HELP

I have been in a state of anxiety from anticipatory anx. to full blown since 1/5.I have had two CT scans of brain, 2 chest x-rays, 2 sets of blood work, MRI of brain and c-spine w/w/o contrast.all test come back normal.my symptoms are so neurological in nature that it terifies me I have ALS.I have tingling, prickling all over my body, twitching and intermittent right arm and leg weakness.The neuro says he can tell by my exam it is not ALS but I am terrified as I have a two yr. old. I have extremity cramps, not sleeping, sometimes it feels as if I can't use my hand but I continue to be able to walk fine, pick up my 27 lb. child, type as fast as ever have. I jerk awake at night after 4 hrs. of sleep then can't get back to sleep. I seem to accept that it is not neuro related until the r. arm and leg weakness returns and then the vicious cycle continues. I had attacks 12 years ago with most of same symp. but I now have he internet to look up things and then is scares me. The neuro. says if I had ALS he would be able to tell in my exam. I am taking xanax long acting 2-4 X's a day, buspar 30 mg day and just started 100 mg of Wellbutrin today.Cannot tolerate Zoloft,etc. drugs.I am at my wits end. How could the anxiety be causing all of this to happen to my body?Family thinks it is anticipatory anxiety and I am doing all of this to myself. Sometimes i agree and hen the weakness returns and I get scared all over again. I have been on this roller coaster for close to three mo's and sometimes think no wonder you are weak, etc.. but then I get on the internet and read and ALS fits me to a T. Neuro's nurse spent an hour on the phone with me telling me why they think I don't have it. The weakness went away as soon as I hung up with her only to return today and the torture is in my head once again. I am going to couseling weekly and they tell me that there are no guarantees in life which I know that but I just cannot accept that stress can do this much damage and cause this much real physical symptoms. I can be walking around and notice that my right shoulder is raised up two or three inches higher than my left because of the tension I have in it. I feel like I am losing my mind. I do not know where else to turn or what else to do. I cannot doctor shop because I don't have the money to do that. Please give me your honest opinion of what you think. I do not know how to make the thoughts stop when I feel this weakness. I could deal with the attacks. It is the weakness that scares me to death. I am a 36 year old female.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It sounds exactly like anxiety and obsession and there is every reason to believe, by your description, that it is not neurological and you are scaring yourself into paralysis. Do yourself a big favor.  See your counselor twice a week for the next two weeks and don't spend one minute talking about your fears and your symptoms.  Talk about your life and your frustrations.  Try to stop focusing on the symptoms and start focusing on the problems in living that are the underlying cause of the anxiety.

[kellebelle]

Boy, can I relate to what you are feeling. I have been on the rollercoaster of panic attacks since October.I have been to the doctor's as well and all my tests come back fine. Yet I too get a lot of anticipatory anxiety and when my body does weird things which is  most often daily...I think its my heart etc. My heart goes out to you and sounds like you are doing everything you can to rule out medical probs.I have had panic disorder off and on for 9 years now. I am 42 years old and female.One thing that does help me is coming here and reading that others feel the way I do, my family understands yet its just not the same when you have never felt the horrible symptoms. I take Klonopin and celexa , I could not tolerate wellbutrin  and am very sensitive to other antidepressants....xanax works well when things get really bad and I also take a beta blocker to help with heart palps etc. that I get.

Do you take vitamins......I am seeing a Natuopath who has me taking extra magnesuim and DHA fish oil. So far seems to help some.I too sleep about 4 hours and then boom am awake off and on the rest of the night....thought I was the only one. I would eat dirt to make anxiety go away and I pray that someday no one would have to suffer through this, Mr. Toads wild ride some days.

Hang in there, you will feel better!!! You  made a wonderful choice by posting a question!I am sending you a big hug, keep working with the meds until you find one that gets you back to that calm place....You are not alone!!

[allsherote]

Do you experience weakness as well? It seems insane. How can it be a neurological problem and come and go? Then when it comes back I can't help but think it is.

[kellebelle]

Yes, especially in one arm or the other......with me my symptoms fly from one part of my body to another. So then I get myself all worried, until it goes away.That usually tells me it is the anxiety and not anything else.My mind is very stubborn though, so there have been times I call the doctor on call, head to the ER etc. But what works for me now is positive self-talk!!! Not easy to do....also  I love aromatherapy and that helps me relax.Lavendar is calming...!!!I know there are many books out there.....I usually pull them out when anxiety is bad so I know I am okay!Just a couple of things that have helped me.Blessings, Kellebelle

[Baby123]

kellebelle and allsherote,
I too know how you both feel with weird symptoms.  I have stinging and burning on my skin when my anxiety flairs up.  Also, wake up with that dreadful feeling, fear, stinging and burning sensations on my body and then can't sleep the rest of the night.  I have weakness in my legs too.  Mine started about 11 years ago and I took Prozac, Klonopin, and Tenormin (I also have Mitral Valve Prolapse).  I was great until last year I went off my Prozac and 4 months later, wham, the anxiety hit again.  I still was taking the klonopin and tenormin so my Dr. increased both of those meds and put me on Effexor XR.  I have been on it for about 9 weeks.  I feel pretty good now but not as good as I did before the relapse.  Guess it takes awhile.  My Dr. said I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder.  I also have been doing meditation and relation exercises also along with an exercise program.  It really does help relieve some of the tension. I am SLOWLY weaning down on my Klonopin by about 1/8 of a pill a week to avoid any side effects.  Hope I do OK.  It's tough.  You two hang in there.  I keep telling myself I got extremely better 11 years ago and felt good that long and I will do it again even if I have to stay on low doses of the meds to help.  I would like to get to the point where I can do it on my own without meds one day.  But right now with a 16 year old girl and 12 year old boy, it is pretty stressful around my house.   Do either one of you know anything about effexor or anyone who takes it?  Just wondered how it works in the long run.

[allsherote]

Did either of you wake up with sleep starts? Like jerking of a body part or jolting of your heart when your anxiety was at it's worst? That is what is now waking me up and then I can't get back to sleep. The medicine is a killer too because it makes me feel like I am moving in slow motion about an hour after I take it. Did either of you eperience that as well?

[Baby123]

allsherote,
My problem with sleep is I wake up with the stinging and burning sensation on my hands and arms (Dr. told me once it was nerve related when anxious) and then I am really restless and can't go back to sleep either.  If I do doze off I wake up the same way every time. It is usually about 4 hours or so after I go to sleep.  It is frustrating and depressing.  I know how you feel.   I guess our bodies all react differently to stress and anxiety.  Are your meds not helping at all?  I have been doing pretty well until the last week when my Dr. wanted me to start weaning down on the Klonopin and that is when I started having problems again.  I am waiting on him to call me back today to see what he wants me to do.  Can you tell any difference taking the Buspar.  I heard it was really good for anxiety.  I haven't ever taken it.  Why can't you take the SSRIs?  They are supposed to be good for anxiety also.  My Dr. said no to Wellbutrin, said it was too stimulating for anxiety.  Hope you get to feeling better soon.  I try to keep myself really busy so I want worry about it too much.  But it is really hard NOT to worry about it and think about it all the time.  Take care.

[allsherote]

I don't think I have been on the Buspar long enough to tell. SSRI's have an opposite affect on me. They magnify the panic attack for some reason. He is trying Wellbutrin because since I can't take the SSRI's he is not sure what else to try. I am hoping that if that helps with my mood it will help with my thought processes in turn helping my anxiety. Now my biggest pain is the fact that my right arm is so tense. It feels so tight and stiff and I am trembling today. So sick of it.

[Baby123]

Hey again.  When I talked with my Dr. yesterday, he lowered my dosage of Effexor to the lowest dose in hopes that some of the nervousness side effects will go away.  He said it should still help with the anxiety.  He is going to leave me on the 3 Klonopins a day for at least another month.  He mentioned Remeron as an alternative method.  It is also good for panic/anxiety as well as depression.  You take it at night so it is good for people with insomnia or panic/anxiety in the middle of the night.  It does not have the stimulating side effects that the SSRIs and effexor does.  In fact, if you go to mayoclinic.com under the drug database, it has very few side effects (and NO sexual side effects).  I did a couple of searches on the internet last night and found it seems to be a very effective medication for those who cannot tolerate SSRIs.  I had never heard of it before but you may want to do some research on it.  If you want to e-mail me, my e-mail is lynda.***@**** and we can talk some if you would like.  God bless and hang in there.

[deb723]

I am currently doing research for an upcoming book which deals with the side effects and withdrawals people have experienced from Effexor XR and other (like) anti-depressants. I am interested in receiving any information current or former users would like to share concerning their experiences with these drugs. Please email me @:
beach-***@****
and thanks!
deb

[kellebelle]

Allsherote,Baby123,

Just hoping you both have a great day.I saw my doctor Monday, she wants to bump up celexa and see what happens... I am interested in  learning more about remorin spelling?? is it an anti seizure med???? I tried Neurotin and for me I could not tolerate the side effects.You mentioned no  sexual side effects, that would be a bonus!!

I know effexor increased my anxiety as well. I am still struggling with waking up in the middle of the night. I sleep for about 4 hours and then my heart wakes me up racing for a min or two and fall back to sleep then about an hour later I will wake up again.This is driving me crazy. Any ideas??? Otherwise feeling better during the day.My husband lost his grandmother this weekend, so we have been busier than ever.....she out lived her children and husband...amazing!

Please feel free to email as well, I am praying for all of us.
Kellebelle.  email: ***@****

[mayy]

I have panic attacks that wake me. How can I panic while sleeping? I have them throughout the day as well, but I was sitting here sort of feeling sorry for myself because I've had panic disorder for 10+ years now and no medications work except for Xanax. I am glad I found this site and found your posts. Good luck to you.

[kellebelle]

It is weird huh, I awoke the other night to a horrific panic attack...last night slept pretty well but went to bed late so don't think my body had time to kick in to its usual waking/sleeping mode.I too am very confused how a person can have panic attacks in their sleep, I know its something to do with our subconcious!! I just want a good nights sleep.

I have had panic disorder or 9 years now....gets better sometimes then rolls back in. I don't want to be on meds foreve  but looks like my body needs them at least for now. I am glad that you found our posts, it helps me to read what others might be feeling so I don't feel so alone. Take care, wishing you a peaceful day.

Hey allsherote and Baby123 how are you???? Hugs to all, Kellebelle

[mayy]

I don't know what to do about getting a good night's sleep either. I remember a doctor once prescribed Trazodone for me to help with the sleep problem. Maybe I should ask for that again. I started taking Lexapro again. It can't hurt to try. I'm also been taking more Xanax than usual. I always have a few good months, then a few bad ones. I love life when I don't have to rely on the Xanax. Thanks and good luck.

[mayy]

I called my doctor about panicking while sleeping and she prescribed a drug for me called Remeron. I got my first good night's sleep in weeks! I hope you all can get some help on this as well. Good luck!

[Baby123]

Hey mayy, how long have you been on the Remeron.  My Dr. has suggested that one if the effexor continues to not work as well as I think it should without upping the dose.  I take 75 mg. now and still have some breakthrough anxiety but don't want to up the dose because of withdrawal symptoms.  So he mentioned Remeron, said it had a good anti-anxiety agent in it.  Are you taking it for anxiety and if so can you tell a difference?  Also, did he mention anything to you about the side effect of weight gain and appetite increase.  My Dr. told me that was one of the main side effects but on the other hand, it has no sexual side effects which is a plus.  Any info would be appreciated. I go back in two weeks and would like to make a decision by then whether to try Remeron or Lexapro.

[mayy]

Hi Baby 123, I actually am taking 20 mg of Lexapro, and .5 of Xanax as needed. I just started taking Remeron (half of a 15 mg pill) this week for sleep. I was told about the possibilities of gaining weight but that it really doesn't make much of a difference. Even if I did gain weight, I wouldn't mind because having a good night's sleep makes up for everything! I am still very panicky but I am hoping that I will be okay if I am patient enough to let the medications work. Good luck to you!

[Baby123]

Is the Remeron still helping?  I hope so.  Another question, how do you like the Lexapro for anxiety (and how long have you been on it)?  Does it seem to help.  Do you take it at night or in the morning?  What about side effects, did you notice any weight gain or sexual side effects since you have been on it.   I am just curious because if I still keep having breakthrough anxiety on my meds, I was going to talk to my Dr. about Lexapro.  I currently take 75 mg of effexor and still have a little anxiety off and on but I don't want him to increase it because I have already lost 10 pounds since starting it and don't need to lose any more.  Thanks.

[mayy]

The Remeron helps for my sleep, but it's drowsiness effect wears on me all day. It's like I can't get -enough- sleep! The doctor did warn me about weight gain but that it would not be significant. I will have to see since I've only taken it for a week. I don't know if Lexapro is really helping me. My doctor told me to increase to 30 mg to see if it will help more (been taking it on and off for a few months -- I've skipped because of 2 hospital stays and they wanted me to not take anything because they were giving me morphine for pain for my pancreatitis). I wish there was a medication that would help me not panic at all, but I think that is asking for too much. =( I've tried practically everything on the market and nothing has helped me but the Xanax. But you might have better luck. If the meds you are taking are working, would your doctor give you something to take as needed for those breakthrough attacks?

[Gingin123]

Hey, I take the effexor but also take klonopin and tenormin.  I am not having the breakthrough anxiety as much anymore.  I think it is just taking awhile for everything to stabilize.  But, I will have to start weaning off the klonopin in few months and because I take three a day and he wants me to just take one at night.  I'm still going to talk to him about the lexapro because I have lost 10 pounds (5 which were not needed) on the effexor and still have not been able to gain any back.  I don't want to take anything make me gain weight (like the remeron does) but I don't need to continue to lose either and that is a side effect of effexor.  Did you gain on the Lexapro, and what about sexual side effects?  Thanks for responding to my comment.  Hope you are feeling better.  Give it time, it has taken me 3 months to really start telling a big difference.

[Gingin123]

Hey again, don't let me throw you off my nickname, this is Baby123.  At work I logged in and couldn't remember what I had named myself here at home so I actually have two nicknames out there.  Sorry for the confusion.

[mayy]

Well, I haven't noticed any weight gain except for what I needed to gain (I had been anorexic for a while -- I don't believe I am overweight, I just have no appetite, but I had to work hard to be at the right weight now. I'm 5'4" at 114 pounds). So I had to force myself to eat. The doctor believes the Lexapro is working for me but I can't tell just yet. To be honest, I would say that I haven't noticed anything about the sexual side effects because my husband is in Iraq. You can email me instead of posting on this forum if you'd like. My email address is ***@****.

[Gingin123]

Hey again, thanks for the e-mail address.  I am getting ready to go out of town for a long weekend but I would like to e-mail you when I get back and chat some more.  Have a nice week.  Hope all continues to go well.

[seeking serenity]

I have been taking klonopin since 1990. I take .5 mg three times daily. Over time I have noticed a number of "unusual" symptoms that cannot be explained by doctors. Like many others, I have had MRI, MRA, CT scans, EEG tests, blood work, etc. All tests have been unremarkable (normal). Among the most persistent and bothersome of the symptoms are (1)weakness and aching pain in my left arm and leg, (2) sudden onset of extreme fatigue, (3) bloating and abdominal discomfort, (4) migraine-like headache (left side only), (5) mental confusion, (6) "spacey" feeling, (7) and an increase in the above-mentioned symptoms (especially the left arm and leg weakness) when I increase my level of activity. In other words, if I am experiencing leg weakness and aching with the "spacey feeling", they gets worse when I try to do something like walking. It gets so bad that I have to sit down or lie down. Can anyone relate to what I am experiencing? I am not under any stress; I do not smoke, drink, or do drugs; I eat well and have no cardiovascular problems. Please respond.

[mayy]

I hope you have a relaxing weekend. Maybe that will help and you won't think about your anxiety so much. It's always nice to have a nice trip and come back refreshed. I am stuck here with island fever (I live in Hawaii). When you email me (I hope you do), please type in the subject area that it is you. I rarely open emails from people that I don't know, as I'm sure you understand. Thanks =)

[seeking serenity]

I have been checking every day and I am disappointed (and frustrated) that know one has responded to my posting. There must be someone out there who can relate to what I am going through. I would appreciate any feedback, comments, or suggestions. My symptoms are: left leg and left arm weakness, usually followed by headache (left side or tension-like), neck pain and stiffness, fatigue, bloating and/or loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, mental confusion or "spacy" feeling, extreme fatigue, and sometimes chest pain. These symptoms can occur independently or in combination. Symptoms usually increase in intensity with an increase of physical activity. Symptoms started out to be occational, but now they occur more frequently, are of longer duration, and more intense. Rarely do have a day or two that are symptom free. I have been told that I am having anxiety or panic attacks, but I do not feel any anxiety until after the physical symptoms have presented. I have been taking klonopin (.5mg three time a day for years). Is it time to switch medications, increase my medication, or could my medication be "causing these symptoms? I have been on klonopin since 1988 or 1989. Does anyone have a clue as to what is going on or what I should have my doctor rule out? Please help if you can. Thanks, still "seeking serenity."

[kellebelle]

Hello Seeking,

I am sorry no one has responded, I happenend to be scrolling through and caught your email. I know how frustrating it can be to not get a reply especially if you are experiencing these symptoms that are bothersome to you.

I have had panic disorder for 9 years now, it comes and goes lately its been part of my life almost everyday since early October. My symptoms are different yet some are the same. I am more cardio sensitive, heart palps, fast heart rate. Yet I do get the arm weakness and usually it is always my left side, I know that spacey feeling foggy. All that I have read relates it back to anticipatory anxiety.....sounds like you have been checked out well by your doctor, though its hard for me to tell myself I am okay when I have these dreaded feelings. I too seek serenity from this and have tried many things, I find that trying to stay calm, get my mind on something else usually helps.I know easier said than done when you feel awful.

I hope you are feeling better, keep seeking your serenity you will find it....I hope I do too. Blessings, Kellebelle

[seeking serenity]

Thanks Kellebelle. I don't feel so all alone now. That in itself is frightening enough. My doctor wants to start me on Lexapro, but by now I am so phobic about medications I am reluctant to start because I remember having an adverse reactions to Zoloft (another SSRI) a few years ago. It caused my heart rate to double and sent my blood pressure through the ceiling. Both times I tried it I was taken to the hospital by ambulance...and both times I had taken half of the lowest dose possible. To be quite honest, I think the klonopin is the problem. If I could just find a safe and effective way to wean myself off the klonopin, I think I would feel much better. I have heard that phenobarbital has been used successfully with some cases to reduce the side effects of withdrawal from benzodiazapines like klonopin. If there is anyone out there who has successfully got off klonopin, would you please share with me how you accomplished it? Thanks.......Seeking Serenity

[jnygaard]

This is for you, seeking serentiy.

I've been taking 4 to 6 mg. of Klonopin since 1990, have cut back to 2 1/4 mg. because I developed a sensitivity to it and I am experiencing every single side effect that you mention in your last post plus more!

I can barely turn my head my neck hurts so much, I have neuropathic pain throughout my whole body, stabbing pain in my legs and back, (most of this is on one of the web sites for Klonopin side effects), I am dizzy all the time, I get laughing hysterically for no reason,  I feel like I'm going insane and dying, I am STARVING all the time, I eat all the time, I am gaining weight from my insatialble hunger, I am bloated like you, I am miserable and desparate, and even more!  My sinuses and head hurt like you wouldn't believe, my stomach hurts, my guts hurt, etc.  I have become allergic to everything and had to stop all of my other meds but as you know, I can't I stop the Klonopin without having even worse side effects.

Please email if you can if you want.  I would like to discuss this more with you.  My email address is:  man_military.yahoo.com

Looking forward to hearing from you or anyone else regarding Klonopin.
Martha

[jnygaard]

This is for you, seeking serentiy.

I've been taking 4 to 6 mg. of Klonopin since 1990, have cut back to 2 1/4 mg. because I developed a sensitivity to it and I am experiencing every single side effect that you mention in your last post plus more!

I can barely turn my head my neck hurts so much, I have neuropathic pain throughout my whole body, stabbing pain in my legs and back, (most of this is on one of the web sites for Klonopin side effects), I am dizzy all the time, I get laughing hysterically for no reason,  I feel like I'm going insane and dying, I am STARVING all the time, I eat all the time, I am gaining weight from my insatialble hunger, I am bloated like you, I am miserable and desparate, and even more!  My sinuses and head hurt like you wouldn't believe, my stomach hurts, my guts hurt, etc.  I have become allergic to everything and had to stop all of my other meds but as you know, I can't I stop the Klonopin without having even worse side effects.

Please email if you can if you want.  I would like to discuss this more with you.  My email address is:  man_military.yahoo.com

Looking forward to hearing from you or anyone else regarding Klonopin.
Martha