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girl24
11-08-2012, 12:37 PM
Hi!

I've just started reading through some posts on these boards after recently finally seeing a doctor about my anxiety.

I've suffered with it for quite a few years now after having a difficult time during my childhood. Basically, I didn't feel very safe or secure as a child for many reasons which has caused me to feeling anxious about things now (usually very small things). The last few months have been difficult. I haven't been sleeping well and have been finding I'm becoming depressed and feeling like I want to harm myself because I'm so exhausted and feeling anxious about every little thing.

I FINALLY saw a doctor about a month ago. This was a huge deal for me. I felt like I wanted to walk out of the surgery and felt like I was going to die because the anxiety was so bad. The GP was very nice and prescribed Amitriptyline to help me sleep. My boyfriend is a psychiatrist and was a bit confused about this because he said it's an old antidepressant and isn't used much these days, not for depression/anxiety anyway. But it has helped me to sleep for the last month which has helped me a little bit although I'm still feeling some anxiety. I saw another GP yesterday who said the same as my boyfriend, that he's not sure why the other doctor prescribed Amitriptyline and that it's good that my sleep is improving but that we need to get the anxiety under control so he's put me on a low dose of Citalopram (10mg) and has told me to come back in a month, see how I get on and with think about increasing the dose/changing it till, hopefully, we find something that works for me.

I feel a huge relief. I knew I needed to see a doctor but the thought of calling my doctor's surgery was filling me with so much dread that I couldn't even sleep. But I'm definitely pleased I'm at least doing something about it now. It was a long time coming.

I've joined hoping to find some comfort and to know that I'm not alone. It's been very difficult. I don't really have anyone to talk to because it's difficult to explain how I feel a get people to understand so hopefully I'll be able to share some things here when I'm feeling anxious/low.

dboldman
11-22-2012, 07:52 AM
I found just typing out my feelings has helped me in these forums even if no one responds. sounds like you have a very good handle on your strategy and what works for you is most important not what doctors always think you should do. Stay in charge of your treatment and life.

alankay
11-22-2012, 08:07 AM
Yep, that med is not a front line med for anxiety or sleep as the any case with any TCA. Some use low dose doxepin as a sleep aid over non-benzos and benzos but it's not a first choice for anxiety like citalopram or zoloft(ssr's). Not unheard of either...just a strange choice for a first med unless you cannot take ssri's/snri's. I'd might go with the daily citalopram and just use the TCA on occasion for sleep until the rx is gone or not at all...but that's just me. Seeing a therapist would good too. Alankay

jhunter89
11-22-2012, 12:51 PM
My friend was prescribed Amitriptyline to help him sleep.

angieproc1977
11-22-2012, 04:11 PM
Welcome, I have only joined this week but I've found writing down how I feel and also trying to reassure others has also made me feel a little better x