypomania and anxiety were.

Good luck to both of us!

Gem

Posted 7/6/2009 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I was on Celexa for a number of months and did not get the side effects you mention, I did get a few side effects when I first started the Celexa but these passed after a couple of weeks. I have never taken Xanax so can not comment on that medication but im glad to hear you have an appointment to see a new pdoc as they will be able to give you the best advice re medications. I would also recommend therapy such as CAT or CBT as these types of therapy have great results with people who are dealing with anxiety or depression related mental health issues. I hope you start to feel better soon and were are here to help you through so let us know how you get on with your appointment.

Ben
Posted 7/6/2009 3:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the post.  I really am alot better now than I was.  I am looking forward to my appt with new PDoc, I think that will help me get back on track for what is right for me.

Enjoy your day!

Gem

Posted 7/6/2009 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
The Benzos are addictive, as you know. Your body gets used to the current dosage and then requires more. The problem is making sure you wean yourself off of these meds with a doctor's help. Do not stop taking them cold turkey if you've been taking them regularly. Believe me, I know. It's not fun.

It's better to find an anti-depressant that works for you. They are not addictive and after awhile you feel no side effects. Celexa was not for you but I'm sure there's another medication out there that will bring you peace.

Don't give up!
Posted 7/6/2009 5:58 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Aries8,

That is exactly why I made an appt with a new Pdoc.  Mine retired in December and since then my regular medical Dr. has been taking care of me, and she is very well meaning but I do feel that I need a little more specialized care.  Give up, never!  What else are we going to do but keep trying each and everyday to feel as well as possible.  I am just not sure that an AD is what I need, maybe it is.  I have never been able to tolerate them very well, but I have only been on 3 different ones over the years.

Thanks for your post!  And how does the Ativan work for you?  I was on it for a short period of time several years ago, I think it is not as strong as Xanax maybe?  Maybe be an option for me to explore..............

Gem

Posted 7/6/2009 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Ativan, Xanax and Klonopin have worked well for me. I'm in the process of weaning myself off of the Ativan and going back to taking it as needed.

How are you without any medication?
Posted 7/6/2009 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Just taking the Xanax, .5 - 3 times a day I am doing pretty well.  I feel so much better physically since I got off the Celexa, I am sure that in itself is helping.  And maybe I do not need anything else, I am open.  My MD wanted me to cut down in the Xanax, and I made it to .75 a day but any lower than that is pretty rough.  I am just going to bide my time until I see new PDoc and see where we need to go with my treatment.

Gem

Posted 7/6/2009 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Good idea! I'm sure something will be decided on that will help you! Let us know what he/she says!
Posted 7/6/2009 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
I took Ativan a year and seven months ago. I took it for almost seven months as needed. I developed a dependancy on it and weaning off was the hardest thing I've ever done. I never want to go through that again. I really didn't think I would become dependant on it...I've never been dependant on any drugs before. Benzodiazapines are very addictive and we have to be very careful when using them. I think there is a time when they are necessary...Ativan did help me during a very hard time in my life...but I wonder now if I would have used it if I would have known what was going to happen. I have extreme anxiety...sometimes not so bad but too many times my anxiety just sky-rockets. I am trying to learn to calm it down and work with it instead of against it. I have had great success with deep breathing and with muscle relaxation. I am also a praying person and prayer helps me through my hardest times. I do not want to leave the impression that benzos don't have a place in the treatment of anxiety...Ativan just didn't work for me in the end. I didn't abuse it...I always took it as I was instructed to use it. When my doc told me he didn't want for me to take it anymore I thought it would be easy to just quit...I found out different. It took me a long time of tapering off to finally get weaned off it.

Joni
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