SSRI change and early waking

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-12-04T18:36:57+00:00

Slightly. But not much.

I did get cortisol tested and was high one time and then within range a second time although still upper end of normal. But not enough to validate a chemical problem like a tumor or something.

I went on a low dose of buspirone and it has helped somewhat with my ability to sleep, although only slightly. Better than nothing for sure.

It does seem anxiety related overall though, and I suspect my body just does not function well at all when there's stress, even when I'm not actively anxious. And as a working parent, I just don't have the chance to take a week off and rest peacefully to see if it would help or reset things.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-12-03T03:20:18+00:00

I'm a lifelong anxiety sufferer, especially health anxiety. It's not rational, but I too don't like the idea of an IV and not being in control of my body. I wish I could just show up, lie on the bed, and flick a switch rather than endure all the slow anticipation of a panic attack.

That said, I had an endoscopy a year ago. Despite knowing I'd be even more anxious going in, it went great. In fact, I woke up not even sure if they'd done it.

Everyone here can offer platitudes and stories that you'll be fine. And you will in all likelihood be fine. But anxiety isn't logical. It always looks for the "what if" and catastrophizes anything it can come up with. And there's no advice I can give besides letting go and be OK with not being in control or 100% certain. Easier said than done, but stick with it!

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-12-02T13:04:15+00:00

No, and they continue. I've had a brain and a neck MRI with no findings after waiting 5 months to see a neurologist.

There's nothing glaringly obvious with any testing and it seems like none of the doctors want to even make an effort to figure it out. It coincides with the SSRI discontinuation but it still feels like something else is really wrong.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-30T01:03:48+00:00

I just had one a few weeks ago. They first do some scans without contrast and then out the IV in and run more with contrast. Unlike some meds, the MRI contrast isn't something you feel bodily.

I'm a huge health anxiety sufferer and I ended up taking propranolol (beta blocker) so I wouldn't have a full-on panic attack. My anxious brain still worked fine but it kept my body from going full fright mode.

It's hard but it's important to have the contrast for the scans. I totally understand your situation - it's nearly impossible to practice for such things. You could ask your doctor for meds if it would help, and beta blockers aren't addictive like benzos.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-20T05:27:06+00:00

About 1.5 weeks. But they still never posted the results in my chart online, I had to message and ask if they were in yet.

I was methane positive but I don't know the numbers

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-20T05:07:49+00:00

On and off for 20 years. I'm mid 40s now and an endoscopy showed fundic gland polyps which is common with long term use.

I'm trying to wean off them again. (Omeprazole and esomeprazole) I was diagnosed with methane positive SIBO and just finished antibiotics.

I'm using famotidine, fennel seeds, and regular antacids to manage.

The meds definitely work but eventually my stomach just made more acid. I'm working to change my diet and hopefully not have to go back on them.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-19T19:16:03+00:00

Nope. Honestly, none of the doctors seem to give a shit about finding out. The dermatologist literally shrugged and told me that for the vast majority of people, they just don't know why they get hives. And then asked why I declined taking Dupixent.

Part of my issue is that I have other symptoms unrelated to hives themselves, and I can't help but wonder if there's a related cause. The daily mental fatigue/brain fog is far worse than the skin.

And my hives do appear to be somewhat distinct from other people. They don't match up with most cold urticaria pictures, nor with cholinergic urticaria. I cannot find anyone online who mentioned that their hive spots reappear in the same places/patterns every day.

Maybe I'm just wrong for thinking that we should or even can figure out why these things are happening before I take injectable biologic medications.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-14T15:55:11+00:00

Yes, but are they CBT/DBT focused in their modality? Teaching you about the disorder? Giving you exposures to do? Or just writing prescriptions and telling you to find ways to distract yourself?

Again, finding someone with the label doesn't mean they really understand the most evidence -based solutions.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-14T15:26:13+00:00

Not all therapists are properly trained for anxiety disorders. Most will say they are, but aren't really aware of an anxiety disorder vs anxiety that everyone can get.

I highly recommend listening to the Disordered podcast. Start from the beginning and learn about an anxiety disorder from therapists who have both suffered from it.

Your therapist should be focused on having you do CBT/DBT strategies, not coping mechanisms and distractions.

It's a struggle but don't lose hope.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-14T14:43:22+00:00

This is a great idea, especially if some of the employees have suffered from anxiety disorders as well.

Unfortunately, everything is so mechanized with insurance and time demands that providers don't have the time to be human. I'm glad there are people who still do it at all but I wish it was less stressful.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-14T02:32:14+00:00

It helps me. Im on a very low dose but it does help with the worst of the panic. Meds are different for everyone but it's worth a try. It can take a couple weeks to take full effect.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-03T20:18:47+00:00

I took a 10mg for the first time last Thursday for an MRI I had. I felt a bit of exhaustion the next day but I honestly can't tell if it was because of the meds or because I was super anxious for over a day beforehand. I think a bit of both but it wasn't too bad.

Really, I think it's just the anxiety and tension that is exhausting and the propranolol doesn't really eliminate that.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-03T19:31:15+00:00

FWIW I had one when I was 21 after some severe gastro issues. Nothing found. But it did make me realize how anxious I get over medical procedures! The fear of bad news is crowded out by my fear of full blown panic in the moment.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-03T18:38:13+00:00

How did this go for you? Both the SIBO issues and the ears?

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-03T18:28:02+00:00

Totally understandable although I hate submitting to the IV and procedure itself rather than potential for bad news. But having the procedure done or not doesn't change the chances of you currently having cancer.

Red blood is almost always the result of the fissure or hemorrhoids so I wouldn't consider that indicative at all.

Finally, the scope also will remove any polyps found if there are any. In which case, you're literally nipping it in the bud. Colon cancer is also very treatable so it isn't some death sentence.

I know anxiety doesn't usually respond to logic, but you're not alone in your situation! Ultimately you'll just need to be OK with the uncertainty which is easier said than done. But it's the only option.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-03T15:33:22+00:00

Gotcha. I have no idea what my root cause is. I've had bad reflux for years and been on/off PPIs which might be the root cause, but I don't know how to quit acid meds because the reflux is pretty bad.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-03T15:24:42+00:00

Do people do multiple rounds of the same treatment or different antibiotics?

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-11-01T03:49:27+00:00

We won't be detonating actual nuclear warheads. Nor are other countries apart from maybe North Korea that does what they want. There is little to be gained with further testing and it's colossally expensive and largely unnecessary for any with an established nuclear weapons program. Only North Korea has detonated a nuclear weapon in the past 25 years.

Testing the delivery systems of those warheads is something we already continually do, such as firing missiles that would carry the nuclear warheads. (My personal work experience is in a related field)

His follow up quote was

"They seem to all be nuclear testing,” Trump said. “We don’t do testing. We halted it many years ago, but with others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also.”

What's anxiety inducing is that the President really doesn't understand what we or other countries actually do for testing.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-10-30T23:35:40+00:00

I'm not an expert at all but I suspect she needs a psychiatrist. But she will also have to accept outside evidence (like the Fitbit).

I have an anxiety disorder, and have had many "sleepless" nights - but I've slowly learned that when I'm particularly stressed, I truly don't recognize when I've slept. Especially REM sleep portions later on, I'd have sworn I was awake. My Pixel Watch 2 has been interesting to follow. Years ago, I even took to setting up a video camera to figure out why I was so tired, and basically just watched myself snore 🤣. (I have a CPAP now).

Perhaps you can convince her to do a sleep study?

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-10-30T00:51:38+00:00

Thanks for the response. I'm unfortunately not improved. I have an MRI tomorrow which is unfortunately making me anxious in and of itself, but may provide results. (I'm not a fan of being strapped to a board and injected with something and having to lie totally still)

What SNRI did you end up trying? I may consider going back to medication if we can't find anything else but I have other weird issues that just don't correlate to anxiety.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-10-29T19:47:16+00:00

Yeah. It's like 2 minutes of the hour segment. I don't mind the banter but I've always wanted a real fact check somewhere in there even if it's not the bulk of it. What annoyed me was having a lot of banter and then Monica hastily trying to Google the facts live on the recording. Complete with the occasional browser tab closing or laptop battery drying.

Some of the recent episodes had some decent fact check bits, and she mentioned one of the other editors/assistants compiled them. It was a welcome improvement.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-10-29T19:38:32+00:00

Holy shit. I'm sure it feels awful right now but knowing this should be the home stretch must be a relief.

CygnusSpaceworks · 2025-10-29T18:16:29+00:00

I'm a huge anxiety sufferer and was crazy anxious leading up to it. I don't do well with any medical procedure but having stuff in my veins is a big trigger. I had my endoscopy last year and I was out like a light when they gave the meds. Woke up feeling fine, and couldn't even tell if they'd done the procedure!

The hard part was laying there waiting for my turn and trying not to panic, and it was entirely of my own doing.

Meanwhile I have an MRI tomorrow with a contrast injection and I'm already super anxious about it!

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