Struggling

[Avalanche1962]

Good morning. I just want some advise. I am 56 years old. Have dealt with mild anxiety all my life. In the last 6 months it has ramped up until I about can’t stand it. I was on celexa for a few years. My doctor took me off of it and put me on 20mg of lexapro a day and 7.5mg of buspar twice a day. Can some one please tell me when this stuff will finally kick in? I have heard 3-4 weeks. That’s a lifetime when you are dealing with this. I’ve only been on it 1-1/2 weeks. I have no desire to do or enjoy anything in life. Not even sure how I am still doing my job. Thankfully I work in an office on the second floor alone. And I can just relax when I need too. Mornings are terrible for me. I am really struggling with this. I cry at the drop of a hat. I’ve never done that. I don’t want to be around anyone or do anything. My energy level
Is nil. I sleep and wake up like I have t slept in days. I look tired all the time. I just need someone to talk to that’s is going through this as well.

 

[Cuchculan]

Just has to get into the system fully and begin doing it thing. Some might work a lot quicker than others. Lexapro can be a slow burner. Take a number of weeks for you to feel anything at all. Talking up to 8 weeks for some people. Think we all differ. Buspar can be 3 to 4 weeks with most people. You might feel something a lot sooner. Hope it kicks in for you a lot quicker and you can begin to get some relief. You might feel a little something sooner. But not the full effects.

 

[Avalanche1962]

Thank you so much for replying back.

 

[triceps]

Hi and welcome Avalanche. Cuchculan has said about all you can at this point. Unfortunately, except for the drugs called benzos which give immediate relief, the others take more than two weeks to help settle down your symptoms. I'm currently on 20mg of lexapro, have been for years but it took at least a month to kick in. I used to be on buspar but it didn't seem to do anything positive for me. However some people (described here by two people in just the last two days) swear by its' great effects. Folks handle medications differently and I hope you're someone who's medication works earlier than usual. Hang in there.

 

[Avalanche1962]

Thank you so much for your reply. It really helps to know. So you are sitting here worrying yourself to death any more than you already are.

 

[triceps]

Like you, mornings are terrible for me. I purposely get up between 5-6 am so that I've settled down to a reasonable level of anxiety by 10am.

 

[He Man]

'62, Praying for u to have a positive turn around.
Are u in good enough shape to exercise in the morning (?) Mild exercise can be a good way to exorcise morning anxiety.
Keep us posted..

 

[Avalanche1962]

I want to tell everyone. That you don’t know how much I appreciate all the replies. People who have never dealt with this have no idea about it and what I does to a person. I just took a trip to Walmart and realized I can’t do the crowd thing right now. Couldn’t wait to get outta there. But even when I was in better shape I couldn’t do walmart. Lol. Anyways. I just want to thank you and I just wanted to know I’m not going crazy or that this will never get any better. This is seriously not a good way to live. The whines I enjoy and want to do. That desire right now is gone. And I need that back. I have a great wife, kid, house and job. But I also have a mother that lives with us and is not very well. She is very stubborn and won’t do anything the doctors tell her. So that worries my to no avail. But as bad as this sounds, I have now come to the realization that my health has to come first. Because at the moment I’m no good to anyone right now. Again. Thank you everyone for yiur concern and prayers. I believe in the power of prayer. I am hopeful this to shall pass sooner than later.

Greg

 

[Avalanche1962]

Good Morming. Just seeing how everyone is this morning.

 

[triceps]

Hi Avalanche. Typical difficult morning for me. Anxiety and Wal-Mart don't mix, you're not alone with big box store discomfort. One time I got so uncomfortable in Wal-Mart that I left a half-full cart on the side of an isle, walked out and left. Felt like an idiot but it seemed I had no choice but to flee.

 

[ManaClash]

I've probably been on 10 different antidepressants and 5 to 10 other medications to help with sleep or problems the meds gave me. First question how are you sleeping? I'd say by week 2 you should see some improvement and could take 10 weeks to fully kick in your brain. Also it depends on how bad your anxiety is. Like I've had break downs where my anxiety got so bad I couldn't function and wanted to kill myself because I thought I would always feel that way. It took awhile on meds to feel better. Think of it this way you have to pull yourself out of a hole. How deep that hole is I can't say.

 

[ManaClash]

Honestly it hasnt been long enough IMO ,stay on the meds and right it out I know it's freaking scary. A long as the meds are not keeping you awake and your getting decent sleep.

 

[Avalanche1962]

Good morning. Sorry I haven't been on in a couple days. Actually I have felt better for the past two days. I more energy yesterday than I have had in some time now. This morning is off to a slow start but hoping it will just be a hiccup. Im am assuming this feeling better thing is a gradual thing. I know Im not gonna wake up one morning and feel like a teen again. Its funny. You've felt so bad for so long that you really dont know what feeling good is even like. I am starting to feel better. Something I never though Id even feel again. These dark lonesome down holes are a really day place to be. My doctor seems to think I may have sleep apnea and wants me to do the sleep study deal. But I just want to jump one hurdle at a time. I sleep at night but I wake up in the morning feeling I haven't sleep at all. My eyes are heavy. But I also take Trazadone to help me sleep. I know you are really groggy in the morning on that stuff. As far as the difference between this week and last week, this is a much better week. I am hoping its the meds kicking is a little bit. I dont think I have ever been in this dark of a place before. Its scary. Or lets say it was very scary. And its hard to believe people about being patient when you feel so bad. But thanks again everyone. I am feeling better. Will try not to take so long to reply.

 

[ManaClash]

Good I'm glad you're feeling a little better. Yeah it's a slow hurtle and itcan take forever to feel better you have to literally pull yourself out of the darkness. Also most Doctors have never experienced severe Anxiety it's horrible every second feel like the worst thing in the world. I'm still trying to feel better myself. Also I take escitalopram and doxepin to help me sleep and I never feel like I got enough sleep. You could have sleep apnea or it could just be a symptom of Anxiety I'm not a doctor.

 

[Avalanche1962]

Yes. This has not been a stellar day by any means. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. It does seem to just come in waves now. It is very difficult to explain to people who’ve never experienced it though.

 

[ManaClash]

I definitely understand the waves. I still find it difficult to explain to others who have never suffered from extreme Anxiety. Just know that each day you will feel a little better and the Anxiety will be for a shorter duration. Before I got on my current meds I would have Anxiety and Panic for most of my day. Each day got a little better and somedays are still bad. Unfortunately there's no cure for it.

 

[Avalanche1962]

Good morning. I had an ok weekend. Last night I was a little drained. I love the good days and hate the bad ones. At least now the bad ones aren't everyday anymore. I have had more energy than I had a few weeks ago. But like I said . Morning are my worst times. I just takes a while to going. But I will take this over where I have been.

 

[Brad66]

Everyone has bad days, even bad weeks, just try and ignore it and get on with your days. Fun times will find you again before you know it!

 

[ManaClash]

Good morning. I had an ok weekend. Last night I was a little drained. I love the good days and hate the bad ones. At least now the bad ones aren't everyday anymore. I have had more energy than I had a few weeks ago. But like I said . Morning are my worst times. I just takes a while to going. But I will take this over where I have been.

Yeah the morning are the worst for me too. I'm glad you're feeling a little better. Keep fighting the good fight.

 

[He Man]

Anxiety and Wal-Mart don't mix, you're not alone with big box store discomfort. One time I got so uncomfortable in Wal-Mart that I left a half-full cart on the side of an isle, walked out and left..

Triceps, About 10 years ago I was managing a large retail store. I spent 5 days a week working thru the aisles, etc. Prior to this, I had worked in a grocery store.. Now I (also) struggle (to varying degrees) in large retail buildings. I get dizzy and edgy.
I'm puzzled about what has changed in my mind and perceptions of large stores. Do u have any insight (?) It's an issue I'd like to conquer, in case I wanna return to retail management.. I can hardly grocery shop these days.