Newbie Intro / Questions about meds

[sko14]

Hey All, I've been lurking a little around this board and was nervous to post..

I've struggled with anxiety and depression my whole life, have been to a few different therapists a couple of times.

I've been on meds off and on but am now taking Citalopram for my anxiety and have a prescription for Ativan for my panic attacks.. I would love to find a better way or an alternative to battle my issues. I get really irrational about H and I TTC our first.. getting panic attacks at my specialists office etc. It seems like its getting worse and Im hoping you all will let me bug you and ask questions!

[icequeen]

Of course you are welcome here. I am sorry you are struggling with TTC, I can certainly empathize. Regarding the medication, I have no experience with Citalopram, and I remember taking Ativan when I was in high school. I don't remember if it really helped me, but at the same time a host of different issues popped up and I ended up ditching all my meds. I do remember that the Ativan made me feel physically too relaxed, like jello, and lethargic. I hope you find some great support in this group!

[Deleted]

I'm new here, too. Welcome.

[sko14]

welcome right back at you then @led!

and icequeen, I feel the same about the Ativan and even the Citalopram, I feel zombie-esk and I hate that numb feeling almost as much as I hate the anxiety :/ that's why I've come off and back on the meds. Thanks for the support

[Deleted]

Hi, Welcome. Feel free to ask questions as needed. I only used Ativan for a short while, but have taken several other anti-anxiety medications over the years.

[Deleted]

Welcome! I don't have any experience with those meds, but please stick around and ask questions, we seem to have a wide range of knowledge/experience here.

[sko14]

thank you @wallflwr926! positive affirmations have been a recent addition to my life too @giamia923! and I will stick around and pick your brains @rocknrollfriend

[bluerainfire]

Nice to meet you- I am not a med type of girl, they also make me zombie like, and numb, or I just can't eat on them.

for me I try to try to figure out why I am so anxious, and take baby steps with breathing. When I rationalize I try to take away all the worse case scenarios, and focus on positive outcomes..

[kmmd]

Welcome! I'm sorry that you're struggling.

I take ativan as needed, and I don't find that it really helps with my anxiety, but I get sleepy really easy with medications, so the ativan definitely makes me tired, which can sometimes help take the edge off of the anxiety. I am on another drug that I believe is the same or very similar to yours, and I like it. It doesn't work 100% obviously, but it helps to take the edge off for me better than anything else that I've tried.

But my best recommendation (as someone who has been there, and as a psychology student) is to take the medication if you need to, and work with a therapist at the same time. Cognitive behavioural therapy is really helpful. I have found that my meds take enough of the edge off that I am able to work on other techniques of calming my anxiety and working through things. I still have a long way to go, but for the first time in my life, I am able to notice small improvements.

[sko14]

thank you so much for your input kmmd !

[helloamanda]

Hi there! Sorry to hear you are struggling. DH and I are also TTC #1, so I can definitely relate. It's a very stressful time and hard not to let yourself get down. I hate having panic attacks in the doctor's office! ((hugs))

I'm on Ativan as needed for my anxiety, and Cymbalta every day for depression. I also see a therapist weekly, where we work on CBT and DBT as well as relaxation techniques and positive affirmations. I like keeping a positive affirmation on my mirror so when I wake up its the first thing I see, and I can repeat it in my head as I get ready. Also, visualizations help me calm down... I've recently figured this out. I visualize everything that's stressing me out, and I put each thing in a box. Once they are all in boxes, I think if there is anything I could work on right then and there. At 1am, it's usually not anything lol Makes me feel better knowing I can't be doing anything.

Wishing you the best! Hope to see you around on here

[sko14]

helloamanda, I love the positive affirmations on the mirror idea! Especially great because the first thing I do is usually pee on a OPK and lately thats been tough! haha

I have a blood draw today to check my hormone levels to see if my body is even cooperating (doctor isn't sure if one of my ovaries are even releasing) so my anxiety levels are creeping up as I sit and wait for my 10:30 appointment!

you ladies are all great

[helloamanda]

sko14 Good luck today!

[sko14]

thank you so much helloamanda! positive vibes all around! I have to get some bloodwork on CD3 now as well so after that I'll go in for a total analysis by Doc. Whenever AF decides to show up that is...