New to Forum, need advice.

[im_the_gimp]

Hi. I'm new to the forum, and have a few things that I am increasingly concerned with and by. Firstly, I feel like I am loosing the ability to recall things that I know, I know, but struggle to recall them. This happens all of the time @ work and it is becoming a detriment to my efficiency. I am always nervous or anxious about going to work and have been relieved of duty once already after only 3 months on the job, due to not being able to leave the house. I can't really explain this behavior, because I have always been an outgoing type of person, @ least I believe myself to have been. I am now questioning that assumption. I have been taking anti-depressants now for the last 10 years or so, along with blood pressure drugs too. I am beginning to wonder if the meds are having an effect on my neurological functions. I don't know if there is anything that can be done because I am all of the above, hypertensive,depressed and now, it seems anxious. I am struggling as well with chronic pain from arthritis, from injuries sustained on the job and off the job. I have been an abuser of alcohol and various drugs all of my adult life, but lately have got all under control with the exception of cigarettes. I know that I am my on worst enemy also. I am sorry for going on so long, but I guess I just need to vent a little and see if someone else is in my same boat. Thanx so much for listening.

Cymbalta 60mg
Diovan 150mg
Atenolol 10mg
Ibuprofen 1200 to 2400mg

Only drink occasionally, once or twice a year.
no drugs other than prescribed.(think about it though, all of the time)

[Morning Glory]

Welcome to the forums.

I found this list of side effects for antidepressants. I don't know how long you've been on the Cymbalta, but if your symptoms are different than with other antidepressants you've taken you should talk to your doctor.

Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.

I would also ask your doctor to check your thyroid. Your thyroid can also cause symptoms like those you describe if it is not functioning well. I'm sorry you have to live with chronic pain. That is very hard to endure.

I wish I had more to offer, but I think you need to talk to your doctor. There could be a combination of things going on. I've been through the ringer myself with some of these symptoms and it's hard to find the answers.

Hugs,
MG

[im_the_gimp]

Thanx, for your input. The thyroid thing makes sense, now that I think about it because my father has had thyroid problems as long as I can remember. I never put that together because my understanding of thyroid problems was that it was weight dependent. I am a little overweight (target is 165 for my bone structure and I weigh 200). Maybe I should see how far down the rabbit hole this leads me. I really, really appreciate your input. Thanx

[shonk52]

just wanted to say that reading your story was almost like reading my own. i've had this crappy agorophobia for 25+ years, and about 3 1/2 yrs ago developed severe depression. i finally had to admit that for now i can't go to work (after losing 4 jobs in 6 years due to the amount of time i missed because i'd have panic attacks so bad i couldn't leave, or would be too depressed to even function). i have fybromyalgia, too, so the pain is frustrating, too, but the mental is almost harder to deal with. i, too, have run the gambit of legal drugs, and wish i would have never started on them in the first place. they don't tell you when you go on them that they are extremely addictive. for the most part, most antidepressants don't work for me---they make me extremely hostile--strange. the current drug i'm addicted to is klonopin, which i've been on now for 15 years, and i think it's worn out it's usefulness, as it did seem to work for a while. i went inpatient to our local psychiatric facility in july, as i too was concerned about the long term affects of the klonopin, and the fact it obviously isn't working! they didn't seem that concerned, and just upped the dose and added a small dose of lexapro. i've pretty much been housebound for the last 7 mos (my therapist, who is free if you can believe that, comes to my house, bless her heart). i'm waiting for a determination on disability (and i used to love working---was really outgoing like you!), but they made a temporary determination so i could have medicaid, so i will be headed back to the hospital 3/1 to see what they think. i was self-pay in july, and at $1200/day, i didn't stay long enough to really reap the benefits. so i'll keep you posted. about a month ago i was watching dr phil, and he said agorophobia is one of the easiest things to cure---can usually be cured in 3 sessions. i almost smashed my tv (i did send him an email). hard to believe me and the millions of people who suffer from this are all going to the wrong therapist-ha! anyway, i send you lots of prayers that you get on the right medications, or maybe the cognitive behavior therapy would work for you. it didn't help me, but it did my brother. anyway, it's such a crap shoot with this disease. but i hope you hit on the right combo of therapy/medications that will enable you to lead a normal (what's "normal"---think everyone has their own normal) life. good luck, and keep us posted!!