Waking up feeling incredibly anxious

[aliner]

I've recently been put on Fluoxetine to help deal with some issues of anxiety and unhappiness. It's been 5 weeks of a 20mg dose a day and up until about 5 days ago I really thought it was helping. I felt balanced and normal again and didn't feel like everything was too much for me to handle. My doctor and I discussed the drug and decided that it was working for me, although he did ask if I was feeling 'too happy'.

But now I keep waking up with the biggest feeling of dread I have ever experienced. Sometimes I wake up throughout the night suddenly panicking and it's got worse over the past couple of days. It's lasting throughout the day and right up to when I go to bed. I haven't left my room for 2 days and for the first time since I was a teenager (I'm 27 now) I've had suicidal thoughts.

My housemate told me 2 days ago that I have become incredibly negative and that it's like I'm a magnifying glass. Everything is either world endingly bad or I get really obsessed and passionate about it. I am just really not feeling very well and I am wondering if this is now due to the Fluoxetine or if I have just got worse...

I just don't know what to do anymore and I have never felt so desperate in my adult life.

[whitecat78]

i am taking lexapro and wellbutrin, i want to get off lexapro and start taking 5-htp instead.  dont worry, you may feel this way now but slowly your depression and anxiety will lift over time after about a couple weeks into the medication.

[redding1]

ditto, ditto and more ditto. Anxiety is a pain. I just started dealing with the panic part 8 months ago. All over health concerns. This has been never ending for me. But I did see the light at the end of the tunnel many times since then. It takes time to get better. Anxiety and depression go hand in hand. I was so anxious that I became depressed. It can happen the other way around too. Try a different med if can. You shouldn't be feeling panicky in the morning. My doctor added a second drug to help. It did, but now I'm afraid I might have to stop the second one. It might be lowering my WBC count, which is not good at all. Talk to your doctor right away.

[leelee201]

I get the same symptoms with my anxiety. Are you on any meds right now? I went off meds in Feb due to getting pregnant and I had to go back on them 5 days ago because everything came back in a flash. I'm just hoping that the meds will work. I'm afraid for some reason they won't work for me this time

[whitecat78]

what you describes sounds exactly how i have been feeling off and on. its a horrible and scary way to feel.  the worst was when i had a nervous breakdown about 3 years ago, i remember i couldn't sleep, i took like 3 benzos and still couldnt fall asleep, i was in a state of dysphoria, derealization and panic for about a month.  it was like i was hyper aware of the universe. i seriously thought i was going insane. just remember this dreadful feeling wont last forever, it will pass.

[joapepe]

Aliner,

The shortness of breath you describe is a common sign of anxety disorder too. i have that also.
Thinking too much is a real problem.. its like theres so much going on inside your brain you cant order it correctly, maybe a bit like its wired up wrong? The feeling that everything is major and stressful is also a sign of anxiety.
The fluoxetine can cause insomnia.. and the problem with not sleeping is that you get overtired and that makes you feel worse too. and laying there at night while eveyone is quiet and the world is asleep gives you time to think. Its a horrible viscious circle isnt it..The side effects will pass, but not being a doctor i can't give you any advice about that..
You sound depressed alongside the anxiety, exercise is another way to feel better, easier said than done when you are scared to go outside, but try hard, breathe in some fresh air.
You WILL be better... It make take time but there is hope..
Your life is not a waste. Try and think positive, its just a moment.. Remember when you felt well? you will again..
Definately see your doctor asap. Even just to put your mind at rest about the meds..Im going to see a cognitive behavioural therapist soon.. maybe ask the doctor about that?

Take care, pm me anytime if you feel bad x

joa x

[aliner]

My doctor said that I have an anxiety disorder. I have always had terrible social anxiety but it has got so bad over the past 6 months that I have stopped leaving my house and doing anything through fear of panicking too much or because I just can't do it. I have recently been experiencing a shortness of breath, like my lungs can't take in enough air... I don't know if that's related.

I am an avid thinker and right now my brain feels like it's going a thousand miles an hour. Every little thing in my life that is causing me stress feels too big for me right now. The fluoxetine seemed to be causing insomnia to start with, but then that passed and for 2 weeks I was so happy and full of energy and sleeping. Now I feel worse then I did before. Nothing seems good and everything seems hopeless.

I am going to try to go for a walk or just go outside. That's a good idea.

I will see my doctor as soon as I can. I'm so sorry you feel or have felt like this too. I would never want anyone to feel this way. It feels like my life is a waste.

[joapepe]

Dear aliner,

First things first, if you have had suicidal thoughts you must go to the doctors straight away.. I understand wholly the feelings of desperation you are decribing.. i too took fluoxetine for nearly 18 months and it did help. But i did have days where i felt dreadful. I too woke up in the night in utter panic, jumping out of bed etc.. have you had any diagnosis eg deprssion, panic disorder? I am suffering from anxiety disorder at the moment and am taking meds, only been a few days though.
Try not to analyse every little feeling either.. maybe try hard to get out and take a small walk?

The only way to find out if its down to the meds is to see your gp again, meds are not a miracle cure is the problem.. xx maybe you need counselling or some kind of therapy alongside the meds?

Please feel assured that you are not alone though. You will get better. I know its so awful to feel this way. I am around the same age as you (29) ..

Please see your doctor and explain how you feel.

Joa