Hi and new

[SleeplessFog]

Hello.

I found this forum through a website that deals with anxiety related to inner ear disorders. I have labyrinthitis which has turned me into a full blown anxiety/health anxiety maniac.

I have been feeling this way for about 3 months, since I had the viral labyrinthitis. It hasn't gone away and the fog and lightheaded off balance feelings have really taken over my life.

Coupled with the fact that my sister passed away from a serious illness a little over 2 years ago and I am the perfect storm.

I have been in the ER and hospital, and to different doctors more in the past 3 months then I have been in my entire life. I am 29 years old and I feel like I am losing control of everything.

It has now started to affect my everyday life. I have lost weight, I have had a zillion tests and procedures done and I am shown to be perfectly healthy. I know I am healthy on paper, but to me I am not. The balance issue consumes my life...and now so does the anxiety.

I've always had problems sleeping. I can hardly sleep at all now. My anxiety is so bad I am vomiting sometimes I get so worked up.

Yesterday was my first therapist session. My GP gave me a small amount of 10mg Lexapro to try. I have been on Valium and Klonopin in the past few weeks due to my balance problem. All those do is make me groggy and feel like jello, but doesn't do anything for my anxiety. The Lexapro...I took half (5mg) last night and had no sleep, I was so exhausted. I had diarrhea and vomiting. I simply cannot take another dose of this stuff and continue to do normal things like eating and sleeping.

I am physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. I don't know where else to turn. I feel I am extremely sensitive to these medications, but I can't control my anxiety on my own. Please help me :weep: I do not even feel like the same person I was 3 months ago.

[diane07]

A huge warm welcome to nmp

You'll get loads of advice and support on here and make some lovely friends along the way

sorry to hear you're having such a hard time, keep posting on the forum and we'll help you all we can

best wishes

di xx

[amandaj]

like di said lots of advice and support on here welcome to nmp

[Patty]

Hi SleeplessFog, :hugs:

:welcome: to NMP. It's great that you've joined. There is so much information & help here.

I am so sorry to hear that you've been going through such a difficult time.

Best wishes xx :flowers:

[duskess]

Hello and Welcome to NMP , lots of help advice and understanding here , glad you found the site , Take care:welcome: Dusky x

[Southern_Belle]

Hi SleeplessFog,

I would like to offer my condolences for the loss of your sister. You could still be in shock from losing her. Did you eat when you took the Lexapro? If you didn't that could be why you got nauseous. I would keep at it with the meds and especially the counseling. It does take the meds awhile to kick in but you have to hang in with them. I took one med and got sick on it and just tried another one until I got the right one. Of course you don't have to take meds at all, CBT counseling has benefited many on this site.

You might want to see if you have IBS which comes with anxiety and could be why your stomach is acting the way it is. I also have this but control mine with diet.

As for sleeping, I went to a sleep specialist and he said to get 15 minutes of early morning sunshine. Use the bedroom for sleep only, don't even read in there. No tv, computer or any type of stimulation one hour before bedtime. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Believe it or not it helped me. I also take warm baths with lavender in the water to relax me too.

I do hope you feel better soon and hang in there. Many here will understand how you have been feeling and you will get their support. I'm glad you found us.

Take care,

Laura

[SleeplessFog]

Hi SleeplessFog,

I would like to offer my condolences for the loss of your sister. You could still be in shock from losing her. Did you eat when you took the Lexapro? If you didn't that could be why you got nauseous. I would keep at it with the meds and especially the counseling. It does take the meds awhile to kick in but you have to hang in with them. I took one med and got sick on it and just tried another one until I got the right one. Of course you don't have to take meds at all, CBT counseling has benefited many on this site.

You might want to see if you have IBS which comes with anxiety and could be why your stomach is acting the way it is. I also have this but control mine with diet.

As for sleeping, I went to a sleep specialist and he said to get 15 minutes of early morning sunshine. Use the bedroom for sleep only, don't even read in there. No tv, computer or any type of stimulation one hour before bedtime. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Believe it or not it helped me. I also take warm baths with lavender in the water to relax me too.

I do hope you feel better soon and hang in there. Many here will understand how you have been feeling and you will get their support. I'm glad you found us.

Take care,

Laura

I did eat when I took the Lexapro, the doctor recommended it. I ate dinner and then less than 6 hours later I was in the bathroom. It went on all night. I started CBT yesterday, but I am having huge issues going to sleep...my anxiety is peak at that point (I've never been a good sleeper).

I do have IBS and occasional GERD, both of which have reared their ugly heads lately. I have IBS C most of the time, so for me to be "emptying" out is a little unusual.

I have stopped drinking alcohol and I haven't had any caffeine in over a month. I thought this would help my sleep...it isn't. I read a little before bed, but if I can't fall asleep with in 20-30 minutes, I usually have to get up and go do something else.

How long does Lexapro normally take to not make me feel like this? I've already lost 10 lbs from the vertigo/balance issues...and once I get nausea I have a real hard time getting my eating habits back. Thats why I am concerned.

[Southern_Belle]

Hi again,

With my IBS I vacillate between constipation and explosive diarrhea. Saying that I also have the lovely issue of food allergies so I never know what is going to hit me coming and going.

I take Paxil for my anxiety. Most seem to think of it as a bad word but for me it has helped greatly. It has calmed my anxiety down a lot. I used to take another anti-depressant just for sleep called Trazadone. You might ask your doctor about it. It is't a sleeping med but most prescribe it just for that reason here in the states. A low dose might help in the sleeping department. Remember though I'm no doctor. I would go back to your doctor and tell him how much you have the IBS issues and if you should take something over the counter to stop it or if you should see a Gastroenterologist who specializes in these things.

I can't say how long Lexapro takes until you feel better as I haven't taken that particular med for any length of time. Usually it takes 3 to 4 weeks for most anti-depressants to kick in. Regardless, I would call your doctor and let them know how ill you are. You should not be suffering like this. Let me know what they say.

By the way, glad you aren't drinking alcohol or caffeine, good call.

Take care,

Laura xxx