[PlasticMonkey]

Yesterday i went to the emergency room because i had major anxiety, Im not sure if Citalopram was causing the increase in anxiety or not but, i have never had anxiety quite that bad before except for one other occasion.

When the doctor came in, i told her everything. The way i was feeling, my rapid thoughts, how i had gotten a concussion and diagnosed with PCS, my drug abuse in the past ( only marijuana, nothing else) and other symptoms.

Some of the symptoms i have that might be from Bipolar:
-Rapid thoughts (sometimes good sometimes bad)
-Severe Irritability (Occasionally)
-Rapid talking (Depending on the person im talking to)
-Memory difficulties (could also be from PCS)
-Fatigue
-Frequent up and down moon
-Headaches and body aches (This might explain some of the weird pains i've had)
-Sleep abnormalities
-Trouble focusing
-Anxiety

The only reason i mention Bipolar because the doctor said it could have been triggered from my past drug abuse, and the fact that my biological father has bipolar.

The anxiety is really just awful, im afraid of going insane, i worry what is wrong with me, im scared i might have psychosis etc...

I'm going to have another doctor appt have them refer me to a psychologist and get things straightened out.

Feedback is welcomed..i would enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Edit: I forgot to mention she also talked about PTSD and say that may also be something that i've come across. =/

[Mark in Idaho]

I used to have extreme anxiety attacks. I would just hide in the dark bedroom with my 'recovery' music after taking a propanolol. Sometime, I would even need my dog to hold/stroke to occupy my hands.

What was going on in the 8 hours before your anxiety attack? I bet there was some sort of trigger. I could always identify a trigger.

[PlasticMonkey]

8 hours beforehand i was i think maybe laying down? I cant really remember now that i think about it. But i did notice i started getting the really bad anxiety about 3-4 hours after taking the Citalopram.

[Mark in Idaho]

The citalopram should have a sedating action. Did you consume anything?

[pretdou]

Just a thought....I would look up possible side effect of citalopram. It seems that those with a history of head injury are more susceptible to side effects involving the brain. I have seen this with my daughter.

Best to you and hope you are able to get this figured out.

[Jinxicat9]

Hi PlasticMonkey,

There are so many doctors out there that don't know more than the basics about having a BI. Every symptom you listed is also a symptom of a BI.
I was on Citalopram for a bit and it made me feel worse. Citalopram often does not work the same on a person with a BI.

Also, I noticed that if I did not take the Citalopram at the same time everyday it would make me feel mentally incapacitated.

I switched to Lexapro (now available in generic) and started feeling less symptomatic within a few weeks. Lexapro does seem to have a larger window on when I take it also. If I'm late taking it, the symptoms are not near as extreme as with citalopram.

I also would advise a neuro-psychological assessment...It is invaluable in an accurate diagnosis. No one should be diagnosed until one has been performed.

If I'm symptomatic, I also go to a dark quiet place and meditate, find my balance, get centered again...Whatever one wants to call it, it does help, particularly if I'm on sensory over-load.

I know some don't want to take Xanax...I resisted taking it for a long time. I do find it helpful now in moderation when my anxiety levels are making me feel near manic. It happens sometimes and it's a normal symptom of a BI.

I think most of us have felt that "mental tilt" at times and wonder if we're going over edge with no control.

One last thing I wholeheartedly recommend is that your vitamin levels are checked and you become vigilant about taking what supplements are recommended, particularly if it is the Bs or D vitamins. Adhering to a good healthy diet and limit fast food to maybe once a month. Many fast foods are packed with chemicals, preservatives, hormones and chemical dyes that reek havoc on our brains.

My doctor and neuro advised a Mediterranean style diet with lots fresh fruits and fresh veggies, eggs, beans, whole grains and to avoid commercially canned products when possible. Since starting it, I have felt better with more energy and stamina. I really do feel a difference and it has been any more expensive in comparison.

I wish you calm, confident and peaceful days to come.

[pcslife]

Hello PlasticMonkey,
I was on Elavil (another SSRI like Citalopram) and didn't do much for my anxiety. My anxiety is due to dizziness, pain etc., After few months of my injury dr. gave me Xanax to go into an MRI. By chance I found Xanax worked better than any medicine. I tried quite a few like neurontin, Cymbalta etc.,

I took Xanax for a while every day but stayed with minimum dosage. Now I take it on a need only basis like Jinxicat9. Sometimes my anxiety has no trigger and just thinking like how long I have to suffer or just have to go to grocery store thought etc., triggers anxiety. Not fun on top of constant dizziness, pain, cinderblock head, fatigue etc.,

If only we can control our thoughts, anxiety can be well managed. Approximately we have about 50,000 thoughts in a day and most of our thoughts are of no use Meditation can be used a tool to control it. You can also try yoga if you don't have any neck issues, dizziness etc.,

Since brain is messed up we need some help from medicine. Now I am trying Trileptal - dr. described for pain but it works for other issue I think like my smell disorder. Not sure how much worked for anxiety. This med also prescribed for Bipolar Disorder. Instead of Elavil in the beginning I think they should have tried some anti-seizure medicine for me which would have helped me a lot. I had bleeding on my brain and sure my brain was agitated a lot though EEG was negative but QEEG showed tremendous stress on frontal lobe.

Other things which helped me is Neurofeedback, cranio sacral therapy, myofascial pain release.

Only way to know how any medicine works is to try and find out. If you are lucky you can find the right med, therapy and get some peace.

[PlasticMonkey]

My anxiety levels have been so high i almost convinced myself i had schizophrenia.. and was afraid of having psychosis or something. Occasionally i'll have a tune playing in my head that i just keep thinking and thinking about. Im not hearing it outside of my head im thinking of the tune...Im not hearing voices or seeing things, however i do seem to have a bit of derealization still..

Im starting to wonder if maybe im developing schizo or somethin because of my past drug abuse.

I have rapid thoughts and intrusive ones at that, someones it feels as if im hallucinating when i lay my head down to go to sleep. Just when it feels like i drift off to sleep it feels like the dreaming has already started and i havent even fallen asleep yet.

[Eowyn]

Those could be auditory hallucinations -- which are a possible side effect of the medication. Have you checked back in with the doc who prescribed the med to report on what you're experiencing?

[PlasticMonkey]

No i havent talked to my doc about it yet, im calling her today when they open though.