Newbie

[visanic]

Hi-

This is my first post. I'm a 44 year old married male w/ a 7-year old son. I've suffered with Panic/Anxiety/Depression for about 20 years now. I hit my all time low back in February when I was sitting at my desk at work and just couldn't take the depression and anxiety anymore. At that point I decided to take a leave of absence and check myself into a Psych. Facility. This may have been the biggest mistake I've ever made...I"m still trying to figure that out. Once in the facility, the resident P-Doc decided that the Paxil (30mg) and Klonopin (3mg/day) was what was causing all of my troubles (Paxil had lost its efficacy/Klonopin added to my sedation). So he decided to take me off of both drugs..... IN 5 DAYS! Needless to say, I was out of my mind. He also added Wellbutrin to replace the Paxil and that made me even more anxious (on top of the already-nasty WD of the Klonopin).

So here I am now. I found a new Doctor that I like and after many months and med changes, we've settled on Pristiq. Pristiq has taken me out of the abyss, but I feel myself starting to fall down again. I returned to work on June 1st and have been miserable; anxiety, little things are overwhelming, etc.. I am trying to limit the benzo use, but that just makes it worse (trying to fight taking the benzos). I feel that my anxiety levels are worse than ever and my depression (although in check enough to go to work) has started to slowly creep back in again.

So, in a nutshell, that's me.

[The Emperor]

welcome to CB. I'm on Pristiq as well for depression and anxiety, and when it wasn't helping with the depression, doc added Abilify and I feel pretty good since then, so maybe look into something like that if you feel like you're slipping again? Adding a drug can help, or just switching completely.

Anyway, sorry I rambled, welcome and I hope you like it here!

[AirMarshall]

Welcome, welcome!

Feel free to post. Coffee's in the back. If you need help or have questions, PM any of the mods. We have free blogs and live chat.

Cheers, a.m.

[olga]

Welcome, visanic. It sounds like your life has been pretty difficult. I hope the new doc is a good one and helps you get back on your feet a bit.

olga

[visanic]

welcome to CB. I'm on Pristiq as well for depression and anxiety, and when it wasn't helping with the depression, doc added Abilify and I feel pretty good since then, so maybe look into something like that if you feel like you're slipping again? Adding a drug can help, or just switching completely.

Anyway, sorry I rambled, welcome and I hope you like it here!

Thanks to everyone who responded....this is a really great place and I'm glad I found it.

Question for Emperor; how long did the Abilify take to work?

[Guest Vapourware]

Hai, welcome to CB. Sorry to have missed you in chat, you had left just before I'd popped back in.

[foggymind]

Hi Visanic, and everyone else for that matter!

You seem to be in the same unsteady boat as me. I started Pristiq about a month ago and I'm starting to wonder whether or not it's still working. Within a week of starting it, I felt like I was "coming out of the fog" so to speak. But now, it seems like I'm sinking back into the mud again. I think I'll wait a few more weeks before deciding for sure. Hang in there.