[OnEdge]

I haven't posted in a while because I thought I was getting stronger and feeling better. I've been so distracted with caring for my aging and ailing parents and then I took a 4 day trip away. While I was involved in all of this, I don't remember having any strange symptoms - a little nervous flying but that's about it.

I've been back for 3 days now and almost immediately, my strange symptoms returned...tingling in arm and leg on right side, right side of face and strange shock-like feelings all over my body. Has this happened to you? Symptoms disappear and then reappear in the exact same way in the exact same place?

I'm on .5 mg of Ativan 3 times a day but next week, my doc will be taking me off of them and I'm worried that I've already developed a dependency.

She wants me on Effexor but I'm very reluctant to do any drugs. From your experiences, can counselling alone deal with anxiety and depression? I know it probably depends on the situation and person but I'd appreciate any insights.

[Rhapsody]

Sound like the side effects I had (and still have at times) from over whelming inner emotional stress.... since you have returned your mind has now had a chance to stop and feel but once again - hence to why the problems have returned.

But - Please, always check with your doctor on any thing that concerns YOU - for everyone is different.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[greenfairy]

i think it is possible to become dependent on ativan. i was on it for a while and definitely felt a little worse for the wear coming off of it. it might help to start the Effexor and as it begins working, gradually come off the ativan. once the Effexor really begins to work you wont need the ativan in the same way.
i'm glad to see you. . . i was wondering where you'd been.
hope youre feeling better soon. and yes, therapy definitely helps but whether or not its enough on its own depends on the person.

[OnEdge]

Thanks, Rhapsody. I seem to have a real aversion to going on anti-depressants and I think it's because of the reaction I had to Celexa. I was just hoping to do this without meds. I really want to try.

Nice to see you, Greenfairy. Hope all is well with you.

[SongBirdandDaisy]

I too had the same hesitancey about taking medication. I had several conversations with my pdoc and T about it. They both assure me that the medication only enhances therapy. So far, they are right. It has allowed me to see things more clearly and keep control so I am able to make logical decisions. Sometimes, it's a natural lower level of seretonin that causes the depression and no matter how much therapy, it will never replace it. Although, certain feelings also produce seretonin, even in those individuals who don't produce enough of it.
As for not wanting to "take drugs", you already are - the ativan three times a day. Just my experience and own hesitations.

[OnEdge]

I understand that I'm already taking drugs but they are short term and my doctor will be taking me off of the Ativan next week. I do appreciate your comments and will think about it before my visit to my doctor next week.

[Rhapsody]

Dear OnEdge,

Take it from ME - if you need the medicine to make it through, please by all means use them.... I tired far to long to make it on my own and I almost failed to be here because of that decision. ((((((( HUGS )))))))

BTW - could you please tell me of the side effect you had on the Celexa.... I am using it now and while it is working GREAT for ME - I would like to have a heads up on any thing that could happen.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

P.S.
GreenFairy.......................... I just LOVE the new PIC - - - WOW!!

[OnEdge]

When I first started on Celexa, it threw me into a complete panicked state. Ididn't sleep for 4 nights. My doc said it was because I was already so worked up and such a state of panic and anxiety that the drug had that effect on me. That's why she put me on Ativan and the next step was to try Effexor. Of course, I'm so afraid of having the same type of reaction, I'm afraid to take the Celexa. Meanwhile, tonight I'm having a complete emotion meltdown. It's Friday night, I'm alone, as usual and the walls are closing in. I just finished watching "Must Love Dogs". What a stupid move THAT was....

I'm glad Celexa is working for you - obviously you didn't have a problem with any side effects.

[OnEdge]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
OnEdge said:
Of course, I'm so afraid of having the same type of reaction, I'm afraid to take the Celexa.

Oops...I meant I'm afraid to try Effexor...

[Rhapsody]

FYI -
I use a natural relaxer / nerve calmer as well.... Valerian (at most stores) - you can buy it off the shelf in the vitamin section.... it works GREAT along with my other meds for my anxiety, but get your doctors approval first.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

P.S.
Have you ever use EMDR to try and settle your nerves / anxiety?

[OnEdge]

What is EMDR? Not familiar with it. So, you are only taking Celexa for depression and that is it? Your doc gave the ok to take Valerian with it?

[Rhapsody]

Yes I am only taking Celexa (20 mg).... for my depression and anxiety (mood swings), and the OK has been given to me by my doctor to use the Valerian in between my Rx Med.

EMDR - is a form a relaxation that many T use in counseling to help one release locked up feelings and/ or memories.... I use a milder at home form than what they use in therapy to help me relax during an anxiety attack or to go to sleep (or back to sleep) when my mind is running a muck on me.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

* * * * * * * *

There is a simply at home EMDR that can be done to help calm ones fear and anxiety levels when they hit - at that exact moment..... just take your gently clinched fist and start to squeeze them, starting with the left one first and then alternating to the right then back to the left..... repeat until relief comes - usually within 5 to 10 minutes.

This procedure can be done without any one knowing that you are doing it - try IT, for it works wonders.... when lying in bed you can do this to relax or to go to sleep.

Good Luck ~

[ichiro]

Hello, my doc has recently put me on Celexa. I was taking Xanax before the Celexa. The doc put me on a dosage of 20 mg a day of Celexa, but told me to take half that dosage (10 mg) for 4 days. I felt the anxiety the first couple of days, but it slowly wore off as my body became used to Celexa. The day came for me to double the dose and I took 20 mg Celexa. I became very nervous and had to take double my old dosage of Xanax just to get to sleep. I went back to the 10 mg of Celexa for about 2 weeks. I felt better and better as the days went by. As I felt more comfortable, I got busier and the anxiety started to come back. I decided to go up to the 20 mg dose my doc suggested and things have been great ever since. Maybe it is taking your body some extra time to get used to the Celexa. You could cut the dosage a little and see how that feels. If it helps, slowly raise your dose until the prescribed amount. The more you take, the busier you could be without the anxiety. It worked very well for me, it's something you could try.

[OnEdge]

Thank you both for the replies. I will have to think about this over the weekend. I felt sure that I could handle this without anti-depressants but now I'm questioning that. It makes me feel weak that I can't handle life without drugs!

[maggie33629]

Hi,
I hear you about symptoms coming back. I feel real tired and am having trouble sleeping because I guess that I am anxious. When I don't sleep well it makes everything worse.

[OnEdge]

Hi, Maggie: Yes, it does seem worse when I'm tired or don't have things to keep me busy. When I'm just laying around watching TV or am not occupied, they seem to creep back. Do you have similar symptoms to mine?

[maggie33629]

Yeah kind of. I keep pretty busy but find it hard to sleep because I worry or I really don't know. I think I might have Attention Deficiet or something. I know I have social anxiety and that is really hard on me. I really have to work at. Sometimes I just don't want to leave the house or can't. I don't know for sure. Maybe I am just lazy. I think I am depressed too which doesn't help. I just feel like I need something to calm me down.

[Azalysa]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
...tingling in arm and leg on right side, right side of face and strange shock-like feelings all over my body.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

It's interesting that you mention this because two nights ago I had the EXACT...and I mean EXACT symptoms. The tingling in my right arm & leg (interesting we both said right side) scared me - thought I might be having a TIA or stroke. So of course I looked up symptoms of strokes and of course it mention tingling in arm and/or leg.

Then it dawned on me - I had been taking 2-3 mg of Ativan a day for the last week or so and ran out of it (can't refill it yet). It had been 3 days since I last took it.

Fortunately it only lasted about 24 hours. Did yours go away fairly quickly?

[Azalysa]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
It makes me feel weak that I can't handle life without drugs!

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Very understandable. But depression (aside from situational depression) is an illness - an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. The analogy that is often used is a diabetic needing to take insulin to control the illness.

I wish I didn't have to take the meds I do...but they keep the severe depressive episodes fairly far apart.

I've been thinking about the being in the house alone too much. I read or I'm on the computer - for days on end - and that makes my depression/anxiety worse I'm sure.

[Azalysa]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
There is a simply at home EMDR that can be done to help calm ones fear and anxiety levels when they hit - at that exact moment..... just take your gently clinched fist and start to squeeze them, starting with the left one first and then alternating to the right then back to the left..... repeat until relief comes - usually within 5 to 10 minutes.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I'll have to try that Rhapsody. How long do you hold your fists clenched - is it like just a squeeze and switch or hold the clench for a bit?

[OnEdge]

I have heard that if you take Ativan on a continual basis, you need more and more to keep the anxiety at bay. I'm wondering if that is what is happening with me. The tingling was gone when I first started the Ativan but I've been on it for about 4 or 5 weeks now and the symptoms are back and I've not increased my dosage. When I'm busy doing things like cooking or whatever, they seem to go away. When I have the tingling and think about it, it gets worse and stays around for a long time. I thought I had MS or something and when I was going through that phase, the symptoms just got worse.

I've really been thinking about the anti-depressants and think that I will have to give in and try the Effexor. I'm scared stiff!

[maggie33629]

Don't feel bad if you need the anti depressents. Sometimes they are needed. Go to your Doc and ask her or him about. You can also use what was suggested earlier about the fist clinching when a bad attack comes along. Try not to beat yourself up do what ever it takes for you to be well and happy. It doesn't mean you are less then if you need the medicine it means that you are being proactive in your recovery process.
Well tha is my two cents. Hope it help.
Take care of yourself
Maggie

[OnEdge]

Thanks, Maggie. I think I do need a little extra help. I think it started out as depression, then major anxiety and now I've settled into both. Thanks for your two cents. I will talk to my doctor on Tuesday. I just hope I don't have to go through a whole pile of different pills before she finds one to help me. I can't stand those sleepless nights!

[maggie33629]

Thank you for the complement. I hope you feel better. Right now I am frustrated with my pace. I will explain later. Basically I had a nervous break down about a year ago. It had to do with too many people and too many phone calls and my panic attacks got so bad that I had to quit
I will explain more later
Love Maggie

[OnEdge]

Hope you are ok, Maggie. Take care of yourself.