Here I go again...

[AmorDeJay]

I was doing so well (for me anyway) for the past month or so and now it's starting all over again.  Not sure if it's from the medication (Cymbalta) that I've been on now for about a month and a half or if there is something really wrong with me.  Again, I have headaches, most of the time in my forehead, the brain fog is back, I am dizzy and feel like I may pass out all the time, my vision gets funny (at least to me) and I'm just out of it. This happened back in November and December when I was on Lexapro for a few months and that ended up not agreeing with me AT ALL.  Then my doctor switched me to Effexor which also gave me these symptoms like Lexapro and now I think Cymbalta.  I have felt pretty good for the past month or so and now it's starting again. I hate it, I just want to cry.  I can't go through this again.  Being scared something is really wrong in my brain.  I had CT scans and went to a neurologist and all that back in December so do I need to go again or just accept that it's the medication and maybe get off of it or switch YET AGAIN.  I was on Paxil for years and it never gave me any bad side effects so I'm thinking maybe I should ask my doctor to just put me back on that, except I take Metoprolol for high blood pressure and I don't know if you can take that with Paxil.  I'm rambling. I'm just so tired of feeling this way.  I can barely function again.  I barely make it to work, only because I will lose my job if I keep calling out.  I just don't feel "right." Then I have a friend who worked in the deli on my corner and he died of a stroke this weekend at 40-something years old.  It has affected me DEEPLY.  I am so freaked out about it but the symptoms came back way before that.  I just don't know what to do, I'm scared and I don't want to have these real physical symptoms.  Help guys. =(

[AmorDeJay]

Thanks everyone for your feedback and suggestions.  I appreciate it.  I actually do have Klonopin also that I am supposed to take in the morning and at night and I had stopped for a while.  I know, I know, bad.  I took it this morning.  But as for the SSRI's I really think Paxil was the only one that never made me sick eventually.  I was on it for so many years though that I think it stopped working but now that I've been off of it for almost a year, maybe I can take it again.  I will call my psychiatrist.  Thanks again and God Bless.

[xanweaner]

I'd like to add that you can consider the family of tetracyclics, too....ie. mirtazapine. I just wonder if you can switch back to Paxil, if the Dr. decides with you.
The benzo addition can be a great lifesaver device, but don't let it become your permanent boat. They can be a rough ride to get off of...I speak personally from my own xanax weaning process.
But - again - the xanax was truly a great lifesaver when I really needed it...
I hope you feel better soon.

[lynn57]

Sometimes it takes a combination of drus like an ssri plus a benzodiazepine.  There are other meds not in the ssri family like tricylics ( elavil etc.) .  I think I would just keep after the doctor until you find the right mix.  Your side effects from ssri's should decrease the longer you take it.  It sounds to me like you tolerate them at first and then your syptoms get worse. It sounds a lot like panic disorder.  It's a cycle and it feeds itself.  

[xanweaner]

I would suggest that you discuss these symptoms with your Dr. right away so you don't continue to struggle - especially if your job may be suffering as a result. If Paxil was effective for you before, I wonder why your Dr.did not have you go back on it...

You can also call the pharmacist right now and ask about compatability between the 2 meds.
Good luck - I feel for you...

[JSGeare]

I hate it that you are having this struggle -AGAIN. Aside from setting your hands on your hips, standing square in front of the doc and demanding the attention you need, I find myself wondering what ELSE might occur when this relapse happens. There is the obvious thought of your female chemistry at work, but could there be anything else at all -a high mortgage payment that comes due, something at work -I'm racking my brain here, but you get the idea. Put on that detective's cap, take a deep draw on your meerschaum and look around.

ANYthing?

[jo686]

Whew!Sounds like panic attacks that I am prone to off and on.....I try and deal with mine without meds because of all those side affect problems! I think we're ALL under so much stress, that we HAVE to find ways to deal with that!And as we get into our 40's we have to deal with children and our parents old age issues!take deep breaths, and take care!...Jo686