I have a question for you guys. Out of no where last weekend I started feeling really anxious and my arms and hands were tingling and my heart was racing...i thought maybe i was dying or i had something wrong with me neurologically so i went to the ER. Well after doing a neuro check the MD said that I was suffering from anxiety attacks, he said the tingling was realated to the anxiety and being as young as i am (24)that anxiety was def. the culprit..he gave me some atavan and i went home. well the tingling went away but the anxiety did not.
Then Monday I went to see my reg. MD and he started me on LExapro and told me that I would feel relief within 3-5 days. Its been 5 days and im still pretty anxious...not quite as bad as last weekend but im wondering, what if this med doesnt work? What if I never feel normal again? Im so worried, it was so sudden and I just want to feel like myself again. I think some of my anxiety stems from the fact that im worried about all these diseases we learn about. For awhile I was worried I had cancer (I went to the MD and she told me i have a small fatty tumor in my back and its nothing to worry about.) Then I was worried that I had or was starting to get MS as I had all the tingling in my arms and back....well the MD check my neuro system and said I was fine. My arms don't really tingle anymore and the MD said it was normal in anxiety attacks and that it was basically my nerves being frazzled. I guess it would be easier if i knew why i was so anxious.
I have been taking the Lexapro for 5 days now and ive noticed that ive been clenching my jaw, is this a normal side effect? I read the info on the drug but it didn't mention that...also my anxiety attacks only seem to come on mid morning..dont know why...ive also been taking Atavan prn...im worried about becoming addicted...sorry so long...just looking for some reasurrance i guess. I go back to the MD in 3 weeks...
I suffered similar symptoms 3 years ago. I had tingling in my hands and feet. I also had a few panic attacks during that same time frame but didn't associate it with the other symptoms until later. In addition, my mind was foggy--I couldn't think, and I had trouble remembering everything. I, too, was afraid that I might have MS or some other neurological poblem. I did some investigating on the internet and discovered my symptoms were the same as someone with a B12 deficiency. I immediately started supplements and have been symptom-free since. I haven't had anymore panic attacks either. I have learned through a little more research that even people with "normal" levels of B12 can benefit with supplements. Some researches have suggested that we may need more B12 than previously thought. B12 is available in the diet in meat (beef, poultry, fish, etc.), eggs, and dairy. I am a vegetarian, however, I do eat eggs and limited amounts of dairy, so it's doubtful that I would have been considered "deficient" by current opinion. Your symptoms may have a different cause, but I wanted to share my experience in case it helps. B12 is cheap and easy to supplement, so it might be worth trying anyway. Good luck to you.
Where can you buy Vit B12? I know exactly what you mean about your mind being foggy!
Thanks so much for the replies. I was stunned to see so many replies.:) I never knew there were so many people who felt the same way.
Ive decided to cut out caffiene from my diet, i really didnt drink that much before...I usually eat pretty well. It's funny bc either the Atavan or the Lexapro is making me NOT that hungry...wierd...i'm definetly staying on the lexapro, but my MD had said that it would kick in between 3-5 days, i just didnt know why hed tell me that if it wasn't for atleast 1-4 weeks.
It seems as though I only have them about 2-3 hours after I wake up. The later in the evening it gets the better. I guess before this I never realized how much anxiety I always carried with me, I am always looking for something to obsess over..I can remember having problems with axiety as young as 5 or 6. I never went with the meds before bc the panic attacks id had in the past were always linked with something pretty traumatic so I just assumed they were because of that. This is the first time ever that I have ever had an anxiety attacks that I can't figure out why. I feel like i'm not that stressed out over school or anything. It hasn't caused me to have panic attacks before. It is stressful but it doesn't seem like it would stress me to the point of an panic attack.
I would like to see a counselor, but my insurance won't pay for it:( It's ok though, my MD only wants me to stay on the lexapro for the summer so we will see what happens.
Do you have to relate the diseases that you learn about to yourself? :
No, I don't read about the disease and think I have it..its more like, i felt tingly and kinda numb, so i worried i had MS or something neurological. Or, I found a lump in my back, oh my gosh what if i have cancer? I don't think i'm really afraid of that but it's just something that I can use to obsess over and agonize over...You are right though, I need to get out and do something besides school! I feel like that is all I ever do. I went out tonight to a friends house and I really felt better.
I can understand (hug) I've had plenty of anxiety attacks. When they first started I thought it was my asthma because I felt like I couldn't breathe and I thought the tingling was just a result of that. I felt dumb when I went to the ER and the tingling and breathing problems subsided. :smackingf Then I started having a constant tremor (I was really anxious) and would have episodes of hyperventilating and have seizures (just from hyperventilating though, I don't have any neuro problems) :) so I'm on meds now and see a counselor and it totally helps. Check out what your school offers-it might have free or low cost services for students. I also took a yoga class and added some de-stressing exercises to my day. Just remember to take a minute to relax and take care of yourself. It works! :icon_hug:
I know how you feel and I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this. I have suffered from GAD my whole life and for the past 10 or 15 years I have had on and off panic attacks. The last 2 years of my life have been very stressful, new job, divorce, my father dying etc... My panic attacks are coming on much more often and even though I know that all my symptoms are probably just nerves I still think I am going to have a heart attack, stroke, or die. It is a horrible feeling. I think the worst part for me is that I am so afraid that I will have a panic attack in front of people that when I do start feeling one coming on I freak out even more. I HAVE to get away from where I am and be by myself, even if its just geting in my car and sitting there till its over. I get hot, I mean REALLY HOT, start to panic, get tingly,shaky, feel like I cant breath, get dizzy, numbness, my vision and hearing get kinda weird, my heart races, I get horrible tension in the back of my neck and I get very weak. Its absolutely horrible. I've had 3 or 4 panic attacks in the last 6 weeks. I am going to go see my Doc to see if my meds need to be adjusted. I am on 50mg's of Zoloft daily and 1mg of ativan as needed up to 4 times a day. Most days I only 2 mg's. If I do have a panic attack I have to take two at once to get it under control. I have been on it for about 11 years, so yes I am hooked, I'm sure. It doesn't make me sleepy, or feel out of it and doesn't affect my thinking or driving etc... so I am lucky. I know its not a med you should stay on for an extended period of time but it is the only thing that I have found to really help me. I don't feel like the Zoloft works all that well. Now I said I dont get sleepy from the meds but I do stay tired all the time, of course I have been tired all my life. I don't ever remember there being a time in life, not even one day that I am not just totally worn out. But I manage to still get everything done, thankfully. I also clench my jaw, thats from the anxiety and also from the SSRI (Zoloft). My Doc says that he has another med that he wants me to try in place of the zoloft. He thinks I may do better on it. I don't know what it is but I am afraid to try it, although I probably will (if it doesn't have any side affects that I think will kill me).
You not alone so hang in there. Maybe we should start a support group for those of us with these problems. I bet there is a lot of us.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. By the way watch what you eat and try to get some exercise. These type of med can cause some major weight gain!
I hope you are feeling more like your self soon. It took about a week and a half for the Zoloft to kick in for me. But your supposed to give any SSRI 4-6 weeks to see the full effects.
Thanks for sharing! It sounds like you have been through a lot! It is so awful, you really cant even describe it to people, its so mind numbing. This can be the "support thread" lol..again thanks for all the advice!!
I have a question for you guys. Out of no where last weekend I started feeling really anxious and my arms and hands were tingling and my heart was racing...i thought maybe i was dying or i had something wrong with me neurologically so i went to the ER. Well after doing a neuro check the MD said that I was suffering from anxiety attacks, he said the tingling was realated to the anxiety and being as young as i am (24)that anxiety was def. the culprit..he gave me some atavan and i went home. well the tingling went away but the anxiety did not.
Then Monday I went to see my reg. MD and he started me on LExapro and told me that I would feel relief within 3-5 days. Its been 5 days and im still pretty anxious...not quite as bad as last weekend but im wondering, what if this med doesnt work? What if I never feel normal again? Im so worried, it was so sudden and I just want to feel like myself again. I think some of my anxiety stems from the fact that im worried about all these diseases we learn about. For awhile I was worried I had cancer (I went to the MD and she told me i have a small fatty tumor in my back and its nothing to worry about.) Then I was worried that I had or was starting to get MS as I had all the tingling in my arms and back....well the MD check my neuro system and said I was fine. My arms don't really tingle anymore and the MD said it was normal in anxiety attacks and that it was basically my nerves being frazzled. I guess it would be easier if i knew why i was so anxious.
I have been taking the Lexapro for 5 days now and ive noticed that ive been clenching my jaw, is this a normal side effect? I read the info on the drug but it didn't mention that...also my anxiety attacks only seem to come on mid morning..dont know why...ive also been taking Atavan prn...im worried about becoming addicted...sorry so long...just looking for some reasurrance i guess. I go back to the MD in 3 weeks...
I'm on Lexapro and it took longer than 5 days. However, I've been on it know for over 4 months and I have to say that it is working great. At least I feel great and I suffered from both depression and anxiety. Give it a little bit more. If after a month you are still not finding any relief, ask if it can be raised before giving up on it.
Can you pinpoint when the anxiety actually occurs? Maybe you should talk to someone that can help you work through it in the meantime.
Ive decided to cut out caffiene from my diet, i really didnt drink that much before...I usually eat pretty well. It's funny bc either the Atavan or the Lexapro is making me NOT that hungry...wierd...i'm definetly staying on the lexapro, but my MD had said that it would kick in between 3-5 days, i just didnt know why hed tell me that if it wasn't for atleast 1-4 weeks.
I would like to see a counselor, but my insurance won't pay for it:( It's ok though, my MD only wants me to stay on the lexapro for the summer so we will see what happens.
Hi ELKMNin06,
I saw this after I posted my earlier message. I, too, cut out caffeine (including diet soda) two weeks ago, and while the first couple of days were difficult, I have to say that I'm not missing it and that may contribute to relieving some of your anxiety. It has for me.
Is your MD a psychiatrist or a family physician? While it is a good medication, most depression and anxiety medications take longer to take affect.
I would check to see if there are any counselors in school or maybe you can find one that will pay a sliding scale.
Anxiety attacks and me go way back. So I really understand what you're going through. It may take the Lexapro several weeks to kick in. There may be an anti-anxiety med that works better for you. I take clonopin which builds up in your system over time and stays there longer so it sort of slows the progression of anxiety before you become symptomatic. If things get really bad I'll take half a tablet PRN. Clenching your jaw may be a symptom of the med, but for me it was a primary system of anxiety.
It's also possible that you haven't seen relief yet because, believe it or not, starting a med regimen can make you more anxious at first because you start worrying what if this doesn't work? What do I do then? Oh No! And then it's back on the anxiety train. With time, things will get better.
Physically there are things you can do to help anxiety, relaxation exercises, taking a walk around the block, changing your diet. I know you're not supposed to have caffeine but I found it more soothing to drink a cup of coffee in the morning -- that has always been my routine and changing it just produced anxiety. Of course, I limit my intake greatly and for a long time drank a decaf/caf mix.
I think it's important to keep in mind that when you do address the anxiety and start making changes, you will maybe feel a little more anxious at first -- lifestyle changes are very stressful, even if it's just cutting down on chocolate. Give yourself time. Tell yourself, OK I am feeling anxious now but I am doing things to help myself and soon I will feel relief. You will. :)
thank you all so much for your replies and sharing your stories. I am happy to say that I am doing better today. So far anyway...its 1130 and i havent really felt that anxious today. Its usually at this time that I start feeling anxious. I guess this has been so hard for me bc they came on so suddenly and originally i thought i had something else bc of the physical symptoms...i didnt think anything of the axiety bc i thought i was just worried about what was going on with my body...then i went to the ER and was told that i was fine and i thought that would take care of the anxiety...but...it didnt, the physical symptoms went away but the anxiety didnt.
It would also be easier for me if I knew what i was anxious about. I really can't think of anything...my relationships are great...school is stressful, but i enjoy it and im doing well....it seems like im just anxious for no reason and that makes me even more anxious! It is such a vicious cycle.
I have been taking the Lorazapeme (sp?) prn and it seems to help, im very afraid of develping an addiction to it but the pharmacist said that with such a low dose it would take awhile to develop an addiction, I am only taking .5 mg prn. At the most if I am having a really bad day, i'll take two, but not at once. I have only been taking them for a week and as soon as the Lexapro kicks in, im going to stop.
I guess the only thing I can think of is that I am also asthmatic and I ran out of my Advair, so I was using my inhaler ALOT...and before I got my albuterol refilled I was using one of those NASTY OTC inhalers for about a week, then I went back on the albuterol...i was using it up to 10 times a day, maybe more...I think that may have had something to do with it...Advair is just sooo expensive if your insurance won't cover it...but I ended up going back on the Advair...I feel much better too...less coughing and wheezing..:) Also, maybe i'm just more stressed out than I know...my school is SO demanding and I am also taking classes at another school outside of my really demanding NS...im doing great but id be lying if I said it didnt stress me out at all. It has prob been the most stressful time in my life but in a good way. I love school and im totally dedicated to it...
I got up this morning and walked the dog and I went to a friends house last night to study so I think those things helped. I am going to look into the Vit B12 too.
Thanks so much guys, anyone who ever wants to talk pm me!::)
I'm on Lexapro and it took longer than 5 days. However, I've been on it know for over 4 months and I have to say that it is working great. At least I feel great and I suffered from both depression and anxiety. Give it a little bit more. If after a month you are still not finding any relief, ask if it can be raised before giving up on it.
Can you pinpoint when the anxiety actually occurs? Maybe you should talk to someone that can help you work through it in the meantime.
Best of luck,
Kris
Im so glad to hear that the Lexapro is working for you. I am scheduled to see my MD back in about a month. It is ok that it will take awhile, i never planned on going off of it, I just didn't know that it would take that long until I got home and read the little info packet...I think my school has a counselor but since its summer, t hey arent on campus..we are the only students on campus right now...the school nurse isnt even there. I really would like to talk to one though. Also, my insurance wont pay for the Lexapro, does anyone know how to get it a little cheaper? I was told that it would be 71/mo...i dont work and we are barely scraping by as it is...sigh...
Im so glad to hear that the Lexapro is working for you. I am scheduled to see my MD back in about a month. It is ok that it will take awhile, i never planned on going off of it, I just didn't know that it would take that long until I got home and read the little info packet...I think my school has a counselor but since its summer, t hey arent on campus..we are the only students on campus right now...the school nurse isnt even there. I really would like to talk to one though. Also, my insurance wont pay for the Lexapro, does anyone know how to get it a little cheaper? I was told that it would be 71/mo...i dont work and we are barely scraping by as it is...sigh...
Hi,
I am glad to hear things are better for you. Contact the drug maker of the Lexapro. EVERY drug company has a program for patients who can't afford the medication. And I am sure as a student, you should meet the financial requirements and then the company can supply you with them. Also, let your MD know that you don't have med coverage...they get free samples of stuff all the time from the drug companies. He can probably supply you with them until you get into the Drug Company Program. Good luck!
In these situations, where "panic attacks" disable one, it IS necessary usually to get some THERAPY along with ANY antidepressent medication, oR antianxiety meds. Pills in themselves are NOT designed to be used to take as an everyday "cure" for depression OR anxiety, some real psychotherapy should be combined with the drug, to ALLOW the drug to allow you to open up and face what the problem really is, :IE, lets say you are anxious as your schooling is intense, ok? Now you start taking a med for this condition, yet after the said 5 days, you are 'clenching your jaw", ect,, SIDE effects indeed, idiosyncratic Id think, non the less they are present. you wonder 'if the med is working"? Then you ARE really distracted from your nursing,no? So best to tackle the anxiety, than to be "anxious" and when anxious, one usually is not too focused on nursing, IMO. So talking these problems out IS a common sense and best thing to do, IMO.
If in therapy, the therapist would be able to HELP you in an appropiate manner, so you could take the med, but work out the problem. As it seems NOW, you only take the pills, no?
Antidepressents were suposed to make one more comfortable So YOU CAN emote to a place where your anxiety lies, and if this is accomplished, with a trained therapist, this anxiety source can be dealt with in a constructive manner and you maybe wont need drugs. Then one CAN recognize the source and tackle it.
I've always postulated, if one is taking a pshych med, they should get the other half of the treatment, PSYCHOTHERAPY.
It helped many I know, but ANy pt or person I know who has taken any SSRI (esp meds w/o psychotherapy), well the med ALONE never helped. It takes a combo of meds AND psychotherapy, to really focus in to get to, and help that problem to remit.
As far as ATIVAn, IF it helps, fine, but same deal here, I'd suggest more insight into WHY you suddenly aquired 'panic attacks".
Be wise and stay healthy, get the missing half of the therapy, meds and psychotherapy HELP a lot, where PILLS on their own usually make the problem worse?
And do NOT give up on your nursing career, it IS worth it. And a healthy nurse is a happy and productive nurse. be well. I still recall my first nursing teacher who always said,"nursing arts are only SKILLS with COMMON SENSE". I find those words some 20 plus yrs later, WISE indeed.
IMO
EDIT TO ADD:
I have to add I agree with the post below this. It could be something so simple it was overlooked? I would certainly be tested before Id take ANY drug for this problem,, IMO
GrnHonu99, RN
1,459 Posts
Where can you buy Vit B12? I know exactly what you mean about your mind being foggy!