The ups and downs

[arcenciel]

I seem to be okay in the morning, but then by the afternoon, I get jittery and anxious. Does anyone else have this experience? I take half a klonopin, and it doesn't seem to help. I'm taking trintellix 5 mg at bedtime, and I'm wondering if it's wearing off by the afternoon of the following day. It's like my whole body is quivering. Anyone experiencing this?

[Olinick]

Yes, I often feel okay in the morning but as the day wears on the anxiety gets worse. It isn't every day but enough that I have noticed it. Part of why I think it happens to me is at the end of the day, work is done and now I have time to think about the day. Then I start to beat myself up over every little thing. When the anxiety is bad I will take a quarter of a klonopin but I put it under my tongue. That way it gets absorbed into my system faster. You may want to try that. I have never taken the other drug you talked about so I can't say anything about that.

[Sewcoolsue in reply to Olinick]

I’m like that, but for me I know it’s the caffeine I’m drinking in the early afternoon. I really need to switch to decaf. But for you, I would call your doctor and let him or her know what’s happening.

[guynfl2chat]

My anxiety can be worse in the mornings and better as the day goes on. I think it really depends on the person. Maybe if you take the med a few days before you have the sensations and see how you feel. I sometimes use my medication as a preventative and it works better. Still only take as needed.

[Chica123]

Hi, I often feel like that and have tried to come up with strategies to help. I keep kava tea bags on hand (it really helps me calm the anxiety when it’s starting); I use mindfulness and the 4-7-8 (Dr Weil) breathing technique and that can help, too. Also read a book called D.A.R.E. and use those strategies on how to think about my anxiety and not stressing about it... it’s very cyclical and can spiral into a panic attack (anxiety about anxiety)... I just acknowledge it for what it is (feeling anxious) but not fighting it... it usually passes after a bit. Using mindfulness to redirect my thinking outside of myself is a big help, too. I wish it would just go away altogether- it definitely isn’t easy and some days are better than others. It’s usually the days that I’m really busy.

[Chica123 in reply to Chica123]

Also had to give up caffeine ...

[Olinick in reply to Chica123]

I don't drink coffee but I do take Excedrine Migraine for headaches and at times caffeine pills. I find the same thing everyone else is saying about caffeine - it makes the anxiety much worse.

[Olinick in reply to Chica123]

The 4-7-8 sounds like something my therapist taught me to do. My problem is remembering to do it when I am in the anxiety. It really does help though. I should look into the book you mentioned.

[arcenciel in reply to Chica123]

What is 4-7-8?

[Chica123 in reply to arcenciel]

Hi, it’s a deep breathing technique that really helps reduce anxiety... You can find it on YouTube (search for Dr Weil 4-7-8)... it’s essentially deep breath in to the count of 4, hold your breath to the count of 7, exhale to the count of 8 (through pursed lips). You do this 4 times. I realized when I start feeling anxious that my breathing becomes more shallow... this helps to slow down and take deeper breaths.

[arcenciel in reply to Chica123]

Thanks! Just tried it, and it helped a bit.

[arcenciel]

Yeah, I've reduced my intake of caffeine also. Thanks for responding and sharing your experience. Will check out that book you mentioned, "D.A.R.E."

[Meli1992]

That is me everyday, from the moment I wake up until I fall asleep. My anxiety has gotten out of control and so I'll be put on medication once I start seeing a new psychiatrist in two weeks. I started seeing a psychologist yesterday. Having therapy and medication can help. I think you should speak to your doctor about your symptoms and see if he can raise your doses or put you on something else. I hope it works out for you. You are not alone in this.

[arcenciel in reply to Meli1992]

Thank you.