Ok so sorry this is kind of long. I need advice, but I also needed to let some of this out. Skip to the end for my questions about Pristiq.
I've been having some issues with anxiety recently.
I've had issues with it before, especially social anxiety, but it has gotten worse this past month. I noticed I have been drinking more at work. Besides general anxious feelings, I've been having more really overwhelming surges of anxiety. The other night at I had a panic attack unlike any I've had in a long time, if ever.
I think there are a couple issues contributing to the increase.
I don't have much of a social life, which normally doesn't bother me. I live with my boyfriend, so that in itself provides human interaction, and since he IS really social I usually end up going out with him once in a while when I feel up for it. However, he has been away for work for the past month (and will be for most of this month) so I've basically been all alone with minimal human interaction outside of work. At first it was great, but I'm wondering if too much alone time is hurting me. I can kind of feel myself becoming more and more reclusive. I find myself avoiding running errands during the day, so that I can avoid traffic and people as much as possible. The other day I had to pay rent, and I was so nervous that my landlord (who I don't know well but is like a second mother to my BF) would try to talk to me that I almost wore my dirty clothes from volunteering at a wildlife refuge to discourage her from inviting me inside.
I also started a new club recently. I've worked at my "home" club for a couple years, but due to some recent changes I decided to try the club down the road. I like it so far, but it has definitely been a challenge. I'm still adjusting and don't feel as confident there yet. I don't feel like it's "my space" yet, ya know? I know the change is probably adding to my stress, but more than that I feel like my anxiety is making the switch harder than it should be, and making it more of an issue. If that makes any sense. I've been able to power through it (having regs helps) but I'd like to be able to go to work and talk to people without having a mini panic attack.
In the past smoking weed has helped me (with a lot of my issues), but recently I've noticed not only is it not helping, it seems to at times be making my anxiety worse! Although I'm wondering if it might just be the strain. I don't have access to medical marijuana, so it's luck of the draw as far as what kind of bud I end up with.
I've started doing some yoga again, but it hasn't seemed to help. One thing is I am doing it on my own. I have made plans to go to a class, but whenever it comes time to actually go I get all stressed. The idea of driving there, and then being in a place I've never seen, with people... Well I haven't been able to bring myself to just go do it.
I currently take Wellbutrin for depression, and it definitely helps with that (as well as helps with my ADD). I have some Pristiq that my doctor prescribed a while back when I mentioned have issues with social anxiety. I tried it then, but it gave me really bad insomnia the first couple weeks. It eventually went away, but I can be really forgetful with my medication. I unintentionally stopped taking it, and then didn't feel like going through the insomnia again so I set it aside. I didn't take it very long, so I don't know how well it actually worked, but I was thinking of giving it another shot.
I did a google search to reacquaint myself with the side effects, and most of what I found indicates that it's actually and antidepressant? And one of the side effects is... Anxiety?? Has anyone used it to treat anxiety? I'm a little nervous to try it again, even though I remember it being fine after the side effects wore off, I would hate to have a bad reaction with no one here to help me or bring me back down to earth if I need it.
I plan on going to the doctor at the end of the month, so maybe I should just hold off? Any advice to help me deal with it in the meantime? Just grin and bear it and wait for it to pass?
Thanks ya'll.



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