... tell me if?
Anxiety - I am so tired of suffering and only existing while life passes me by! Can someone please…
Question posted by mrowen on 1 Aug 2016
Last updated on 11 October 2021 by mmmousemaid
16 Answers
mmmousemaid
11 Oct 2021
During the pandemic, I wonder if doctors could not relax about narcotic drugs, or other, to allow some practical functions in life to improve. Maybe ask Health Canada? or similar U.S. or other agency about this.
Rhonda fretz
11 Oct 2021
Have you've heard of DBT
It saved my life
Even though at this moment in my life I am quite depressed but using DBT skills helps me alot! I wish you wellness.
Willa16
13 July 2021
I'm in exactly the same boat. I've been sober 2 years and I'm on naltrexone and bipolar meds the whole time too. I'm a year and a half into an awful depression and I'm starting to think it's the naltrexone blocking my endorphins. I've tried seven different antidepressants and spent 2850.00$ on ketamine infusion therapy that didn't help. I don't want to drink but I don't want to live like this either. They say I should try ECT next. Maybe I should just stop naltrexone and see what happens...
UTgrad82
28 Aug 2021
I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar I years ago and did the Lithium thing which was a big flop because I could barely keep my eyes open. I then tried antidepressants (Noripinephron, Effexor, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Zoloft) over the years and they all stopped working after a while. The current concoction is Lamotrigine and Latuda which helps with the deep down depression but does nothing to elevate mood. I was going to try Ketamine next but it sounds like you didn't have a good experience. What happened?
Willa16
28 Aug 2021
It wasn't a bad experience. It just want as effective as I had hoped it would be. Initially, I felt soooo much better. The treatment lasted two weeks. Six sessions. The depression came back but not as deep as it has previously been so I will say it was successful overall. It definitely got rid of suicidal thoughts. It helped me get to the point of getting up and showering and brushing my teeth. Things I want doing before the treatment.
I also did 30 days off ketamine troches at home from a compounding pharmacy after my treatment as a booster. I haven't had any anxiety since doing ketamine.
If your thinking about doing it I certainly wouldn't steer you away from it. My experience wasn't bad. The treatment itself is quite pleasant-often I laughed my ass off during the session-my boyfriend would come in with me and for some reason I found everything hilarious. We would put on a guided meditation or meditation music.
If your thinking about it-it's certainly worth a shot. When your treatments end, ask for a script for the troches. They don't necessarily tell you about it but it is available and it's like 100$for a month supply. Also esketamine is available with a prescription and your insurance might cover it .something to think about. I was not a candidate for esketamine because my diagnosis is bipolar and it is only FDA approved for major depressive disorder if there's any more questions I can answer about my experience with ketamine id
be happy to.-
NeedAdviceASAP
15 Aug 2016
I suffer from depression and anxiety also not nearly as bad as most I don't think mine's more intermittent but when it does hit I feel like my whole world is crashing I just found out I'm pregnant with baby number four and I got out of the emergency room last night and I'm in excruciating pain I'm not real sure where yet I've got another doctor's appointment tomorrow but my heart goes out to you because I've been where you are and I hope your meds help you
mattytryhard
14 Aug 2016
Hi m rowan I'm matty.
New to this site but by just asking for help it's gotta be a start. I have terrible anxiety issues and it's a day to day struggle. I find it's always worse before I've got to go out or to a meeting or social events. I know it can be harder for others but I find once I actually stop over thinking things and force myself to just go do what has to be done it usually ends up turning out to say a good night out, a good meeting etc. I think alot of anxieties comes from worrying to much about what other people are thinking. Probably not helped much but hope you can overcome this as before you know it will be to late and you'll have many regrets.
Xopeaceme
13 Aug 2016
Hi Hun!
I hope you're feeling better. You should try talking with someone about your problems or try finding a hobby you enjoy. Anxiety is a tricky beast and can be triggered at anything and anywhere so finding something you enjoy doing will really help you. If it's school/work related, try taking a few deep breaths and know you'll get through it! Reassure yourself
MeggieGirl
9 Aug 2016
I had tons of broken relationships because they could "never make me happy" (I was always irritated and did better - but was more sad - alone), and had the racing thoughts and aggravation all the time because I kept wanting to 1) read so many books, 2) watch so many movies 3) do so many crafts, etc Etc ETC!!! That I was frustrated all the time as I couldn't do them all. I was tired, depressed, isolated from family and friends, HORRIBLE anxiety - both generalized and social, and I knew if I lost my job, that would be it; I'd either end it all or check myself into the 'funny farm.'
Thirty years of therapy, doctors trying every antidepressant, me reading every self-help book out there on codependency or any other thing I could find that might help save a relationship (eventually amassing an enormous collection), even went to school to get a psych degree to learn more about abnormal psychology and hopefully find some answers for myself along the way.
Then my doctor retired. I found a new one. Within a month, she put me on Lamictal. Within 4 months I was up to 200mg/day. My social anxiety completely disappeared, as did the anger.
I was then diagnosed as depressive BIPOLAR! The antidepressants were only making me WORSE! So I was finally placed on an atypical antipsychotic, and I felt like a changed person overnight.
I still had some issues with anxiety, and I was taking Klonopin, which I was unhappy about, because of its' addictive qualities, so recently, I started taking Buspar (Buspirone) three times/day, and it doesn't work when I just swallow the pill, but if I let it melt sublingually or on my tongue, it works like a dream. I'm tapering off of Klonopin now.
See, there IS hope. Don't be afraid to try new things, and don't just wait for your doctor to tell you what you need to know. It sounds like he's a crappy communicator. Maybe write each question down on a notepad and ask him every single one before he gets to jump up and run out of the room. You deserve quality healthcare, and an opportunity to feel comfortable about what you're putting in your body by following his instructions.
I personally think he's moving really slow but is starting you out so low on the Lamictal. I know why he's doing it, to avoid Stevens-Johnson syndrome, but 12.5 mg? Come on, give me a break. You're not going to really be in a therapeutic range until you're between 100 mg to 200 mg. Just keep that in mind and don't give up. Also, keep in mind that the medication builds on top of itself like layers to a cake so, after you've been on a new dose for a few weeks, it will actually start to increase its effectiveness in your bloodstream, and you'll start to see an improvement at that same dose that you wouldn't have noticed when you first started the new dose.
I wish you the best of luck! Take good care! Meg :-)
Dpusloski419
8 Aug 2016
It will get better day by day
Lolly6039
8 Aug 2016
Hi mrowen:
Has your doctor ever put you on Paxil and Xanax by chance? I myself have struggled with GAD and panic attacks and I have found relief with these two medications along with taking a multivitamin, fish oil and vitamin B complex. I have also found exercising to help with the anxiety as well. I try to stay busy to try to take control of those crippling feelings when I feel that I am about to have a panic attack. When I feel one coming on that's when I take my .25 mg of Xanax and start cleaning, exercising anything to get my mind to focus on something else until those feelings subside. Hope this advise can help.
jls56
6 Aug 2016
I also take lamictal/lamotrigine but for petit mal epilepsy. I agree, lamictal might cause depression/anxiety as you get a correct dosage for you. My doctor prescribed hydroxyzine pamoate for anxiety, I started at a lower dosage of lamictal and gradually went higher. Perhaps you need something similar. I also take 2/150 mg in morning and 2/150 mg at bedtime. I am not a doctor or nurse, just someone who thinks I might help you since I have had much the same problem with the same med.
mrowen
7 Aug 2016
Im on vistral, doesn't help a whole lot. I just wish i had a better doctor, ive been to so many, but they're all terrible where i live. I haven't been officially diagnosed with bipolar 2 so im just hoping i don't end up getting worse.
Ginger H
5 Aug 2016
I feel the same way you do, I feel like I'm just existing. I see a Therapist and Physiatrist Also. I really wish I could give you some good advice ... The only advice I can give is don't give up. I hope you get the help and answers you are needing. God Bless
Groovycammy
25 Feb 2017
Do you take any helpful medications?
Trudy1910
4 Aug 2016
Diagnosed with bipolar, anxiety and PTSD. I was started on lamotrigine 2 months ago at 25 mgs. They start at small doses to keep side effects down. You may not feel any relief the in the first weeks but hang in there. I am now on 150 mgs. and feeling much better. Your doctor can prescribe some meds. for certain side effects. For example, I am having trouble sleeping for now so my doctor ordered Vistaril which is usually a safe, calming medicine that is cheap. Also, having some sporadic diarrhea and my doctor suggested I take Imodium (over the counter) until this side effect stops.
I have a 26 year history of taking antidepressants, antianxiety, and antipsychotic meds for unipolar depression. None of these have helped because I was not correctly diagnosed until a couple of years ago. Most antidepressants can send a person into mania or cause irritability but lamotrigine acts to stabilize the mood. My doctor won't prescribe an antidepressant until my mood is stable. Another thing that gives me hope is having a peer support group which another woman and I started and is associated with dbsalliance. Just knowing someone who experiences the same symptoms is wonderful. Good luck.
WildcatVet
4 Aug 2016
Good job, Trudy!
shellybeans
5 Aug 2016
Ditto to Trudy's! I got raised to 200mg in increments and stopped there since 2011 and great on it! :)
mrowen
5 Aug 2016
I'm really praying it helps! I started at 12.5 and I've been on 25 for a couple of days. My doctor is terrible. He doesn't tell me when to up my doses. I can't get into any other doctors for at least 2 months. I am on paxil, but it only seems to help a little with my panic disorder but not for my awful depression and racing thoughts. I take other medications too because my anxiety is so bad. The only side effect on the lamictal has been drowsiness, kinda drunk feeling so I'm taking it at night for now. I also take Remeron which helps great for sleep. Thanks for your help:) Not sure when to go up to 50mg...
mrowen
3 Aug 2016
Yes I've been seeing therapists for years. Im on medication and just started Lamactil yesterday. Praying it helps lift this horrible depression.
Dj91
8 Aug 2016
When I read your post I felt your vibe I know exactly what you're going through with this anxiety I personally have social anxiety which makes me want to be alone a lot but I recently got out of County Jail and when you go to County you're forced to be around people that you don't even really care for butt putting yourself through it it's like training everyday gets easier every day gets a little better talking about it helps truly you have to get out of your head a little bit because you can over-think things which causes more anxiety make life simple for yourself ABC have like three little goals a day ..
shellybeans
9 Aug 2016
The 3 little goals is great, even if u only accomplish one that day, is babysteps! Lamictal had been my saving grace since 2011..I was brought up to 200mg in about 4 months and been there since 2011..
Teresa Hagen
2 Aug 2016
That's my question are you seeing a doctor- there is so much help for anxiety these days - there is hope!
shellybeans
2 Aug 2016
HI mrowen, I thought I answered you but I am not getting your full post, just that your tired of suffering and existing wih anxiety? Are you on any medication or under a doctor's care?
mrowen
3 Aug 2016
Im sry, i never received it...
Related topics
lamictal, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, lamotrigine, naltrexone
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