I was wondering when you'd show up again.

I have some major Health Anxiety and Agoraphobia.

I was on Citalopram for a while and things where good but I stopped taking it about a 4 months ago. I also have lorazopam as needed. I stopped the ciatalopram because of some question over the effect on my liver. Because I felt reasonably good I didn't take anything else.

This all chnaged about 3 weeks ago. I started worrying about all these little aches and pains, I thought I was having a heart attack at 30, or maybe MS. My doctor said no and that I probably need to stay on medication. He perscribed 50mg of zoloft which after a week did nothing so he recently bumped me to 75 and switched out my lorazapam with clo****pan.

1 How long does zoloft take to make you feel better?

really bad Tension in my whole body, this is my biggest problem right now. At work feel like a rubber band stretched to the max. I don't really like my job to begin with but this just makes it that much worst.

2 What kind of experience with tension and pain have others had and how to combat it?

3 Most important how do you get your loved ones to understand that you don't want to feel like crap all the time and what advice can I give them when they say they don't know what to do?

Hey Joe!

My experience with Zoloft (and from what I've read about it) is that it can take a few weeks to completely "kick in". That being said, I personally noted a difference after about two weeks. Things weren't quite as "edgy" as they had been previously. I personally like Zoloft, as it seems to have less side effects. Also, a recent major study of anti-depression/anxiety drugs found that Zoloft was at the top for being most effective and safest overall when compared to about 10 oter currently used meds.

I know it's not easy, but things WILL get better. I'd wager that you've already noticed a difference, just not as dramatic as you'd like. Hang in there and just take things as they come. That's really all we can do anyway isn't it, whether or not we have a disorder or not, right? As far as your family and friends are concerned, thank them for their thoughtfulness. Many people don't have any support, and it's wonderful that you have people in your life that CARE how you feel. You also don't need to explain yourself or the way you feel, but talking about it with others DOES help, which is why we're all here.

As far as work is concerned, I think it's great that you HAVE a job! =)

Even though it may not satisfy you on the personal levels you would like it to, use this as an opportunity to think about what DOES give you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in life, and then use your free time to pursue that. I love to write, and although that's not my primary line of work, it does fill in the gap on a personal level.

I KNOW you'll do well, you will have successes, and you will find peace. Treat yourself to something you love... you deserve it!

Ross

hey joe
I don't know if you already know this but i learnt it the hard way lol....i had a tension headache so bad i went to the drug store and saw this stuff called "excedrin tension headache"... dont take it!!!!!!!! i ended up in the hospital thinking i was having a heartattack. the doctor there explained that over the counter drugs for headaches like sinutab or tylenol sinus or excedrin all have things in them that can make you more anxious - which is the last thing you need if you've got a headache caused by anxiety. i don't know if it's the caffine or what but he told me to only stick to advil and regular tylenol.

you could try getting a massage, they've helped me before :) and advil liquid gels are good too.....also really hot showers but that might only help me because i have really swollen sinuses. drink lots of water and sometimes even going for a jog and getting your heart pumping works for me :) and if it's possible sometimes a really good sleep can be amazing for a headache/tension

One of my doctors tried to start me on Zoloft years ago. For me, the side-effects were so bad that I was prescribed something different within a week. Everyone's different; I'm glad you're not having any side effects, so that could be a sign that your body is adjusting.

It is hard to be patient, especially when friends and family don't seem to understand. Glad you've found HW.

percycat