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Unexplained gagging and dry heaving?
Hi, I'm a 15 year old girl with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder. Over a month ago I was switched from Zoloft to Prozac and had some very bad side effects, including gagging, dry heaving, nausea, diarrhea, shaking, and pretty much everything else that has to do with a panic attack. After a trip to convenient care and then the next day to the emergency room, 2 IVs, blood tests, and everything, all that came back was that I was (obviously) extremely dehydrated. I don't know how familiar you all are with medical terms or anything, but some level of water in my blood was supposed to be at 25 but was at 11 in the emergency room. It went up to 19 after 24 hours on an IV, so they had me stay one more night and I left at noon the next day. My potassium level was also a bit low. I hadn't eaten for about 5 days because the gagging was so bad, so I started eating slowly and have been eating well since.
Two days ago, however, the gagging and nausea have come back with a vengeance and are ten times worse. If it gets really bad, I'll end up dry heaving which scares me because I have Emetophobia. But that's just it - everyone is saying it's just my anxiety and there's nothing wrong with my throat. I don't care if that's what they say, as long as there's a way to get rid of it! I don't want another episode of me not eating or drinking, so I was hoping I could ask you all a question. What methods can psychiatrists use for this kind of thing? I've heard that gagging in anxiety patients is common. My appointment isn't until Tuesday and I am really uncomfortable talking on the phone in general, let along with this gagging. And I can't email her because they always say no one knows who's reading it. Basically, I would love to know how I can calm down now, and also what a psychiatrist can do for me to make this gagging go away. I am up for anything that she can help me with. Thanks for all your help.
Two days ago, however, the gagging and nausea have come back with a vengeance and are ten times worse. If it gets really bad, I'll end up dry heaving which scares me because I have Emetophobia. But that's just it - everyone is saying it's just my anxiety and there's nothing wrong with my throat. I don't care if that's what they say, as long as there's a way to get rid of it! I don't want another episode of me not eating or drinking, so I was hoping I could ask you all a question. What methods can psychiatrists use for this kind of thing? I've heard that gagging in anxiety patients is common. My appointment isn't until Tuesday and I am really uncomfortable talking on the phone in general, let along with this gagging. And I can't email her because they always say no one knows who's reading it. Basically, I would love to know how I can calm down now, and also what a psychiatrist can do for me to make this gagging go away. I am up for anything that she can help me with. Thanks for all your help.
Since you seem to be on a bit of a roller-coaster between the Zoloft and Prozac, I wonder why some other AD has not been tried. As you are only 15, there are some antidepressants out there that are not recommended for anyone under the age of 18.
You also say the Xanax is not helping with your panic attacks. Considering how potent Xanax is, this raises questions for me as well. It may just be a dosage issue.
At this point it is my suggestion that you ask your psychiatrist to refer you to a PMM. (Psychiatric Medication Manager) They can be a bit hard to find, but your p-doc should know of one near you.
These doctors do nothing but manage your meds. They do not do therapy. But they have far greater knowledge of these types of meds than the vast majority of general practioners, who basically only know what the latest drug rep has told them. My GP had me so screwed up on meds, I was feeling lousy all the time........didn't know if I was coming or going. My PMM got me sorted out and while I'm still dealing with some issues, I'm now at least doing it with a clear head.
I hope you will think about this option and discuss it with your therapist or p-doc.
You WILL recover from this once you begin therapy and get on the right meds at the right dosage.
You might also want to check into finding a therapist or p-doc who specializes in younger people. They ARE out there.
Please don't give up and while I know how hard it can get, stay strong and positive that you are going to recover from this.
And know that we are always here if you hit a bump in the road.
Peace
Greenlydia
You also say the Xanax is not helping with your panic attacks. Considering how potent Xanax is, this raises questions for me as well. It may just be a dosage issue.
At this point it is my suggestion that you ask your psychiatrist to refer you to a PMM. (Psychiatric Medication Manager) They can be a bit hard to find, but your p-doc should know of one near you.
These doctors do nothing but manage your meds. They do not do therapy. But they have far greater knowledge of these types of meds than the vast majority of general practioners, who basically only know what the latest drug rep has told them. My GP had me so screwed up on meds, I was feeling lousy all the time........didn't know if I was coming or going. My PMM got me sorted out and while I'm still dealing with some issues, I'm now at least doing it with a clear head.
I hope you will think about this option and discuss it with your therapist or p-doc.
You WILL recover from this once you begin therapy and get on the right meds at the right dosage.
You might also want to check into finding a therapist or p-doc who specializes in younger people. They ARE out there.
Please don't give up and while I know how hard it can get, stay strong and positive that you are going to recover from this.
And know that we are always here if you hit a bump in the road.
Peace
Greenlydia
Hi, thanks for your help. Actually, I forgot to mention, the reason that I went off the Zoloft was because I was having intrusive thoughts, and I have been on Prozac for years before I was on Zoloft. The only reason we switched was because the Prozac didn't seem to be helping, but that was probably because I was not taking it consistently. So I went back onto it after the Zoloft, but I think I probably have a tolerance to it now since it doesn't seem to be working, because I'm having a lot of panic attacks and my Xanax is not helping. I hope I can recover from this! Thanks again.
My first thought is that you are having some sort of reaction to the Prozac since apparently none of problems presented while you were on the Zoloft. If you had these severe reactions for a month when you began the Prozac, why didn't you let your doctor know?
Emetophobia not withstanding, not eating for 5 days, while not a very good option, will not really hurt you, but not drinking for that long can cause severe problems. But you found that out the hard way by ending up in the hospital for two days.
One possibility to get yourself calmed down before your theapry appointment on Tuesday is to return to an Urgent Care Clinic and discuss this with the doctor. They MAY give you a mild sedative to get you through the next few days.
If they won't do that, I would suggest you drink plenty of water in small quantities, very frequently. I would advise avoiding sodas or highly acidic juices. Apple juice and room temperature Ginger Ale might be alternatives. Eat very light but nutritious snacks throughout the day rather than attempt to eat one or two large meals. Keeping something in your stomach will prevent the acid building up which can lead to feeling nausea and gagging, which, as you said, is quite common people with anxiety.
Therapists are highly trained in dealing with the issues you have and they will be able to help you figure out why you have this problem just by talking and guiding you to reach insights on your own. Every therapist has different "methods," so I can't tell you exactly what YOUR therapist will do. Since you are "up for anything she can help you with," that is a great attitude. Just go in with an open mind and be ready to do some homework. Therapists are wonderful people, but they aren't magicians..........it's a "team" effort.
You are too young to let this ruin your life, so put your full effort into this and I'm confident that you will soon be on the road to recovery.
I wish you the very best.
You CAN do this!
Peace
Greenlydia
Emetophobia not withstanding, not eating for 5 days, while not a very good option, will not really hurt you, but not drinking for that long can cause severe problems. But you found that out the hard way by ending up in the hospital for two days.
One possibility to get yourself calmed down before your theapry appointment on Tuesday is to return to an Urgent Care Clinic and discuss this with the doctor. They MAY give you a mild sedative to get you through the next few days.
If they won't do that, I would suggest you drink plenty of water in small quantities, very frequently. I would advise avoiding sodas or highly acidic juices. Apple juice and room temperature Ginger Ale might be alternatives. Eat very light but nutritious snacks throughout the day rather than attempt to eat one or two large meals. Keeping something in your stomach will prevent the acid building up which can lead to feeling nausea and gagging, which, as you said, is quite common people with anxiety.
Therapists are highly trained in dealing with the issues you have and they will be able to help you figure out why you have this problem just by talking and guiding you to reach insights on your own. Every therapist has different "methods," so I can't tell you exactly what YOUR therapist will do. Since you are "up for anything she can help you with," that is a great attitude. Just go in with an open mind and be ready to do some homework. Therapists are wonderful people, but they aren't magicians..........it's a "team" effort.
You are too young to let this ruin your life, so put your full effort into this and I'm confident that you will soon be on the road to recovery.
I wish you the very best.
You CAN do this!
Peace
Greenlydia
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