Aa
Someone help me please
I dont know whats wrong with me. About a few months ago I started getting a "nervious" stomache and I would get panic attacks and anxiety from it. I started to get this weird haziness and out of it feeling. I started on Lexapro and am into it about 5 weeks. It seemed to help me with my stomache a decent amount and my anxiety attacks but I have very little to no desire to do anything I enjoy. I just get stressed with my girlfriend and living situation (I am 20 years old and she is living with me). I cant work much which makes me depressed that I have no money. I just feel like I would rather not have to deal with this stuff. I dont see how people can be on their own (without parents) and handle this. Today was a nice clear day but I just felt like my vision couldnt focus correctly and I always feel very out of it.. I get tired very easily too and just want to stay at home. Please help me
hi mr Brian, please make sure to get your Thyroid function checked..stay hydrated with water..eat fruit..at least one peice every morning. Be patient and gentle with your self. small amounts of excersize can help change your Brain chemistry. complete physical. to much alcohol or constant weed smoking can cause depression and anxiety. everything in moderation..plenty of sleep at same times and have vit d levels checked. God Bless you.
I saw a psychiatrist and we talked for abvout an hour. He says I have panic disorder but he didnt think I was depressed, it was just a side effect of the med. He switched me to Zoloft at 50mg and he said it works similar to the lexapro so this one could have a potential if working without the side effects. We shall see though
Hi again,
Couple of things to comment on. First is to agree on finding a pdoc. Don't think about it, do it. The way you describe your physical feelings tells me you are on the wrong med and it sounds like other issues too, physical ones. The endoscopy shoudl help, get it done. The way to work it is to eliminate causes. Any good doc should do that but they rarely do and just jump to conclusions.
The med may be affecting your stomach issue, just a thought and causing all the rest of your feelings, including the eye. I have no real idea on that but I do know that some anti d's can affact our vision at times.
Yoiu mention thrist. Is it thirst or dry mouth? Dry mouth is a normal side effect for many A/D's but it's damned annoying and takes some getting used to. I too felt like I needed a drink all the time but it was just dry mouth. I used Lifesaver's, a small round candy here in Australia for keeping my mouth and lips moist. There's actually one called Thirst would you believe?
Just a possibility as it is easily confused if you haven't had it before.
The second thing is constipation. Again, a common and awful side effect of many meds. Go to the chemist and ask for something to help. Don't be embarrassed, just tell them what's happened, side effect of meds. Go where you got the meds and they'll know.
I think the thing you need to do is take action on each of these things and not let them build as once you add them all together they seem insurmountable. They're not. The last two can be fixed easily if it is just dry mouth so do it mate and relieve yourself, so to speak!
Don't forget the pdoc.
Couple of things to comment on. First is to agree on finding a pdoc. Don't think about it, do it. The way you describe your physical feelings tells me you are on the wrong med and it sounds like other issues too, physical ones. The endoscopy shoudl help, get it done. The way to work it is to eliminate causes. Any good doc should do that but they rarely do and just jump to conclusions.
The med may be affecting your stomach issue, just a thought and causing all the rest of your feelings, including the eye. I have no real idea on that but I do know that some anti d's can affact our vision at times.
Yoiu mention thrist. Is it thirst or dry mouth? Dry mouth is a normal side effect for many A/D's but it's damned annoying and takes some getting used to. I too felt like I needed a drink all the time but it was just dry mouth. I used Lifesaver's, a small round candy here in Australia for keeping my mouth and lips moist. There's actually one called Thirst would you believe?
Just a possibility as it is easily confused if you haven't had it before.
The second thing is constipation. Again, a common and awful side effect of many meds. Go to the chemist and ask for something to help. Don't be embarrassed, just tell them what's happened, side effect of meds. Go where you got the meds and they'll know.
I think the thing you need to do is take action on each of these things and not let them build as once you add them all together they seem insurmountable. They're not. The last two can be fixed easily if it is just dry mouth so do it mate and relieve yourself, so to speak!
Don't forget the pdoc.
I dont know why it has been so hard for me to find a psyhciatrist.. I want to see one to talk about my emetephobia, my depression which seems to be getting worse since I started the meds, but the panic is gone. I had a week or so where I was going to bed early and getting up early I loved it, now I am waking up later and feeling really tired again. The dreamy feeling I have is so horrible to I dont remember what the "real" world looks like. Its like I am in a dream or playing a video game? I cant explain it... I just feel really hopeless right now
Lately I have been constipated too. The past few days have been pretty good but today I just feel sick again. I dont feel good and I just feel like I want to die. I am having a hard time finding a doctor too for some reason, they havent called me back so I am getting stressed about it. I dont know why I have such ups and downs it stinks. Just kind of venting right now, sorry.
Yea, that's Major depressive dissorder for sure.
It's probably not the medication that is making you feel that way, but it's the actual disease that is doing it.
Many times when Major depression and anxiety dissorder are severe, then just one type of medication is not alway the fix.
Not sure how many antidepressants you have tried, but if SSRI's such as Lexapro are not working then you may want to consider an SNRI for your symptoms.
This is all stuff that your Psychiatrist should already know. If you are being treated by a regular MD then may I seriously suggest finding a Psychiatrist. MD's don't have the first clue how to treat Major Depression.
Sorry if that offends any MD's that may read this, but it's true.
It's probably not the medication that is making you feel that way, but it's the actual disease that is doing it.
Many times when Major depression and anxiety dissorder are severe, then just one type of medication is not alway the fix.
Not sure how many antidepressants you have tried, but if SSRI's such as Lexapro are not working then you may want to consider an SNRI for your symptoms.
This is all stuff that your Psychiatrist should already know. If you are being treated by a regular MD then may I seriously suggest finding a Psychiatrist. MD's don't have the first clue how to treat Major Depression.
Sorry if that offends any MD's that may read this, but it's true.
It sounds like the thirst could have been a psychological response or may be part of your presentation. With excessive thirst I would be asking my doctor if I had diabetes, etc.
Your doctor should do a complete physical before referring you to a psychiatrist.
I'm the same. I've been depressed lately and I play computer games and watch TV as avoidance strategies or coping mechanisms. Life is just too painful otherwise and goes by too slowly. Excruciatingly slowly.
I would try and encourage you to do as much as possible and to get out. Not doing these only reinforces the depression and makes us feel worse.
I'm not sure about the cloudy vision -that could be an eye problem (there's an expert forum for eye care if you want to ask there) -or it could be related to anxiety. I was told it can be due to hyperventilating and blood pressure changes. Blood pressure changes may also explain the feeling like passing out.
Feeling like falling asleep may be due to fatigue and/ or depression. I had that post radiation and I was absolutely exhausted through lack of quality sleep.
Happy can be a shorthand way of summing up many positive emotions.
Just a thought.
Your doctor should do a complete physical before referring you to a psychiatrist.
I'm the same. I've been depressed lately and I play computer games and watch TV as avoidance strategies or coping mechanisms. Life is just too painful otherwise and goes by too slowly. Excruciatingly slowly.
I would try and encourage you to do as much as possible and to get out. Not doing these only reinforces the depression and makes us feel worse.
I'm not sure about the cloudy vision -that could be an eye problem (there's an expert forum for eye care if you want to ask there) -or it could be related to anxiety. I was told it can be due to hyperventilating and blood pressure changes. Blood pressure changes may also explain the feeling like passing out.
Feeling like falling asleep may be due to fatigue and/ or depression. I had that post radiation and I was absolutely exhausted through lack of quality sleep.
Happy can be a shorthand way of summing up many positive emotions.
Just a thought.
Hi again mate,
Not sure about the cloudy vision, not a normal depression symptom but maybe a side effect of the meds? Google Lexapro side effects rxlist. Rxlist is one of a few good sites that summarise it all for us and include clinical trials results too, including placebo.
I'm remembering now I had that endoscopy I think. That's the one where they stick a tube down your throat and take a tissue sample isn't it? I had so many tests you wouldn't believe it. If you can raise a laugh, after the endoscopy one tends to break wind rather often for a short while. Not a good look when you're sitting in reception! Imagine doing that job though? Every patient sitting there doing that!!
It is tough to not eat and drink. I failed often too.
Could I suggest the word "happy" is a problem? You say happy again. Do you remember what that meant? Many of us say we just want to be happy but we are chasing an impossible dream. For me, today, happy means having no fear, no anxiety and being able to live each day without having to worry all day. I'm at peace, calm and that, to me is my current "happy".
And no, I have no idea if I was ever happy in the past, truly, I've forgotten what I was like all those years ago. I remember good times of course but looking back it seems that life is more like a mundanity with highs and lows. The highs are great, falling in love, children, doing anything you like etc while the downs were dreadful and lasted a long time. The highs, good times, were brief though. I'd say 90 - 95% of life is just mundane stuff, doing very little except existing, working and so on. And happy? Maybe 1% of that time, the rest downs.
Just some meanderings from me!! I often ponder what people really mean when they say I want to be happy. Do they know? I doubt it.
Not sure about the cloudy vision, not a normal depression symptom but maybe a side effect of the meds? Google Lexapro side effects rxlist. Rxlist is one of a few good sites that summarise it all for us and include clinical trials results too, including placebo.
I'm remembering now I had that endoscopy I think. That's the one where they stick a tube down your throat and take a tissue sample isn't it? I had so many tests you wouldn't believe it. If you can raise a laugh, after the endoscopy one tends to break wind rather often for a short while. Not a good look when you're sitting in reception! Imagine doing that job though? Every patient sitting there doing that!!
It is tough to not eat and drink. I failed often too.
Could I suggest the word "happy" is a problem? You say happy again. Do you remember what that meant? Many of us say we just want to be happy but we are chasing an impossible dream. For me, today, happy means having no fear, no anxiety and being able to live each day without having to worry all day. I'm at peace, calm and that, to me is my current "happy".
And no, I have no idea if I was ever happy in the past, truly, I've forgotten what I was like all those years ago. I remember good times of course but looking back it seems that life is more like a mundanity with highs and lows. The highs are great, falling in love, children, doing anything you like etc while the downs were dreadful and lasted a long time. The highs, good times, were brief though. I'd say 90 - 95% of life is just mundane stuff, doing very little except existing, working and so on. And happy? Maybe 1% of that time, the rest downs.
Just some meanderings from me!! I often ponder what people really mean when they say I want to be happy. Do they know? I doubt it.
Thanks alot guys. I had an appointment to do an endoscopy, but for a while I couldnt sleep and I was thirsty alot at night. The requirements were not to eat or drink after 12am and at that time I just couldnt do that. I am sleeping again so I am going to get my dtomache checked out to rule out something physical. I do plan on seeing a psychiatrist next to try and get to the bottom of things more. I just want to be happy again some days I just cant help but feeling so down. All I really do is sit at home and play video games or something as I dont feel like going out and doing much. Why is the "cloudy" vision happen? It scares me, sometimes I feel like I am going to faint while I am driving or just fall asleep.
Hi mate,
So sad to hear things are feeling that bad and confusing for you. One of the hardest parts of dealing with this stuff is understanding firstly what it is. Many of us think we know but we then resist the acceptance by telling ourselves we can fix it with no help. We really are a stubborn bunch, human beings. We seemingly do everything to hurt ourselves and little to help ourselves. Until we learn how.
You started with what sounds like a stomach problem which could have a physical cause. That should be determined by a doc first as a GP is often inclined to listen to what you say and conclude what you do. For example if you said I have an uneasy feeling in my stomach and get panic and anxiety attacks they will diagnose anxiety and probably depression too. Which could be accurate but the obvious thing is overlooked first. Your stomach problem.
I haven't had Lexapro myself but it sounds like it's helping on the anxiety side and also quelling the stomach problem which would indicate it was anxiety and not physical. But still it needs to be ruled out, the physical issue.
From there you are describing symptoms of depression, quite clearly and precisely actually. So that's what it is likely to be. You've lost interest in most things, can't work, don't want to do anything and get stressed out by your girlfriend. These are all classic symptoms Brian which can be fixed with proper treatment.
From what you describe I'd suggest firstly getting that physical check done and then get referred to a psychiatrist. GP's try hard but they do not have the expertise to deal with the deeper depressions and the way you describe yours is showing a deterioration.
The two treatments that will help are meds, these relieve these symptoms and allow you to think more rationally and hopefully be able to talk about what is wrong and try to find solutions with talk therapy, treatment 2. Talk therapy often fails if you are in deep depression as your mind is too determined to be down, if you like. Note that meds do not cure depression or anxiety, they just bandaid the feelings like a headache tablet does for a headache. OK?
As I said earlier the hardest parts of this process are at the beginning. Trying to find out what is wrong, what to do and then how to do it so it helps. It takes time but posting here will give you good advice from a variety of sufferers as to how they did what they have done.
You need a diagnosis, you will need to agree with and accept that and then try to learn all you can about how the illness works. Understanding your enemy is a big part of the battle you see as you are then ready for it.
Sounds a bit mystical at this stage I suppose but that's how it needs to be dealt with Brian. It's an illness, not a punishment and it does not mean you are weak or deserve it. It's an illness like any other in that it picks on whoever it likes.
Hang in there mate.
So sad to hear things are feeling that bad and confusing for you. One of the hardest parts of dealing with this stuff is understanding firstly what it is. Many of us think we know but we then resist the acceptance by telling ourselves we can fix it with no help. We really are a stubborn bunch, human beings. We seemingly do everything to hurt ourselves and little to help ourselves. Until we learn how.
You started with what sounds like a stomach problem which could have a physical cause. That should be determined by a doc first as a GP is often inclined to listen to what you say and conclude what you do. For example if you said I have an uneasy feeling in my stomach and get panic and anxiety attacks they will diagnose anxiety and probably depression too. Which could be accurate but the obvious thing is overlooked first. Your stomach problem.
I haven't had Lexapro myself but it sounds like it's helping on the anxiety side and also quelling the stomach problem which would indicate it was anxiety and not physical. But still it needs to be ruled out, the physical issue.
From there you are describing symptoms of depression, quite clearly and precisely actually. So that's what it is likely to be. You've lost interest in most things, can't work, don't want to do anything and get stressed out by your girlfriend. These are all classic symptoms Brian which can be fixed with proper treatment.
From what you describe I'd suggest firstly getting that physical check done and then get referred to a psychiatrist. GP's try hard but they do not have the expertise to deal with the deeper depressions and the way you describe yours is showing a deterioration.
The two treatments that will help are meds, these relieve these symptoms and allow you to think more rationally and hopefully be able to talk about what is wrong and try to find solutions with talk therapy, treatment 2. Talk therapy often fails if you are in deep depression as your mind is too determined to be down, if you like. Note that meds do not cure depression or anxiety, they just bandaid the feelings like a headache tablet does for a headache. OK?
As I said earlier the hardest parts of this process are at the beginning. Trying to find out what is wrong, what to do and then how to do it so it helps. It takes time but posting here will give you good advice from a variety of sufferers as to how they did what they have done.
You need a diagnosis, you will need to agree with and accept that and then try to learn all you can about how the illness works. Understanding your enemy is a big part of the battle you see as you are then ready for it.
Sounds a bit mystical at this stage I suppose but that's how it needs to be dealt with Brian. It's an illness, not a punishment and it does not mean you are weak or deserve it. It's an illness like any other in that it picks on whoever it likes.
Hang in there mate.
The nervous stomach sounds as though it may have been caused by stress and anxiety to begin with (and then the symptom made you more stressed and anxious).
The out of it feeling can be caused by stress, anxiety, etc.
Medication can cause you to feel apathetic as can depression.
I think if you were to address the girlfriend and living situation you may feel more in control of your situation (and maybe then you would even start to feel better).
I think you should discuss the above, especially the mood symptoms, with a doctor or psychiatrist. You may even benefit from therapy so that is something else to consider. Therapy would help you work through your issues.
Addressing issues will also help resolve the depressive symptoms.
Good luck with everything. I know how difficult it can be when you have a beautiful day but struggle to enjoy it. Talk to a doctor and you should be able to work through this.
The out of it feeling can be caused by stress, anxiety, etc.
Medication can cause you to feel apathetic as can depression.
I think if you were to address the girlfriend and living situation you may feel more in control of your situation (and maybe then you would even start to feel better).
I think you should discuss the above, especially the mood symptoms, with a doctor or psychiatrist. You may even benefit from therapy so that is something else to consider. Therapy would help you work through your issues.
Addressing issues will also help resolve the depressive symptoms.
Good luck with everything. I know how difficult it can be when you have a beautiful day but struggle to enjoy it. Talk to a doctor and you should be able to work through this.
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