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?

Hi Madmouse - your gp sounds very sensible. Glad youve got a good one. Hope you get a good rest this week.

He is the best GP I've ever had (and I've moved a lot!) - most of his consultations last 3mins or so, but he never misses anything and is extremely thorough. He will also say things like come and talk to me if you need to, if the receptionist says I'm fully booked tell her I want to see you anyway.

Sounds like a good and caring gp! I hope the week helps it all settle.

Oh madmouse, just seen this! Poor you! Thank goodness for your sensible GP. And sensible you for making the call and not just soldiering on.

I wonder if it might take a little while for your body to settle after all these drug changes in such a short time? Glad you have this week off - I hope you're able to be very kind to yourself next week as well.

What a horrible few days :-( if you have no history or current thoughs of harming yourself, tricyclic antidepressants may be a good option - million % better than quetiapine which is a major antipsyhotic - and don't cause same anxiety in early stages as SSRI's?

Another option may be reducing dose of diazepam while SSRI kicks in.

Good luck x

InFlames thanks, but I only went to the GP for a CBT referral, I have no symptoms of depression and the last thing I'm going to try is a tricyclic. I don't even think I'm going to try another SSRI any time soon!

Plus I have a history of mild sh and suicidal ideation and a single episode of slightly more than ideation. Although that has now well and truly passed i remain cautious.

Ah I see :-) sounds horrible to have such awful acute anxiety, hope things are calmer for you now :-)

Night, madmouse. Hope you get some decent sleep, and tomorrow is a good "weekend" for the mouse family.

Thanks TIANC

I went to bed at 10am and took a diazepam when I found I was too tense to fall asleep no matter how tired I was. Will try to do without tonight, especially I can't rule out a pregnancy for another week (typically for the first time since I miscarried in Feb I think I may have to do a test next week....)

Things are improving today - I'm tired still but the cramps in my jaw are improving, which isn't bad considering the acute stop from citalopram and the 'hangover' from the weekend.

Hi madmouse sorry I;ve been "out of it" for a bit, I've just noticed this thread and realise what an awful time you've been having. As you know, I had a similar reaction to citalopram - it sent me over the edge in terms of anxiety - I just could not tolerate it.

I'm really glad you have a GP who takes you seriously. Unfortunately my one at the time patronised me and just said "keep taking the citalopram" which was totally the wrong advice and landed me admitted.

I'm glad you are off work this week. How is the anxiety now? Are you feeling calmer? The diazepam does help, I found it comforting to know I had a small amount for "emergencies"... just knowing it's there helps you to calm down a little I think....

Re. the pregnancy, remember that even if you ARE, the little bean won't get much drug-wise until well after the missed period, so don't stress too much about that. Cross one bridge at a time.

Thinking of you. You know you can message me anytime. Sorry I've not been there more lately.

I've had a bit of a "down" day myself, DH away, really struggled to motivate myself and felt very heavy and lethargic. Forced myself out with DD to the playground and I do feel a bit better for it. For me, it's such a fine line sometimes between feeling good and spiralling down to a place where I am really not ok.

xxx

Thanks Getdown - sorry you're having a down day - it's hard when dh is away isn't it. Chat soon xxx

I'm not actually meaningfully anxious anymore - maybe watching ds a bit too much still but there's nothing to see as he's all well again.

I have some physical symptoms left, most bothersome is cramps in my jaw when I speak, get tired or get excited about something. Stomach cramps/runs too, probably from one of the meds, and still tired/a bit fragile. GP knew what he was doing when he signed me off. Just need some more rest I think.

by the way re: the getting you admitted, dh said he's lived with me and my anxiety for 14 years but never before as he puts it 'seen you on a course of which the logical conclusion was a mental hospital'... He had a big headache today - been a bit stressful for him...

It's all happening at once, isn't it? Hope things go the way you want if you do buy a test.

slept without diazepam - took a bit of time to fall asleep but slept fairly soundly until 6.30 (and I normally don't sleep very soundly so that is a good thing)

Oh super! Hope today is a good, restful one. Well, as much as bouncy mouseling allows.

bouncy mousling is at nursery today as special school is closed for the holiday. dh dropped him off and got big lip and tears on departure. Mousling despite not being very verbal is hyper sensitive to anything being 'different', despite this being the nursery where he spends his mondays and fridays. He has no doubt picked up on me not being well bless him. Oh well, know him well enough now to know he'll be happy playing by now!!

Oh bless!

That sleep sounds good :)

Hello, sorry to hear you're going through this. Anxiety is so horrible isn't it. We're all different but the meds worked for me - after the most horrific 5 day adjustment period.

When I first went on them (sertraline) I was warned that they might make me feel a bit worse - turned out to be an understatement. I felt utterly awful, I just wanted to die. But I kept taking them and after a week or so I began to feel better, and after a month or so I was feeling more like my old, healthy self.

My brother tried the same meds (also for anxiety) but stopped after three days as he was so bad and just couldn't bear it.

Keep talking to the GP, also you can get referred to a psychiatrist to discuss meds in more detail if need be.