zvanx001
03-20-2014, 12:30 AM
Hello, my name is Zach. I'm a 25 year old male. I am currently just a few short months away from receiving my bachelors degree. I have been engaged to an amazing girl for a few years now, and we plan to get married once I finish school. I am a bodybuilder and take good care of myself.
That's enough boring tidbits about myself for now...
The reason I am here is, I'm sure, the same as the rest of you - anxiety and or depression. I am lucky enough to deal with both! When I was 18, and I was a freshman in college (the first time around) I experienced my first panic attack. It came out of nowhere and quite literally ruined my life temporarily. I dropped out, went home, and closed myself out from the outside world. I was a very popular, lively guy. I ended all of that. I was put on Klonopin, and that seemed to help. However, I still felt "off"... I'm sure many of you can relate.
About a year later I felt depressed for the first time. Again, it came out of nowhere and knocked me on my ass for a good little while. I was put on Pristiq, and again, it seemed to help.
With the exception of panic attacks and bouts of temporary depression here and there, I seemed to be doing fine, albeit medicated. Obviously a good deal occurred between then and now, but it's not really necessary to discuss at this time.
Fast forward to about 4 months ago. I had been experiencing tachycardia and moderate hypertension from the end of summer '13 to December. Finally, after a trip to the E.R., and countless other doctors visits, my PCP put me on Toprol XL, a beta blocker. Shortly after, he upped the dose and that is what I have been on for about 6 weeks.
I had x-rays, multiple ekg's, halter monitors, extended monitors, blood work, and just recently an echo cardiogram. Everything came back normal (again, something I'm sure many of you have experienced!). My PCP recommended I reduce and and eventually discontinue my Pristiq due to one of it's notorious long term side effects being hypertension. I did this. It has been three weeks, and I feel like shit. Panic attacks, depression, depersonalization, a litany of strange physical manifestations of anxiety/depression (cold flashes, chills, paranoia, anger, mood swings, numbness and weakness of extremities, etc.). It has not been a particularly pleasant time for me or my poor fiance. Honestly, that is the part that bothers me most...her having to deal with me like this. I am no fun to be around at the moment - short temper, angry, down in the dumps, constantly thinking something new is wrong with me. She is such a wonderful person and I detest the idea of my situation having such a negative impact on her.
Anyway, I have a doctors appointment scheduled tomorrow with my PCP as sort of a check up after all my tests came back normal. Additionally, he wants to see how I'm doing being off the anti-depressants...not so great it turns out. I am thinking about requesting that he prescribe me something like Prozac for the time being, at least until I finish school at the end of summer. I am currently taking 20 credits and working part time, and this summer I will be taking 21 credits to graduate in August.
So, that's my story in a nutshell, and I look forward to communicating with you all, and hopefully taking steps as a group to become happier and healthier.
That's enough boring tidbits about myself for now...
The reason I am here is, I'm sure, the same as the rest of you - anxiety and or depression. I am lucky enough to deal with both! When I was 18, and I was a freshman in college (the first time around) I experienced my first panic attack. It came out of nowhere and quite literally ruined my life temporarily. I dropped out, went home, and closed myself out from the outside world. I was a very popular, lively guy. I ended all of that. I was put on Klonopin, and that seemed to help. However, I still felt "off"... I'm sure many of you can relate.
About a year later I felt depressed for the first time. Again, it came out of nowhere and knocked me on my ass for a good little while. I was put on Pristiq, and again, it seemed to help.
With the exception of panic attacks and bouts of temporary depression here and there, I seemed to be doing fine, albeit medicated. Obviously a good deal occurred between then and now, but it's not really necessary to discuss at this time.
Fast forward to about 4 months ago. I had been experiencing tachycardia and moderate hypertension from the end of summer '13 to December. Finally, after a trip to the E.R., and countless other doctors visits, my PCP put me on Toprol XL, a beta blocker. Shortly after, he upped the dose and that is what I have been on for about 6 weeks.
I had x-rays, multiple ekg's, halter monitors, extended monitors, blood work, and just recently an echo cardiogram. Everything came back normal (again, something I'm sure many of you have experienced!). My PCP recommended I reduce and and eventually discontinue my Pristiq due to one of it's notorious long term side effects being hypertension. I did this. It has been three weeks, and I feel like shit. Panic attacks, depression, depersonalization, a litany of strange physical manifestations of anxiety/depression (cold flashes, chills, paranoia, anger, mood swings, numbness and weakness of extremities, etc.). It has not been a particularly pleasant time for me or my poor fiance. Honestly, that is the part that bothers me most...her having to deal with me like this. I am no fun to be around at the moment - short temper, angry, down in the dumps, constantly thinking something new is wrong with me. She is such a wonderful person and I detest the idea of my situation having such a negative impact on her.
Anyway, I have a doctors appointment scheduled tomorrow with my PCP as sort of a check up after all my tests came back normal. Additionally, he wants to see how I'm doing being off the anti-depressants...not so great it turns out. I am thinking about requesting that he prescribe me something like Prozac for the time being, at least until I finish school at the end of summer. I am currently taking 20 credits and working part time, and this summer I will be taking 21 credits to graduate in August.
So, that's my story in a nutshell, and I look forward to communicating with you all, and hopefully taking steps as a group to become happier and healthier.