Hey guys,
I want to post to see if my experiences can help anyone else
I have chronic anxiety spanning about 15 yrs, diagnosed with Generalised anxiety disorder, Chronic health anxiety, and elements of OCD.
I am married with 2 young babies, and have a job with the NHS......but have had so much time off work with anxiety its unreal, and also seen more 'standard' counsellors than ive had hot dinners.
Ive also been on every SSRI, eventually settling slightly on Citalopram 20mg.
My main worry was palpitations.....I had them so bad, and they scared me daft.
Anyhow I swapped my GP a few months ago because i was fed up of getting nowhere with my own......and what a difference
I have eventually seen a CPN, a Keyworker, and had an assessment done by a consultant phychiatrist.
I was put on Pregabalin 75mg Twice a day and felt imediate improvements, but not great! Side effects I felt were a drunk feeling, my balance was shocking, I ate like food was going out of fashion, and generally I couldnt co-ordinate sentances.
I went back to GP and they wanted to increase, but I was scared about increased side effects but to be honest they didnt last as long, and were no worse than the first time.
After 8 weeks I have reached the maximum dose (recommended by consultant) of 300mg Twice a day. The consultant said that for anxiety in general the max dose is needed, and the lower dose is grossly misused
Anyhow my anxious state has gone, my palps have gone, and I have stopped overeating and now am actually losing some weight (i think because I feel less stressed)
I still feel nervous & anxious, but only when 'normal' people would, and it subsides like in everyone else.
I dont know if this is the end of my story......or just the very beginning, but by god I recommend going up through the doses before gving up on it!
To me its a life changer!!
Hope this helps anyone, and if anyone wants any help either pm me, or ask away on ths thread. Pharmacy is my trade, so I may be able to help.
Lisa x
P.s I do still take the Citalopram 20mg along side these