Try the zoloft, keep a journal to see what happens.
Stay hydrated.

Best wishes.

Try the Zoloft. If it doesn't work you can try something else. But it could
help you to feel a lot better.

HI, Sorry to hear your going through a tough time but everything as far as your symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks i have as well, dizziness, nausea and lack of sleep. When we think too far in advance of what will be and if this or that happens what next it will bring on anxiety for sure. I totally understand how you feel and what about which is all normal but the mind does a number on us.
Just trying to help as i am not in your shoes but all i can say is try to let your mind focus on something else like maybe what you enjoy as far as interest and try as i do this for myself bio feedback which is to think of something other then what your worrying about and think of someone a bit more pleasurable and see if that helps. Try deep breathing as well as think of being at the beach listening to the waves. Also if you enjoy music listen to something that will take your mind off of you and close your eyes and try and relax.
Hope this helps a bit.
TC
If you ever need someone to talk to i am available and willing.
Gary

I am so sorry that you are having all these problems. I have not had the severe problems with anxiety that you have suffered, I have just had depression every now and then. It is so hard to take your mind off of your thoughts that are causing your struggles, but that is what you have to do. I'd listen to your therapist and make a commitment to try what you feel could really help. Maybe try reading some articles on the problem. Go to "list.ly list troubled with Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness" They really do have a lot of good help on it. Praying you will find the strength to get through this awful attack on you and your kids' lives.

Your symptoms sound a lot like my mom and I have but ours are being caused by a chronic enterovirus infection. Check out the Enterovirus Foundation and Enteroviruses .com websites. Sadly, only a very few doctors are aware of this yet. Did you have a cold, stomach bug, or flu-like illness in the months preceding your symptoms?

PS. We're looking into trying Prozac which is closely related to Zoloft because there is strong evidence that it has potent antiviral action against Enteroviruses. It's seems so strange that an antidepressant would also be antiviral.

Thank you all for the responses!
LouiseS. I did actually. And have had ongoing bacterial overgrowth in my gut and constantly feel like I am fighting off an infection. Been tested for autoimmune diseases as well.

What can be done for it, if it is a virus??

There is no approved treatment yet for chronic enterovirus but mom and I are eager to try Prozac and see if it helps. I would assume Zoloft would have a similar effect but I haven't seen anything about it. Is your bacterial infection H pylori {Ulcer bacteria] or something else? If you've taken a lot of antibiotics for it you could also have Candida yeast overgrowth. The Yeast Connection is an excellent book and has helped many thousands overcome Yeast Syndrome. I think the Yeast Connection Questionnaire is available online and can give you an indication if Candida is at least part of your problem. I'm so sorry you have to go through all this while trying to raise your kids, but hang in there.

Something else Louise. But my anxiety really comes in flares and is soooo connected with GI issues. It’s like a switch gets flipped on and then off. But when it’s on, it’s unbearable. I will look into this further. I already have changed my diet, but will try harder.

I hope you can get tested for Coxsackie B and the Echoviruses without any out of pocket costs. There are links to get the correct tests at the Enterovirus Foundation and Enteroviruses .com websites. If you are infected or not be very careful about what you eat to avoid catching any more enterovirus strains. Andrea [Enteroviruses .com author] suspects her viruses came from undercooked shellfish. Mom and I are almost certain our viruses were in a head of lettuce or celery that probably came up from Mexico. Irrigation water there often contains raw sewage so don't eat raw produce unless you're certain it's been carefully washed. The FDA already knows that enteroviruses are on fruits and vegetables but they just don't know they're making people seriously ill. Sad