Topic: Overstimulation Anxiety vs. Real Anxiety, can you tell the difference ? Can SSRI Help
lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
posted
Since the beginning of my Lyme, this has been by far my worst symptom.
For some, it's bright lights, any type of stress, etc.
You read about how Lyme attacks the CNS (Central Nervous System). In my case, although I don't have joint pain, it seems to have gotten into my Lymbic system in the brain from the get go.
This symptom has been a big obstacle in treating b/c it goes insane with Lyme treatment.
As much as I hate taking pills, I decided to try a low dose of Zoloft (SSRI). I took only 25mg for the first 2 days. I knew it would make my anxiety higher for the first week or so, but I actually started getting whole body tremors from this. So, the 3rd dose, I backed it down to just 12.5mg. The tremors are still there. The Anxiety is so intense and tremors are generalized all over. I even feel it in my sleep. For this reason, I can't continue on the Zoloft.
I find it amazing that the very same meds that are used to treat these problems can exacerbate them. I know for some of you they are life savers, but I have never been able to tolerate them. Thought I would give it another chance.
I guess when it's an Anxiety caused by Overstimulation of the Sypathetic nervous system rather than a Generalized Anxiety, it's different and harder to treat.
Curious if anyone else can relate to this. I know there are other factors such as adrenals, etc. Magnesium has never helped me.
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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posted
I tried Zoloft years ago, pre-dx of Lyme. I looked in the mirror and my face looked like Picasso's painting of himself, with none of the facial features in the right place. It so freaked me out. I cannot take Zoloft. I understand many women cannot take it.
Have you tried Essential Oils/Aromatherapy. This is what I do for anxiety - Lavender Oil or Peace and Calming work very well for me.
Posts: 250 | From East Coast | Registered: Jan 2013
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Jane2904
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15917
posted
So Sorry you are not feeling well.
Our daughter has extreme anxiety. The SSRI's only seem to cause side effects and make the anxiety worse.
We are looking into Methylation issues. I am at a loss what to do to help her.
I wish I knew of something to help you. Have you ever tried L-theanine?
Posts: 1357 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2008
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Lymetwister-have you tried ativan? I am really sensitive to meds and ativan has been a lifesaver for me. Like you, with treatment, my anxiety goes through the roof. I need to take ativan during a herx for sure.
I also get very overstimulated with lots of conversation, tv too loud, etc. Anxiety/overstimulation is a bart symptom for me for sure. Have you treated for bart?
Posts: 238 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2013
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lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
posted
I have taken Bart meds, but not sure if one can truly say, it's Bart or Babs, etc. Too much overlap in the lists.
I have Xanax and I have to say, it doesn't do much. Low dose narcotics are the only thing that help me all of this time. They work better than any Benzo out there.
At least I have something, but was hoping that I could get off them and perhaps an SSRI would help with this.
I plan on treating for Parasites very soon. This is the only thing I have never done other than Salt/c, which I didn't stick with. I have Ivermectin here and when things settle down, perhaps this is what I will try next. I just wish I could get this one symptom under control before I treat anything else.
When I get the Anxiety down, my mood goes up and I can do so many things that I can't do with the Anxiety. Again, it's not a real anxiety that one would see described in any Psychiatric form. This is something beyond that and it's been so awful.
Even if I'm aching all over and my head is killing me, if the anxiety is down, I will push myself to get out and do whatever. I wish it were just physical pains as I have such a high pain tolerance threshold.
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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lymetwister...I am with you on this one too. I have the exact same problem as I am sure I don't have "real" anxiety but the overstimulation feeling which can feel like anxiety. It has been my worse problem for about 2 years now. I didn't have it in the beginning.
Any kind of emotional upset or interaction with people bring this on and it is truly a horrible sensation. I will sometimes take a bit of klonopin if it is so bad I can't stand the feeling but since it isn't true anxiety I have not found anything that really helps. I only take the klonopin so it will make me tired and I won't feel as bad. It doesn't stop my insides from shaking..
This I believe is also what causes my overwhelming fatigue....the hyper/calm disfunction of my body. It is always in a tug of war. This is a problem I complain to my doc all the time about but he hasn't been able to come up with a solution. I have tried some herbals (Kavinace) which helps somewhat.
I wish I could give you some better solutions but I haven't found one yet either.
Posts: 343 | From North Carolina | Registered: Oct 2008
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I just want to say I am so sorry for everyone dealing with anxiety-it is such a debilitating symptom.
Posts: 238 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2013
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
I have the same thing too. It's awful. I wonder if it is adrenals?? Although I'd have no clue how to fix them from here--I already take cortef and 2 other adrenal supplements. Ugh
Not much input other than I can relate. Not much helps except laying down in a quiet place. Small dose of Xanax also makes it so much better but don't like to take it too often.
-------------------- "The simple things can get you through the hardest times." Posts: 628 | From Connecticut | Registered: Sep 2010
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So sorry you are going though this anxiety. I think at times this was my major sym.
I have been taking Zoloft(50mg), for many years now. I have always had social anxiety. I'm sure this med is not helping,but it gave me a new view on myself and life.
Relaxation,stay away from hecticness.
I know it's hard in this crazy world.
Posts: 47 | From ft lauderdale florida | Registered: Aug 2011
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Regular anxiety seems like it starts in the gut and then travels to the brain. It feels very "emotional" in nature, at least to me.
Overstimulation anxiety is like an agitated feeling, can have nothing to do with emotion, and seems to cause more physical fatigue/side effects. It feels like my brain is blacking out or fading out when this happens, even if I am not in a stressful situation. I think it comes from things not being processed in the brain correctly as opposed to just amygdala fight or flight anxiety? I think the anxiety comes on second because the body is freaking out from trying to process things.
I use a Xanax when it gets bad. I used to have it for insomnia, but the overstimulation stuff (as opposed to emotional anxiety), seems to clear/lessen on Xanax. I'm not sure if it's because it's slowing something down, or I just "feel too good" to notice.
Posts: 36 | From Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2012
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Overstimulation anxiety causes me severe fatigue. It will happen to me as well even if I am not in a stressful situation...my body seems to perceive that I am and it will cause that horrible feeling. I rarely feel stressed out but I don't think my brain knows the difference so it causes that hyper/stimulation feeling inside....
Posts: 343 | From North Carolina | Registered: Oct 2008
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lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
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I switched to Lexapro from the Zoloft. The Zoloft had me Tremoring more than just in my hands, it's was all over body tremoring.
The Lexapro is more tolerable and doesn't do this to me. I don't think it's gonna touch this Anxiety like state as we are calling "Overstimulation". For me, it can happen without stress too, but def. exacerbates with stress. Even if I do something that is strenuous it can exacerbate it.
It has something do with POTS / Autonomic Dysfunction. I know I have Adrenaline issues, but beta blocker do nothing.
Again, low dose Narcotics do me best over anything. So be it for now, at least it's something.
Funny how some drugs can be used off label for pain and it's totally accepted, but the fact that Percocet is the only thing that helps me with my anxiety is NOT accepted.
I say who cares !
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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Eleuthero Root Tincture can help with too much cortisol.
It'd be good if you could do a saliva test for adrenal function to figure out when your levels are abnormal throughout the day-
For example, my cortisol is very low in the morning but throughout the day and into the night it is abnormally high. So my ND has me taking licorice root in the morning to increase cortisol and then Eleuthero Root at noon and evening to reduce cortisol.
I have issues sleeping due to anxiety and issues with stress due to adrenal function and PTSD.
On the SSRI side- Lexapro has worked a lot better than Zoloft for me. I had increased anxiety and RLS on Zoloft... Sometimes you have to switch around until you find the SSRI that will work best for you.
It'd be awesome if you could fix it naturally, but you might need the help from the SSRI because of the severity of your anxiety to calm your system down before you can make big strides with the natural products.
So use what works and I hope you feel better soon!
Posts: 428 | From Midwest | Registered: Dec 2012
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Stress makes mine worse too even if I don't think the situation is stressful. I take a morning dose of cortef only because of the tiredness. But of course at night it feels like adrenaline is coursing through me..or I guess it could be high cortisol.. I take whatever I have to to help me cope with all this..luckily I have a doctor who will help me in anyway he can to ensure this.
Posts: 343 | From North Carolina | Registered: Oct 2008
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lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
posted
I switched to Lexapro from the Zoloft. The Zoloft had me Tremoring more than just in my hands, it's was all over body tremoring.
The Lexapro is more tolerable and doesn't do this to me. I don't think it's gonna touch this Anxiety like state as we are calling "Overstimulation". For me, it can happen without stress too, but def. exacerbates with stress. Even if I do something that is strenuous it can exacerbate it.
It has something do with POTS / Autonomic Dysfunction. I know I have Adrenaline issues, but beta blocker do nothing.
Again, low dose Narcotics do me best over anything. So be it for now, at least it's something.
Funny how some drugs can be used off label for pain and it's totally accepted, but the fact that Percocet is the only thing that helps me with my anxiety is NOT accepted.
I say who cares !
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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lax mom
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Member # 38743
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What about something like Lyrica? That helps calm down the sensory overload for me.
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