Started meds 2 days ago.... Please read

[angelasymons]

I have suffered from anxiety for the last 2 years. at first it was a slight pain in my chest which i automatically thought was a heart attack, now i fear being in public incase i pass out and die, and im also fearing eating certain foods and getting food poisneing... i freak my family, friends and work friends out when i get anxiety.. its almost like when i get it now i meet it face to face and let it in because im so used to it, my physc says im "self-sabotaging" myself. my father passed away 5 years ago and died to instantly from hep c... i somehow fear maybe i could die so instantly the same. I am so healthy, have had blood tests run and am fine i used to dance full time for 12 years but gave it up 2 years ago and probably havent been fit at all lately., I seem to be fixated on my head and maybe a brain tumour. because i get pressure in the left side of my head and temple, i also sometimes get tingly feelings all over my scalp. I have had few pannick attacks, all of which i just try to breath but end up in tears and wanting my old life back. I am only 19 years old and tried for so long to resolve this issue with everything but prescription drugs, but my life is now out of control. I started medication yesterday 10mg of lexapro. my doctors originally perscribed me effelexor but i was too afraid to take it.. I now feel weird. and clogged up and tingly in my head... will this go away once the meds kick in? I want my life back :(

[Nelly34e]

It is amazing to see so many people suffering from Anxiety.  I had my first panic attack about a month and a half ago.  Then for a week or so I felt better, and after that week was up I have had non stop anxiety.  Every single day I feel chest pains near my heart, chest tightness, heartburn, headaches and sometimes I will get electric shock feelings through my body and heart.  I have this fear that I am going to die while my wife is at work and I am home watching our child and once I'm found it will be to late.  I don't feel safe in my own house unless my wife is here, and even then, I still have the symptoms.  I am only 23 years old, I have no idea why I feel this way.  I went to the E.R. when i first experienced these symptoms, thinking I was having a heart attack, and they took some blood test to check for Diabetes and other things, and hooked me up to an EKG and everything came back normal.  I then went to my normal doctor who has said it is severe anxiety and he prescribed me ZOLOFT.  I have been on Zoloft now for 3 days.  I don't feel better at all, but have been told it takes time.  I have experienced some side effects, like my body feeling really shaky on the inside and have had stomach cramps.  I don't know if this is the ZOLOFT doing this, or me just freaking out.  I am constantly worried.  I just don't understand why this has happened to me and its hard for people around me to understand.  My Wife has been very supportive but there is only so much she can do.  I really don't want to rely on meds, but I hope that they work.  I just want my life back.

[Stayinpositive]

I feel your pain. I have suffered anxiety/panic/depression since about 9. I just had a baby 7 weeks ago and am suffering from it all over again. I seem to have "episodes" of this where it will go from mild to severe. I just started Paxil 9 days ago. Not sure what I feel. I have my ups and downs. One day I'm better...next day im worse. It seems we are hypochondriacts and make ourselves fear things. I hate it. I know whats going on and that this is an illness that not only I but others go through and that I will get through this but it doesnt help me to know that because I am just so desperate for this to stop and go away and I feel so alone. Hope our meds kick in soon. follow up on wether or not your gettin better

[Princessdaniella]

You need to wait until the medication is in your system, give it a chance to work and if it is the right medication for You yes it will help.
You are only young, it is sad to have to fear so much in life and to feel this way. Let the medication work to give you a chance to live your life and be happy. I wish you the best, you deserve it

[rilesnic]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your Dad.  It does sound like true anxiety and panic.  You said you are seeing a psychiatrist?  That is a very good start.  The meds should start working in the next week or so, maybe sooner or later just depending on how your body adjusts to meds.  Try to not fight the panic when it comes.  Just keep saying this too shall pass.  You have been checked out and the doctors say you are healthy.  Try to start thinking that way when you feel the panic come on.  Reassure yourself that you've been checked out, and you are fine.  You know you've felt these symptoms in the past  and made it through, and you will again.  I lost my Mom, suddenly, 9 years ago.  My children were young so I knew I had to go on with my life and raise my girls.  They are now older teens and my panic has started to set in.  I know it's b/c I have more "me" time and am able to think more about things.  I have always had an abnormal fear of dying, not death, but the actual act of dying. I think it's just the way I'm wired.  Keep seeing your doctors and take one day at a time.  Trust that you are going to be fine.  Keep your father's memory alive by living your life to the fullest.  You will get through this.  Best to you!