hey,
I know exactly what you are feeling, I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and my heart is always beating really fast. I dont take any medication and deal with my panic and anxiety just by breathing and changing my way of thinking. I have only just gone back to work after having 8 weeks off work. I never used to believe the doc when he said i was ok and it is just anxiety.
I wake up most days feeling crap and sometimes i feel like i want to curl up in a ball and not face the world.
I know its hard but you will feel better.
I never thought i would be able to return to work but i have. You need to start believing that there is nothing wrong with you and that it is just anxiety (its hard i know) but if the tests are fine then that means that you are fine too!
continue taking your zoloft as it may well help you to feel better.
Just believe in yourself and things will get better - trust me i know!!
take care xx

any valium type meds will help a lot

You're not alone. Part of the difficult with medications is not only matching up the right one with an individual, but also adjusting the proper dosage. Also, it takes time (sometimes weeks) for the medication to fully 'get into our system'. Ideally... you would be taking something like lorazepam or xanax to help lower the anxiety while the anti-depressant has time to set in. You shouldn't have to suffer so... tell your doctor just what you've said to us...

I am so glad I am not alone, everyday all day me too, been to er a bunch as well they treat me badly at first they always think I am on crank or something so they don't even try to help until after the UA gets back. Ugh I have the exact same thoughts that the doc missed somethin on the ekg, so I understand totally.

I was there myself about 2-3 months ago. Just one big anxiety attack day and night. I thought that I couldn't cope and was really scared for my life.

Since i've started CBT, i've learned what happens to me and how it's ME that causes it to get to that state.

It's a viscious cycle. You feel anxious, you try to find logical reasons why, you start all the 'what if...' internal analyzing, you panic more, your body gets ready for fight or flight, then...BANG!...nasty. Once it's all over, you are scared of it happening again and start to ask the 'what ifs' and the cycle continues.

Now I know that's it all my doing and it's only me that can change it, i'm on the way to dealing with it.

If I only put negative emotions into my life, what else can I expect back.

- Stu

I am starting C B T soon, i understand it works well.
I also take no meds for my anxiety which is caused by the chronic pain i endure.

Hey, your story sounds like a carbon copy of mine. About 2 years ago I was basically homebound. What helped me was to find a Doc that took me seriuosly and really cared, get on meds that helped, exercise, and force myself to get out of the house religiously. I still struggle but things are a lot easier. I take Wellbutrin which works great and it also helps people stop smoking, you may want to investigate that. You in my prayers!

I have been dealing with severe anxiety everyday for several months now.
I am back on effexor and just had the dosage upped again. I have had a couple of days where I still had the anxiety but not as severe.
My pdoc told me yesterday that it really takes 6-8 weeks to feel some improvement from the medications. The medication may never get rid of my anxiety completely, but if it at least lessens it then that will be good. I have most days were I shake and feel sick all day with anxiety.
Trying to do stuff and distract myself hasn't worked either. I just started a part time job and now that is creating added anxiety because it is just a retail job working long hours and late nights. I feel really stuck in my lousy life.

this is an old post

I'm afraid the...."You might also like ..." has struck YET again! it has to go..How many old posts have been bumped up because of this?? DS Doug and Co please take note? Thank you

Hey, I know how you feel. I've been through a couple of rough patches like this too. They can last a really long time. I think the key is indeed meds. That's just MY opinion. Some may not agree. But that's what they're out there for. The good Lord allowed man to make these meds for us for a reason and as long as we don't abuse them, if we use them when neccessary, I believe they can be a good thing. The zoloft will take a few weeks to really take effect and in fact, you might feel worse in the beginning. I understand that you're not having full blown panic attacks everyday, however, general anxiety, when it just stays and stays is not good either and it CAN and WILL make you feel terrible. I suggest taking ativan or valium or xanax along with the zoloft. It really helps a lot. I was scared to take ANY meds at all when I first started medication and was particularly nervous about taking the ativan, but the truth is, I made myself do it and am so glad that I did. From the very first one I ever took, I felt so much better. Anxiety level was much lower and as soon as it took effect, I wasn't worried about taking it anymore, not worried about side effects or anything. That's just how much better it made me feel. I only ever took .5 mg at a time. I started out at 3 per day and over time decided to take a 4th early in the morning as this was when my panic and anxiety was at it's peak. I didn't have a hard time coming off of these when I found out about my pregnancy. I've heard that they can be addicting, but as I said before, if used properly and not abused, which is unlikely for someone with panic and anxiety disorder anyway, they shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, I know I've been long winded here, but I really wanted to tell you what worked for me. Dont be scared to try meds, give them time and I honeslty believe you will feel better. I know sometimes pcp docs wont prescribe the ativan and such, so your best bet might be to see a psychiatrist. That's their business and they want to make you feel better. I really got my life back because of the antidepressant and the ativan. I hope you feel better soon. Keep us all updated. Good luck and God bless you.