5th week on prozac-anxiety increasing - switch or push through?

[Boleyna]

Hi SpiceRice,

I am sorry that you are experiencing this high anxiety at the moment. Has your Doctor mentioned that these might be withdrawl effects from the other medication? Please talk to him/her about the state you are in. S/he will be able to put you on a different SSRI or give you something to relieve the withdrawl effects (if that's what you are experiencing)

My Doctor gave me Klonopin for the worst of the anxiety - it kicks in in about 20-30 min and lasts 6-8 hours. It really knocks me off my feet but relieves the anxiety. This might also help to get you some sleep. I only take it very rarely.

It's 6 weeks for me today and I woke up almost anxiety free! I feel like someone is moving around my brain though, so I assume it's the meds kicking in. Let's see how the day goes. Nonetheless I have asked my GP for a referral to a Psychiatric Doc for some reassurance and peace of mind.

Just take hour by hour and day by day. My therapist keeps having me repeat: "It's okay" to myself. (I had it even written on my arm). We tend to stress ourselves about the recovery and make the anxiety worse. So: it's okay if you couldn't manage a walk with your friends. I've been there. Maybe you can just sit on a bench in front/back of your house or balcony. Or maybe just move from bed to couch. On some days that's all we can do - and that's okay!

There are loads of good apps, too - one of my favorite is Pacifica. It costs $3/4 but it's really worth it. It's therapy at home plus relaxation and mediation excercises. I highly recommend the Progressive Muscle Relaxation.

Hang in there, Spice, and let us know how you are doing!

[snowghost57]

It is recommended that medication works well with therapy. I'm sorry to hear that you are bed bound Spice. I can't imagine being that anxious. Have any of you tried CBT therapy? It has worked wonders for me and has helped me overcome my anxiety.

[Boleyna]

I second Snowghost with the CBT therapy - the Pacifica app is exactly that and can be used until you get a therapy appointment. That's what I did anyway. There are also online programs.
Be good to yourself, Spice!

[Boleyna]

Just wanted to post an update - the last few days have been much better!

The mornings are still the worst but even they seem to get better. I start to suspect that my very low blood pressure is increasing the anxiety in the morning (low blood pressure - fast pulse).

I finally got an appointment with a Psychiatrist in 2 weeks - I'm curious how that will go and how I will feel by then.

Best to all of you - Spice and Punky Fish - I hope you are both doing better.