1. < Depression & Anxiety

Anxiety and Depression: I just want to feel normal again.

Posted by tmf0 @tmf0, Nov 24, 2018

For the last 10 weeks my anxiety and depression have been at a level that I’ve never experienced. My life has completely changed in such a short period of time. I am constantly nauseated, I hardly get out of bed, I have no desire to see or speak to anyone, my mind is continuously spinning with irrational thoughts, I even canceled Thanksgiving and I can go on & on. I just dont know how anyone can live like this. I’m not living but merely existing. It’s a battle every minute of every day. I just want to feel normal again.

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smilie | @smilie | Jun 17, 2019

Hi. I already went to see my psychiatrist and she is going to increase one of my antidepressants. I’m safe, for now.

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3 replies
grandmaR | @grandmar | Jun 18, 2019
In reply to @smilie "Hi. I already went to see my psychiatrist and she is going to increase one of..." + (show)
@smilie

Hi. I already went to see my psychiatrist and she is going to increase one of my antidepressants. I’m safe, for now.

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Stay safe!
If anything changes, please call your psychiatrist and get to the ER.

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 18, 2019
In reply to @smilie "Hi. I already went to see my psychiatrist and she is going to increase one of..." + (show)
@smilie

Hi. I already went to see my psychiatrist and she is going to increase one of my antidepressants. I’m safe, for now.

Jump to this post

Good morning, @smilie

I am glad that you have seen your psychiatrist. That is a good first step. Will you keep in touch and post again with an update as to how you are feeling?

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pankaj | @pankaj | Jun 18, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "Hello, @pankaj - I'm sorry to hear you've experienced these ups and downs with your anxiety..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hello, @pankaj - I'm sorry to hear you've experienced these ups and downs with your anxiety and depression and your meds. Good that you have a doctor who is sensitive to making adjustments for you along the way. I'd like to invite @lillee @jfanesi @eburning @cdcc @yolandaf into this conversation to offer any insights from their experiences with pregabalin (Lyrica) on whether the dosage is likely to stabilize at some level in the future, or if it will likely lose it's effectiveness with time. @healthytoday and @becsbuddy may also have some thoughts on this.

@smilie - I agree with @grandmar - I'm terribly sorry you're suffering right now. You'd mentioned you have medicine and are getting professional help, and that you have an emergency crisis unit to call. You also talked about considering going to the hospital. I'd strongly suggest that you 1) call your medical professional, 2) call your emergency crisis unit, or 3) at least call one of your adult children, if you are continuing to think of the "S" word. We care and want you to be safe and helped through this difficult time.

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Thanks, Lisa, for your very helpful remarks. Greatly appreciated. I will now wait to see if anyone has any advice for me regarding pregabalin.

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pankaj | @pankaj | Jun 18, 2019
In reply to @smilie "Hi! My depression started when I was about 12 years old and now I’m 60. My..." + (show)
@smilie

Hi! My depression started when I was about 12 years old and now I’m 60. My mind is in a very dark place. I keep thinking of the “S” word. I’m fighting, I hope that I win but I’m not sure!!!!

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@smilie. I admire your tenacity and spirit. I can feel your pain because I have myself been through it, including thinking of the "S" word. I, too, am fighting, not knowing if I will win. All the best to you.

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1 reply
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Jun 18, 2019
In reply to @pankaj "@smilie. I admire your tenacity and spirit. I can feel your pain because I have myself..." + (show)
@pankaj

@smilie. I admire your tenacity and spirit. I can feel your pain because I have myself been through it, including thinking of the "S" word. I, too, am fighting, not knowing if I will win. All the best to you.

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Funny/not funny, whenever I have those thoughts, I walk up the street bouncing a basketball. If you are physically able, I’d go for it. Especially if you suck at it! It provides focus, outside time, exercise and gives a different perspective on things.

Depression stinks, but it’s prevalent in 1st world countries. Interesting.

I could go on, but I need to work... but please, ANYTHING but focusing on feeling bad. Hey, yesterday I forced myself to smile. That, too, helps.

Take care. And I mean it. And know you are not alone.

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jun 18, 2019
In reply to @pankaj "I am a 63-year-old male. I have been suffering from severe anxiety and depression for more..." + (show)
@pankaj

I am a 63-year-old male. I have been suffering from severe anxiety and depression for more than 25 years. During the course of my illness, I have seen many doctors and taken many medications. I am currently on three antidepressants and two anti-anxiety drugs, Clonazepam, and pregabalin. I began pregabalin in December 2018 with a dosage of 150 mg. It controlled my anxiety immediately and brought my life back to normal. But after about 10 months, the anxiety returned. My doctor increased the dosage by 75 mg, which again helped to normalise my life. But after about 6 months the anxiety returned, though less intense than last time. This happened about 10 days ago. The doctor has again increased the dosage of pregabalin by 75 mg, which seems to be helping. My question to anyone who has taken pregabalin is: Could I expect the dosage of pregabalin to stabilize at some level in the future, or will pregabalin keep losing its effectiveness with time, as has happened so far? Would greatly appreciate any advice in this regard. Thanks.

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@pankaj I’m really sorry you’re having so much trouble. You started with pregabalin in Dec’18 with 150 mg? And you’re up to 300mg now. Is this correct? Usually doctors will increase dosages slowly so the worst side effects can be avoided. Did your doctor explain that this is what he/she is doing? If you need to, make an appointment and have a discussion with you doctor. Are you able to get appointments easily? Let us know how things turn out. Becky

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1 reply
pankaj | @pankaj | Jun 19, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "@pankaj I’m really sorry you’re having so much trouble. You started with pregabalin in Dec’18 with..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@pankaj I’m really sorry you’re having so much trouble. You started with pregabalin in Dec’18 with 150 mg? And you’re up to 300mg now. Is this correct? Usually doctors will increase dosages slowly so the worst side effects can be avoided. Did your doctor explain that this is what he/she is doing? If you need to, make an appointment and have a discussion with you doctor. Are you able to get appointments easily? Let us know how things turn out. Becky

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Thanks, Becky, for your support. Actually, I began pregabalin 150 mg from Feb. 2018 and not Dec. 2018. Sorry for the mistake. In Dec. 2018 I suffered a recurrence of anxiety, due to which my doctor increased the dosage by 75 mg at that time. After about 6 months, in June 2019, I again experienced anxiety. To control it, my doctor has again increased the dosage by 75 mg, and the anxiety again seems to be coming under control. So you will note that the increase in the dosage has been gradual. But my question is how long can the dosage be increased? Not indefinitely. Maybe till 600 mg/day? What after that? So my hope is that my anxiety comes under control within the maximum dosage. Thanks.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 20, 2019
In reply to @smilie "Hi. I already went to see my psychiatrist and she is going to increase one of..." + (show)
@smilie

Hi. I already went to see my psychiatrist and she is going to increase one of my antidepressants. I’m safe, for now.

Jump to this post

Hi, @smilie - just wanted to check in with you and see how things are going with the increased dosage for one of your antidepressants?

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BoneHead | @stsopoci | Jun 23, 2019
In reply to @csimpson55 "I have severe anxiety and panic. I have a hard time leaving the house. I have..." + (show)
@csimpson55

I have severe anxiety and panic. I have a hard time leaving the house. I have been on many different antidepressants but none seem to help. I have Xanax but rarely take it of fears of dependence. I take Buspar but it doesn’t help. I have Librium but can’t feel a difference. I take meds to help me sleep but still wake up 2-3 time a night! I wake up with anxiety so rest is hardly a reality. I would love someone who could help me

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Sorry about your anxiety and panic. I have gone through any years of the same terror in my life. I did eventually find a drug to help and a medical person that I trust. Everyone’s chemistry as you know is a little different. Everyone’s situation and environment is a little different (past experiences). I would try to find medical help to change your meds. I take lexapro but that may not work for you. I also take propranolol to help me with events and everything is an event. I am GAD generalized anxiety disorder so I needed to find a trusted medical person and a drug that worked. After taking 5 other meds I found one that works for me. I hope and pray that you will find one that works for you.

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