[alwaysrejoice]

Currently I take Wellbutrin 450, Lamictal 175, and Trazadone 100, also .5 Ativan as needed.

Im on my 10th ECT treatment and the depression is lifting.

However, Im am experiencing major anxiety.

My doctors keep stressing that I should be taking the Ativan. so I started taking it more often. I'm not getting any relief. I took klonopin in the past and had no success. Could I be immune to benzos?

[Travelinglady]

I've not heard of anyone being "immune to benzos," but I guess anything is possible. I've taken Klonopin it seems like forever. I think I have read that after awhile, it might not work as well. I don't want to up the dose, however.

I am trying to use other techniques for my anxiety--such as relaxation tapes, self-soothing behaviors, etc. You might check the "anxiety" forum on here to get some ideas.

Keep in touch!

[Starchild3]

I am on similar meds but I also take Buspar for my anxiety. It's not a benzodiazepine. Some people say it doesn't work but it's worth a try

[sugahorse1]

I use Klonopin, but feel it can be very sedating at times

Are you in therapy while you are going through ECT? If so, certainly talk to your T about the anxiety issues. He/she might be able to help. If you are taking the ativan regularly and it is still not helping, talk to your pdoc. He may be able to prescribe a higher dose while you are going through ECT or perhaps something different. I think some of the anxiety during ECT for me came from feeling a bit disoriented (not terribly, but slightly) and of course just the stress of going in every other day and being put under anesthesia.

I'm dealing with anxiety issues myself right now, and my pdoc started me on buspar. But buspar takes time to start working so he also has me taking some seroquel which seems to be helping a bit.

Hope you start feeling better.

[alwaysrejoice]

Farmergirl- I think some of the anxiety is from having the ECT. I HATE going there, but it IS helping me. I cry everytime they are about to put me under. I am also worried about going back to work. My T said I should go on long term disability. I have made some phone calls to look into going on Social Security. I feel like my life is up in the air. I'm used to being in control of at least one thing. Now I feel powerless....

[AniManiac]

Wellbutrin has been known to cause anxiety, and you're at the max dose. You might want to bring that up when you discuss this with your docs.

[alwaysrejoice]

Thanks AniManiac. I did call my Pdoc and he increased the ativan and decreased the Wellbutrin. I was having high anxiety this morning, but its starting to taper off....maybe I should go off wellbutrin altogether? I'll bring that up next time i talk to him. thanks again.

[Gently1]

I had a similar increase in anxiety when the depression started to slide away. My energy has remained very low. Waiting for sleep study results.

Worked it out with Pdoc, now that I am feeling less depression pain, I am aware and care about what I have not done for a few years, my anxiety has come in to take up the depression space. So in some way it is a good thing. Better to feel then to not feel.

They standard saying that depression recovery is not a straight line, I think it has some lateral shifts as well.

Used a lot of mindfullness skills to cope with my old self that worked until I dropped. I am also noting migraines and TMJ pains again.

take care,
G1

[alwaysrejoice]

Worked it out with Pdoc, now that I am feeling less depression pain, I am aware and care about what I have not done for a few years, my anxiety has come in to take up the depression space. So in some way it is a good thing. Better to feel then to not feel.

One of the student doctors in the hospital tried to explain the same idea to me. Its kinda hard to wrap your brain around. I do see the point though, it makes sense.

[Gently1]

Originally Posted by alwaysrejoice

One of the student doctors in the hospital tried to explain the same idea to me. Its kinda hard to wrap your brain around. I do see the point though, it makes sense.

It was something that I worked out here was my path:
depression mood decreases; anxiety and need for sleep increase.
Taking my optional ativan allowed me to stay awake and not nap during the day.

Why on earth would I need more sleep from 10 to 12 hours that I am not as depressed?
Now after 4 months of cytomel; getting closer to 10 hrs again.
Anxiety is exhusting, for me exhustion leads to depression, then for two years it was an ongoing cycle.

Now the cytomel has broken the cycle and I can be with the anxiety, and feel when I am getting to the edge of depression I can take steps for self care. Get more out of therapy etc.

I am glad to know I am not alone with the increased awareness of anxiety as the depression mood improves. For me I like to see if I can find out the 'why' behind what I am going through.

[alwaysrejoice]

Gently what advice to do have for me so I don't keep going around in a cycle? you are right about anxiety being exhausting...I could really see that leading into a depression again.

[Gently1]

Originally Posted by alwaysrejoice

Gently what advice to do have for me so I don't keep going around in a cycle? you are right about anxiety being exhausting...I could really see that leading into a depression again.

what I have learned from the day treatment program at the hospital is having a practice of mindfulness. And great therapists.

Jon Kabat-Zinn leads a session on Mindfulness at Google.

This is great introduction as it has a guided practice.
On Monday in GT we were invited to use mindfulness, daily, or at the least twice for everytime we used this for anxiety situations. We are being taught breath work as we always have it with us to use. The you tube is something I watch a few minutes before I turn my computer off for the night.

Have fun!
G1

[alwaysrejoice]

very nice of you to share.

[jlock4507]

wellbutrin gave me terrible anxiety, even worse than when I wasn't on meds. Pdoc put me on Seroquel (a small dose) during the day for anxiety. Took it the first time today, and it is working great. I also take a larger dose at night for sleep.