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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be anxious to take anti anxiety medication?!

113 replies

AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 09:24

Hi everyone,

Posting here for traffic, sorry.

I am just looking for some company this morning as I am so anxious and scared.

Seems to trivial when I type this out on here - my mum died earlier this year and it’s really triggered my health anxiety. I spoke to my GP earlier this week and she felt it would help for me to try some anti anxiety medication.

I’ve always resisted this, trying instead self care, CBT etc But this time I have just felt so anxious and overwhelmed by my grief all at the same time.

She prescribed me 5mg of Escitalopram.

I’ve taken my first tablet this morning and I am left feeling so anxious and scared.

My biggest fear is they will make me worse. I am functioning, I am able to do things with the kids etc. I’m scared they will stop me from doing that 😔

Is anyone around to talk to me?

OP posts:
Noodella18 · 18/09/2021 20:03

@AnxiousAbi I'm sure you're on top of this, but you're eating regularly and avoiding caffeine right? Remember that trembly hands can be a symptom of anxiety itself, and also of exhaustion - sounds like last night was rough, hope tonight is better xx

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 19:58

As the day has progressed side effects have lessened - so if I am still struggling in a couple of days I will try them at night. Willing to give everything and anything a try that will
Help!

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 19:57

Thanks all, so very much. Honestly it’s such a help.

I’m feeling less ashamed than I was @malificent7 - I’ve accepted they are something worth trying - in exactly the same way as any other self care is. If they work then wonderful, if they don’t then I can stop. I need to not make this something else to panic about.

OP posts:
malificent7 · 18/09/2021 14:35

Im on them and proud.. don't feel ashamed op.

Cameleongirl · 18/09/2021 14:20

I’d recommend taking it in the evening, OP, just before you go to bed. That works better for me in terms of side effects.

Also, try not to think about the medication too much, it sounds as though you’re focusing on it and that might be increasing your anxiety.💐

BennyBean · 18/09/2021 14:03

[quote AnxiousAbi]@BennyBean my hands are quite trembly too.

Urgh, hate this.

I took DD to her club this morning, went to the shops and came home and made lunch. I’m glad I did as it definitely helped me.[/quote]
iv'e been on my medication for 17 days now and haven't noticed a difference i went for a walk this morning head felt a bit clearer but as soon as i turned into our street my Anxiety rose i am sat in my room and the traffic passing is constant used to be a quiet street it has made me really uncomfortable in my own home i think the only way i can get better is to move away and make sure we get it right next time this was supposed to be our last move too, hope your day goes well and you feel okay

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 13:43

@BennyBean my hands are quite trembly too.

Urgh, hate this.

I took DD to her club this morning, went to the shops and came home and made lunch. I’m glad I did as it definitely helped me.

OP posts:
BennyBean · 18/09/2021 11:25

@AnxiousAbi

Ugh, I don’t feel good and it’s stressing me out. I only slept for about 3 hours and then couldn’t get back to sleep.

Feeling wobbly and a little like I am vibrating inside if that makes sense. Is this normal?

I just don’t feel like me at all and it’s scaring me

you are not alone i feel like that every day i feel like i am vibrating inside palpitation feeling sick no appetite loosing a lot of weight wish my meds would kick in take care
Mabelface · 18/09/2021 10:13

Mine keep me alive. I have asd and horrendous anxiety and my meds mean that I can function properly. Any side effects tend to go within a couple of weeks.

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 09:57

I’ve now had three doses. I’m taking them around 9am in the morning

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 09:56

Ugh, I don’t feel good and it’s stressing me out. I only slept for about 3 hours and then couldn’t get back to sleep.

Feeling wobbly and a little like I am vibrating inside if that makes sense. Is this normal?

I just don’t feel like me at all and it’s scaring me

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 17/09/2021 13:54

Thank you @Noodella18

OP posts:
Noodella18 · 17/09/2021 12:46

Keep on going op, relief is just around the corner xx

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 17/09/2021 12:38

I feel tired today but I didn’t have the best sleep and also had a health appointment this morning and got myself in a state so I’m sure that won’t be helping

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 17/09/2021 07:15

My DH complained of the tablets making him feel tired in the first few days, but I would disagree and say that they made him relax and get the sleep he desperately needed to catch up on.
He did not complain of any other side effects.

Looubylou · 16/09/2021 22:47

Hi OP, well done for trusting your GP and beating your anxiety enough to actually start your meds. People often say, if you get side effects, that's a sign that the drug is needed and starting to work. Side effects generally disappear after about 3-4 doses. It is normal in those first few days to feel a liitle shakey, nauseous, and spaced out. Just remember it passes quickly, and you will start to feel better in a few weeks. 💐

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 18:36

@BennyBean

AnxiousAbby I have noise Anxiety we moved house 5 years ago but since the pandemic the side road outside has got busier with people being home food delivery vans and other delivery vans hence me not wanting to live here anymore and missing my old quiet house someone told me that you need to find out the cause of your Anxiety and if you can remove it hence we are putting the house on the market and moving away and make sure we get it right this time if i did stay and got better it might return i have just been tidying the front garden felt okay when i started but the cars and vans were constantly whizzing past (supposed to be 20 MPH)i have come inside and my Anxiety has got bad heart palpitations ,knot in the tummy, feeling sick shaking etc....
I’m sorry to hear that 😞 it must be awful to feel that way at home, where we should feel relaxed and safe.
OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 18:36

The Anxiwty Guy talks about finding the root cause of your anxiety and reframing past events and experiences. I struggle with this a bit as I know my own mums health anxiety will have had a big impact. But how do I reframe that?

I powered through the afternoon and helped dd with her homework, played in the garden and have made dinner. It has helped

OP posts:
tintodeverano2 · 16/09/2021 18:24

@AnxiousAbi

Thank you. I think I’ve been started on a very low dose. The GP said the most likely symptom would be nausea. I can cope with that.

I just worry that they will make me worse. To look at me you wouldn’t know I had anxiety. I fake it when I feel like this so friends and colleagues have no idea. Which is great but…well I am sick going through this. I’ve always been able to manage it in the past myself.

I just feel so incredibly ashamed as well.

I could've written this. I have some tablets sitting here staring at me. I know they may make me feel worse before I feel better, but not prepared to feel worse than I already do.
Cameleongirl · 16/09/2021 18:18

It might be the medication starting to kick in, OP, but don't worry about it, your body needs to adjust to it. You may end up sleeping really well tonight, which is a plus!

Re. Finding and removing the cause of your anxiety. When there's an clearly identifiable cause of the anxiety, such as noise, I believe removing it can work. But if you suffer from GAD like me, you just tend to transfer your fears to something else. For example, you get rid of the noise, but then your anxiety transfers itself to your finances, your health, etc. I can worry about anything, that's why it's called Generalized AD!

BennyBean · 16/09/2021 17:04

AnxiousAbby I have noise Anxiety we moved house 5 years ago but since the pandemic the side road outside has got busier with people being home food delivery vans and other delivery vans hence me not wanting to live here anymore and missing my old quiet house
someone told me that you need to find out the cause of your Anxiety and if you can remove it hence we are putting the house on the market and moving away and make sure we get it right this time if i did stay and got better it might return i have just been tidying the front garden felt okay when i started but the cars and vans were constantly whizzing past (supposed to be 20 MPH)i have come inside and my Anxiety has got bad heart palpitations ,knot in the tummy, feeling sick shaking etc....

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 16:40

Quick question - have felt fine all day but this afternoon I’m feeling like everything is a bit slow - a bit like I feel after I’ve had a panic attack and taken propanalol.

Does this sound familiar?

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 14:14

Thanks @justrambling I will keep an eye on the dose and see what my GP says.

Now I’ve taken them I just want them to work 😂 would be a bit disappointed if after 4 weeks there was no change and I had to increase them to feel better at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 14:13

Thanks @Noodella18 - you are right, it’s really not normal to feel like this all the time. And although I can get by and function ok, I want more than that. I want to be happy and chilled and the best I can be.

I’m feeling a bit more hopeful now.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

OP posts:
JustRambling · 16/09/2021 14:13

No 5mg doesn’t mean that it won’t help you but your doctor wants to make sure that you can cope with any side effects. However if after 2 weeks your anxiety hasn’t decreased then go back to your doctor who will increase the dosage. It will take time - usually about 4 weeks to get the full benefit.

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