Posted by CA 2 NJ on November 5, 2006, at 13:55:34
In reply to Re: In Dire Need of Help! Feel Like I'm Going Nuts! :(, posted by madeline on November 5, 2006, at 11:58:50
> Okay,
>
> Just because you feel like you are going nuts, doesn't mean you are.
>
> Take deep breaths, try to imagine yourself in a very calm, serene place, concentrate on imagining the sound of water running, count backward from 1000 by sevens.
>
> All of these are interruption techniques that are designed to focus your thinking. Use at will.
>
> As far as your meds are concerned, my guess is that wellbutrin is the culprit and this will probably pass.
>
> However, you need to call your pdoc and tell them that this is an emergency and you need to be seen ASAP. This is not something that can wait until the 8th any longer.
>
> How long have you been on the xanax and how often do you take it? Some of what you are experiencing could be the rebound hyperexcitability that the benzos cause. OR you may have developed a tolerance to xanax, but before you do anything, Talk to your doc about that too.
>
> Finally, a lot of ADs make me VERY sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants. Is your scalp crawling? Skin itching? Heart racing or anything like that? Be sure you lay off the caffeine until this passes.
>
> Remember your interruption exercises, call the doctor NOW and tell yourself over and over again you are not going nuts, your body is just telling you that you are.
>
> I hope you feel better very very soon.
>
> Maddie
Thank you for your reply Maddie. It is really an eye opener!It's funny that you mention the possibility of hyperexcitabilty with Xanax and other benzos because there are times where I feel as though I am MORE anxious after taking it than before. But this is not an all the time thing. Only on occasion.
I am one who tends to react differently to medications than others and also I tend to react differently to the same medication at different times. Sometimes a medication will make me drowsy, then other times it will send me through the roof with anxiety. Even when no other changes have been made in meds, diet (including caffeine), exercise, stress, etc. I am very hard to treat, I can't dent that! Wish I could!
As for the Xanax, I have been regularly taking it since January of this year. I started out taking 1.5mg/day of Xanax XR. Then as my anxiety kept increasing (when changing from Paxil to Zoloft). My Doc changed my Xanax to the immediate release formula and prescribed 2mg - 2.5 Then as I continued to go up in the Zoloft (she wanted me up to 200mg/day but I couldn't do it) she then raised it to 3mg.
The changes in the Xanax only began about a month and a half ago. I don't think I am building a tolerance, but it is possible. Rather I believe that Zoloft is too activating for me and is causing a lot of unecessary agitation and anxiety. But I could be wrong. I just see a coincidence.
I don't know but I sure am tired of spending literally hours a day thinking about how I feel (I can't escape it unless I sleep all day which has been happening more), my medications, and rearranging my medications in my pill holder thingy. I spend sooo much time worrying about this that I think it is adding to my already anxious, agigtated, frustrated state of mind.
I just don't know what to do! I guess I just need to get into see my Psychiatrist and tell her (again) how I feel. I am probably her best customer! LOL
Thanks again for your support. I'm so happy there are kind people such as yourself who are willing to lend a hand when someone is going through a rough patch. I am sincerely thankful. It means a lot! :)
Hugs,
Michelle
poster:CA 2 NJ
thread:700576
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061104/msgs/700618.html