Severe Anxiety and Lack of Sleep for 1 month

[MindBodyDoc]

I had to make a career decision between two jobs and for some reason that really triggered a major episode of anxiety and then insomnia for an entire month- it was awful. I had COVID and a sinus infection as this decision had to be made and it was a perfect storm of mess. I then become so fearful from anxiety that I went to psychiatry right away and they gave me on Lexapro and a few sleep aids none of which were great and had side effects so I didn’t want to use. Of course so then came anxiety about sleep etc. I am starting to get a bit better as the decision I made was now in some time passed and that makes it easier but I was wondering ti anyone experienced something like this and if they got better and were eventually able to sleep well again.

[OldestSibling]

I had these same issues with anxiety. I was just prescribed Ativan to help with anxiety attacks and it’s definitely working.

I have been trying every kind of sleeping pill because I’ve always had trouble sleeping. The one that’s finally working is Trazadone 100mg. Everyone reacts different from each sleep med. it took me a long time to find the right one. I would continue to try different meds for it. You have to get a decent amount of sleep for your mental health!

[klm123]

I had the same issues as you. The lexapro I took worked for me because I made other decisions to help. I worked on getting up earlier on work days to at least walk 5 minutes a day which I've increased. I also made it a point to lift weights, a little, after work for like 5 minutes. I also made it a point to stay hydrated and eat something every few hours. It took me a lot of work, at first but now it's just routine. Another thing that helps is picking up a hobby and work on it a few minutes a day - for me it has been something new (gardening) and something I've been meaning to do which is work on my Italian. Everything I just told you I've done has been a great help and it accounts for a minimum of 20ish minutes per day but has grown to about 2 hours a day ( it's good for me because it's flexible). So those are ideas that helped me. Basically, I changed my thinking from - waking up to wake up to do something I may not enjoy - to wake up to do something I enjoy and want to get better at.

[Melly4]

Hi there! What you are describing sounds very similar to what I experienced in mid November. I had some stressful work events that triggered the most severe anxiety and sleep issues Ive ever experienced. Did you discontinue the sleep medicine and the Lexapro?

[MindBodyDoc in reply to Melly4]

Hi Melly I did but I a not sure if it was smart to discontinue - just don’t know I feel so helpless.

[Melly4]

Here was my experience. I was prescribed Lexapro again (had been on previously and took myself off after a year). I knew from taking previously that it would take some time before it helped me feel better. I started taking in mid November and didn’t start feeling myself again until a week or so into January. The insomnia I experienced was the absolute worst part and contributed to the anxiety. I had to take the month of December off because I could barely function. I was prescribed Ambien, then extended release Ambien, then Lunesta. They didn’t help. My doctor finally gave me a low dose one time prescription for Xanax. It was the only thing that helped but still wasn’t the perfect solution for a full 8 hours of sleep. But an improvement. What helped me was sticking with the Lexapro and holding out hope that it would soon start working. And it did after close to 2 months. My doc did adjust from 10-15 mg during that period. Of course everyone is different. But I was scared, feeling hopeless and so damn sleep deprived. 90% of the time I worried I would never be the same again. Not sure what your side effects on the Lexapro were but maybe you didn’t give it enough time. The waiting was brutal for me but so glad I hung in there. Don't lose hope. You will find what works for you ifyou keep at it.

[Melly4]

And it is not uncommon for your anxiety symptoms to increase when starting Lexapro. It can be really tough to stick with something that takes some time to help and can make things feel worse for a bit. Doesn’t seem worth it. But for me, it was worth it!

[MindBodyDoc in reply to Melly4]

Just spoke to my psychiatrist. I just restarted the 5 mg and I need to stick with it!

[CatDogLover]

I wanted to share that I too had work anxiety and was having nearly nightly panic/anxiety attacks. Finally I voluntarily admitted myself to a hospital as I was at wits end. They started me on lexapro 5 mg. I’ve since gone up to 10 mg. Prior to the hospitalization I was taking about 3 .5 mg Xanax per day. Since lexapro I have not had an anxiety attack and I am now weaning off of Xanax. It can be difficult to sleep without the Xanax but in this case I use a long sleep hypnosis/meditation track to listen to. I find this to be very effective. Best of luck!

[MindBodyDoc in reply to CatDogLover]

Thanks! My biggest issue was the increase in anxiety, burning sensation in arms and legs, being jittery and having night sweats from Lexapro 5 mg. Did you have any side effects?

[CatDogLover]

No I didn’t. Perhaps you can consult with your Dr if that is normal?

[Lazy_dog_lover]

Wow, that is a lot for anyone to handle. I am glad you are feeling a little bettter. There are probably a dozen different medications for anxiety and everyone reacts differently. For me, side effects came quickly, also, but we tried several until we got a good match.

If you weighed all of the different factors between the jobs and picked which was best for you, then trust yourself. Give it 100% and you will do well.

Try and add nightly gratitudes (name something, big, small, recent, or a while back…whatever). Say it out loud or write it in a journal. Start and end your day with 10 deep, slow breaths. Deep, like they come from your belly. Hold in for a few seconds.

Good luck.

[Virgo22]

I'm feeling a little better now that I'm taking 20mg of Lexapro. The increase has helped. I haven't had any bad side effects. Have a little more energy and not so panicky all of the time. Also have Klonopin 0.5 mg to take as needed. I have been taking the Klonopin at bedtime because I wasn't sleeping much and it seems to be helping.

[MindBodyDoc in reply to Virgo22]

Did you have any side effects when you started Lexapro?

[Beevee]

As someone has already said, choosing the right job can be a stressful affair in anyone's book, let alone an anxiety sufferer where the symptoms of stress are magnified.In my experience, if you accept that your sleep patterns won't be great and also accept any other anxiety symptom, things will improve with time.

Don't force the issue. Let recovery come to you.

[Lizzo30]

Melatonin is a good sleep aid and I find it helps with covid gastro cytokine storm symptoms