Frustrated & Confused

[sexylaty]

I am 33yo and have NEVER had an anxiety attack.  About a month ago, while at Outback with family I felt hot all of a sudden and just wanted fresh air.  I excused myself from the table and went outside.  I felt nauseous and anxious.  It lasted about 15 min but was horrible.  About a week later it happened again at home.  I just went to my room, laid down on the bed and turned on my fan.  On top of the recent anxiety attacks I have been moody and irritable for about two months before the Outback attack.  I called my doctor and told her what was going on and she put me on Wellbutrin.  On day 3 of taking it, I got the worst anxiety attack ever at work.  I just felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin, run, yell... anything!!  I don't really think it was the meds since they take at least a week to get into your system, but who knows.  Then the next 2 and a half weeks were good.  I was not so moody, starting to be my happy self again then yesterday we went to the hospital to be there for my sister who just had surgery and while in the waiting room I got another one.  Ugh I was so angry, I felt like I was doing so good and the anxiety attacks were behind me.  Now I don't know what to think.  Today I was so upset about yesterday I just kept replaying it in my mind.  Wondering what in the heck is setting this off in me?  Am I stressed?  Am I angry?  No, No... so then what??? I went to the store and got myself Omega 3 because I know that it is a positive mood booster.  

So my questions are:  Is it ok to take Wellbutrin and Omega 3 together?  Why can someone who used to be happy all the time can all of a sudden be depressed, moody and have anxiety for no apparent reason?  How can I overcome this?

I do follow up with my doctor next Monday, so should I hold off on the Omega 3 till I ask her?  I'm try to be self aware and do self help things, such as read books, do mental exercises, buy over the counter things that will make me better.        

I'm sad that this is happening to me when there are so many wonderful things in my life.  I just want to enjoy all my blessings but can’t control my feelings.          

So Sad :(      

[MeganPixel]

I just wanted to chip in two cents here.  It is not uncommon or unheard of for a person who is high-performing, used to being level headed etc. to develop anxiety 'out of the blue.'  I actually think (and this is just my own opinion, not based on actual research!) that a little bit of 'positive' anxiety in some (Type-A people for instance) can drive a person toward being an excellent worker, caretaker, and otherwise highly responsible person.  But when things get out of balance, the line between normal anxiety in control and working for you and abnormal anxiety out of control working against you is easily crossed.

Regardless if the 'typical you' feels really rational, in control, able to deal, etc. -- I agree that a physical examination and testing should be performed to ensure there is nothing else causing this (as a matter of due course for anybody), but don't let the fact that nothing comes back from that make you feel discouraged or like they 'missed something' (it should make you feel encouraged that nothing is seriously wrong and you're taking steps to treat the anxiety).

I'm used to being the calm one in a panicked room and always having a plan.  Nobody could believe that I had anxiety at first - not my family, not my doctor, and especially not me.  But I do, and now that I know, I can figure out how to deal with it.

On the Omega-3, I do not take it myself (just because I haven't really thought of it) but if you really want to know and you're not able to ask the doctor, you can always call the pharmacy and ask them whether there are any drug interactions.

[allmymarbles]

We concur. Starting out with a pill is inept medical practice and all too common.

[mammo]

Wellbutrin is a stimulating antidepressant and may not be the medication for you.  Never hesitate to call your doctor with any concerns you have, she needs to know.  I agree that a thorough check-up should be done before prescribing medications, and I see no reason not to take the Omega-3 at this point, but don't expect any big change in how you feel, it benefits you in many other ways making it very good for you.  Anxiety and/or depression does hit us out of the blue, and can often be due to a past event in our life which we never truly dealt with.  This is where therapy can play a big part in helping us to discover what it is that's bothering us, and how to deal with it.  But for many there is no known cause for our anxiety and we have to accept this and get on a medication that controls our symptoms just like any other medical condition.  I think it's great that you are trying to analyze why you are feeling this way.  A panic attack is our "fight or flight" mode coming at a time when we don't need it, flooding our bodies with adrenaline that isn't needed.  Although very scary, they are harmless.  Our bodies just don't know what to do with this extra adrenaline and the panic attack is our body's reaction to it.  Exercise is good for anxiety, journaling our feelings and emotions, doing things that burn up adrenaline and keep our minds busy.  I know it's frustrating, but once your doctor gets your medication(s) right, you'll feel much better.  Look into therapy, even if it doesn't determine "why" you are feeling this way, you will learn a lot about yourself as well as coping techniques to deal with it all.  I hope this helps and wish you all the best.  Hang in there!

[Julie359]

Im actually really surprised that your doctor hasn't sent you to have a set of routine blood tests done.  Conditions that affect the Thyroid gland can cause these symptoms.  In the past when ive been to the doc saying i feel overly anxious, the first thing they do is check my Thyroid, kidneys, Liver, FBC's (full blood count), ESR (Inflammation level) and a whole host of other tests, even though i have a long extensive history of anxiety disorders.  It just seems very premature of your doctor to prescribe these drugs without doing a full m.o.t first.

Plus also just to inform you it is very common when starting these types of drugs to get an increase, from mild to severe, of anxiety.  It is merely your nervous system adjusting to the medication, but if it is severe or bothersome you should always consult your doctor, who may want to give you something to help or may stop the drug altogether.

Go back to your doctor and ask for a full blood work up and go from there......

[allmymarbles]

Your doctor is treating the symptom, not the cause. You do not appear to be the type to suffer anxiety. That should suggest a physical problem. In my case it turned out to be high cortisol (produced by the adrenal gland).

The pill is a quick fix, based on the supposition that you have an emotional problem. Find out what is really wrong. You might want to go to an endocrinologist.