70 replies to this topic

[chaoskitty]

thank you for such great information. you're the best!!!

[invalidusername]

Sorry for delay Kitty - had serious work issues...

 

Your post was a very brave and insightful one, and I thank you for sharing. Hat has given you the best info there, and the whole "addiction" thing can be a difficult one. It's when something hits that sweet-spot and you suddenly realise what has happened and... uh-oh!! Its a fine line.

 

It is better to have something controlled by those in the medical community that know of the past. I have seen friends getting hooked on some very serious stuff. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the 1st generation antihistamines as I would have the same reaction as you and end up in the ER! I also have the occasion outbreak of head swelling and hives usually over my arms, hands and shoulders up. So the shot is a lifesaver.

 

Just enquiring, but how are you now with your agoraphobia? There are a couple of absolutely amazing books I could send you that really cut thru the cr*p and helped me no end. It is a state of mind completely, but it is a very specific way of unscrambling that egg. I know I sound like a you-tube advert, but I HAD "tried everything" before I started on this means of tackling it, and has kept me anxiety free for months now.

 

IUN

[chaoskitty]

iun!! yes please!!! I need any resources on my agoraphobia!!

it's been awhile and I thought I'd update a bit. it's been a huge struggle.

for some reason I can't fall asleep at night even if I'm super tired, I feel like I'm going crazy fighting the sleep. if I sleep next to someone I can sleep. I can fall asleep around 4am though and throughout the day fine. so I'm trying to figure that out.

my nightmares are starting to become less intense. my overall constant anxiety is slowly but surely decreasing. I'm pretty comfortable in my house. I'm going to have a friend over tomorrow! I've been able to go down the street to the mailbox a few times and take the garbage out there too. I'm feeling more comfortable shutting doors. finally I can take my hot showers I used to love (before I was having so much hot flashes I used luke warm)

it just seems like a waiting game honestly! I haven't taken any of the anti anxiety meds lol. I think I might try the antihistamine one soon, I just wanted to be a bit more comfortable. I don't think I could handle any more stress. (seeing how a pamperin stressed me out)

the agoraphobia tho, still the same. haven't driven anywhere...I walked around the block a little a few times. I'm definitely trying. so, yeah, any agoraphobia resources, please send them my way. it's been hard to find stuff for that! mindfulness has been the best for me so far. I've been thinking a lot about perspective and how reality isnt good or bad, just depending on your personal story and viewpoint.

anyways...I'm trying to be patient, and I'm trying my best. my social environment (my family) is really lacking in validation so it's been pretty difficult building up myself and trying to become at least a functional person of society.

[fishinghat]

It is a waiting game CK. While you are still suffering a lot there are definite signs of improvement. The nightmares always seem to fade away before the sleep gets better. Hang in there, you will be OK.

[invalidusername]

HI CK,

 

I will be more than happy to send resources - check your PM - I will send you more details.

 

I have been exactly where you are TWICE! The first time, I obviously didn't get it right. It just played out, or the meds worked, but this time, it ain't coming back! I am sure of that. It is about learning the skill that you can call on whenever it happens. 

 

Not to say that it is a fix all - for example, I would still have issues getting on a plane - but I always have done - and plenty of people have the same phobia and don't consider themselves to be "anxious". But I would still do it. So some things would still be "uncomfortable", but for the most part, there is no problem going about my normal day to day stuff. Recently did an overnight stay in a hotel which was about 60 miles from home. You are probably thinking "no way! I am getting anxious just thinking about that!". But I was there too!! 

 

Will drop you a note now and happy to help wherever I can...

 

IUN

[chaoskitty]

thank you two. you are the best!!! also I forgot to mention my stomach issues I had before are completely gone!

[invalidusername]

thank you two. you are the best!!! also I forgot to mention my stomach issues I had before are completely gone!

 

Excellent - let that be a sign to your anxiety too! These things don't last... it can't rain all the time.

 

So glad to hear of improvement. Keep up the great work - we are always here for you CK!

[chaoskitty]

Hellloooo. It's been awhile!

I've been slowly improving. Let's see... I feel I stabilized around January. My sleep problems faded. No more nocturnal nightmares. I'm fine sleeping alone. My stomach issues definitely gone. I worked on my agoraphobia- I'm able to drive around about 15 mins out. Which isn't far. But it's a slow progress. I'm pretty depressed/no executive dysfunction/apathy and sleeping a lot. Like more than 12+ hrs definitely. I've had friends over! I've been left alone in the house (was hard before when they would go on weekend vacations hours or states away)

But cymbatla discontinuation syndrome-- definitely done!! HOORAY we did it! Probably felt like in March (the latest) I was stabilized. All thanks to you all!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

so today I finally got assessed for ADHD. My Dr said she was leaning towards yes? Idk what that means, I think it means I have ADHD. My mother talked with us about how I was before truama and I had some clear cut signs. But for some reason (I think because of my anxiety?) My Dr said she probably won't do a stimulant.

I didn't think much of it, don't know much about ADHD meds. So I looked, what else is there and GULP. Theyre norepinephrine reuptakes. And im...still on Lexapro...so wouldn't it just be ...the same as cymbatla /effexor but with two different meds?? I know the exact science is ...mostly a shot in the dark. But I'm not feeling very comfortable with that. I've already tried a stimulant (Adderall) and it calmed me down (no anxiety) so I'm not sure why my Dr is so against stimulate use.

Any thoughts on that?? Just thought I'd try to see what you all thought.

My Dr doesn't like listening to me. It took 3 yrs to get an assessment for ADHD...they say I'm just hyper vigilant from truama but... idk. Ive always been like this (inattentive ADHD) and the reason effexor/cymbatla was even useful is because of the norepinephrine reuptakes. But obviously all the awful side effects weren't enough to make me functional.

[fishinghat]

I am so glad to see your improvements Chao. You should be proud of yourself. As far as the ADHD meds, you are right. Just another ssri/snri problem with similar withdrawal. You just have to decide if that is the route you want to take. I would never want to stop someone from feeling better but also hate to see them go on another med with a significant withdrawal. The age old question....Should I or shouldn't I?

[chaoskitty]

Thank you fishinghat! Thank you for always being there.

Yeah I'm not going through that again. (Norepinephrine receptors) it was helpful but the side effects canceled that out. Plus i still struggled with ADHD symptoms (never knew about inattentive symptoms until a few years ago) and I've seen that some ppl have been prescribed snri/nr and stimulate on other forums.

I want to try a stimulant on the lowest dose and maybe even like a weekly dose. I know it calms me (no anxiety worry unless the dose is too high) and being able to complete/do stuff helps my depression tremendously.

But I know most of the work is my own self but I don't mind a little rescue rope to get me out of thos hole and at least conquer my agoraphobia (with exposure) honestly if all else fails I'll just keep on going down the path I am on!(just very slow and watching my life/youth going by; not to mention it's not crushing capitalism friendly) tbh that's probably the best most healthiest way.

Anyways! Thank you! I was definitely worried I would be setting myself up to what I just went through again so I'm glad to be validated in those thoughts.

[invalidusername]

Hi CK....

 

My apologies for the delay writing back to you. I have been going through some issues of my own recently. Yes! We all have our own issues regardless of being an admin on the forum! If nothing else, it helps us understand what all our members are going through.

 

Please do not consider this as watching your youth going by. It will be a rite of passage that will serve you well in later life. I am in my 40's and still getting used to it all. You do it right in these times and you will surely embrace it later in life.

 

Regarding agoraphobia, I would like to offer my support. I have been there, and my wife is slowly coming out of it with my help. There are a lot of resources out there and it is a case of finding the best for you and that which works for you. 

 

I would strongly suggest you look up David Daish on youtube. He did so many videos which helped me enormously before he sadly passed away. He mentioned Dr Claire Weekes which also helped me. Her methods are the last thing I tried and they cured me - and I had tried MANY different approaches... believe me. 

 

PLEASE try the above. I am sure it will help you and let us know how you are doing.

 

IUN