Scared

[Lovemyfam2000]

Ok u guys I was put on antidepressants but only just started them I'm so scared its been about 3 weks my arms are still burning still not sleeping and loosing weight I'm tryin to eat the best I can night sweats I feel like something bad is gonna happen to me is all this normal :(

[Lovemyfam2000]

Thank you that is a good messege I'm tring not to be scared its hard but I'm try to give it time and pray

[clean_in_ks]

I know exactly how you feel.....I'm 97 days clean......still have absolutely no energy, too skinny, not much appetitie, can't GET to sleep till 2, 3 or 4 a.m. but once I sleep......I SLEEP!  

I am just the opposite of you in that I got OFF my anti-depressant because I did have "seratonin syndrome" while withdrawing from pain pills and Soma muscle relaxers.  I ended up with too much seratonin because my aftercare psychiatrist prescribed suboxone(and subutex first) while still leaving me on a CNS (central nervous system) anti-depressant. (which the med guide on suboxone SAYS NOT TO DO) at least not at 80 mg that I was on!
I also was taking a nerve damage med, called neurotin (gabapentin).
I am 97 days clean from pain pills and somas, 70 days clean from anti-depressant and suboxone of any kind, and 21 days off the gabapentin.
No Rx's in me at all and still having weird, new things happening to this body!

i STILL can't eat much, still tired all the time, have a needles and pins and itching thing going on and hot, red hands, feet and other body parts.
I have been doing a lot of research on line and even on Web MD's site and have found SOOO many opinions of what is going on with me.

You have been to the Dr. and done some routine lab work.....just wait and see.. give your body time to heal.  After reading all the other people's posts on Web MD about pins and needles and red, hot body parts I really learned sooo much.  Many of them had gone thru MRI, CT scans, gillions of tests and they found nothing wrong.  Most were told "it was anxiety, stress, and "all in your head" (I hate it when they imply that).

Here are the variety of things "it was said" could be causing it:
Paresthesia, transverse myelitis, inflammation of the spinal cord, hormone levels, adrenal glands being worn out, nerve damage, glucose levels, calcium levels.....So you get my point.  Heck, all of those things are probably going on with me...LOL!  I had to write on my mirror with an old tube of lipstick "BABY STEPS".  I didn't get in this shape overnight and I certainly need to stay clean long enough to let every system in my body heal.  I absolutey Hate the "time" thing......but it is true.  If I spend less time worrying and being fearful, I can devote that time to taking better care of myself.
When we eat, our metabolism changes.....when we sleep, we heal and restore our bodies.  I can't eat much yet and can't GET to sleep even with melatonin, benedryl, and more.  
A lot of what is going on with me is the way I sit, lay, or even the position of my arms when I sleep.......How much sugar I drink.......my hormones......
I do have nerve damage to some degree.......I do have worn out adrenals, we all do after od'ing then on pills.
It helps me to remember......this too shall pass.  Faith and fear cannot reside in my head and heart at the same time.  FEAR really stands for:
False Emotions Appearing Real.  Most of what I worry about never happens anyhoo!
Hang in there.......don't be scared.........All will be well with time.
Bless you,
Clean in Kansas  

[Lovemyfam2000]

Thanks Viki I hope things get better soon Mabey exitey is getting to me I don't know it's weird cause iv tried like 6 OTC night aids and nothings working no sleep and loosing weight from no appetite is making me crazier if that's possible right now and the night swets yuck I feel so gross already I hate those pills never again I learned my lesson that's for sure

[vicki595]

It's still pretty early in your recovery and you've done well. It takes a bit more time for that energy to return, and the restful sleep, so don't give up Sweetie!

Getting clean affects us all very differently...and this is your thing. Be patient and try to relax...anxiety can feel like this as NG said...so do what you can to get the rest you need.

[Lovemyfam2000]

I hope your right cause all I got was routin blood work I'm so tired I can't belive it's been 25 days about and I'm feeling like this iv never been so tierd and so sweaty and I wish I could just get my appetite back i can't belive how scary this is I pray so bad that things will start looking up soon

[nursegirl6572]

If it's one thing I know well, it's anxiety.  I obviously can't say that's the answer for sure, but it really sounds like it.

Typically, when someone is anxious, they get very restless sleep, and sweat.  When my anxiety is very high, I wake up with my shirt soaked every morning.  Also, that feeling that something is going to happen, or that something is wrong...screams anxiety.

You've been checked out medically (which is good), and you got the all clear.  The most logical thing left....considering your fresh off detox, and what you describe, is anxiety.  The only other thing would be the antidepressant, but this far into it, if it was related to side effects, you'd notice some improvements.  

My suggestion is to go back to your doc, and explain you're still feeling lousy.  If he agrees it may be anxiety related, ask for a referral to a psychiatrist, who can thoroughly assess you and tell you if it is likely anxiety, and then what to do about it.  You may do better on a different med, or you just may need to give this one some more time.

Try to hang in there.

[Lovemyfam2000]

Thanks u guys but now I'm worried more why am I still havin night sweats n no appetite what is wrong with me I'm almost ready to give up :-(

[nursegirl6572]

You can't mix a lot of "natural" anxiety/depression remedies with Rx antidepressants, it can lead to something called serotonin syndrome, which is almost always a medical emergency.

GABA specifically I'm not sure of without looking it up, but ALWAYS check with your doctor before adding anything to your regimen.  Just because something is "over the counter" or can be bought at GNC without a prescription, doesn't mean it's "safe", especially when mixed with other meds.

[cleanguy]

Try gaba... helped my crazy anxiety big time. I took it in the evening and it helped with sleep too... as soon as I slept well the anxiety subsided tremendously!

[Lovemyfam2000]

I got routin blood work and everythin was  so I don't know I hope I'm ok that's why I'm so scared hopefully it's anxiety Viki so you don't think to feel this way :-(

[vicki595]

It's not usual at this point. When did you last have a check up? I always tell folks that they should get a physical and some lab work done after getting clean from pills or alcohol.  

So many things get masked by the pills that it's just a good idea to get a baseline check. It will make you feel better, too!

[nursegirl6572]

Sounds an awful lot like anxiety, especially considering you have that feeling of impending doom.  At this point in your recovery, increased anxiety is par for the course.

I agree with vicki that poor appetite and poor sleep are most definitely attributing to the symtpoms.  It's probably something you need to just give some time.

Hope you feel better soon!

[seagull25]

Hello,
I hope this information helps you.....during my withdrawal my whole body burned.  I have fibromyalgia and when I overexert my body it burns.  Some people experience pain other have a burning sensation. I would say that the burning will subside. Try to relax and it will pass.

[Lovemyfam2000]

Ok can anyone please tell me this is normal my post is from a few days ago but here on Monday will be 4 weks since I quit I still have night sweats no sleep n loss of appetite and my arms burn now If it's normal I can live with that I guess but I'm just scared something really bad is going to happen

[vicki595]

I think it's related to lack of food as in low blood sugar...

[Lovemyfam2000]

What about my arms feeling like on fire

[vicki595]

Yes, it is. It's anxiety and probably made worse by your diet and lack of sleep. Try, try, try to eat some decent meals and get a good OTC for insomnia.  It's just amazing how much you'll feel better when those two issues are covered!