Allow me to introduce myself.

[Chris3291]

Hello all,

I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as I just joined the group. My name is Chris and I live in northern California. I was diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety in 2015, but truthfully, it's something I've struggled with since a very young age. To my best recollection, I had my first panic attack around age 5. I would commonly have vivid nightmares and night terrors, sleep-walk, and become so anxious about sleeping (not lack there of of) I would work myself into a panic attack and vomit. I was unable to regularly stay the night at friends houses until I was a teenager, and even then it wasn't uncommon for me to have an attack.

My symptoms subsided in young adulthood but in 2015, at the age of 26, they reemerged with a vengeance. Ever since I've been struggling to find the right mix of medication, support, and counseling to stabilize my condition. It's gotten so bad in the last year that it eventually cost me my job. I'm currently trying to find new employment as being home alone all day tends to make my symptoms worse.

I recently changed medications from 150 mg of Effexor XR to 20 mg of Viibryd and even more recently, changed my rescue medication from 1 mg of Ativan, which during bad periods (pretty much the last two months) I've had to take up to 3 times a day to control my symptoms to even a tolerable level.

Today is my first day on Klonopin. In fact, I took it only 2 hours ago. I'm unsure if it is going to work as advertised but my hope is that it will get me through until the Viibryd is completely built up in my system (my Pysch. says it takes up to 8 weeks and it's been 4 1/2 weeks that I've been taking it).

Now that I've given you a little bit of info about me, I want to tell you why I'm here. I don't have a lot of friends, and the ones I do have moved away pursuing their career and/or family goals. My wife is overwhelmingly supportive of me, but I can tell her gets frustrated with me sometimes talking about the same problems, faulty thinking and depressive episodes. I'm hoping to connect with people who have similar experiences as I do, and who are willing to listen and lend advise, judgment free.

I hope this is the first conversation of many with you all. It's been a pleasure introducing myself to you.

Sincerely,

Chris

[AZ1970]

Welcome Chris. I am pretty new here myself. Your story sounds very familiar. I am glad we have the forum to reach out and remember that we are not alone.

[mdowning81]

Chris,

I also am suffering with anxiety and depression and am trying to find the right combo of meds. I've just started a new combo today and have been freaking out all morning about it. I'm not sure why but anytime I make a change I get really worked up. I also have a very supportive wife but get it, she needs a break sometimes from my constant obsession over this. That's why we are all here to try and support and help each other

[Rpan]

Welcome chris, my name is Rich. Welcome. I’ve been on this forum for several months, it has helped me to see how we all have similar issues. I hope the new med gives you some relief. I was on Klonopin for many years. I worked well, I came off it for many years also, now I take Ativan as needed. Sleep is a big issue for me also. I so get how just thinking about sleep causes such anxiety. My issue is I hate taking benzo’s I’m on lexapro also. I can’t remember the last time I woke up rested. Last week I crashed for 3 hours in the afternoon, I actually woke up feeling normal, go figure. Sorry about the job, you will find another one I’m sure.

[Starrlight]

Hi Chris! Welcome! I have anxiety/panic and depression as well as ocd and bipolar. I’m currently exercising my way to feeling better and working on thinking positive and getting back into meditating more often. Hope you are having a good day.

[DacodeeDoll]

Hey Chris3291 The klonopin will def help with anxiety. But there are side effects with it nothing serious just bad vivid dreams. But its worth it for me because I have panic disorder. And it relaxes me and allows me to able to leave my home with out having an embarssing panic attack. And it takes effect immed. Before I took it I could not leave my home. I had some kind of crazy fear of the sky. I know "NUTS" LOL. Also it does make you a little tired. But Its better than becoming a recluse for my self. Give it a try. You can always ween off it. I ve been on and off of it for approx. 10 years. Good luck to you.

And be Well

Sue

[Chris3291 in reply to DacodeeDoll]

Thank you Sue, so far it’s been kind of up and down on the Klonopin. I can take 1mg of Ativan 3x/day (every 8 hours) when I’m adjusting to a new dose of an SSRI or other long-acting anti-depressant and be pretty much unaffected.

With Klonopin though, if I take even .5mg, I get SUPER sleepy, very quickly. That’s awesome when I take it before bed (a big part of my anxiety is over sleeping and being able/not being able to fall asleep) but not so great in the middle of the day. I’m hoping I get more accustomed to it over time. The hope is to taper off of it once I get adjusted to the appropriate dosage of Viibryd. Thanks again for the perspective.