Feeling lonely, frustrated with anxiety

[LC678]

Hi

I am currently on sick leave due to stress/anxiety. I have spent 3 months trying to find the correct medication ( Fluoxetine 20mg for 4 wks, Fluoxetine 40mg for 4 weeks & now Citalopram 20mg for 4 wks)....I am trying to be patient and let the meds kick in but its frustrating & lonely. I was off work a few years ago with stress and used medication for the first time - Citolapram 30mg for a year, then reduced to 20mg. Loved it , really helped to make me feel happy and healthy.

But I was trying to get pregnant (i am 33) and naively thought I would be healthier without meds so I came off them at Christmas - read too many of the warnings on the medication leaflet!! I realise now I need to be on them to be a healthy person but I am finding it hard to get back there. Anyone else had this experience?

I am going to try and speak to a doctor this week about going back to 30mg Citalopram - mine is on holiday :( Baby making on the back burner just now, I need to get better first - easier said then done as friends have babies etc. But I feel disappointed and frustrated at anxiety ruling my life. I find i feel better with lots of quiet time and limited amounts of time with friends, going out to food shop when my anxiety symptoms are bad. Any recommendations for activities, blogs, books to help boost mood/interest?

I do a bit of Yoga at home, crafts but feeling the need to reach out and chat to like minded people :) Hear that I am not the only one having to be patient with my brain!! :)

I'm here waves I'm going through the rollercoaster of trying to find the right meds to combat my anxiety, so you're not alone.

I'm here too. Just started on 10 of citalopram last Thursday. Waiting for the magic to kick in...

Thanks for your messages - it's nice to hear others are in similar situation and its not just me

It's absolutely not just you, LC. How are you feeling today? I'm 1 week and 5 days into starting the tablets now. I feel a bit emotionally dead inside, and still getting long periods of blind panic, but there are also creeping in a few moments of calm where I feel there might be hope for me yet.

I managed to speak to a doctor today and they upped my meds to 30mg which gave me a boost that I am going in the right direction. Thanks LadyNymeriaGhost . Trying not to focus on the physical symptoms I get which I know are anxiety- managed to read a book for a while this afternoon which gave me a sense of wellness ☺

How are you doing today LC?

Hi guys I am knew to this! so glad I've found this forum. I've been struggling with anxiety the last few weeks, I constantly feel nervous and my heart is constantly beating fast I've lost weight and my periods have become irregular, I am feeling so down and can't cope feeling like this anymore, I am going to the doctor tomorrow, does anyone know how long it takes for meds to kick in? Any help and advice would be much appreciated as I am feeling so lonely x

Hi User, didn't want to leave you without a response. Well done for going to the docs. That's the first step. In my (limited) experience, ADs make you feel a bit worse before you feel better, but I was told you should start feeling some benefits within 2-4 weeks. Which sounds like a long time when you're at that end. But it's worth it.
It might be best to start your own thread here if you'd like some more support.
Good luck

Thank you so much for getting back to me and for your advice, I'll start my own thread. Thanks again xx

Hi User

I have felt the same as you at times. It would describe it as a roller coaster, i have been in 'heightened' anxiety for the last 4 months plus trying to make sense of why I feel this way.I have had anxiety since my early teens but only really acknowledged it interrupting my life during my 20s and going to the doctors - I totally agree with LadyNymeriaGhost it's the best first step. Try your best to see the same doctor as they get to know you and your triggers plus your background - mine has been brilliant over the last few years. AD take roughly 4 - 6 weeks to kick in, I notice it as a very very gradual change and it's only looking back over a week will I see the small steps I am making. My doctor says it can be different for everyone, some see changes after 2 weeks. For me it takes much longer.

Something I have found very helpful is talking to a counsellor, who helped me understand me and why I feel the way I do. I hadn't talked to one for a few years and thought I understood my anxiety but after I posted this thread I realised I needed more help. It was a great boost to get replies from fellow anxiety sufferers and helped me feel less alone but I needed more. I got back in touch with my counsellor and made an appointment - best thing I could of done for myself. It helped me get some perspective and calmness. I hope this helps you and gives you the' lift' that the replies gave me. Hugs

Thank you both so much for replying it's helped me a lot and I don't feel so alone. My doctor has recommended CBT too which I am going to do and am hoping it will help. ☺️ Xx