Had to Tweak My Celexa and Neurontin Again
So after the last adjustment, (See the post “My Psychiatrist Tweaked my Anti Anxiety/Depression medication“) I felt good for a few days and then not so much. I was feeling down each morning and very jumpy during the day. Upon visiting the Psychiatrist for my regular maintenance visit. he said we should go down a drop on the Celexa which could be over stimulating me, and up a bit on the Neurontin. So I am taking 90 mg of Celexa now and 2700 mg of Neurontin.
Guess what? I feel great again. I feel happy when I wake up and …
I Can Fall Asleep Despite Having Anxiety Disorder!
For years I have had problems going to sleep. I currently take 50 mg of Trazadone to help me in this area. My psychiatrist wants to avoid having me use something like Ambien daily because it is addictive, and Trazadone is not. He explained that this is an old school antidepressant that is not addictive and is very useful for sleep issues.
Well, even with the Trazadone (or Ambien at times) I used to read or watch TV in bed until I became drowsy. I had to feel drowsy or I would/could not lay down. My husband would beg me to shut the …
My Psychiatrist Just Tweaked My Anti-Anxiety/Depresson Meds
So my doc just called me back. Only a few hours after I’d left a message saying that I was not feeling so great. (See the last post Advocating-for-your-anxious-self-with-your-doctor.) He agreed that it is a good idea to make some small changes today and then discuss the results when I see him next week for my regular visit. He said to increase the Neurontin from 2100 mg to 2400 mg, and the Celexa from 80 mg to 100 mg. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!
Advocating for Your Anxious Self with your doctor
It is so hard to realize when I need a change in my medication. Now that my depression and anxiety disorders have been stabilized, problems do not jump out at me. Bad feelings creep up slowly, and I find myself being sucked down without realizing I need a rope. And/or I question my own judgement, accusing myself of being dramatic or overreacting. If I discuss this with my now part time therapist, she will focus on my reactions to daily life. While this is relevant, I know that it is more than just life’s bumps. It is my inability to deal with them. And not because I need …
Don’t stop taking your anti anxiety medication if you feel good!
My daughter, who I have written extensively about here (see the post My Daughter Got Help with her Anxiety) had been doing soooo well. Anti anxiety medication alone was not enough for her. With the addition of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she began to have many anxiety free days and was sleeping well. In addition, she started acupuncture for her migraine headaches which had not been responding to medication (and are connected to her anxiety). The acupuncture was working well for her too! And then her therapist and her psychiatrist decided that maybe Beth should try to wean off of some …
Done with Paxil, finally
Well, I did it. My psychiatrist said it takes a few months for the paxil to be completely out of your system after you have taken the last dose. During that time there is a mix of emotions but for me it was not too bad. I have only had to take a xanax about 2 times to calm myself down. I had some nights with very vivid dreams during the transition period and that was very disturbing because when you wake up it is so hard to shake such a dream.
So now I am taking 80 mg of celexa …