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Post by bubble212 on Apr 14, 2010 2:27:54 GMT
Hi all, I have just recently been diagnosed with PPI and have been put on to fluoxetine, which I have been taking for the past 2 days 20mg. I have this evening experienced some strange and very scary feelings. I found it very difficult to get to sleep this evening, which after a long day was surprising, and then after finally falling asleep I suddenly woke up, felt extremely panicky, felt nauseaous and felt like my toungue was numb. I get these feelings when having a panic attack but to a lesser degree, and I have never been woken up feeling this way. Could it be side effects of the ad's afetr only two pills? It feels like its neverending at the moment, just when I was starting to think hopefully things will start to improve a little now I have been diagnosed and am having some treatment I feel like this. I could cope with just nausea and sweating but I can't cope with this sudden onset of severe panic. I felt like my face was all burning up and just complete panic. I have had to get up to try to calm myself down, I was worried I was having some kind of allergic reaction. Should I seek medical help or is this normal to begin with? do I need to be put on a different ad? Any help advice would be greatly appreciated. x
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Post by bubble212 on Apr 14, 2010 2:28:58 GMT
Sorry I meant PNI! X
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Post by juppster on Apr 14, 2010 11:02:03 GMT
Hay bubble
sorry you're experiencing some side effects from the fluoxetine. In my experience, yes you can get side effects quite early on when taking anti d's...it doesn't necessarily mean they are not the right ones for you. Usually the side effects should start to decrease after a couple of weeks and things should start to pick up. How are you feeling this afternoon?
If you are really concerned about them, it may be worth ringing and talking to your GP or nurse just to put your mind at rest.
Keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on xx
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Post by bubble212 on Apr 14, 2010 16:03:35 GMT
Thank you, Yes apparently it is normal to feel this way in the beginning, I spoke to my GP today and feel more reassured. I am hoping they will calm down sooner rather than later, but if the pills work they will be worth it!
Thankyou for your response, hope you are having a good day. x
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Post by juppster on Apr 14, 2010 16:51:27 GMT
Hey..so glad you're feeling a little more reassured ;D
I know the first few weeks can be really tough but you will get through them...we are all here to support you and yes, it definitely will be worth it once you start to feel back to your normal self again xxx
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Post by winegirl on Apr 14, 2010 20:04:08 GMT
Hi Bubbles
I was exactly the same on the meds.. Most people go through this when they start on the SSRI's. The stats say only 1 in 10 people go through these side effects, but I think it is more like 1 in 4! It may be a tough ride for a week or two for you, but hang on in there with them mate because it will improve!!!
Take Care
WG xx
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Post by bubble212 on Apr 15, 2010 14:45:58 GMT
Thank you all, It does seem to have calmed down a little now with only occassional nausea and I managed to get throught the night last night without waking up in a hot panic! WG - we seem to have had a simalar experience with this illness with the dizziness being the first symptom we noticed. Tell me, did you feel depressed as such before you were diagnosed, because for me I kept saying to myself it can't be this because it is the dizziness that made me feel depressed and anxious not the other way around. Also I have been suffering from an incredibly tight neck almost as if its cramping, I think its related to the dizziness, did you ever experience this? and also although I have been checked by ENT who said there was nothing wrong I do sometimes have ear symptoms, feelings of pressure, cracking etc. thanks Bubble x
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Post by juppster on Apr 15, 2010 16:28:46 GMT
Hey I just wanted to let you know my experience. The first time i was diagnosed with depression was as a result of suffering a panic attack on a flight back from Mexico...this in turn led to crippling anxiety which then led to the depression...i.e. it was the anxiety and panic attacks that led me to being depressed. when I had my little boy 3 years ago, again it was the anxiety that led to me being depressed...hence being diagnosed with pni. so from your question, in my experience, i would say that yes, its possible that your depression has evolved due to your anxiety...i would say unfortunately they go hand in had sometimes sorry to butt in to your question to WG and im sure she will be along later to answer you too but just wanted to let you know my experience!! Hope you don't mind Im glad things were better for you last night...how has today been for you? xx
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Post by winegirl on Apr 15, 2010 18:52:20 GMT
Hi Bubble
Yes to the neck pain and ear thing definately! And yes, my argument against PNI was that I was never depressed! The only time I got down was after months of suffering the physical symptoms of the anxiety - i guess this is why it came as such a shock to me that it was PNI!
The nausea was a massive problem to me as I am emetophobic (fear of nausea and vomitting), but I sorted this to an extent with an over the counter anti-emetic called Buccastem. Might be worth looking into if it is a symptom you struggle with for a bit?
I am living proof that this gets better hun, and if you ever want to talk about it anytime please do??
Take Care
WG xx
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Post by caterina on Apr 15, 2010 23:42:41 GMT
Hey bubble I had a very similiar experience to yours when I first started taking fluoxetine, I had what I can only think was a panic attack (never had one before or since) and I just needed to get out the house, didn't feel I could breathe properly, and then all the other lovely side effects came too - nausea, excessive sweating (although this seems to be confined to sweaty palms so I just don't shake hands!) shaky hands but they become more bearable as time goes on, you learn to deal with them and the benefits outweigh the cons. As for your stiff neck I thought I'd tell you I have a similiar situation while taking fluoxetine, it's not my neck but I find I keep my jaws clamped tightly together (not realising) to the point of hurting my cheek muscles, i think fluoxetine can cause tension in certain parts of your body, i've looked through the info sheet and it's not mentioned, this is just my little diagnosis, but that's all I can put it down too. Keep going with them, they're magic little pills! xx
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Post by bubble212 on Apr 16, 2010 19:25:42 GMT
Hi all, Thanks for your responses. It is such a strange illness and it really seems to creep up on you. People had suggested it to me before I was diagnosed and I had none of it saying 'no, I;m not depressed, just fed up of being dizzy' but I never knew you could have physical symptoms caused by PNI. Also I am not just dizzy when I am anxious I get dizziness when I am totally calm. The dizziness gets worse if I am panicking but it doesn't dissapear in calm times. Thankfully the side effects of pills seem to be dissapearing now, apparently I am on a very low dose of 20mg a day, is that right? My neurologist wanted to give me citropalm (wrong spelling!) but my GP prescribed fluoxetine. My friend said the other one is better, has anyone else had experience of this? Its great to hear others experiences of this illness, thanks for sharing! xxxx
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Post by juppster on Apr 16, 2010 19:43:36 GMT
Hi there
Glad your side effects are starting to dissipate. With regards to the difference between Fluoxetine and Citalopram I would say, from my experience of taking both, the Citalopram helped me more with the anxiety....BUT, everybody is different and the drugs react differently with each individual so it really is a personal preference.
20mgs is, i believe, the normal starting dose for Fluoxetine and can go up to 60mgs (i think...WG might need your professional input here!!)
Hopefully as the days go by you will start to feel better and get stronger and your symptoms will get less. xxx
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Post by Weeble on Apr 16, 2010 21:17:33 GMT
Hi Bubble
Juppster is spot on about the doses. I have taken fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline and cant tell the difference with any of them, to how I feel. But my OH takes Citalopram and it has done him wonders. A couple of my friends with PNI are on citalopram as well.
Totally get the strange illness thing, I still have arguments with my healthcare professionals that I feel totally different to what the books say I should feel like. However the girls here have helped me understand it and see it for what it is. Keep talking here, this has made more difference to me than drugs, psychiatrist, therapists and even sleep.
Hope you are have a good day tomorrow
Kat
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Post by winegirl on Apr 17, 2010 7:11:51 GMT
Well this is just my experience..
Fluoxetine was horrid for me (though everyone is different). Sent me round the bend with the increased anxiety - so I binned them after 3 weeks and went onto the escitalopram (which is pretty much the same as citalopram) and i still went through increased anxiety side effects for a coupel of weeks, but then finally started to have improvements.
Yes, i got the dizziness even when completely calm too! It drove me mad that i could find no reason for this! I often think the anxiety started because of the diziness, nausea etc..
If you are interested in teh switch over from fluoxeting to citalopram, I have two threads in the meds section from when i started on both (one after the other) that i still ook back on myself sometimes to see how i improved etc..
How are you feeling today? Let us know how you are getting on xx
WG x
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