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Browse through 411.742 posts in 47.053 threads.

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10 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
bad day today

I know how you feel.  I've spent the last month having constant anxiety over some dizziness I've been having since the middle of December.  I finally went to my doctor and asked to be put back on Cipralex (I was on it for about 10 years due to anxiety/panic attacks in university but went off it in June 2012 as I thought since that part of my life was over, I didn't need it anymore).  

It's been two weeks since I started back on Cipralex, and it has been hard, but I've seen some improvement.  My anxiety was so bad that I was actually dry heaving/vomiting over the first 4 days.  The last 10 days have been up and down.  Some days I think I'm starting to get better....then the next day I'll feel like I'm right back at square one.  Yesterday was a really bad morning.  I had a reassessment with my doctor.  I've been on modified duty at work, and was worried about asking for more of the same work.  Luckily, I saw the social worker in my doctors office last week, and the report had already been forwarded and read by my doctor.  They were very supportive and are giving me another month of modified duty to help me get things straightened out.    

I just keep telling myself....things will get better.  I want a quick cure...but I know that's not how this works.  Starting back on medications, seeing a therapist & social worker, signing up for some mindfullness programs, and hopefully this online program/support group are hopefully going to work for me.  I just want to get back to a place (both health wise and mentally) where I can get back to work and feel back to normal.  I'm so sick of feeling sick and anxious all the time.

I hope things get better for you soon.  One day at a time.
10 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
New Member

Hi Everyone.

This is my first post as I've just joined this program (well...actually it's my 2nd post as I just replied to another thread).

I first started suffering from anxiety in university, and specifically surrounding exams/tests/ect.  I was started on medications, saw someone a couple of times, and that was it.  I took medications for about 10 years and was pretty much symptom free.  In June 2012, I decided to go off my medications with the consent of my doctor.  I figured since the cause of my anxiety was no longer part of my life, I didn't need the meds.  Boy was I wrong.  

Back in October of 2013, and continually since December 2013, I've been having some health problems, and it has brought back my anxiety...100x worse than it was in university.  January 14th was my breaking day.  I finally admitted that things had gotten out of control, and I needed help.  Went back to my doctor and asked to be put back on meds.  The last two weeks have been an very long, very hard uphill battle.  I had 4 days of constant anxiety after starting meds...anxiety to the point that I dry heave/vomit.  The 10 days have seen some improvement.  My anxiety is at its worst in the morning (I'm in a complete panic about 30 minutes after waking up) and lasts for hours, but then seems to improve in the afternoon/evening.  

I've started seeing a therapist and a social worker, I'm on modified duty at work, and have signed up for some mindfullness programs, as well as this online program.  I've also found some meditation and yoga videos on youtube that I'm hoping will help as well, and am considering some support groups.  

I know this is going to be a long process.  I want a quick "band-aid" fix, but I know that's not how this works.  I'm hoping my doctors can get my health problems figured out...which I hope will go a long way to easing my anxiety.  I realize I need to learn to deal with my anxiety better (I obviously didn't do that in university).

Thanks for listening and I'm looking forward to hearing from others and contributing to the ongoing discussions.  
10 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
change of thought patterns

I'm having a similar problem.  My pattern seems to be that afternoons/evenings are not too bad with my anxiety...and I start thinking things are getting better.  When I wake up the next morning...I'm in full panic mode again and feel like I'm right back where I started a few weeks ago when I first went back on medication.  

I need to change my thought patters that things will get better....but its hard.  I'm getting pressure from my work to "progress" in my back to work rehabilitation....but I'm simply not ready.  

I hope you get the answers you are looking for...and I hope things get better for you....and me.
10 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Looking for good online/mp3 meditation recordings

Can anyone recommend any good visualization meditation recordings?  I found a couple on YouTube from TheHonestGuys that I really like.  I prefer the ones that guide you through visualizing fields of flowers, beaches, ect.

Thanks.
10 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Valentine´s Day Around the corner!

Nope...no valentine for me this year :-(
10 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
At Night?

My anxiety is usually at its worst early in the  morning, and continues on until mid morning.  I wake up and within a few minutes I can feel myself starting to get restless and anxious.  I usually have to get up out of bed because I can't calm down enough to go back to sleep.  


10 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Citalopram 10mg

I'm on my second go around with Escitalopram (Cipralex) which is very similar to Citalopram.  Last time I had no problems on the meds, but I was on another SSRI and then switched to Escitalopram.  However, this time...starting back on 10 mg of Escitalopram....I had horrible, continuous anxiety for about 5 days before I had a bit of relief.  After about 4 weeks, my anxiety level was down to averaging 5/10.  My dose was up to 20 mg about 2 wks ago...and I'm down to about 2-3/10 for anxiety.  

I would suggest sticking it out for a few weeks if you can.....especially since it can take 6-8 weeks to feel the full effect of the meds.

Hope you get some relief soon.
10 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Exhausted

Do you take your medication at night or in the morning?  Could that be causing some of your sleep problems?  

Do you have a pre-bedtime/"sleep" routine that helps let your body know it's time to start unwinding/going to sleep?  Turn off the computer/tv at least 60 minutes before going to bed, have a hot bath, drink a soothing hot drink, read, ect.  I also find it helpful to write in a journal before going to bed to help rid my mind of the nagging thoughts from the day, and I use some guided meditation and soothing music/nature sounds to help me relax when I get into bed.  

Finally, if I'm really having trouble falling asleep I will occasionally take some melatonin.  It helps me fall asleep and doesn't leave me feeling groggy in the morning.

I hope you are able to get some sleep tonight.

9 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Feeling anxious again

I restarted on Cipralex back in January, (after being on it for about 9 years and then discontinuing it for about 1 1/2 years) and am currently on 20 mg.  I saw a social worker for about 10 weeks, and I was doing pretty well with my anxiety.  However, things have regressed a bit.  I'm not near as bad as I was back in January, but things are worse than 3 or 4 weeks ago. I've been having chest and throat discomfort for the last little while.  I actually work in a cardiology department and have been doing ECGs on myself a few times a day, which are normal.  I had a nuclear stress test back in December, and it was normal as well.  My symptoms may be from heart burn...but I take Pantoloc to help with that (although I recently switched from Nexium to Pantoloc as Nexium can increase the effects of Cipralex), so maybe the Pantoloc isn't working as well for me.  

I know my anxiety is probably making the throat/chest discomfort worse, and the throat/chest discomfort is making my anxiety worse.  It's a vicious circle I'm in...and I'm feeling very discouraged with things right now.  I'm starting an 8 week MBSR program this week, and I'm hoping it will help reduce my anxiety symptoms.  If not, I'm afraid I may have to go back to my doctor for a medication adjustment.  
9 years ago 0 162 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Question about Subliminal Messages

Does anyone have any experience with these/know if they work?  I subscribe to a YouTube channel for a person who does wonderful guided visualization meditations and there are also a few subliminal message videos for anxiety and stress relief.