HappyGuy
28-05-12, 13:34
Hi all,
Posting to introduce myself, and let you know about my current experience. Hopefully someone can help or offer some advise.
2 months ago, I was going out with friends to a music concert. I regret to say I smoked some Marijuana and as a result had my first panic attack in my life. I am 27 years old, and would say until this point I have been a happy and outgoing person.
Around 15-20 minutes after smoking, the panic attack happened and like a lot of you did not know what was happening to me. I thought it was the end of me.
After this moment, everyday became a constant state of anxiety / nervousness / excitement. I always found myself worrying about things which would never bother me before, going to the shops, meeting friends in the pub etc. Even going to the cinema became an issue. 2 days after the first panic attack I had another one in a bank, and 1 week after that another at my mums simply having dinner (but we were discussing my condition which could have brought it on)
I thought it would simply go away, but after 2 weeks I decided it was time to see the GP. I was concerned for my health, always checking my pulse and found myself being drawn to listening to my heart beat (it seemed louder and more apparent than before).
The GP checked my heart, I had an ECG and also a blood test – and all was clear. In fact he complimented me on my health (I attend the gym everyday).
He sent me on my way, and told me things would improve….well they didn’t, so 1 week later I decided to go back and have another chat. I was given two options 1. Wait for counselling…(to which I am still waiting) or 2. To start taking Citalopram (10mg)
To have anti depressants put in front of me as an option was soul destroying to be honest, but I had to take it as it gave me some hope.
I am currently on day 24 of 28 and have another visit lined up this week before they run out.
So, how has it gone?
Initially I suffered from drowsiness, and headaches. Also, I had some very low moments where I felt so depressed it was unreal. Never had I felt so upset, and emotional about life before. Anxiety persisted, and I went on holiday. I had a pretty good week away to be honest, but then I was doing nothing – enjoying the sun, food and relaxing. I came back last week and have gone back to feeling anxious and down again. I have also been suffering from diarrhea, strange how this has just started? I have not had another panic attack since being on the meds which I guess is a positive, but I have come close on a couple of occasions which has been because of raised anxiety. I do find generally I feel anxious in the mornings when I wake up, (I take the meds around 8-9am every morning) and around 2 – 3 hours later I feel “gittery”. My mood swings all over the place, and I do find that everyday is different…even every half day is different. I get so low and down sometimes and the good things in life aren’t even enough to life me – i.e. going on holiday was never exciting, and nor was picking up my new car. When I get like that, I question everything in my life… and find it to be very negative. I hope this is just the meds? Or perhaps an occurrence because of anxiety…getting me down.
Where do I go from here? Well… I am not sure what the doctor will suggest, but come Friday I am out of medication – so perhaps they will suggest to keep going a little longer or up to dose? Every case is different I guess.
Sometimes I think perhaps I have always had this condition, but it was never “brought to my attention” before so I never worried about it. I look back at myself 6 months ago and can safely say I was outgoing, happy and enjoying life. Sure, I got sad sometimes… but that was stress or just being down (run of the mill stuff basically)
Any advice or help would be well received.
Posting to introduce myself, and let you know about my current experience. Hopefully someone can help or offer some advise.
2 months ago, I was going out with friends to a music concert. I regret to say I smoked some Marijuana and as a result had my first panic attack in my life. I am 27 years old, and would say until this point I have been a happy and outgoing person.
Around 15-20 minutes after smoking, the panic attack happened and like a lot of you did not know what was happening to me. I thought it was the end of me.
After this moment, everyday became a constant state of anxiety / nervousness / excitement. I always found myself worrying about things which would never bother me before, going to the shops, meeting friends in the pub etc. Even going to the cinema became an issue. 2 days after the first panic attack I had another one in a bank, and 1 week after that another at my mums simply having dinner (but we were discussing my condition which could have brought it on)
I thought it would simply go away, but after 2 weeks I decided it was time to see the GP. I was concerned for my health, always checking my pulse and found myself being drawn to listening to my heart beat (it seemed louder and more apparent than before).
The GP checked my heart, I had an ECG and also a blood test – and all was clear. In fact he complimented me on my health (I attend the gym everyday).
He sent me on my way, and told me things would improve….well they didn’t, so 1 week later I decided to go back and have another chat. I was given two options 1. Wait for counselling…(to which I am still waiting) or 2. To start taking Citalopram (10mg)
To have anti depressants put in front of me as an option was soul destroying to be honest, but I had to take it as it gave me some hope.
I am currently on day 24 of 28 and have another visit lined up this week before they run out.
So, how has it gone?
Initially I suffered from drowsiness, and headaches. Also, I had some very low moments where I felt so depressed it was unreal. Never had I felt so upset, and emotional about life before. Anxiety persisted, and I went on holiday. I had a pretty good week away to be honest, but then I was doing nothing – enjoying the sun, food and relaxing. I came back last week and have gone back to feeling anxious and down again. I have also been suffering from diarrhea, strange how this has just started? I have not had another panic attack since being on the meds which I guess is a positive, but I have come close on a couple of occasions which has been because of raised anxiety. I do find generally I feel anxious in the mornings when I wake up, (I take the meds around 8-9am every morning) and around 2 – 3 hours later I feel “gittery”. My mood swings all over the place, and I do find that everyday is different…even every half day is different. I get so low and down sometimes and the good things in life aren’t even enough to life me – i.e. going on holiday was never exciting, and nor was picking up my new car. When I get like that, I question everything in my life… and find it to be very negative. I hope this is just the meds? Or perhaps an occurrence because of anxiety…getting me down.
Where do I go from here? Well… I am not sure what the doctor will suggest, but come Friday I am out of medication – so perhaps they will suggest to keep going a little longer or up to dose? Every case is different I guess.
Sometimes I think perhaps I have always had this condition, but it was never “brought to my attention” before so I never worried about it. I look back at myself 6 months ago and can safely say I was outgoing, happy and enjoying life. Sure, I got sad sometimes… but that was stress or just being down (run of the mill stuff basically)
Any advice or help would be well received.