posted
I am having terrible unrelenting anxiety, sometimes panic symptoms for about 2 weeks now. It started with anxiety and then depression. I went off flagyl thinking it could be that, following an increased dose. The very dark depression lifted after stopping flagyl, but I am left with this horrible anxiety. I have a tendency for generalized anxiety, but never like this. I have some stressors/decisions to make that would normally cause me some amount of anxiety, but it has become off the charts, difficult to function or to make these decisions. I took Sam-E 1200 mg/day for about a week and it had some intial calming effect after each dose that would last about an hour. Today I called the LLMD again and he said to start zoloft 25 mg. for a week and then up to 50mg. I have klonopin which helps me sleep but does not take away the anxiety/panic feeling. I am still having some crying spells too, but I think that could be linked to what a scary feeling this is. I don't know whether the flagyl could have triggered this and now it won't stop, or the lyme is causing this, or whether I am just going crazy! Does anyone else have this? What did you take that worked? Thanks
Posts: 22 | From Maryland | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
how long ago did you go off the flagyl? It caused that for me too. Worked up my dose way too quickly. And it took a good 2 wks to detox from the herx.
Try an infrared sauna to help detox from the herx if you are able to find one in your area.
Valerian and Kava can sometimes help too. Not sure if Zoloft will help, but you can try. Before I knew I had lyme I took it thinking it would help and it didn't work at all, but for some ppl I think it works great.
I am having some anxiety now as well. Hasn't happened in a long time, but I increased/changed some meds about 6 wks ago, and the 4-6 wk mark is always terrible for me.
Best wishes
Posts: 453 | From TX | Registered: Aug 2008
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Zoloft at 25 mg or 50 mg isn't going to do very much for you. Perhaps when you get up to 100 mg or more.
Low magnesium can cause depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Lyme Disease causes low magnesium in the body's muscle and nerve cells, as the Lyme bacteria use it up.
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
posted
It took me a good 7 days after my 5 day course of IV Flagyl 500mg for my anxiety to calm down.
Lots of Xanax taken during that time.
I'm not a fan of SSRI's for Anxiety. Konopin is the much better choice IMO. Benzos are the first line of treatment for Anxiety. This is in the scientific literature.
SSRI's only work for 1/3 of the people that take them and they are mostly used for depression. You may still be Herxing from the Flagyl.
Just my thoughts.
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
One of my symptoms was anxiety. I went on 20mg of Prozac for it. It helped.
But now it is gone...I believe due to my treatment thus far.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3139 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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-------------------- ? date of bite/no rash 10/09 symptoms, 4/10 diagnosed, after 6 mos. ER visits, tons of docs/tests CDC+ 23/39/41/45/58/66/93 currently on oral plaquenil, doryx, rifampin, pyrazinamide, nystatin, numerous supplements Posts: 718 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2010
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
We have a group for anxiety on www.lymefriends.org . Please feel free to come join us for additional support.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I agree Lymetoo.
Posts: 113 | From CA | Registered: Jun 2010
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo: Beware new things being pushed by new posters!
You might be right, but remember how members of other health boards are upset when a Lyme patient comes in and tries to tell them that their symptoms may be due to Lyme.
What bothers me about that product is that I cannot find a list of ingredients.
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
the amino acid Theanine has a lot of good anecdotal evidence for helping anxiety. It would be a good idea to make sure you have a balanced intake of amino acids when supplementing with Theanine
Posts: 357 | From California | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
In my experience natural supplements works better for anxiety than an anti-depressant.
Then again, I can't tolerate anti-depressants.
Look up Inositol, Kava, Corydalis. You can get Inositol and Kava at a health food store.
Inositol is excellent for both anxiety (it can stop a panic attack) and depression, and is in no way related to SSRI type drugs. As a bonus, it also helps the liver. Jarrow formulas sells a powder and 12 grams/day can really help. It's A LOT more then the container tells you to take. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. We are all different and I gifted it to someone who is being treated for chemical depression with adderall.
What works for me, may not work for you, and what works for you may not work for me.
I hate to push benzos (Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax, Valium, etc) since they are so addictive and since I am dependent on them, but they have their use and they can just lift the anxiety right off of you if it is too much for you to handle. Short term use is preferred since it downregulates GABA(A) receptors in the long run (this is reversible).
Posts: 967 | From A deserted island without internet access | Registered: Sep 2009
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posted
Katya... just curious... where do you buy your ASD?
I noticed it was approved only for veterinary use. An ingredient list would be nice to see!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- A note about benzos. For anyone with any kind of porphyria, they can make anxiety worse and increase porphyrins to dangerous levels. They are also toxic to the ears (as per Neil Bauman in his book "Ototoxic Drugs")
If the inner ear/balance system is compromised, that can also cause anxiety.
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