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Thread: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

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    Featured Member sierra.'s Avatar
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    Default Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    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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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    my doctor told me wellbutrin can increase anxiety, and can cause sleeplessness at night and general agitation. i was usng it for depression i quickly got off of it, and went to remeron and the grip of my anxiety lessened more and more. so might wanna ask about that too.

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    Featured Member sierra.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    Quote Originally Posted by simone87 View Post
    my doctor told me wellbutrin can increase anxiety, and can cause sleeplessness at night and general agitation. i was usng it for depression i quickly got off of it, and went to remeron and the grip of my anxiety lessened more and more. so might wanna ask about that too.
    That is good to keep in mind. I've been on Wellbutrin for years now, and it helps so tremendously I would hate to lose that. But if I can't get a grip on this anxiety then I might as well try something new. I've never even heard of Remeron before, but I will definitely ask about it. Thanks.

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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    Marijuana can be kinda hit or miss as an anxiety remedy. Even speaking as sm1 who is, to put it mildly, not a fan of the devil-grass or really any other kind of recreational drug (just being honest here, no judgment), I had occasions when I was using it regularly yrs ago where it would make me all kinds of silly, & occasions where I would end up curled in a fetal position under the covers b/c it made me extremely paranoid. I would not be surprised to hear that even 'medical grade marijuana' could have similar side effects.

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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    ^ Yikes, I definitely don't want that. I've decided to just hold off. I'm actually going to be going to a new doctor, but still I know it's best to talk to a professional than just wing it.

    Just out of curiosity, did you feel like the Pristiq helped with your social anxiety?

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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    I too live with my boyfriend, and we both moved out of state and I have no friends but him so far. It's difficult to all of a sudden throw your self into a new environment and abruptly force yourself to become social. I also have had extreme anxiety seemingly for no reason. I used to be an every day weed smoker, but now, every time i smoke i have a horrible bout of anxiety. Also there has been times where my anxiety would start at the same time every day after work for no reason. I would feel panic, fear and discomfort. I still deal with anxiety from time to time, but nowadays it is easy for me to over come and here is how i did it. First, the main thing is recognizing that anxiety is fear and to over come the fear you have to realize that you are seperate from your brain and how it work s if that makes sense. Your mind sees a pattern, and attempts to surge you with fear as a way to protect you reach time you are presented with something that reminds the cells in your body of a danger.sometimes, there is no danger and you get these feeling at times when your fear response odds not needed. Recognizing that you are normal and that everything will always be ok helps so much. For a while , i took st. Johns wort which really calms you down. Avioding alcohol is very important off your feeling anxious, it can make it easily way worse. Keep trying, my heart goes out to you, i know how you feel. Anxiety is very common in your adult life

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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    if its just for anxiety youre better off with a mild benzo like klonipin then an antidepressant because those can change your brain chemistry permanently and like you said, antidepressants can sometimes make your anxiety worse and they also have a slew of other side effects that you might not be prepared for. ask your dr about a low dose of klonipin daily or a pill like xanax to take as needed if you aren't anxious every day.

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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    Try inhaling some lavendar oil for a few seconds... Clear your mind and just take a few deep breaths, inhale/exhale. After drink chamomile tea with kava kava. It helps reduce the anxiety/panic attacks. Go on You-tube and listen to "ABRAHAM HICKS" , let her words be your guide. You will overcome this anxiety and fear.. Just re-program your brain to intake these words on a subconscious level.

    I definitely understand your dilemma, I also face similar issues. But try what I suggested, it's been helping me. Hope it works for you!

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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    Quote Originally Posted by Intrigued_Dancer View Post
    Try inhaling some lavendar oil for a few seconds... Clear your mind and just take a few deep breaths, inhale/exhale
    This is good: http://www.tisserand.com/De_Stress_A...ll_p/ro110.htm
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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    Quote Originally Posted by charlotte. View Post
    if its just for anxiety youre better off with a mild benzo like klonipin then an antidepressant because those can change your brain chemistry permanently and like you said, antidepressants can sometimes make your anxiety worse and they also have a slew of other side effects that you might not be prepared for. ask your dr about a low dose of klonipin daily or a pill like xanax to take as needed if you aren't anxious every day.
    If you are on Wellbutrin then benzodiazepines (xanax, klonopin) and alcohol use is not recommended due to the fact that it can lower your seizure threshold - (the point at which a seizure is possible), so you are at an increased risk for seizures. It can also lower alcohol tolerance. Also, alcohol withdrawal can cause anxiety in and of itself.

    Pristiq is an SNRI, it works much like venlafaxine (Effexor), unlike Wellbutrin, Pristiq regulates your serotonin, so that could help with anxiety, but it also stimulates norepinephrine which can increase anxiety, honestly I haven't heard of using Pristiq for anxiety.

    Also benzodiazepines, or any drug long-term can potentially alter your brain chemistry. Also, xanax and klonopin are extremely addictive.
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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    Magnesium deficiency has been linked to anxiety... http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/daily-dose-magnesium

    To be honest, a strip club is a nightmare for anyone dealing with anxiety (I would know - I have social anxiety as well). You're being constantly bombarded with stimuli, and your 'paycheck' relies on your ability to socialize through what are essentially cold calls (walking up to strangers and trying to sell them). Anxiety is one of those things that we'd rather not have to deal with, but when we examine our lives, it's no wonder we experience anxiety. Ya know? So we end up medicating what is actually a natural response to the stress we're under.

    I take Propranolol whenever I have a presentation to give or something that spikes my anxiety. It cuts off your adrenaline response, so any physical experiences of anxiety (racing heart, sweaty hands, flushing) are minimized. Propranolol is non-addictive. I am SO thankful that I wasn't prescribed a benzo - those are extremely addicting. And you may end up taking them when you don't really need them since your body creates a new baseline for anxiety when under the influence.

    Could this be a burnout symptom for you? A sign that you need some time off? Meditation is a good place to start when it comes to answering these questions...and it's good for anxiety.

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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    Re: anxiety. I also have really bad anxiety and liked/felt comfortable in the club because it is a place where there are no expectations on you. But I only stripped to supplement income so maybe that was the difference for me.

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    Default Re: Anxiety (Pristiq?)

    Quote Originally Posted by lynn2009 View Post
    Re: anxiety. I also have really bad anxiety and liked/felt comfortable in the club because it is a place where there are no expectations on you. But I only stripped to supplement income so maybe that was the difference for me.
    I was also supplementing - that definitely helps! The club environment has different effects on everyone. Some people with anxiety don't experience any anxiety in the club since they're acting the part of a different person. Others find it to be an incredibly stressful environment! Shrugs.

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