Ptsd symptoms and conditions

I just started taking Paxil six days ago for severe anxiety, OCD and PTSD. Already, I have experienced dizziness, out-of-body feelings, muscle spasms/jerks and forgetfulness. I am hesitating to continue taking this medication. It has not decreased my anxiety significantly, although the OCD and PTSD panic seem to have decreased.

The comments I have read here are slightly alarming to me, as I have always tried to stay away from becoming addicted to any medication. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Wellbutrin makes my hair fall out and really really angry. I've been screaming and just very irritated. I worry about everything. It helps my pms and ocd thoughts but I don't know if that's worth all this irritability. I notice that I just want to give up all the time because I am so overwhelmed with everything. Lexapro is really good for me but I am overweight and need to lose weight and lexy wouldn't let me do that. My plan is to try and stick it out for a couple of months with wellbutrin and get this weight off and then go back to lex. Lex does not cause me to gain weight, just won't let me lose any weight. I hate my attitude and anxiety and I hate being overweight, I feel like I'm making the right choice at the moment and am eagerly anticipating the day I can drop wellbutrin. I do have to say that without wellbutrin I get crazy mad (ptsd) no sleep crying constantly just really freaked out so it does help a little. And the hairloss isn't too bad, no sexual side effects or headaches, no nausea bad dreams etc...just very angry and sweaty...Thanx for reading :) Lori

I am home right now (called into work) because of the severe abdominal cramps I am having since I stopped taking NuvaRing. It was so bad yesterday (sunday) my husband wanted to take me to the emergency room. I'm not currently menstruating, it's actually about a week before, though my periods have always been wonky, even with the birth control helping me tell it when to start, so I'm not really expecting it to show up. I seriously thought I was having a miscarriage last night, because I've had a child and labor pains didn't hurt as bad I hurt last night. The pain started at the top of my pelvic bone (around the ovaries) and moved up through my entire abdomen to my diaphragm. I'm so glad I found this webiste, because I actually thought something was really wrong with me. My belly feels swollen and walking is still a hassle through the soreness, but I think I can survive now. Also, the overeating - I was having that problem too right before my periods when I was on the ring, and while not a work out freak, I was always very conscious of maintaining my weight. It was like I was a bottomless Pit. I was on lexapro at the same time that I started the Nuvaring 2 1/2 years ago and between the two medicines, I gained 30 pounds. Now, since stopping the lexapro and starting the south beach diet, I've lost about 1/2 of that, so now that I've stopped the ring as well, I'm hoping I can lose the other 15, as easily as I lost weight before I started this medicine. All of the depression and moodiness - the loss of ability to concentrate. I thought all of that was just the PTSD I was experiencing (over something I won't go into here), but now I realize that if it was PTSD, then the NuvaRing wasn't helping. I hope this pain doesn't continue and I hope I can get back to normal. My problems with focusing have actually increased since I stopped, but I really hope that I can go back to normal soon. I'd rather have my irregular three or four day periods sometime between 28 and 37 days apart, and feel like I have my life back than the convenience that the NuvaRing presented. I think it's time to buy out some stock in Trojan. Thanks ladies for sharing your stories, I've really been helped here.

I have been on antipsychotic medicines for like 14 years now I have been on every one there is and im only 23. A couple of years ago I was put on zyprexa for my ptsd, the nightmares, and the phobias and it really work well but it made me gain so much weight that the doctor switched me to Seroquel and i was on that for years but the side effects were awful. I still gained weight and the nightmares were getting even worse. And after I would take them I couldnt swallow and my heart rate would go up to like 120 beats per minute just lying down. I kept telling my doctor that it made me feel so weird like I was having a heart attack but he said that the medicine didnt do that but the second I stopped taking it (which I decided on my own) my heart felt so much better. It seems like the medicines for these kinds of disorders have the worst side effects of any medications out there. What is horrible is without them I feel like I am losing my mind. So I have no idea what to do.

i took my nuvaring out about 2 weeks ago and now i am experiencing very bad abdominal pain. has this happened to anyone else PLEASE REPLY!

After a slow ramp-up (4 weeks), I'm at 300 SR for major depression and PTSD. Though originally petrified of taking it, I must say it's been a pleasant surprise -- the only side effects have been dry mouth and occasional afternoon tiredness. This week I'm noticing that that pervasive nameless read has subsided, and I'm actually tackling some of the little tasks that had seemed overwhelming before. So far so good!

Took Lisinopril for one week, this was the only medication I was on at the time. I experienced light headiness, dizziness, motion sickness, rapid heart beat, chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness in my hands and arms. I suffer from some sort of bowel disorder, I have anywhere from 6 to 12 bowel movements a day normally, Lisinopril disrupted my bowels - they became totally unpredictable - make for the worse week of my life. My mother died the month before and I was already depressed, under enormous stress and most likely suffering from some sort of trauma disorder (PTSD) from watching my mother die in ICU screaming for 42 day. I became suicidal, to the point of sticking the gun in my mouth and cocking it. Guess I just don't have the guts to pull the trigger. I can sincerely say Lisinopril has changed me and it ain't for the better.

I have a 9yr that was placed on Singulair about 3 or 4 years ago with Concerta for ADD. He was always coughing at night and the doctor said it was allergies and told me to give him 5mg every night before bed. And the school said he had ADD. Well needless to say, my son weights 48 lbs and has had headaches. But he also doesn't act like a normal 9 yr old should. He does things destructively (breaks toys and destroys things in the house) and states that he doesn't know why he does things. He doesn't want to clean his room, shower, brush his teeth like he used too, and he acts depressed all the time. I ask he whats wrong and he says he doesn't know. He doesn't want to play outside or do anything remotely fun. After reading all these post I'm wondering if I should take him off the medication he's on and see what happens but I'm afraid of more side effects. The doctor says he needs to be on this medication. He has problems going to sleep at night is this a side effect? Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

I was first diagnosed with hypertension in the late 80's and have been on several different medications to treat it. I think that Lisinopril is the worst that I have been on. I have extreme fatigue and severe dry and burning mouth, sore tongue and difficulty breathing and flu like symptoms. I have anxiety and PTSD so my symptoms have been blamed on that. With all these symptoms,
I sometimes wonder if it would be better off to have the hypertension.
Sometimes my mouth and throat is so dry and sore, I can't eat and I have difficulty breathing which is not addressed with asthma medication. Daytime symptoms are bad at night but when night time comes, it is almost impossible to sleep.
I would be interested if anyone has these symptoms and would like to hear from you.
Jenny

I was on Lamictal 125MG at night for PTSD and anxiety for over 4 years - it took over 6 weeks to come off of it and it was very difficult - I felt sick most of the time - nauseaus, dizzy, migraine, tired, joint pain, anxious, mood swings. I have been off of it for 2 weeks now and I am still having headaches, dizziness, tired all the time, horrible dreams, difficulty sleeping and I wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air with out of control heart palpatations. I have not had night terrors in years. Is this a side effect of coming off of the medication? I learned in my research that this had not been FDA approved until I had been taking it for quite some time - is that ethical medical practice?

I was prescribed Gabitril at began taking the medication on July 18, 2007. I am diagnosed bipolar with severe depression, panic disorder, PTSD, agoraphobia. This was because my mood swings are bad. This was supposed to control the mood swings. On July 32 I had hallucinations and on Aug 1 i had many seizures. I can't think straight now. I can't read like i used to. I am weak. I am afraid.

I started on zoloft about 11-2006 i started of on 50mg and was increased to 200mg daily, it's been able 8months the side effects that I have had weight gain, skin rashes, nightmares. Then 8 months on all of a sudden i started getting moody, verbalily an physicalily aggressive, snappy, unable to think clearly, remembering normal things like names, loosing things, no time for anyone or thing, no focus on things being said, zoning out of my mental alertness, nerves always on edge, headaches, sleepy, a sense of fear, depression. Coming off zoloft just heightened the side effects. I was placed on zoloft due to PTSD and major drepression.

Yesterday my dr. prescribed levaquin for a cyst. I have been reading the side effects people are enduring due to this medication an it is frightening. I suffer from depression, ptsd, anxiety, bi-polar, psychotic episodes and vivid nightmares and flashbacks from 9/11. I'm really concerned about taking this medicine. Does anyone have any advice?

Hi,
Doc put me on Topamax for PTSD due to MVA. I am at 200 mg and having tingling in fingers and acrid taste in my mouth. Thinking I might stop taking it and just suffer the anxiety and stress. As others, I have lost some weight with the drug, in weighing the pros and cons guess I will check with my doc and see if he can reduce the dose. I was having trouble sleeping and getting flashbacks of the accident and the Topamax has helped but I really don't like the side effects. Best of Luck to all.

Wow, the more postings that come up, the more discouraged I get. Gosh, I went on this stuff to take care of cysts that made me nauseous, tired, and bloated but the more I read here the more I realize that the symptoms are just being magnified by the medication that is supposed to help me. Geesh.

As for going to the gym - girl, I feel you! I miss kickboxing SO bad and it took everything I had to go back last night and when I did - BOOM - I puke.

I have a lot of imbalances as it is (OCD and PTSD) and I take Effexxor for it. It does WONDERS for my depression and OCD and unlike Paxil, I didn't gain weight on it. No, I'm gaining weight because I can't get enough energy to even take a pee non-the-less go to the gym:-( I just feel so sloppy floppy right now.

Sympathetically yours,
Kelli

You girls have no idea how thankful I am that I found this site. Short history - I'm 33 with four children and was diagnosed with a dermoid cyst on my right ovary and a fluid filled cyst on my left 04 November 2004. My gyn put me on Yasmin because she said that my symptoms were typical of high estrogen levels and that by boosting my progestin the cysts would dissolve. She said that without a blood draw so I insisted on one and she ordered it but also told me to start the Yasmin anyway. I wouldn't be taking the white pills, however, she wanted me to continue the next pack to keep the progestin level high. I started that assuming I was doing the right thing. Three weeks later I heard nothing about my blood draw so I called. My estrogen level was fine which meant I had no idea what caused my cysts or what would make them go away. SO, I called the doctor who said I'd have to make a consultation appointment and that ended up being 30 Jan. 2006. Yes, I have to wait three more weeks to see her. I'm NOT happy, but I am also very sick.

For four years I've been HEAVILY involved in kickboxing and weight lifting and now I can barely get out of bed. I've been throwing up like I'm pregnant, nauseous like I'm pregnant, getting migraines like I have a tumor, and appetite? HA! I can't stand the sight or smell of food. Girls, you talk about an eater ~ I can get down! Sadly, I haven't worked out since October because of the cysts making it painful so I decided to hit the gym last night and I even went light on my weights. Nope. Left early...had to puke. In addition to having PTSD and OCD, I now have depression because I'm so SICK all the time.

Someone, please tell me that this will go away or that I'm doing the right (or even wrong) thing. I read that someone's back looked like a warzone. OMG, my FACE does. I'm VERY picky about my face and hair ~ my hair has fallen out in bird nest clumps and my face is a map of the US. It's SO depressing. WHY? I'm 33 and I've NEVER had a health problem and now with two STUPID little cysts, my world has crumbled.

So, is this Yasmin side effects? The vomiting, migraines, my eyes not being able to move without losing equilibrium, my face becoming a connect the dots trick, food becoming the enemy...it really feels like I'm pregnant but TRUST that I've not had sex. It's too painful from the cysts.

HHEELLPP...

Love in advance -
KiDS

SAVA102503 AND ANYONE ELSE WONDERING ABOUT ELECTROSHOCK THERAPY: It should ONLY be done as a last resort!! In my experience, I had it once in my early twenties and it had only a temporary effect on my depression, ZAPPED my short term memory and I had PTSD from it for YEARS!! Please know that there ARE community mental health clinics for those who have no money, and they are lifesavers. Find one!! Good luck.

Don't know if completely related but daughter (9) was put on gabitril 10mos ago for PTSD... she seemed to be fine on medication, sleeping through the night finally. But she is homeschooled and I noticed that some days she would forget everything she had been taught the day before. Last week of May this yr she was playing at a birthday party and got overheated, she started having tremors, trouble paying attention, and very clumsy...Thought was related to Risperdal that she is also taking so we got her cooled off as fast as we could. Tremors lasted two days. Doctor said was unaware what would cause symptoms I was describing. A week later we took her for yearly dental x-ray and 6mo cleaning. Dentist found two teeth with internal root resourption (not common in 9yr olds) lucky for us they are baby teeth, but are not to come out for two years, they will have to be pulled and spacers put in to make room for perm teeth. Started asking questions about medication and dental problems, found that med can cause tooth decay and other problems. Don't know if that is what caused her teeth problems but x-ray last yr showed two healthy teeth. Has any one else had dental problems taking this one? Think we are going to give up a good night sleep to keep the teeth.

omg, the doc just prescribed seroquel for me today...im terrified after reading all of this...should I take it?
dissosiative identity dissorder, ptsd.

I was in a very serious auto accident in 1999 that left me in a coma for 2 months. I lost my spleen, 2/3rds. of my pancrease, broken ribs and sternum, broken pelvis and a severe head injury. I am on many medications due to my accident. by losing 2/3rds of my pancrease, I was left with diabetes, very painful periphral neuropathy that I am on pain meds for for life. I lost 40% of my cognative ability. Doctors tried all sorts of drugs to keep me calm preventing panic attacks (PTSD) and tachacardia episodes. The Pyciatrist that I finally was able to see Prescribed me 2 mg. of xanax 3 per day. I must say that this medication was my savior to having a normal life. Before I took this med I took Valium and that did nothing. BUT, this medication according to my Doctor said that it's not for all people, however he said it was custom made for persons in my condition. Without it I cannot get into a car. Have a civil conversation with others. I just sit and stare
all day. Even though I take celexa everyday, it does nothing for me. With the combination of celexa and xanax I am able to live a near normal life. As I said, I have many other physical problems controled by opiods. My life till date has meaning to it. God bless my Doctor that gave me my life back to me. Granted, I hurt non stop but at least I can function. Xanax is a good medication for the few it was entended for like me. I highly recommend it to those that take their meds responsibly.
BLR - Northern Virginia

I've been on Geodon for two days now, and from the very first pill (40mg) I've taken I noticed a side effect that is extremely bothersome; I've looked it up on the internet and found out it is "akathisia" or "restless legs." I just couldn't keep still, yet I was also so tired I didn't have the energy to even fidget like they (my legs) seemed to need me to do. So I was awake all night and day, unable to concentrate, and my anxiety level went up. I've been prescribed Propranolol to counter that side effect, but who knows if it'll help. If it doesn't, I'm not taking the Geodon anymore, BPD/OCD/PTSD or not.

I don't know if this is related to recent S-M IV of 1GM/day x 3 days + extended graduated taper off with prednisone.
There is excruciating pain in legs, more left side than right but both. Every atom, waist to toes hurts on maximum volume, in surges and dips of indescribable pain, for hours and hours. Usually back to normal, daily pain level of raw skin with sunburn on waking after so so sleep of 4-5 hours daily.
I have chronic, secondary progressive MS of 14 years. Ambulatory with walker and cane. Also exposed to Agent Orange in heavily sprayed areas of I Corps, Vietnam, 1968-69. I have 100% service connected, permanent and total, combat related PTSD rating.
I am on Methdone and Percocet 3 months, and just started Lorazipam. M&P do not work at prescribed dosages. Yesterday I took 8 10mg Methadone pills and 6-7 5mg Percocet tabs, and it was inadequately bearable, and I barely made it out alive, again.
I'm going to the VA soon to see what they say, but I would greatly appreciate any advice some nice, knowledgable person may take the time to give.
Thank you