Aa
I am SO sick of this
I'm new here :) ... and I need you guys' help, seriously...
One day when I was 11 during the summer of 2001 -- before I switched from public school to private school, something I wasn't looking forward to -- I woke up feeling just really strange. Later on that day I'd have my first panic attack, and then a few more during the rest of the week. I developed OCD symptoms that summer too. Within a year, I fought with slight nausea daily, low energy and I started to retreat into a shell. I didn't have another "panic attack spell" until I was 14 -- and this time depression and agoraphobia came with it, along with eye floaters and I started getting acid reflux. I started sweating very easily too. All throughout high school, I had chronic stomachaches and headaches, got full really easily, easily fatigued, and last but SO not least -- ***MOOD SWINGS!***
By late 2006, I started feeling a little better. I was graduating from high school and leaving home in 2007. I was happy to be leaving my hellish high school and moving on with my life. As a freshman, I fell in love for the first time. I was somewhat energized yet was so afraid of having a panic attack or not being in control of what was going on, I was suspicious and SCARED etc that I totally screwed it all up. The summer before my sophomore year, I started having depersonalization attacks due to anxiety and felt totally ******. I started taking Zoloft prescribed by my college psychiatrist in February '09, and although I got rid of the anxiety attacks, it just made me having obsessive thoughts and, at times, manic behavior. It was unpredictable and the withdrawal gave me suicidal/homicidal thoughts -- which is not like me at all.
I'm taking this upcoming semester off because I will not let this stupid **** continue to sink my grades when I know I'm intelligent, keep me from enjoying my life, keep me up nights crying myself to pieces etc. I *just* started seeing a holistic therapist, my second appointment is next week. I don't wanna take anymore meds because Zoloft made me absolutely insane--and I'm really not kidding when I say "insane".
Is all of this really caused by ANXIETY??? I've looked up Dysautonomia, sounds a lot like me (but then again so did ADD and Cyclothymia and blahblahblah), but I don't know. Music, painting and dancing helps me during my low points but I still feel "not right" a lot of the time. I know my weird childhood (alcoholic father and unstable environment) and being hypersensitive has something to do with this too.
But sometimes I can't see or think clearly, feel lightheaded and just want to sleep -- even if I eat something -- and I get overwhelmed easily and I cannot calm down. I'm just so confused.
Any insight??? Do you guys get these symptoms too?
One day when I was 11 during the summer of 2001 -- before I switched from public school to private school, something I wasn't looking forward to -- I woke up feeling just really strange. Later on that day I'd have my first panic attack, and then a few more during the rest of the week. I developed OCD symptoms that summer too. Within a year, I fought with slight nausea daily, low energy and I started to retreat into a shell. I didn't have another "panic attack spell" until I was 14 -- and this time depression and agoraphobia came with it, along with eye floaters and I started getting acid reflux. I started sweating very easily too. All throughout high school, I had chronic stomachaches and headaches, got full really easily, easily fatigued, and last but SO not least -- ***MOOD SWINGS!***
By late 2006, I started feeling a little better. I was graduating from high school and leaving home in 2007. I was happy to be leaving my hellish high school and moving on with my life. As a freshman, I fell in love for the first time. I was somewhat energized yet was so afraid of having a panic attack or not being in control of what was going on, I was suspicious and SCARED etc that I totally screwed it all up. The summer before my sophomore year, I started having depersonalization attacks due to anxiety and felt totally ******. I started taking Zoloft prescribed by my college psychiatrist in February '09, and although I got rid of the anxiety attacks, it just made me having obsessive thoughts and, at times, manic behavior. It was unpredictable and the withdrawal gave me suicidal/homicidal thoughts -- which is not like me at all.
I'm taking this upcoming semester off because I will not let this stupid **** continue to sink my grades when I know I'm intelligent, keep me from enjoying my life, keep me up nights crying myself to pieces etc. I *just* started seeing a holistic therapist, my second appointment is next week. I don't wanna take anymore meds because Zoloft made me absolutely insane--and I'm really not kidding when I say "insane".
Is all of this really caused by ANXIETY??? I've looked up Dysautonomia, sounds a lot like me (but then again so did ADD and Cyclothymia and blahblahblah), but I don't know. Music, painting and dancing helps me during my low points but I still feel "not right" a lot of the time. I know my weird childhood (alcoholic father and unstable environment) and being hypersensitive has something to do with this too.
But sometimes I can't see or think clearly, feel lightheaded and just want to sleep -- even if I eat something -- and I get overwhelmed easily and I cannot calm down. I'm just so confused.
Any insight??? Do you guys get these symptoms too?
Well I just read GirlLovesNY's post and it kinda answered my question. i guess it's just chronic anxiety. *sigh*
Sounds like some depression in there, too. You never know with this stuff, anxiety makes us depressed, depression makes us anxious. And it can go on and on. And I sympathize with your withdrawal, Paxil withdrawal really did a number on me. Good luck with your holistic therapist. If you have questions about any natural remedies and such, join us on the complementary medicine forum, and try a book called Natural Highs by Hyla Cass. But take it slow -- don't expect sudden fixes and you won't be disappointed.
thanks!
...yep, depression too....i know exactly why i'm depressed too....aww...this ***** =/
i'll look into that book :)
...yep, depression too....i know exactly why i'm depressed too....aww...this ***** =/
i'll look into that book :)
I have suffered on and off during the past 8-9 years with anxiety. I have suffered some of the symptoms you have described. Certainly not to the extent that you have suffered.
When I was at the depths of my depression / anxiety I felt like my skin was crawling, couldnt sleep thru the night, woke up early, couldnt eat, absolutely could not concentrate on anything and felt totally overwhelmed. These are very typical signs of depression.
The above almost cost me my marraige. As a result I took it extremely seriously. We went to marraige counseling once a week, I had a complete check-up by my gen. practitioner, I still go to a psychologist once a week, I started meditating, starting exercising, starting listening to self-help books, etc...
I suppose you have been checked out for a thyroid problem, hypoglycemia, other medical conditions?
I take Zoloft now and was taking a bit of Xanax each day, as I needed it. I started at 50 mg, went up to 100 mg, then I backed off to 75 mg. I dont take Xanax any more except on bad days.
Perhaps the Zoloft amount you took was not right for you, or perhaps Zoloft is not the right drug for you. It can be difficult when starting. But personally I would not throw out the option of an alternative drug such as Buspar, Xanax, Klonopin, etc... You might find one or a few that help. But use them WITH therapy and self-help like exercise for the best long term solution.
Good luck.
When I was at the depths of my depression / anxiety I felt like my skin was crawling, couldnt sleep thru the night, woke up early, couldnt eat, absolutely could not concentrate on anything and felt totally overwhelmed. These are very typical signs of depression.
The above almost cost me my marraige. As a result I took it extremely seriously. We went to marraige counseling once a week, I had a complete check-up by my gen. practitioner, I still go to a psychologist once a week, I started meditating, starting exercising, starting listening to self-help books, etc...
I suppose you have been checked out for a thyroid problem, hypoglycemia, other medical conditions?
I take Zoloft now and was taking a bit of Xanax each day, as I needed it. I started at 50 mg, went up to 100 mg, then I backed off to 75 mg. I dont take Xanax any more except on bad days.
Perhaps the Zoloft amount you took was not right for you, or perhaps Zoloft is not the right drug for you. It can be difficult when starting. But personally I would not throw out the option of an alternative drug such as Buspar, Xanax, Klonopin, etc... You might find one or a few that help. But use them WITH therapy and self-help like exercise for the best long term solution.
Good luck.
i was wondering if the XANAX helps with panic attacks? i have them while driving every single time and no meds i have been on have helped i am wweaning off zoloft not going well at all have ben trying f or 3 weeks now the withdrawal is awful. but i was wondering if t he XANAX makes u dizzy and such things if you take it before driving? and are you able to take it as needed? thanks
hey thanks for replying
no i've actually never been checked for either of those things (thyroid problems or hypoglycemia)...idk i'll probably see about getting a blood test soon...other times when i had blood tests (not necessarily to check those things) nothing was abnormal...
this sucksss
no i've actually never been checked for either of those things (thyroid problems or hypoglycemia)...idk i'll probably see about getting a blood test soon...other times when i had blood tests (not necessarily to check those things) nothing was abnormal...
this sucksss
I dont want to sound like a drug pusher, but I have found Xanax to be a very good and calming drug. I would definitely think that it would help you with the withdrawal symptoms. I am quite sensitive to the effects of drugs, so I only carry a 0.25 mg Xanax on me and I almost never take more than about 1/3. I took about 3/4 two weeks ago when I really needed it. It is very calming.
The first time I tried it I took a complete tablet (0.25 mg). I felt a little too relaxed and just wanted to lie down.
I would not start taking it while you are driving until you get a feel for how it works with you. I would try it at home a few times. But you probably wouldnt get to realize its full potential until you are in a stressful / anxiety provoking situation and then you take it. 5 minutes later you are calm and relaxed.
Perhaps your Dr. didnt prescribe it for you because (1) it is a depressant and (2) it is addictive. But I dont abuse it. I seldom take it.
Good luck.
The first time I tried it I took a complete tablet (0.25 mg). I felt a little too relaxed and just wanted to lie down.
I would not start taking it while you are driving until you get a feel for how it works with you. I would try it at home a few times. But you probably wouldnt get to realize its full potential until you are in a stressful / anxiety provoking situation and then you take it. 5 minutes later you are calm and relaxed.
Perhaps your Dr. didnt prescribe it for you because (1) it is a depressant and (2) it is addictive. But I dont abuse it. I seldom take it.
Good luck.
You definitely have to have your hormones checked. I'm not a Dr. but I always hear about the problems the endocrine system can produce. You would be surprised at the types of problems caused by an overactive or underactive gland.
I mentioend hyper (or hypo) glycemia because it can cause some anxiety symptoms. I doubt it would be anything so extreme like your experience.
Good luck
I mentioend hyper (or hypo) glycemia because it can cause some anxiety symptoms. I doubt it would be anything so extreme like your experience.
Good luck
I too suffered with anxiety attacks since I was in 8th grade. (I am 34 now). Sometimes, the first medication you try is not the one that will work. I went through 6-7 meds before I found the one that worked for me. I was addicted to Xanax, so my doctor has me on Klonapin since it doesn't clear the system as quickly and make one crave more. I still have "pantanix" (my 6 year old named my panic attacks as this when she was 4), but I have also discovered I am ADD, so I get to have a long talk with my doc. There is no shame in having this, it is a part of you. Keep trying, talk to a doctor about options from meds, talk to a therapist about behavioral things you can do to help control the symptoms. The important thing is never give up.
thanks everyone for your responses
i'm gonna go get my hormones checked because every symptom i've had is a symptom of a thyroid problem. i didn't mention that the year everything changed for me, I had a swollen lymph node on my neck that was huge, red, hurt and stayed that way from the spring to the fall. I was supposed to have surgery on it but they by the time surgery day came up, it had gone down.
Funny how as soon as that swollen lymph node happened, all these mental things followed. I just recently made the connection.
i'm gonna go get my hormones checked because every symptom i've had is a symptom of a thyroid problem. i didn't mention that the year everything changed for me, I had a swollen lymph node on my neck that was huge, red, hurt and stayed that way from the spring to the fall. I was supposed to have surgery on it but they by the time surgery day came up, it had gone down.
Funny how as soon as that swollen lymph node happened, all these mental things followed. I just recently made the connection.
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