Hi! I’m new here and desperate for help! I started Zoloft four weeks ago at 25mg and felt lousy. Two weeks after I went up to 50 and felt even worse! HORRIBLE intrusive thoughts scary images flashing in my head like saying the right things but then the wrong response would come
Simultaneously ! Just got switched to Prozac and I’m still miserable! Wake up in a panic every morning hot flushed! I went on anxiety meds to help with anxiety and some
Paranoia about things happening but this is WAY worse! Anyone else relate?
You cannot rely on a pill to take away all your anxiety. A pill just slows your nervous system down. Sounds like you need some TLC. Let your mind and body know you are going to take care of it. You will do everything possible. First, lay down on the couch if you can, if not sit in a chair, start to notice your toes. Are they hot, or cold? Can you feel your toenails? Is the blanket touching them? Then tense them up for 5 seconds, at the same time breath in for five seconds, then release both your breath and your tension of your toes while you slowly count to five. Then do the same with your foot. Is your foot rough, soft, sore, just right? Then tense it up as you slowly breath in counting to five. Release. Do your whole body. If you are still not relaxed , do it again. I do this right before bed but you can do anytime you feel anxious or panicky. You cannot be relaxed and anxious at the same time. So work on doing things to relax you. For what ever reason your mind and body is telling you you need a time out. And that is ok. That why some people have mental health days. It sounds like you are overdue. So take this time to pamper yourself. Try to live in the moment. By that where ever you are, notice things, like how soft the chair feels as it engulfs your body, how comfortable and cozy you are. In the shower think about how nice the water feels, how good the soap feels. Even when you drink a cup of tea, notice how the cup feels in your hand, how cold it is going down your throat. Everytime a negative thought comes in bring yourself back to that moment.
Do things that give yourself pleasure now (and I don't mean drinking or drugs). I mean give yourself a pedicure, or have a endulgent desert, listen to some upbeat music, dance, spend some time in the sun, even if it is just by the window-vitamin D from the sun is good for you, smell and enjoy some lemons or oranges-something about them is uplifting. Watch a comedy. Call a friend. Help your elderly neighbor. Learn a new song and sing.
Spend some time with God, if you are religious. Focus on His words-He is with you. Sometimes I picture Him holding my hand and giving me a big bear hug. Watch funny videos. So something like sudoko puzzle, if you are focusing on the puzzle , you are not focusing on your anxiety. Fight your thoughts!.. Say -so what if I have anxiety, it stinks but I will just let it come through me, and I will watch it leave me. It can not hurt me. It is just anxiety. I could go on and on but I have to leave. If you ever want to talk, I am here. Take care of yourself.
Oh, taught time, I had it as well.
Keep searching for something that could distract you and make you happier.
It will be better, for sure, you are not along, I had that time, first month hard, 2 ns easier.
Take care
I personally can not take ssri's because i'm considered bipolar. meaning used to get very depressed then after I could feel fine or even great. If I take ssris I start feeling VERY CRAZY very fast very manic and once I started a pill and I woke up at like 5am with this crazy thought that I wanted to get naked and run through the streets killing people. Of course i'd never do it but it was a thought and scared me very much because i'm the nicest most unviolent person ever. SO I will NEVER do anymore ssri's they always make me crazy and super hyper with bad headaches. I respond better to things like klonopin although it's addicting.
If you ever did the 23andme genetic testing you can check to see if you have a MTHFR mutation. you could also read about mthfr mutation.
So you had these side effects the first month and then it got better????
I felt awful as when you start ssri having already strong anxiety it make things worst till you get used to meds. I couldn't eat, seat or even stay steal, no sleep at all untill I exhaust myself totally, then little nap and all repaits again. What helped me a bit is sleeping pill, but I had to call 111 to be able to have it as my GP didnt want to give me, was looking at me like on crazy.
After been able to sleep I could think about doing some things that could help to distract me and to eas anxiety, in my case it was volunteering.
So good luck to you too, if you want, you can call me. Xxx
It takes a couple of weeks for the pills to work. Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve. If you are feeling like it is making it worse, the doctor is only a phone call away. Finding the right combination of meds is an more art than a science. It is trial and error.