Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

23,095 Members
43,246 Posts
1 Online
Anxiety Disorders
/ Anxiety Support Group

HELP

arthursmum
arthursmum
I have had anxiety for about a month now - don't think i've ever had a panic attack. But anyhow just started Zoloft - second day at 50 mg. I just was trying to lay down for a nap and woke up feeling rediculously panicky like every single molecule inside me is on fire and like I'm going to explode. I don't know what's going on if it's a reaction or not but I'm scared to death. Waitinig for a call back from the psyciatrist.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I wasn't on Zoloft. I did take several other anti-anxiety meds. I know that process of starting them was a little shaky. Hang in there. You are not alone.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I started zoloft on Saturday. I took 25 mg Sat, Sun and Mon and today is my first day on 50 mg. I feel much more edgy and panicky. An overall nervous feeling. I'm taking it for depression, but also suffer from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder for which I take xanax and valium. I've noticed an increase in my anxiety since I started the zoloft saturday and have needed more xanax to calm down. From what I've read, this is common and should go away in 2 to 4 weeks.
deleted_user
deleted_user
just curious, does the same doc prescribe xanax and valium?

I asked my psy doc last week if he would do this and he said no.

BTW. I was on Zoloft for many years.

I think any anti-depressant is cumlative and takes a while to take effect.
arthursmum
arthursmum
Thanks for your responses I aprecciate it. Sucks to get better I have to get over the hump of this first, doesn't it? Turns out I was having a panick attack. Boy that was no fun.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Does the idea of taking the medication worry you? I could see how while recognizing you have anxiety, seeking treatment and starting a new medication is positive, it can also be scary in itself.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Funny how the side effects of zoloft is anxiety and panic attacks lol....isn't that waht they are trying to treat ironic.
arthursmum
arthursmum
Gold - no I actually am looking to do whatever I can to get over this - if taking medication will help I'm all for it.

Kristin - yes entirely ironic. I hate that.
deleted_user
deleted_user
By reading your first post, I figured that it was a panic attack. Just don't be scared if it happens again. Anxiety can last all day, but panic attacks, are usually over pretty quickly. It may take a few weeks for the medication to really kick in and stop the anxiety and panic, so don't give up hope. And next time (hopefully there isn't a next time but if there is) you have a panic attack, at least you will know what it is, and you can calm yourself.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had the same sensation once of feeling as if I might spontaneously combust. It really was freaky, and something I had never experienced before and thank God since. Panic attacks take many forms, and that is one of the more scary ones.
arthursmum
arthursmum
Matt - I saw you posted that somewhere else about spontaneous combustion... that is EXACTLY how I felt. Of course now I look back on it and think "man I watched X-files too much back in the day".

And Ros - you're right now I know what to expect and I know it won't last long.

Thanks again to everyone - although now on top of everything I feel like I did when I had Mono in college.