I need help..racing thoughts, eatting issues, sleep issues, and what do I do?

I don't think it's the first time I've ever experienced racing thoughts. But 2 nights ago, I really noticed it. I felt like my head was spinning, my temples were tingling. But I couldn't tell what I was thinking. There was so much wizzing by. Every so often I could catch a thought, as I was speaking, and would just blurt it out.

Dh has been there, a lot, so he just let me talk for a few minutes. And then gave me a distraction. I baked some muffins, and it helped calm me down a little bit. But my mind was still racing.

Last night wasn't as bad, I only had about 10 minutes of time alone after the kids went to bed before dh got home. So my thoughts didn't really get a chance to jump into motion.

But today, I can tell they're going again. I'm trying to channel the energy into my writing, but it's difficult to write with the kids up. Unless I plop them infront of the TV, and well, lets just say, I don't want to do that. They're watching now, but it's their favorite show. So we're still within our routine.

Anyway. I'm looking forward to my Psychiatrist appointment. 8 more days. I think I can wait 8 more days. I'm not really sure what to expect. Dh told me about his appointment, and I know what to expect as far as office routine. But will she want to change my meds? Change my dose?

I'm sure I'll have a med change. I haven't been eatting. I haven't been able to eat. I'm just not hungry. When I get hungry, I don't want to eat anything, I have zero appetite. My sleep seems to be leveling off again thought. For about a month, maybe 6 weeks, I wasn't getting much sleep, and was exhausted all day. Or, I would get a good amount of sleep, but wake up just wishing I was laying in bed snoozing away...and would fall asleep while the kids watched PBS after breakfast. And would end up sleeping on and off for nearly two hours before they wouldn't let me sleep anymore.

I know something is going to change.

I'm not sure if I should proceed with a med change before or after surgery. I mean, over all, my mood has gotten better. I still feel slightly depressed, but no longer weighed down. However, I don't feel stable. I really don't know if it would benefit me to be 2 weeks into a med change when I go into surgery, or if I should wait until after most of my recovery time has passed before I move on to it.

I need to call my PCP for a refil anyway...I guess I could always ask her. But I don't want her to change my meds. I would really prefer for the Psych. to do it.

ANy thoughts? Anyone? I'm feeling rather dizzy.gif these days. and Especially on these thoughts.

(Background.... I'm on 20 mg of Lexapro, it's been about 6 weeks since I went to 20 mg. The surgery I speak of is to remove a cyst from the base of my finger on the inside of my hand. It's causing problems with my day to day life, in that I can't 'over do it' by just taking care of my everyday chores. I've taken the last week and a half 'easy' and not don't a lot. The house is messy, so I can't keep it up much longer. It will be removed on July 11th. Surgery makes me anxious)

Anyone?

Are you by chance bipolar. What you are describing sounds like me when I'm manic.

Call your doc.

Jbug

I know the racing thoughts. I get them. I wish I knew what that was about but when it happens to me, thought after thought races through my head, to fast for me to stay focused and then I start racing around. I wash dishes fast, walk fast, smoke a cigerette fast... its a strange feeling and I dont know what causes it but I know that I it happens to me as well. I am going to bring it up at my next therapy session to see if I can get some ideas on how to make it go away or what causes it. Iwill post to you again with my findings. I go on Mondays to therapy so look for my post Monday. Maybe the sleep issues are caused by anxiety over your upcoming surgery as well as the eating issues. I have a daughter who has had multiple serious surgeries and for weeks before the surgery date I was unable to eat or sleep. I wanted to but was just never hungry, I was exhausted byt just couldnt slep. Wishing you the best on your surgery.

Jbug has a good point. Sometimes anti-depressants will send someone with bipolar into a manic episode.

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx9.htm

Lexapro
Possible Side Effects

dry mouth
tremor or muscle spasms
nervousness
trouble sleeping
headache, drowsiness
nausea
drowsiness
insomnia
headache
increased sweating
dizziness, lightheadedness
changes in sexual function
Unreported side effects are possible, talk to your healthcare provider if any other symptoms occur.

Warnings/Precautions
This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
Smoking cigarettes can decrease the effectiveness of this medicine.
If you are planning to have surgery, let your doctor know.
Do NOT take this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)] in the last two weeks.
This medicine can increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some children and teens. Parents of children taking antidepressants should watch for signs of worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior.

http://psychcentral.com/meds/lexapro.html#effects

Thank you!

Jbug - the thought has crossed my mind more than once. I am planning to put a call into my PCP in a few minutes. I see the psychiatrist on Wednesday.

Christine - Thank you, I'll keep my eyes open on Monday for your post. With the hunger, I don't want to eat, I have yet to eat anything this morning, and I've been up for just over 2 hours now. And yeah, the few times I actually feel hungry, I can't find anything I want to eat, or think of anything I could go get to feed myself. Last night I was up until about 2 am, and wasn't tired when I went to bed. I went anyway because my kids would be up between 7 and 9. It only took me about half an hour to fall asleep.

Petunia - thank you, I did make sure to point out to the doctor doing my surgery that I am taking Lexapro, and have been for almost 3 months. He didn't comment further on it.

Alright, I called the office, and said that I wanted to have my PCP call me back, when she had about 15 minutes. "Ohwe don't do call backs, but I can leave her a message"

Fine, so I said that I thought I was experiencing a manic episode, and left my number.

10 minutes later I got a call back from one of the nurses asking what pharmacy I use. Um, why? Because she's calling in Adavan for my panic attacks.

Um, I not having a panic attack!! I think I'm manic, there's a pretty big difference from what little I currently understand. And that I have an appointment with the psychiatrist in just 5 days.

So, now, I just have to wait until after 5 to talk to my PCP. That's all I wanted!! Good Goddess!!

Ibujari, I had very similar symptoms when I started a new medication recently (buspar). I had extreme anxiety, racing thoughts, pounding heart, lightheadedness, inability to sleep, reckless driving, etc. It lasted for 3 days when I was on only half the dose that I was supposed to be ramping up to. By the end of the third day, I was exhausted with the whole experience, although unable to sleep. I was considering throwing in the towel, even though I read that a small percent of people do experience such side effects when first starting buspar. By Day 4, I was much improved with most of those symptoms gone. I guess my body just had to get used to the drug and adapt to its presence.

I'm wondering if you are experiencing something similar with Lexapro? You've only been on it 6 weeks, and I've heard the SSRIs may take that long to normalize. So maybe this is just a phase you need to push through as you adapt to this SSRI. I hope your pdoc can advise on whether to stick it out with Lexapro a bit longer or try something new. Good luck.

That's what I thought when I increased my dose to 20 mg (well, the PCP did).

At 10mg I was feeling a little better (that was for at 5 weeks) but, I still didn't feel like it was really helping. So, we increased to 20 mg.

(I was supposed to see the pdoc then, but I had my husband go in my place, he needed it more than I did)

And it's been 5 or 6 weeks at the increased dose (Have to check my mood chart to be sure).

I really don't think that's it. It would be nice, don't get me wrong! But I'm really feeling strongly about being bi-polar. And I want it to go away!

I had similar experience on Trazadone...