hello .. and help!

Citalopram is pretty reliable and commonly prescribed. It can make all the difference, without turning you into a zombie or having nasty side effects. I know quite a few people on Citalopram and they are all pleased at how helpful it has been for them.

My son is on long term, low dose Citilopram (sp??) which has helped him come to terms with having a stroke, his wife leaving him and having to live with us but he functions as normal in his circumstances. Please don't dismiss having some help!

That's a lot of problems to deal with bobbi. I guess a pill from the doc can't work miracles. I have found that my 20 mgs of fluoxetine helps to keep my natural nervousness down, but I don't have the problems to cope with that you do.

Didn't seroxat have a lot of bad press a little while back? I wouldn't want to take anything stronger than the fluoxetine. I used Kalms for sleeping for a while. They helped me to get off to sleep but were useless for staying asleep. My in-ear radio and the World Service works best for that! The worst side effects I got from them was bad dreams.

I hope things look up for you. Don't rule out going back to doc's for something mild.

Well, a lot to think about since I last posted.

I think I am going to avoid the Kalms for a while, I was quite sceptical about them working at all but they really knocked me out - so it isn't unrealistic to believe that they are causing the side effects I mentioned either.

I am avoiding going to the Doctors because, although I know it is the right thing to do, I dread going back onto antidepressants again. I know that they can be lifesavers - they certainly were for me in the past - but they turned me into a bit of a zombie, I tried several different types, think the last ones were seroxat, but I was on them for too long, I couldn't function. The problem is I'm beginning to 'not function' now without them. I know the reason for feeling this way is stress as over the last/next few months I have/am/will be going through:

(in no particular order)

moving (Workplace) - fish out of water

Two members of family serving in Afghanistan

DS wedding

Financial difficulties

Empty Nest

Job threatened due to funding issues

M-I-L's long term illness and hospitalisation.

I feel that I have come a long, long way in the last five years - I don't cope with stress very well and I'm scared that I'm going to slip back to where I was before.

I was going to go to the Doctor's today but I just couldn't face the Monday morning crowd of people waiting for their sick notes.

Feel a bit better now I've offloaded a bit.
Thanks.
xx

Bobbi - forget how you might seem to the rest of us - let loose and talk away, blow air through your problems the very best of medicines.

There are so many things that could explain your symptoms, bobbi that you are sure to find someone on here who can share your concerns or who has overcome them. You evidently haven't been through the menopause yet, so that might be your first suspect; thyroid, since you've already had what you describe as a 'flutter' should be another possibility. In the meantime, I suggest that you avoid anything containing caffeine like the plague because that can magnify sleep problems and anxiety.

My anxiety levels get very high and I too felt the old 'wanting to run down the road screaming' feeling ironically coupled with the old menopause linked touch of 'not wanting to leave the house' feeling. Its a real paradox and so many of them can be put down to the body trying to cope with all the changes we go through. My Doctor suggested a course of Stress coping sessions that have helped a little. The main way being that so many of the sensations can be explained by such things as adrenaline levels (fight or flight) feelings. I think I sort of knew this deep down but when its all spelt out it does help it.

You touch on the empty nest syndrone which I found to be a real problem and it strangley does not go away. My girls have been out in the world for a while but I miss their physical prescence so much. I have found that if I can do something useful for someone else - though on low days it can be an effort to do - it really helps. Putting someone else first is so good for the soul. Finding a little pleasure in simple things is also great. We aquired a mad dog who needs long runs in the neighbouring fields. I have to push myself out the door but once dressed suitably I can really feel the benefit when the winds in her ears ans shes chasing invisible rabbits etc etc. Her joy is somehow quite infectious. Am glad you are here bobbi, its miserable thinking what you are going through is just you...its not. So much rubbish is written about menopause in magazines, they all seem to just bang on about hot flushes, when in fact its a whole lot more complicated and so much more individual.

Hello bobbi just read the thread. Everyone on on here will be rooting for you to feel well again and be working to make you feel better. Visit the GP and hopefully you will soon be feeling less unhappy. I suffered from various vague symptoms and thought I was going potty too because none appeared serious and so I thought I was creating them. Discovered I was not and symptoms are now under control ... but I may still be a bit crazy..but that's normal isn't it? Good Luck bobbi

bobbi Kalmsmay have "only natural herbs" but herbs can be very potent. Before modern drugs, herbs were used as narcotics, stimulants, abortifacients, everything. I believe Herr Hitler took a lot of Valerian, to the point of addiction, and look what it did to him!

bobbi stop that Kalms please. Some people are very susceptable to even a small amount of some drugs and it sounds as if you have already discovered the link here.

I suspect your MOT at the docs did not include any thyroid investigations and, if they didn't, perhaps you could go back and ask for one. As when says, you do seem to have some of the sympoms of hyperthyroidism which can be very distressing. Doctors often prescribe antidepressants to people who have unrecognised thyroid problems which of course don't work

Do feel you can whinge as much as you like on here, you will not be alone and it seems to be a good release for some so go for it.

I agree that Flower remedies are not helpful but jeni is right. You have nothing to lose by seeing your GP again. That is what they are there for,to help you feel better.
We are all bonkers on here

bobbi I advise you to take notice of jeni, she is a doctor. My daughter suffered severe anxiety at this time last year and at first struggled on with over-the-counter remedies. Eventually she saw her GP who was wonderful, putting her on medication for quick relief of symptoms as well as for long term benefit. She still takes a low dose of anti-depressant which, apart from an odd wobble, has worked wonders. Councelling was immediately offered and she does meditation when she feels the need. She likes to know there is action she can take for herself, so that she is in control.
Gransnetters were a great support to me when I posted to ask for advice on how to help.
Take care of yourself, hope to hear you are feeling more positive soon.

Hello bobbi welcome to GN, always someone about if you want to pop in and have a chat.

You come on here and have a winge if you want, its does help, not one person on here would criticise you. I am in my 50's and going through the menopause and at times I also feel as if I am loosing my marbles or going bonkers and that I have turned into a someone else, so I know some of what your feeling!! If you feel it would help and want to chat please pm me.

bobbi just spotted your thread before I flop into bed..
hello and welcome to gransnet, I can only repeat what others have said and once you have entered gransnet you will feel a warmth like a big soft fluffy blanket being wrapped around you by people who you may never meet but are very very caring don't be afraid of offending anyone , we have big ears and broad shoulders take care.

Depression and anxiety often go hand in hand.

Yes bobbi I word to your GP is the right way to start to get your life back.

Well said!

Do listen to jeni' please bobbi. What you describe can be helped very easily, and when your anxiety is under control, you'll be in a better place for reflecting on what you need to talk through with friends, a counsellor, or whomever you feel can be helpful

Sorry, I have to disagree about Bach Flower remedies. There is NOTHING in them that can have any effect whatsoever. They are a huge con. You will be wasting your money.

I would advise talking to your doctor. A short course of fluoxetine could possibly help you over this 'patch'.

bobb As someone who has been through the menopause I some times felt as if I were 'going bonkers' . Added to this my DH had been made reduntant and then two days later my dad passed away.
I thought I would never get my life back on track, indeed some days I did not want to get up in the morning.
But just as each day seemed like one hard struggle, things got a little better.
What I am trying to say is , you are not alone with this , we are always here for you.
We all understand the menopause ( well perhaps not all I believe we have some younger ones on here and that includes you !) and most of us knows about empty nest syndrome .
You are not going bonkers !!!! Its just life , it doesn't come with a rule book so we have to make it up as we go along.

Go and talk to GP. This is sounding on what you are saying like an anxiety state.
Easily treated with CBT or some people use medication.
Go to your doc.
Don't try self medication

Hello bobbi. If you are going bonkers you'll be in good company here!
Seriously though....the Bach remedies are very good. Their Rescue Remedy is excellent for anxiety, stress, jitteryness.

I had an 'MOT' a few months ago and physically everything was ok - though last year there was a flutter of hyperthyroidism - these symptoms have only occurred in the last week though which makes me think they may be linked to the valerian extract in the Kalms.

I think I may try out the Bach flower remedies - I haven't tried them but I have heard that they can be quite effective.

It's hard to know at this age (early 50's) if things are physical (menopause), psychological (empty nest syndrome) or just me going bonkers!

Bobbi It's good to hear from you. Sounds to me you have an clear insight to how you are feeling, which is a good sign.
Keep expressing yourself, although I appreciate your sensitivity in opening up - and wisely so.
Visit your GP, as has been mentioned, and know that you are not alone with this. I think that is important.

bobbi, it does sound as though you're in a state of nervous anxiety - the symptoms you describe are exactly what I went through some time ago. The sleep disturbances, loss of appetite and chest twinges are typical - I was also very conscious of my heartbeat and panicked if I thought it was too fast!
I would pay a visit to your GP, as when advises. You won't have to be on medication for ever - as soon as you get the anxiety under control, if you're anything like me the symptoms will disappear and you'll be in control of your life again.