ANXIETY.............that just gives me anxiety!

[ClockworkOrange]

Don't expect any replies, just letting off steam as I am thoroughly fed up not being able to ride, swim or do anything!


2008 - Coped with COPD
2009 - Aspergillosis and a year of steroids
2010 - Finally recover after 10 months from a broken back

So I thought roll on 2011! Then the last four weeks have been lousy, first a supposed chest infection, so antibiotics and steroids just in case. My body reacted to the steroids, so it was another 10 days of just tapering off the damned things!

I have been so lethargic, jittery, breathless, palpitations blah blah blah.

Now my GP is convinced it is Anxiety and I must agree, so do I. All my life I have coped but suddenly my coping mechanism has shut down.

Agreed to taking citalopram (citalopram) but did it make me rough this morning, so tomorrow will try half a tablet and take later in the evening.

.................goes off singing "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike"

[spokewench]

Hang in there Clock - life just sucks sometimes!

[Crankin]

Preface: I am not a doctor, but I am a therapist...
Why does your doctor think it is anxiety? Anxiety doesn't cause a broken back, chest infection,or COPD.
Yes, symptoms of GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) can include sleep disorders (both not sleeping or too much sleeping), irritability, heart palpitations, feeling "off." But, it's also accompanied by a feeling of worry on most days than not, for at least six months. Do you feel worried? Thinking or ruminating on the same thing over and over? Any panic attacks?
Recovering from illness and injury can cause depression and anxiety. Counseling, mindfulness meditation, and moderate exercise are the first lines of treatment for anxiety and depression... particularly when chronic illness is involved.
Citalopram has side effects. You need to call your doctor right away and report how you feel; please don't try to change the dose without medical advice. It is used mostly to treat depression, but is prescribed, somewhat off-label for anxiety. I am not opposed to medication at all, but it's a little unusual to be prescribed an SSRI without a recommendation for therapy and other non-medical treatments.

[NbyNW]

We're here for you, Clock. You're coming out of a tough run and it can take a long time to feel like your old self again. (((hugs)))

[OakLeaf]

(((((Clock))))) What Crankin said. Talk to your doctor and get a referral for counseling so you can get a good diagnosis and treatment.... and possibly ask for a medication that doesn't have so many side effects.

I'm not a doctor or a therapist, but I can't imagine why steroid withdrawal wasn't the first thing he considered, if you were on another round recently. Ten days seems a very short taper for someone who's been on pred in the past. My dad had to taper for a year after his last bout of prednisone. All the symptoms you described could be from steroid withdrawal...

[Catrin]

((((Clock)))) Everyone has such good advice that I can't add to it, but sending you warm thoughts, hugs, and prayers. It does sound like your GP may have jumped to conclusions a little quickly - and if it does turn out that he or she was correct then there has got to be a better medication than an off-label use...