Please help - acute anxiety so bad, don't know what to do

[madmouse]

ds is poorly - ear infection, temp, tired, not eating - but playing and watching telly so not that bad right.

I'm a wreck, I'm totally not coping. And I don't understand why. The night before last I was certifiable, truly, could not keep still for two seconds, totally neurotic. Slept better last night, ds seemed on the mend, was cool when I checked him, but had 39C again this morning and that set me off again straight away.

I have a weird cramp in my jaw, dh says I look and talk as if I have a dental anaesthetic. I can't eat, think, do anything.

I went to the doctor about anxiety 10 days ago and he prescribed me a low dose of citalopram. But I have never felt like this, never this bad. Could this be a side effect to the citalopram? What do I do? I can't go on like this, I can't function.

Am thinking about ringing out of hours, for me not ds. But is there any point?

[catsareevil]

Citalopram can increase anxiety in the first week-10 days. It is a function of the way that it works, and a sign that it is having an effect, IYSWIM.
From the way that you say you are feeling though, I dont think that it would be inapproriate to call out of hours for yourself, both because you cant function, and also what you say about your mouth.

[Isthreetoomany]

I do not know anything about the side effects of citalopram, but do think you should ring. I would imagine that any kind of severe side effects such as the ones you are having should be reported to a doctor asap, just to make sure it is checked out.

[madmouse]

Have phoned out of hours - they were very nice. Waiting for a call back.

[BeckyBendyLegs]

I'm sure madmouse that I've heard or read somewhere that increased anxiety can be a side effect of some ADs, I hope the out-of-hours can help you. You are always more anxious than normal when your ds is poorly and that is completely understandable, that plus new medication is probably what is making you feel quite poorly. Take care xxxx

[Marne]

OP, i know how you are feeling , i started medication 4 days ago and at the moment i feel worse, my anxiety is similar to yours apart from my dd's are not really ill (well dd2 has a slight cough and cold), i get so anxious about getting ill, last night i was so anxious i was shaking and started crying as soon as dh got through the door. I'm feeling a bit more possitive this mornig but still slightly anxous . I have felt really ill since taking the pills (fuzzy headed, shakey and unwell), i'm hoping it will soon pass, i guess we just have to ride it out?

[countrylover]

Hey there Madmouse,

Just on my way out but wanted to send you calming vibes and reassure you that this will pass. You're the same as me in that when the children get ill it tips us over the edge. I had it last weekend when DS2 had a temp. I never cope particularly well when either of them aren't well but for some reason it really got to me and I ended up having a panic attack. I haven't had one for at least 18 months and it really scared me.

But here I am one week later and feeling absolutely fine. It really is two steps forward one step back with depression and anxiety. So please don't be hard on yourself and remember all the fantastic advice you give to other people. You just have to keep telling yourself that it 24 hours DS will be better (I'm guessing the antibiotics will have kicked in by then) and so will you. The feeling you have at the moment won't last I promise.

xx

[madmouse]

I wish they would call - it's much more than 20mins now...I need some help to stop watching ds's every move today. Dh is struggling to be patient and has work to do to prepare for the service tomorrow.

[madmouse]

spoke to someone who said things can get worse before they get better. Offered me an appointment at 12.20 to talk to one of the doctors which I have accepted.

Also had a big cry which helps a bit.

[Marne]

(((hugs))

Hope the doctor can offer you something to help.

[madmouse]

Saw a lovely nurse who took me very seriously. Both the jaw thing and the acute anxiety are due to the citalopram. She's given me a few diazepam tablets that should help settle things until it passes. Not taken one so far as I don't like the idea of being drowsy and ds is a bit better so I'm slightly calmer..still feeling totally rubbish though. Sat in her office sobbing, never done that before..

[Marne]

Glad they took you seriously, hope the diazapan helps, dh has taken it before and had to take it before he went to bed, it made him sleep and he was alot more relaxed the next day, could you take it tonight and dh keep an ear out for DS?

[Memoo]

Madmouse, take the diazepam my love. Anxiety is the worse, most debilitating mental illness at times xx

[madmouse]

I think that's what I will do Marne - it helps that even I cannot deny that ds is on the mend (hasn't had nurofen for temp since 8am, just sat on my lap demanding to be bounced up and down shouting ready steady goooo every time I stopped and just had a wild horse ride on dh's shoulder, screeching) so I'm less on edge.

[madmouse]

memoo that's how it felt - totally debilitating...can't stop moving, can't stop thinking, can't think, can't make any decisions, can't see sense, can't see way out. And all it takes is ds to perk up for me to calm down...until the next time I suppose.

[Marne]

Glad your DS is on the mend, i am paranoid today that the dd's are coming down with something, dd2 has had a cough for 2 weeks and woke up this morning looking pale and tired and dd1 is in a fowl mood. So i'm on edge, i upped my dose of anti-d's 2 nights ago, just wish they would start working (only been on them a week).Hope you managed to get some sleep and the diazepam helped.

[BeckyBendyLegs]

Hope you're feeling a bit better today madmouse.

[kizzie]

Hi madmouse - what you describe is exactly what I have experienced when starting ad's (word for word). I'm glad the nurse took you seriously - often it is just dismissed . It does pass overtime with me - but in the meantime it us bloody awful to be honest. As well as (or instead of ) the diazepam you can also try chamomile tea, breathing exercises etc. Anything just to counteract the surge in cortisol and anxiety. And keep saying 'this too will pass'. Take care

[orangeflutie]

Hope you and your ds are feeling better today.

It might be a good idea to keep a diary of your anxiety levels and any new symptoms. You can then see if things lessen and improve with time as your body gets used to the citalapram and it's useful to refer back to if you need to speak to your doctor again.

[madmouse]

ds is just about better, needs one more good night I think. I'm not so good - completely derailed this afternoon after a reasonable morning and after dh made clear how worried he was I phoned out of hours again in tears and was told to come straight down to be seen.

Agreed to stop the citalopram and the diazepam (which I asked the doc to throw away for me) and been prescribed quetiapine to try and calm things down while the citalopram gets out of my system. Then go and see my GP and discuss what now although I'm not keen to start another AD very soon.

Can't fault OOh service here in Warks, they have been great.

[BeckyBendyLegs]

Madmouse glad you've had some good help and advice. I don't know much about ADs but it does sound as if stopping was the best thing given the reaction you've had.

[madmouse]

I'm calm now, and sleepy. This quetiapine works well. DH will not let me go to work until I've seen doc tomorrow. Have appt but he will not let me wait.

[madmouse]

should say have appt tuesday

[Upwardandonward]

I'm pleased the quetapine helps a little, and glad that you went back to out of hours. I think it would be good if you could see the doc tomorrow; quetiapine isn't the best drug to try and work through at the beginning of taking it.

[madmouse]

I feel ok today and in consultation with DH have so far not taken another quetiapine. Feel slightly tense but ds is all better and I'm not worrying about anything so will see what the GP says.

[madmouse]

Just seen my GP - he was livid about the quetiapine saying it's specialist stuff not to be prescribed by out of hours. He didn't want me to take any more until he had spoken to a psychiatrist. I told him I don't think I need any more and just want to stay off the citalopram. He agreed and gave me some more diazepam in case I need it and signed me off for a week to calm down completely.

He also said that if I am to have any more ADs he wants a psychiatrist to prescribe it as I seem very sensitive to the stuff. But he believes I need counselling more than pills.