Hi, I'm also New:)

Hi Guys/Girls,

I am new to these forums. I have had Anxiety/depression as a teenager, since I was about 15. I kept going to the doctors, with my parents; and they ordered blood tests to check my sugar levels ETC, and then said "its just nerves!" It took until I was 16, to be professionally diagnosed.

I moved to Queensland in 2003. I was at School one day; and in my Multi-Strand Science class. Since, I had started mid-term, there was a test, and we were reviewing the stuff from the Textbook. I started reading stuff about Death and the body cooling rate after death ETC. I started to feel really sort of sick/dizzy. The next thing, I knew, I was lying on the ground. (we had those huge seats, there like over a metre tall, I fell clean off one of those;)

I had actually feinted. a few seconds later, I came to, and realised I was on the ground. The Teacher came over and said "are you ok?" and I said "yeah I think". after that, I asked if I could go to the office, to go home. the Teacher said "yeah, you look really pale!"

I got picked up by my mum and my brother. Mum booked me a appointment at the doctors just in case something was wrong. When I described my symptoms, he said "I think you have Anxiety" and gave me one of those little quizzes. (one for depression, 1 for anxiety).

I was told to fill it out over a few days, and to make another appt. When I went back, he said "well you have 8 out of 9 for Anxiety, and 6 out of 9 for Depression. He started me on Aropax. (known as Paxil for you US folks!). I originally started on 1/2 a tablet, for about a week, then moved to 1 tablet. (20mg Tabs).

The first night taking them was pretty hard going. I got those "electric shock" feelings about every 30 seconds, in my right foot. The next day for a public holiday, for the local show day. Which I went to, on rides ETC all whilst feeling nauseous from the meds.

after probably, a week I was side effect free. and over time, was given a increased dosage of 40mg, which I stayed on for about 8 or so years. My mum had seen a psychiatrist, since she suffered from Depression (it was really common in her side of the family, so I guess I inherited it off her!). My mum was originally on Serzone for years. But is now on Effexor XR tablets. Anyhow, during her visits, the Psych said I would benefit from seeing him, so I got a referral. Just previous to this, I had a pretty big Panic attack; at work. I ended up having about 2 and a half weeks off work, where all I done was sit in bed all the time, and watched TV shows. (I watched Trailer Park Boys, and The Big Bang Theory from memory!).

I ended up, getting out of bed long enough, to go to the doctors. I walked in and said "I have been having panic attacks" He checked my heart ETC, and was that concerned, that he done a quick ECG Tracing and report, to make sure it was functioning properly. When that was OK, he prescribed me Xanax as a short term solution for the panic attacks (5mg dose).

These tablets made me really nauseous. to the point where, I didn't take a dose one day, and felt a lot better. when I went back again, I told him that the Xanax made me feel sick, so he chalked it up as a allergy. He said, "when it comes to Anxiety, there are two main tablets, Aropax and Lexapro. I decided to go the Lexapro route; just to see if it changed me. I done a six month course of those (10mg/day). After which time, I asked if I could try the Aropax again, since the results were about the same.

When I went to see the Psych. (appointments are fairly expensive, since he is a private doctor. about AUD $205/visit for about 30 mins, of which you get about $110 back from medicare. The psych went through the motions, and eventually upped my dosage to 80mg of Aropax in the morning; since it apparently works better in the morning, than at night.

I am going to move back to Brisbane in the next few months. So will have to find another doctor and Psych.

I went back to my GP about a year ago, and complained about not getting sleep. (I have had it as long as I can remember, I have trouble falling, and staying asleep, and I always wake up as tired as I am, when I went to bed.) I was prescribed Mirtazapine 15mg, as it will apparently help me sleep. It does work in making me really tired, although I still wake up during the night, usually about 3 times or so. (i'm assuming the sleeping problems, stem from the Anxiety?).

The only downside to the Mirtazapine, is that my body is used to getting its dose, so if I go out late some nights, I seem to hit a brick wall at about 10pm! (even though I don't take it, until I get home).

I would like any comments/criticisms anyone has on these medications. I seem to see a lot of hating going on towards Aropax, although it has worked wonders for me. (I do worry about being on a high dose though. Although the Psych told me "with Aropax, if you tolerate it without any nasty side effects, then it is fine"

I am due for another appointment with my Psych in December, so I will raise my concerns about the high dosage.

Thanks guys:)

Kane