Do I need more help?

[grace1019]

I am 26 years old and have been experiencing tremendous panic attacks for the past month. Now i have had a few losses in my life (father passed then brother a few yrs ago). Since then, I have had a fear of dying or something is wrong with my brain, ie tumor etc. I can't get rid of these thoughts and shut my mind off. I have been taking xanax for the attacks and have been recently prescribed zoloft. I just started taking the zoloft a few days ago, 50 mg, and I now am experience floating feelings and like i'm not really here. I also have been feeling like I could fall over or pass out but then that's when the panic sets in. I have been taking about 1 mg of xanax almost everyday and been fine but since I started the zoloft that's when the floating started to occur. Now I was on zoloft last year for about 6 months and was fine, same prescription and mg. Does anyone know what could be the problem? i feel as though I should go to the dr and get a CAT scan or MRI done on my brain because I can't live like this. Or is this an affect of the medication? If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it!! Thanks!

[brown90]

I really dont think your medication would affect you that quickly, but then again..... I don't know.  They say it takes 4-6 weeks for you to see a change, I think everyone is different.  To me it is probably just a part of your anxiety.  Sometimes lights like in a Wal-Mart make me feel real funny, sometimes they don't.  I think it all depends on you and what you are doing at the present time and how you are feeling.  Your mind is a very powerful thing, please dont underestimate what it can make you feel :)  Maybe part of your counseling should be grief couseling too.  Unfortunately you have had a tremedous amount of grief to deal with in a short amount of time.  Your mind may not be able to process it all so quickly.  Just a thought.  Take care and let me know how you are.  This is a great place to see you are not alone and everyone here really does care.

[grace1019]

thank you for your response! I do plan on talking with my doctor. I just hate having to go through this! I know part of it is the grief but I have terrible anxiety attached to it. I just hope that it's just the medication and this floaty feeling won't last...or I can be put on something else. But would the zoloft react that quickly? I've just started on it the past 3 nights?

[grace1019]

thanks for the response! I am actually seeking both psychologist as well as an anxiety specialist. I have just begun the process but I just hate, like most, going through this!! The constant fear is debilitating at times and I just need relief.

[cj29]

If you do have concerns, it makes sense to go talk with your doctor about it.  I was on Zoloft 3 years ago and now am back on it after years of being on nothing.  When I went back on it a couple of months ago, I had all sorts of side effects as I went up and my body adjusted to the medication. Have you also been talking to a mental health care professional about your anxiety?  For me the combination of talk therapy and medication have done wonders in understanding this cycle.

[brown90]

Of course if you are worried you should talk to your doctor.  In my experience, medication can change the way it works, so if you didnt have the floating feeling before and you do now, it can still be the medication.  It could also be just a symptom of your anxiety.  I feel there is nothing to worry about, but you should contact your doctor and see if he/she feels more tests are needed.
Take care~