Let me start with a little history. I have been on 50mg of zolof for 10 years and it did wonders for me, around christmas time I went on a trip out of state. All of a sudden I got a panic attack which was crazy, cause I havent had one in such a long time. I figured it was just from being out of my element. We returned home and it was still happening. I tried to wait it out a couple of weeks but it was getting worse. I went to my primary care doctor he did all kinds of blood work on me and my heart. Everything came back fine. I was still stuck in my head that I was sick and something was wrong with me. I have not been able to eat much at all, my appetite got so bad. So he decided to increase me to 100mg. I started that about 2 months ago, after some really bad side effects, I thought I was getting better for a couple of days. Then i started to get worse, all spacy, lost, waking up every morning in panic and not being able to get back to sleep.I would cry constantly thinking something was wrong with me. It is really bad. I went to the doctors on Monday and he decreased my zoloft to 75mg. So I have been on the 75mg for 3 days. Do not see that much of a change. A couple times i got hungry and had food. But my depression is getting worse and waking up in panic everyday starts my day bad, and not being able to eat is making me really worried. Has anyone experienced this before and if so, did it get better? Any encourging will help
hi Peggy, sorry to hear you're having such a tough time. It's easy to say but try and not let the panic run away with you (I guess that's the nature of panic). Slowing your heart rate by relaxiotion will definately help. If there is no obvious threat to your life or physical and mental well being, then ask yourself where is the generator of the panic?
What could have kicked it off when you went out of state? Meanwhile, as a management strategy, ask your doctor for something to just calm you down. Zanax would help but only as a temporary measure. You really need to figure out what turned-off your perfectly steady relationship with Zoloft (Sertraline in UK). I wish you good luck Peggy. Hang on in there. I can assure you, the panic wil not last forever.
Thank you Glen for the message. I honestly have no clue what set this off and why i am still getting like this. I know I have really bad health anxiety and always think that i am having a deadly sickness and cant get that out of my head. My doctor did prescribe Xanax but I refuse to take them. The panic is in my mind, no heart palputations or anything like that, its my mind that does not stop panicing. And I think way to much about it. The only time I get a break is when I am sleeping, but I wake up every monring at the same time which is too early and can not fall back asleep, cause my mind starts thinking. I do not know how to shut my mind off . I am hoping that I do not need to switch meds, because I felt so good on zoloft for 10 years. THat is what scares me, why did this happen, what did I do wrong, and why am I being punished for this. I hate this feeling
I feel for you Peggy, but it's best not to blame yourself. That is only going to compound your anxiety. Open the door or window and take in some deep, slow, lungfulls of air. This may not sound helpful, but also, think about taking a walk to the end of the street and back - if you can. Doing something physical will likely help dissipate the feelings you are experiencing. I can see it's hard for you, but re-think the Zanax option. It will give you a temporary holiday from yourself. If not Zanax then an alternative. Good luck with whatever you decide. The state you are in will not last forever.