Extreme Anxiety

[Jamiep966]

Hello.  I recently got off of Zoloft and am on about .5 Mg. Of klonopin per day.  Now when I am experiencing extreme anxiety sitting at home and especially while driving.  It feels like my throat is closing and I have this weird feeling in my head and shooting down the rest of my body.  It makes me feel like something is going to happen at any minute.  These feelings are driving me insane!  I often think the doctors are missing something in my bloodwork.  I also take Synthroid for thyriod problems.  

I've been going through this for almost two years and at my wits end!  This is destroying my life.  

Can anyone relate?  I would appreciate any feedback.  Thanks!

[cj29]

I agree with Paxiled as well.  There are so many factors that can contribute to this.  And then added upon that, we already have to deal with anxiety.  For me, whenever I adjusted the dose  or tapered off of Zoloft (under my doctor's orders of course), I would notice withdrawal effects. I also tend to believe I magnified them by being on edge about the possibility of side effects when coming off of it.  Sometimes, it can seem like we just can't win in my opinion...but just remember what you have learned along the way in confronting your anxiety and apply it.  I know that it isn't easy, but you can and will get through it.  

[Jamiep966]

Hi Paxiled, thank you for your response.  My doctor did taper me off slowly.  She is very cautious and wants to take me off of everything.  It's not much, but I'm having a very hard time getting off .5 mill of Klonopin per day.  My husband also said it could be long term withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft.  I just hope in time it fades.  I appreciate your input.  I am searching for answers and this helps.

[Jamiep966]

Hi Tigress,   I am sorry you are going through it as well.  Yes, I have the same symptoms and they are very scarey.  Did you experience an anxiety attack before these feelings?  That's what happened to me about a year ago and I have been suffering ever since.  I still think it could be thyriod related.  Has your doctor checked your levels?  I know what you mean about it ruining your life.  I'm on medical leave from work, but am at risk for losing my job.  I know going there is a trigger for an attack, so I can't even get in the car to go.  I wake up in the morning and dread my day.  I also feel in a dreamlike state all the time.  I know it's hard to cope with, but sooner later things will get better.  

[Paxiled]

Did this enhanced feeling start when you stopped the Zoloft, giving you problems you never had before?  Did you taper off slowly?  You might be having a prolonged withdrawal from the Zoloft -- some of the symptoms you describe fit that pattern.  It also might not be related to that at all, but it is something to consider.

[Tigress143]

This happens to me everyday. Anxiety is a bad thing and I also think it spoiled my life. Every minute I feel like I'm in a dream and nothing is real. Sometime I zone out and forget who I am. Its scaring me. I have a headache in one spot and its really bothering me and I can't get ride of it. I also have pain all over my body and my doctor recommended that I see a psychiatrist. Please message me, I need someone to talk to that can relate to my problem!

[cj29]

No problem....you are going to get through it.  Counseling can be a little tricky sometimes in my experience.  It took me about three tries to find a counselor that I was comfortable with.  Second, group therapy was an amazing experience for me because it put so many things in perspective for me.  It showed me, that I wasn't alone and furthermore, I was surprised how many successful people there were in the group.  Teachers, lawyers, business professions, etc, were all experiencing the same thing in one form or another and various people were at different points in confronting their anxieties.  It was an eye opener in that over time, I saw people progress and got to celebrate with them as they cleared their various hurdles along the way.  Plus, it also gives them "cred" when they talk because they are going through the sae thing you are going through.

Keep on at it...and never hesitate to ask questions or share your expriences here.  

[Jamiep966]

Thanks so much for the encouragement!   I am going to a new therapist to learn what triggers anxiety for me.   Group therapy is a good idea too, thank you.  I've tried counseling in the past with no luck.  I know its just anxiety, but I needed someone to show me how to identify triggers and how to deal with it.  My new therapist is showing me this now, which makes me feel I will beat this.  

I appreciate your encouraging words and advice.  I really like hearing from people who have overcome this.  Thanks so much!

[cj29]

I am sorry that you are going through this right now.  In my experience anxiety and panic can be difficult to get a handle on.  Have you also been getting counseling for your anxiety?  Have you had periods where you anxiety has dropped and if so, what did you do that helped you deal with it?

For me, counseling worked the best.  Both one on one and group helped me realize how many people actually deal with this on a regular basis.  It also put things in perspective as well. Anxiety is a challenge and as with all challenges that we face, we can overcome it by learning about it and confronting it.  It isn't easy and it is EXTREMELY frustrating to say the least, but you will get through this.  For me, I would become exasperated when my anxiety would seem to come back 'out of the blue,' but the good thing with it is that I was able to apply what I had learned in the past to confront and deal with it.  Fear that the doctors are missing something is quite common in my opinion and for me, was a large source of my anxiety.  It took some time and some patience, but the knowledge I learned from counseling and other people payed huge dividends as I sought to deal with it.  Please keep us posted!