Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Justjules on March 18, 2016, 05:13:26 PM
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Well, after the last couple of months of hell on Sertraline (older thread), basically came off them, tapered but then did cold turkey off 25mg with the help of diazepam from Dr and felt so much better. Still got head whooshes and anxiety but not as bad as was. Away in Spain for a break, nearly didn't come but made myself. Got through the awful early start as flight was at 7am managed flight ok, for which I've had therapy for and it helped. Anyway, yesterday an episode of sitting in sun and heart suddenly started racing like mad, managed to get up to apartment and lay down doing deep breathing but took ages to settle, had a sleep and woke up and felt better so put it down to bit too much sun. Now today, family made me go for a walk around apartment complex....they all walk faster than me but managed but we popped into the sauna/gym and jacuzzi area and it was very humid and warm in there. Only in there to look around for about 5 mins or so but then once I got outside I thought I was going to pass out....felt all weird in head and couldn't walk properly and didn't feel like a normal faint feeling, more of "oh gosh, I'm gonna drop here and conk out" .... told son but he said it's just your anxiety, you're fine, it passed off quick but scared the hell out of me and has now spoilt the rest if the day as I am worried it's my heart or I was going to drop with brain hemorrhig or such like....God, I'm such a drama queen but so sick of being like this. Maybe thinking it was just the change in temp coming back out into the fresh air but thinking now it's gonna happen again and worrying. I know I am nowhere near back to normal after the horrendous couple of months I've had and prob still suffering a few withdrawals but need to get over this. Now I can't wait to get home to go to GP and see if I need tests. Sorry for long post but so wanted and needed this break and gonna fret till Tuesday every day. I'm even looking at where the nearest clinics are to where we are just in case :'(
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I do not know you and am not medically qualified so of course you need to get it checked out, but do you want to know what my gut feeling was as I read your post? That the Sertraline could still be in your system and could be the cause of your strange feelings and sensations.
I had escitalopram for 5 months and after speaking to my GP I am stopping them as I was still having side effects and they weren't helping me. I am all right but still get intermittent strange sensations and weird feelings. these chemicals change the dynamics of our bodies and therefore must take a while to leave our systems.
I had Fluoxetine years ago for 6 months and it took me another 6 months to get off them.
Hope you can enjoy some of what is left of your holiday.
Oh, and you are not useless, not at all, but you are not quite well x
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KNow the feeling, my post on needing a new spine I updated today about almost fainting at lunchtime in a hot hotel dining room after eating hot rich food. I too was convinced I was going to drop to the floor as my eyesight was going starry and my legs like jelly but thankfully managed to get to the toilets and sit on the floor and it passed. It's the worst feeling isn't it.
I too would imagine your still suffering withdrawal from the anti-d and this added onto the hot room and anxiety could account for it.
I do totally understand your fear as I feel exactly the same at this moment in time!
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I suspect it's a combination of anxiety at being away from safe environment and residual effects of the AD. I woke up during night with a hot sweat and felt like my number was up- strange head feeling and just odd, not helped by fact that they'd told me my BP was a bit high yesterday- I lay there thinking stroke and then thought well if it is, it'll either get worse or I'll be dead by morning and I went back to sleep. I know what you are going through as my peri symptoms have shifted again so it's like the worrying and rationalising has to start all over again. Try and enjoy your holiday xx
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More like feeling suddenly hot = anxiety attack. Anxiety surges can feel like hot water in my veins which scared the wits out of me the first few times. I still have to wear layers because when I get suddenly hot I have to strip off :o :-X …. and always know where the nearest exit is or I feel trapped.
You've got there, give yourself some *slack*. Useless yesterday, 2-day and 2-morrow will be different (I meant to type!) - I don't look any further than half a day at a time and if you simply need to sit but the pool with book whilst the others go out and about, then do so ;-).
What would your GP test for? What would reassure you? Little steps …….
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Thanks ladies...sorry for panicky post. Does make me anxious even being away from home but had a better day today even though dreadful lethargy still first thing in the mornings. Can't understand it and that's why I think there must be something going on 'underneath' all this supposed withdrawal stuff as I was only on the tablets two months. This holiday is amazing to be honest....gorgeous apartment, good company, being looked after by sister-in-law and had a great afternoon in the centre of Marbella old town having tapas and laughs with some friends of sister-in-law. Just a bit weepy at times as I keep getting overcome at the niceness of it all and how lucky I am but just wished I didn't feel like every day is such a struggle so that's why I panicked yesterday at faint weird head thingy and can't then convince myself that it could all be just part and parcel of the anxiety. We went for a lovely meal last night with our sons and they all gave me a good talking to and I got all emotional because they were so lovely about it all and supportive. They were shocked at just how health anxiety makes you think and didn't realise the half of it and the fear it causes and that is how it is every day. Determined to enjoy next few days and yes, just do what I
want to do/feel capable of doing. Thanks again for your support ladies. Xxxx
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It's the worry that my anxiety won't go away to enable me to enjoy where I am :sigh: :'( - so it becomes a vicious circle.
Thanks for the update. I often feel close to tears when I've had a good day ……. particularly if I've expected otherwise. How's the weather? sounds warm!
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Hi CKLD, the weather is mixed....we had rain and some sunshine the last two days and today is about the same. At least it's lovely when the sun is out. Having a low day today tho....woken up weepy ans sick of myself and a bit of cabin fever with the relatives going on after day 5 but home tomorrow....oh just the thought :hotflash: :kick:
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Great to hear you have had as good a holiday as you could and that you have talked to your family about how you are feeling.
I have had this health anxiety all my life and can remember always being terrified of going away because I did not have access to my Drs surgery ::) This was in the days when you could just walk into your surgery and see a Dr there and then.
Now its not as easy to see a Dr the fear has mostly gone.
It is a viscious circle as we have genuine health symptoms but this just triggers the anxiety and this triggers more symptoms and on it goes.
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I was the same countrybumpkin - and if I knew the GP was on holiday I would feel dreadful !
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Glad I'm not the only one, the thoughts of being away from home scare the living daylights out of me. But I'm determined to go on hols this summer with Hubby and do my best to enjoy it, It's not fair on him when I keep spoiling things with this blooming anxiety, It's easy to let your mind take over with all the what ifs
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It isn't my mind though, it's my gut and then m y legs go weak and then I'm curled in a ball unable to do anything :'( and Himself would rather I be well at home so that we can go on day trips rather than panic whilst away and have to return.
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It's the worry that my anxiety won't go away to enable me to enjoy where I am :sigh: :'( - so it becomes a vicious circle.
Thanks for the update. I often feel close to tears when I've had a good day ……. particularly if I've expected otherwise. How's the weather? sounds warm!
You Ladies are scaring me. I'm 51 have had all the norm Hot flashes, mood swings, Heavy periods, itchy skin, can't sleep, Joint pains and my heart races but your making it sound as now I will get weirded out also. I won't be able to handle that as I am dealing with a Divorce after being married for 27 years.
It is hard enough to think of being alone. Please don't tell me I am also going to get all weirded out also???
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Oh don't be scared. You are amongst friends here ;-).
I can't imagine being divorced :-\ ……. must feel like a real sense of loss :'(
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Don't be scared of something that might not happen. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones who doesn't suffer with anxiety or panic attacks. But know there is help and support and don't try and do it alone. do you have family or friends you can confide in, and are you taking hrt it is supposed to help with anxiety as well as other symptoms. I started hrt two weeks ago and am hoping it will ease my anxiety soon
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CLKD Going through a divorce after 27 years makes me feel like I let myself down, and relief at the same time.I tried to get my husband to see he needed help for many years, he said it was everyone else. I finally decided I needed to start thinking about myself. Kids are grown and don't need me like they use to. You can not change a person who does not want to change and that was hard for me to grasp that I couldn't fix it. Throw menopause symptoms into the mix and it has been a tough year.
Yammy 1 As of now I don't take hrt. I am tiring to exercise and take more time for myself.
I lost my mom a year ago this month and my dear friend of 30 years 2 years ago. My husband chased away all our other friends so no I really don't have anyone to talk to. I am slowly tiring to rediscover who I am.
Sorry for my sad life's story, but am glad I could vent.
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07drichard so sorry to hear about your loss of your Mam and friend that has to be tough. But I have found this site really comforting and no one judges anyone. It's a relief to get things off your chest and at least if you have no one else to talk to you can always come here where we're all in the same boat to some degree or another. I really hope everything works out for you and you start to feel better soon :bighug:
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Thanks for sharing - now you can get on with caring for you 07 …….. little steps ;-).
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Thanks Ladies for the kind words.The post about getting those bad Panic attacks even scared me more than what I am about everything.
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Hi 07drichard.... ha, advice from me, who of course, is great at dishing out the advice but not taking it - just like CKLD keeps saying - little steps and a day at a time....if you're not into it, get into mindfulness and some deep breathing - plenty of good stuff on You Tube. It does help honestly - you just have to remember to do it!
x
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Hi 07drichard.... ha, advice from me, who of course, is great at dishing out the advice but not taking it - just like CKLD keeps saying - little steps and a day at a time....if you're not into it, get into mindfulness and some deep breathing - plenty of good stuff on You Tube. It does help honestly - you just have to remember to do it!
x
I am doing some Yoga and also exercising using resistant bands, which seems to help. Plus I lost 12lbs that makes me happy. I have tried mindfulness but my mind right now is so full it really has not helped. Maybe when life is settled a little I will try again.
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Home now ?