New to anxiety attacks

[flossie16]

I've only recently been diagnosed with anxiety despite suffering for a while now. I was prescribed citalopram last week and 2 days ago I began to be short of breath and have chest pains. I know this is a side effect and the dr said if I can stick it for 2 weeks I'll feel better. I have a 4 month old son and we are on our own when my partner goes to work so I didn't want to keep taking the medication incase I had a anxiety attack when I'm on my own with him. I stopped taking them and still have chest pains. Before taking it I never had pains with an attack and I'm worried the medication has made my anxiety permanently worse. The pains never go. Can anyone help?

[metallijim]

I suffer with these chest pains daily. They occur without medication, even when you're feeling good. I don't take any medication, so I know all about it. They're just a side effect of the stress that comes with anxiety. I don't think you're medication would have brought on permanent anxiety. When you suffer anxiety you have a heightened awareness. A lot of us will worry when the next attack is coming and therefore every time we have a little feeling in our body we think 'is this an attack?' When our mind is like this we get stressed out and unfortunately this can make symptoms worse. It's a vicious circle. Don't dwell on it, try and tell yourself "this is just part of anxiety, I've absolutely nothing to worry about". I know it might sound silly but the more you tell yourself this when you get this feeling, the quicker you'll find the feelings subside each time. Know you're not the only one feeling like this :) I hope this helps and I hope you're feeling better :)

[flossie16]

Thank you that is very helpful

[metallijim]

No problem, if you've any other questions feel free to ask :)

[kakariki]

Hi, my mother is just new to this medication. She did say she felt a bit more anxious to begin with but OMG what a difference it has made to her life. She is so less anxious and feels wonderful. Maybe you should go back to your doctor and start again. I understand your anxiety with chest pains. I too get them and worry myself sick about the what ifs, I think this is the hardest part of anxiety as it can be very lonely. Maybe you could start them again on a Friday so you have your husband home with you over a weekend incase you begin to feel anxious. Anxiety makes me so mad as it is an awful thing to try and overcome. If I wake up feeling great within a few hours I can be worrying about anything. Good luck.

[Ritch]

I agree with Jim, the medication won't permanently make the anxiety worse and those symptoms can occur naturally without the medication. Every medication has the potenital to be either helpful or detrimental but we won't know either unless we ride the side effects out. Having said that I don't have a 4 month son to care for and totally understand why you decided to stop. I hope things improve for you.

Oh and Welcome to the forum :)