I'm afraid I'll never feel normal again!

blueladybug_08,

You will feel better with time and some hard work on learning how to live with anxiety.  Congratulations to you for getting out of that bed and not hiding from the world. 

I love to travel but several times in my life my anxiety was so bad that I was afraid to stray far from my home.  My husband and I started out on a 550 mile trip by car about 6 years ago and after the frist 50 miles I wanted to go home.  He said we would just drive to the next big town down the freeway and if I still wanted to go home he would turn around. 

I also asked him to just talk at me to keep my mind off my anxiety.  Well we drove to the next big town and the next big town until we were at the half way mark where we had reservations at a hotel.  My hubby told me we would just spend the night at the hotel and in the morning if I wanted to turn around and go home we would.

The next morning I said  - " on the road again as I want to go to Sturgis" and I made it.  Yes I had moments through the whole trip but I made it.

One step at a time, one mile at a time.

Gentle Hugs to you,

Kitt

Hey y'all. Thanks so much for the support. After my break down in the doctor office, he upped me to 100 mgs. Has anyone else done an increase before? Seems like most people start feeling the full effects 4-6, 6-8 weeks after starting. For some reason with me both times I started the med it took about 12, but work wonderfully then. Does it take about as long for the increase to kick in as when you originally started? It scares me to think of that. Then I sit around all day holding to keep myself together, but tensed up afraid another bad one is going to hit. So it's almost like it's never even gone. It's so miserable. I'm so glad I found this forum. It's just nice to know you're not going through this stuff alone.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I haven't personally experienced increases in zoloft, but I have done increases on Lexapro. For me, it does tend to take awhile to fully take effect, though I did notice a huge decrease in anxiety after two weeks but nothing for depression. But I know that others have said that it's faster when you're increasing to notice an effect than when starting.

I'm going through an anxious few days as well and have had the symptom of feeling nauseous/having no appetite for awhile, so I can offer my two cents about that at least.

What I have found helps me is eating saltines and drinking (defizzed) ginger ale. It tends to decrease the nausea. Also finding something--anything--you feel like eating, or can tolerate eating without feeling too sick. For me it's been a lot of extremely bland pasta dishes and bread.

I hope you feel better.

Av

Hey everybody. Today has been a tad better. I honestly believe it's all the prayers I have been praying and requesting. If those of you reading say a daily prayer please remember myself and everyone out there going through this. I didn't have a break down today. So that was a plus! Specialone I'm very curious to hear more from you as it seems like we are mirroring each other in a way. Have you found anything interesting in your research yet?

Specialone, yes, I'm hoping like you say that it won't take us as long since the med is already in our system. If you don't mind me asking, how long ago did you start zoloft and how long did it take you to feel the effects in the very beginning? I hope you're having a stronger day today and will have an even stronger one tomorrow! We shall continue to wait on the "bluebirds" haha. It's going to get better!

Hi. I can totally relate with anxiety issues. I have suffered with anxiety disorders for most of my life. And things don't improve. This past year has been a complete setback. My psychiatrist changed some of my medications and dosages and things aren't getting better. In fact, I haven't felt this bad in over twenty five years. I tell my psychiatrist every time I see her that I feel awful. My anxieties are constant and my depression has gotten worse. But nothing changes and I'm beginning to feel they never will. I just want a simple peaceful life. I'm sorry things aren't going well for you. I will say a prayer for you. You're definetly not alone. If I can help in any way...

sending prayers for you all...I am suffering also and my doctor just upped my paxil cr...I pray for all of us that we find something that works for us. No one understands unless they have experienced it.

Hi love4redwoods and welcome.

I am sorry to hear about your recent increase in A/D and your medication trouble.

I hope that you can find a solution with the help of your regular P-doc, or with another professional who can assist you in your current needs.

I encourage you to post here anytime...and check out our Resources for self-help ideas that may help in bringing down your anxiety levels.:) (also feel free to start your own thread of introduction if you feel comfortable doing so...more members can recognize and welcome you as a new member this way.)

Talk to you soon,

S.C.

Hi HerecomesVI and welcome.

I am sorry to hear of your past and present experiences and struggles with A/D.

I hope that you can find a way to treat the issues that you need help with in a way that works for you. Please do check out our Resource Guide when you get a chance...there is a lot of great stuff in there to take a look at in terms of self-help!

As far as the medication/non-medication issue...we seek to find a middle ground here.

While some people can manage their disorders with coping mechanisms/therapy alone (I myself am in this category...and consider myself fortunate btw!) others need medication just as much as say, a diabetic needs insulin...to balance an imbalance that is organic in nature.

Is therapy also of value? Absolutely! Do therapy and medication work together for some? For sure!

So, it is with much kindness and respect that we accept that every individual is different...and should seek to treat their disorder in the way that works for them.

I hope that you find the understanding and care that you seek here. We are always available to listen and support.;)

Scaredy Cat

To specialone0129, thanks so much for your words of encouragement. I'm still unsure about my psychiatrist. She won't increase my klonopin even though it's not as effective as it once was and she put me on lithium to help stabilize my moods and help with anxiety. I'm hopeful and willing to give it a try but if things don't change fairly soon, I will seek out another psychiatrist. I also saw my therapist and that didn't go very well. She didn't have much to offer. It's only my third visit but it's difficult for me to click with a therapist. Of the many I've seen, there was one who I totally clicked with and helped me out. I would love to try alternative therapies but my insurance won't cover it. It's so frustrating. I'm getting sick of relying just on western medicine to get better. It's been a lifelong battle and I'm feeling worse than ever. There needs to be available alternative therapies for the mentally ill that is easily accessable. Hope you're in good health.