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I'm thinking I need to begin the Zoloft again.

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Posted 2/18/2012 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi....I'm new here and must say glad I found this! :) My question to all is about a year ago I was weaned (by my doctor) off of the Zoloft I was taking for almost 10 years. At first I had a few small issues but not many, Oh, I should tell you I had GAD w/ panic attacks and mild depression. Anyway, about four months ago out of no where I started having panic attacks again for no apparent reason....well other than the fact I worry about EVERYTHING...lol. They have been coming much more frequently (especially) when I first wake up. But can happen anytime. I'm thinking I need to begin the Zoloft again. I still have an active prescription with one refill left.

I did go through a VERY hard break-up last April and another (with the same man) issue this past September. I haven't recovered and not sure I ever will but the issue in September really did me in. Shortly after that is when I began to have panic attacks again. I'm sure it's related but I need to nip this in the butt now because I don't ever want to go through again what I did ten years ago. I'm thinking the Zoloft (which worked great for me) is the way to go. Plan to call and talk to my doctor on Monday but it can't hurt to start them right away.

Any thoughts??

Thanks!

Edit:  I gave your thread a title.

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 2/18/2012 8:17:28 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/18/2012 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome!

I am sorry that your panic attacks have returned. It does seem as though you understand the triggers that caused them to come back however, so that is good. Knowing that will help you to deal with them and use your coping mechanisms.

I can't give you advice as far as your medication goes, only your prescribing doctor can really do that...but we have some good things to check out in our Resource Guide. Lots of great self-help links are available there, that will help you along with yor medication in managing the anxiety.

We are a supportive group who understands what you are experiencing, so post anytime that you have a question, something to share, or just need some encouagement.:)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 2/18/2012 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
GBPacker

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  I am sorry to hear your anxiety is on the rise but also I am wondering if you ever saw a therapist in the past to help you learn ways to cope with your anxiety and depression.

If you have been off of your medication this long perhaps you should wait until you talk with your Dr. before starting up a medication again.

I know when we start to feel anxiety/panic take hold we become desperate to stop it in it's tracks and many of us want to just find the right medication that will make it all better.  Medication plays a very important role in dealing with emotional disorders however lifestyle changes should always be combined with the medication IMHO.

By the way cute user name - I am from Viking land and I say that very softly these days.  turn


 

Posted 2/18/2012 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
If the zoloft worked in the past, going back on it will probably help, however, do check with your Dr first. Seeing a therapist and learning some cbt techniques might help, but do not take a benzo or you will wind up addicted to a drug which is HELL to come off of.

 

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 2/18/2012 5:10:08 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/19/2012 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
GBPacker,

I would not start taking the Zoloft until you talk to your doc, explain to him exactly what is happening, that all of your symptoms are coming back again. You may very well be one of those people that are going to be a "lifer" like i've resigned myself to. LOL!

I have been on and off of Zoloft over the last ten years myself. I just recently had to go back on because it all came back AGAIN, this is my fourth time now, and I have no plans on going off of it.

What I found happening was that, like you, i'd be fine for about a year or so, and then *SMACK*! Right in the face with such debilitating painc attacks, that I literally COULD NOT function! I was having panic attacks all day, every day.

I decided it was time to call in the reinforcments again. LOL! My doc gave me Zoloft and Xanax, and i've been so much better since I started back on them in October. Not 100% yet, but about 75%.

It took me some time to find the right dosage this time, from going to 50 mgs for 6 weeks, then to 75 mgs for a few weeks, then up to 100 mgs for 8 weeks. My doc tried to put me up to 150, and I started working my way up with 125 mgs for a week, but it actually made me worse, so she told me to drop back down to 100 mgs and give it more time.

I'm hoping that's all I need, is just a little more time, as i'd really like to start weaning off of taking the xanax every day, and just keep it for "as needed".

I hope you start feeling better soon, and if you feel you need to go back on it, there is no shame in that. Take care.....Fox
Posted 2/19/2012 7:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your responses. It sure helps knowing others out there understand. I ended up putting a call into my doctor and he happened to be on call....when he called I told him what was going on and he told me to start the Zoloft again. I am going to see him next week as well.

I did go to a therapist for almost four years and you are all correct....it helped. I know the enormous amount of stress I am going through at work isn't helping either. We just went though a merger (my first experience with this ever) and everyone is walking around on egg shells. Our entire department has been told not to worry about anything BUT how do you tell someone with anxiety issues not to worry??....lol

And the big trigger which I failed to mention earlier is my son bought his first house (he is 25, and a teacher) and next weekend he will be moving out. I raised him all by myself (his Dad disappeared 20 years ago) and not having him in my house anymore is affecting me more than I ever thought. I have two daughters (20 and 15) and they are amazing. Mostly I am going to miss the three of them laughing together and making me laugh endlessly.

So when reading all of this I have going on it's no wonder my anxiety/panic has come back with a vengeance! :)

Take Care All.....Packer
Posted 2/19/2012 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
GBPacker,

I actually just started on Zoloft last week for fairly severe OCD and also GAD...but the thing that really got my attention in your post is your reference to your son moving out.

The same thing is happening to me, and I know it has ramped up my anxiety ten-fold. I am struggling fiercely with the fact that my middle son is moving out on his own soon, and that will leave me with only my 16 y/o son at home. I loved and terribly miss the old days when all 3 boys were here; laughing, fighting, eating, and driving me crazy! Nothing feels right anymore. Where did the time go??

Good luck to you. We're in this anxiety stuff together!
Posted 2/19/2012 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
LHA,

That is exactly what I have been asking myself....where did the time go? I think I blinked and bam, they are all grown up! I MUST stop blinking! In any event, I talked to my Mom about this last night and she put a good twist on all of this for me (particularly concerning my son's move). She said to think about all the FUN that will most likely be coming from his move......I'm pretty sure he and his longtime girlfriend will be getting engaged soon (he started asking me a few months back about engagement rings), then a wedding and hopefully someday grandkids (did I just say that...lol). So thinking about it that way made me feel happier inside. I know that's not the fix-all but I think the point is to keep my mind moving in a positive direction.

GBP
Posted 2/19/2012 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I too have a grown daughter who has moved out on her own. It was hard at first, because I had her when I was so young... it seemed as if I had always had her with me!

It was an adjustment, however she had gone back and forth between our house (me and my second husband) and her dad and step-mom's house, and that first time that she chose to live with them (temporarily) was the hardest...but it prepared me for the true move she made out of the house as an adult.

Both of you should know, that you have done a fantastic job on raising your kids...this is what is supposed to happen, and you have ensured it by helping your kids to be strong, capable and responsible adults...well done!:)

Try to enjoy the new chapter of your lives with the excitement and anticipation of good things to come for your family(s)...not to mention the new things that you yourself can start to explore, now that you will start to have some more time and space to yourself;p

I still have a fairly little one (10yrs) at home...and I am of course cherising the time that she is at home with us...but am already half-way planning my fabulous first time trip to Europe when she goes to college! Lol:)

Hugs to both of you,
S.C.
Posted 2/20/2012 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Ah! I get it now!!! I too have a son who is going to be 25 in August, and he and his fiance just bought a house together, they closed in January, a month after I closed on my new house. 

They were in an apartment for a while, and he ended up moving back home with me for a few months and that was great! I was so happy to be able to see his face every day again, and then it was like empty nest syndrome all over again!

I have three kids, but he is my only biological child. I had him when I was very young, and also raised him alone until I met my husband. So it was very hard to let him go the first time he moved out into the apartment.

It caused me so much anxiety knowing that he was moving out again. But hopefully they will get married soon, and maybe if i'm lucky, i'll have a grandson soon. tongue

LOL! It's hard for me to let my kids "go". I was always with them when they were younger. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, but I think it made me even more anxious when they started moving out, because we were so close, and my house felt empty.

It does get easier, and I am extremely proud of him for all that he has accomplished at his young age. I couldn't have asked God for a greater gift!   :-)

Post Edited (Fox7) : 2/19/2012 9:39:28 PM (GMT-7)

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