Hello.
I’m 41 female and recently had a rough patch with some anxiety around my health. My GP diagnosed me with GAD and put me on citalopram which I had taken a few years ago with no issue. For some reason I had an awful response this time and was in a permanent state of fight or flight panic. I got no sleep for weeks and lost weight and couldn’t eat or leave my room.
I have two small children so I stopped the medication after only 6 days but these effects continued. I experienced burning sensations up and down my body and couldn’t sleep, so I was eventually given mirtazepine.
At 7.5mg it immediately stopped the panic and it was like a miracle. I slept and slept and felt calm. I then moved to 15mg after a week. It’s been four weeks since on that dose and I am up and down, some days feeling ok (not truly happy or myself but functioning) and some days I feel anxious and panicky.
two nights ago I experienced a panic attack before bed out of no where. The next day I was very upset and anxious. Sometimes I get this awful fleeting feeling of darkness crossing my mind, it scares me and makes me feel as though I am not in control of my own mind. other times I almost feel a sense of hope and peace.
In the morning I wake with a huge rush of cortisol and heart racing. It’s there when I wake no matter what.
My doctor wants me to increase slowly to 22.5 then 30mg but the internet is full of stories of people who had more anxiety on going up. I am terrified, I don’t know what to do, I can’t go back to the fear and panic I had before but I feel stuck.
Has anyone experienced this? Is there any chance the 15mg can work for me with more time? Or am I just not getting the right amount of medication?
Thanks so much
I want so much to be well again.
Nell