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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety After Suffering A Concussion
Question: Lately I have experienced some anxiety which over the course of the week has gotten really bad. I suffered a concussion about 3 months ago and was starting to feel better, but I have still been worried about how I feel (post concussive symptoms) and it seems to have sent my anxiety into overdrive. My doctor gave me Effexor (low dose 38 mg which I started today), but how do I lower my anxiety so that I may sleep or fuction during the day???
Could there be some other health issue going on that would cause anxiety???
Could there be some other health issue going on that would cause anxiety???
Brief Answer:
I think there is need to manage stress
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
First of all I like to inform you that post concussion anxiety is the common presentation and mostly onset takes place between 6 weeks to 6 months after injury.
In my opinion your doctor done right thing by putting you on medication but there is more need to be done. The first and most important is to have proper psychoeducation and counselling about the possibilities after injury.
At this stage I feel stress management should be priority rather than anything.
I hope this assists you.
If you have more questions I will be glad to assist you further.
If you do not have more questions, please close the discussion and if possible rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
I think there is need to manage stress
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
First of all I like to inform you that post concussion anxiety is the common presentation and mostly onset takes place between 6 weeks to 6 months after injury.
In my opinion your doctor done right thing by putting you on medication but there is more need to be done. The first and most important is to have proper psychoeducation and counselling about the possibilities after injury.
At this stage I feel stress management should be priority rather than anything.
I hope this assists you.
If you have more questions I will be glad to assist you further.
If you do not have more questions, please close the discussion and if possible rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
I started taking the Effexor and it made me feel drunk and very dizzy. I got up to get a drink of water and I was staggering to the kitchen. The dizziness was very bad. I have started on the lowest dose and then was told to go to a 75 mg dose. I called the pharmacist and they suggested that I not take it. What do you recommend, is there something better that I should try? Also what would you recommend for stress management? I am doing deep breathing, and yoga, but I also have a bedtime routine such as a hot lavender bath with Epsom salts, chamomile tea, and relaxing sounds to listen to. I have also been given a psychologist, but she is not very helpful. She just says it is what it is and doesn't offer much of anything else. I am looking for another option. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Lexapro can be a better option
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Considering the side effect profile of effexor and your experience I feel lexapro will make a better option for you. It can be started at 5 mg per day and can be increased to 10 mg after one week which is often effective dose for many individuals. I completely endorse the opinion of stoping effexor as probably it was causing more side effects than expected positive effects.
I think you are doing many things for stress management but I will request you to add plenty of fluids intake, avoidance of junk foods, use of antioxidants and limited use of any substances such as coffee/tea/alcohol.
I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Lexapro can be a better option
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Considering the side effect profile of effexor and your experience I feel lexapro will make a better option for you. It can be started at 5 mg per day and can be increased to 10 mg after one week which is often effective dose for many individuals. I completely endorse the opinion of stoping effexor as probably it was causing more side effects than expected positive effects.
I think you are doing many things for stress management but I will request you to add plenty of fluids intake, avoidance of junk foods, use of antioxidants and limited use of any substances such as coffee/tea/alcohol.
I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What did you mean with your earlier post - councelling about the possibilities after injury? I am not sure I understand what this means. Also could I use natural products for anxiety like Ashwaghanda, Siberian ginseng, and lavender ( a product called XXXXXXX Formula by Natural Factors). Would this be safe for me to take since I had a concussion with a bleed. It is all natural. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
I mean to say that patient who gets through concussion should be educated about its after effects. This is most useful because it makes the person ready to face all kind of adverse possibilities. In addition some of the post concussion complications can be managed with counselling itself and not everybody needs medication.
There is no reliable research available on the so called natural products and in my opinion they should be avoided.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
I mean to say that patient who gets through concussion should be educated about its after effects. This is most useful because it makes the person ready to face all kind of adverse possibilities. In addition some of the post concussion complications can be managed with counselling itself and not everybody needs medication.
There is no reliable research available on the so called natural products and in my opinion they should be avoided.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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