I'm a 22 year old female and I have been suffering with anxiety for over 4 years now.
I was on Sertraline about a year and half ago. I started on 50mg then up to 100mg and it worked wonders for me. The anxiety completely stopped. I eventually wheened off with the help of my doctor but a few months after the anxiety returned with the vengence.
I tried to cope on my own but as I started my own beauty business in November everything got on top of me. I decided to go back on the Sertraline and get counselling aswell. I started on 50mg for four weeks then upped to 100mg. It's my 6th week on the 100mg but am yet to notice a difference and I don't know why or what to do.
The first counsellor I tried was no good so I tried another. She is much better and she has also done 2 sessions of auricular accupuncture with me as well as giving me coping strategies but I'm still suffering horrendously.
I'm also attending mindfulness classes once a week.
I get bad digestion problems also which then makes my anxiety worse so it's a vicious circle. I get diarrhea when having an attack and stomach cramps. I'm always paranoid about being near toilets and I'm obsessed with my health.
It's starting to affect work and I can't let it destroy my business as I've worked so so hard for it and I would be devastated.
I'm also going on holidays on the 23rd of June and I'm dreading it
Any advice would be helpful?
(I don't know wether it's relevent but I'm also on Cerelle - mini pill)
Sorry you are having problems. I would go back to your gp, sometime medication can cause some problems with your stomach.
I was had chronic back pain and had lots of different tablet unfortunately after a while I started with pain and burning sensation in my stomach after investigation I was given esomeprazolo.and gaviscon.
Speak to your gp, he / she will give bether advice.
I attended counselling but it did not help very much. I had to come to terms with what is causing my anxiety and all the other symptoms. My husband died and I was totally unable to go on with all that stress for about 2 years. I had a real angry outburst and could not stop myself it went on for hours. With that I came to my senses because I am a shy and quiet person. Talked to my doctor and was sent to counselling for 6 weeks. Did not help much but I thought that I might gain something out of it . Well I changed the way I talk to my daughter and after a while we could talk without getting angry. The doctor prescribed Sertraline 50mgs daily and I still take one a day. I am getting on better at work because I came to my senses and realise that I must make the change and still do regular deep breathing exercise and listen to my favourite music and really relax my body for my head to to relexing every muscle. I do this every night before bed since then. It is now just over a year and work and home is 100% improved. I am still taking one tablet a day but very happy and do not take on any stress or worry.
Some medications can cause side affects, i was on omeprezole for some time and after a while caused a gassy stomach and cramps at night, having an endoscophy is a good idea because it gets a good look at your upper digestive track. Myvdaughter gets crampy stomachs and sometimes needs the toilet quickly, she suffers from ibs. Sometimes before her period she gets an upset stomach was can be common too. I would still suggest an endoscophy x