Constant anxiety and panic for a week??

Hey Im new and have posted on other forums but nobody ever sent anything in return. I see that you all are like family here and would love to be a part of that. I am 21 years old, I started taking Zoloft when I was only 15. My parents had a bad divorce when I was young and my panic disorder started around the age of 5 or 6. The Zoloft worked great for me, I would have a full blown panic attack about twice a month but compaired to having them like I had in the past it seemed amazing. Well basicly I am freaking out. Last Sunday begain the week from hell. I have had constant anxiety and if I am not having a panic attack then I feel like I am working one up. It only subsides for an hour or two at night. I havent been able to eat but maybe a few bites of food a day my doc increased my dose of Zoloft from 50 mg to 75 mg and I just started uping the dose to 75 mg well today will be the fourth day. What should I do? I feel like I am just falling apart. Its also that time of the month and my mother and I found my 57 year old aunt in her bed 3 weeks ago and she had passed away. Could any of that have contributed to my increase in panic and anxiety? I know around that time every month I get more anxious but this is rediculous! Also about two years ago I had something kinda similer to this but I think it only lasted about 4 days. Has anyone ever had lingering panic and anxiety for this long? Already been picked up by the EMTs this week and been to the doc! They both said the same thing Im fine. I just have panic attacks. But I hate this cause I havent done anything in a week, I am mostly in my bed looking on the web to see if anyone has ever had this. I didnt have a panic attack yesterday but was still very anxious and had to take a fourth of a .25 xanax which isnt alot but it works for me. But today I woke up and was tired I guess from this week being so emotionally draining for me so I went back to sleep and woke up having an attack. The thing that scares me the most is if I will snap out of this. I want to leave the house but I dont  need to be driving cause I wouldnt be able to concentrate on the road. My stomach is messed up from my nerves, Ive been nausious a few times, racing heart, burning sensation in my stomach, chest, arms and hands. Sweaty palms and feet and I get really hot and feel like I cant get a deep breath at times. And Im really shaky. I felt kinda like I was in a fog for most of the week Im not sure if that is panic related or not? I felt better yesterday and I think I feel better today but Im just not back to normal... Anyone felt this? Thank you so much!

 

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 4/20/2009 5:30:02 PM (GMT-6)

Hey I am so sorry to hear your feeling the same. I feel a little better today I made myself leave the house which made me feel better. But I am still not back to normal. I think it is hormones they cause alot of anxiety. If your a girl are you around that time of the month? And are you on any medicines? And have you had any panic attacks or just the anxiety? Also I know how hard it is to explain the way you are feeling, but are you foggy headed (kinda like a daze)? Or shaky? Let me know

Welcome Lynnielove

I changed the font size in your first post but did not change any content.  Trying to save bandwidth.

I am sure what you have been through with your Aunt's death was traumatic for you and may have triggered these attacks.........hormones too have proven to play a role in anxiety being on the rise at certain times of the month.

I am glad you found us as we are a great family and we always welcome new members so stick with us and please don't hide out in bed.  Get up and face your anxiety. Remember you have anxiety it does not have you.

Call a friend when feelings of anxiousness or fear arise. A friend is not a replacement for professional help when needed, but a friend can be there to listen when you are having a bad day. Sometimes letting off a little steam can help relive tension and anxiety. Come here and talk with us. Remember we are a forum and someone will get back to you but we are not in real time as in a chat room.

Here is a reference for you:

The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, Fourth Edition

Pass Through Panic: Freeing Yourself from Anxiety and Fear
by: Claire Weekes

Again a warm and peaceful welcome to you.

Kitt

 

 

Sorry about the font I still dont understand alot of stuff on here but I will try to make it smaller. Well I left the house twice today still didnt drive didnt feel well enough yet, hopefully I will be well enough tomorrow. And It is also worse on me when I first wake up atleast it has been for the past few days. I really think it has alot to do with my aunt and my hormones. I live at home with my parents so they are a GREAT support system for me aswell. My mom also suffers from anxiety and panic and she said she was like this once in her life. If I have been on zoloft since 15 and 50 mg has worked and now I am 21, Is it a good idea to go up to 75 mg? My doctor wants me to go up to 75 mg around the time of my period but going up and down on medication just doesnt sound like a great idea to me, what do you think? Also I have this friend... Well over all she has a really good heart. But she is very negative and she fusses about everything. I have noticed when she is around my blood pressure goes through the roof!! For the past week of being in bed she has been the cause of atleast 4 of my panic attacks... Not a good thing, I dont think?! Well 3 of the times she was the one who woke me up out of a dead sleep and not only did she wake me up but she would shake me very hard and scare me almost out of my skin. The next day when she woke me it was by jumping on the bed and grabbing me with almost all of her strengh and holding me down hugging me! I know for most with panic it is the wonderful "Fight Or Flight" and when you are anxious for that long of a period it isnt the best idea to hold a panic ridden person down out of a deep sleep. Should I cut ties with her? I feel that she has become a very negative impact on me. Also I was talking to my step-dad about the exact way I have been feeling... and she laughed at me... it really hurt. Sorry the post was so long just have alot I need to get out... Thanks so much

Well, no wonder you feel anxious! First of all, this is normal and you need to go easy on yourself. You are emotionally and physically tired. You need good food, no stimulants, sleep, and an excellent doctor. If it's possible, go to a therapist.

I have felt the way you explained. Yes, it can go on for a week. This is your body's way of telling you to slow down. There are wonderful books on this forum that you can purchase. The books will help you tremendously. You may also want to consider cognitive behavior therapy.

When I'm going through PMS, I feel a higher level of anxiety. I noticed if I eat chocolate or other certain foods, it makes it worse. You may want to keep track of what you eat and how it makes you feel around that time of the month.

So, begin doing what everyone has suggested and go easy on yourself!! You will feel better soon!

One good thing that my Therpist told me to do is walk daily . I thought to myself at first walking will help ? Ok doc if you say so ... Well this week i started walking and it has help me alot . I have panic and axienty and agoraphobia so leaving my house is a big deal for me . First day will be hard but each day gets easier and easier . And this forum is the best place on the web i have found . You dont feel alone anymore once you have found Healing Well . I told my doc about this site and she was like yeah i have heard of it and thinks its wonderful that people can find people who can share there medical exp. In all ways unknown to doctors it helps people to talk to stranger about this . Will keep you in my thoughts ... Have a wonderful day !!!

Hello everyone! Thank you all for your support through this time of panic. Do you think it is a good idea going from 50 mg to 75 mg around my period. I took 75 mg Thursday night and have been on that dose for 7 days. But Friday night I was supose to go back to 50 mg, so I did. Now today I have been very anxious and on edge all day. Should I just stay on 75 mg dose from now on or should I go back to 50 mg?? If I was doing much better on 75 mg for a week and I come off for a day or two and get back to square one with the panic I think that I should stay at 75 mg. Is that a very high dose to be on? And also has anyone used the Lindon Method? If so did it work at all? Thanks so much

Hang in there that is all you can do, I have constant anxiety for weeks at a time and I feel I will never recover but I always do. Also meds such as xanax makes it a bit easier