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Posted 6/2/2015 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I've recently went through a very rough time. My husband of 23 years walked out. I've become depressed and having anxiety with horrible panic attacks. I used to have panic attacks years ago but survived them. This is way worse. I've lost 34lbs in 6 weeks. I can't work and i cannot find joy in anything. I'm seeing s therapist and am trying to get into see a psychiatrist. I tried lexapro but was so sick after one dose i stopped. I had a panic attack for 23 hours straight after taking it. My primary doc gave it to me. I also tried ativan. I took one dose .5mg and it worked but as soon as it wore off i had anxiety again. I took another one but it only lasted 4 hours. I stopped and was sick and anxious for 2 days. I did take another one a few nights ago so i could sleep and tho it didn't take all the anxiety away, i did sleep better that night. I'm very afraid to take another SSRI but feel i need to do something to come out of this horrible depression and control the anxiety. I am hoping this will not be long term. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry this is so long. It's been the worst time of my life ever. Thank you
Posted 6/2/2015 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to our little community. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Those circumstances would certainly cause much depression and anxiety. This is a great forum for support and information.

Are you sure the panic attack was from the Lexapro? I know it can make anxiety worse before it gets better, but maybe the attack was incidental? I will admit that I stopped Trazadone after one dose, because I broke out in a very cold sweat from head to toe. I was so confused, and lost that I felt like I'd just woken up from a surgery or something. It took a full day to get back to myself.

I was already on Lexapro before being prescribed the Trazadone, so it could have been serotonin overdose. It was very unpleasant I know that much. Never took another Trazadone again. lol

I certainly understand your apprehension of another SSRI. I almost stopped Lexapro myself about 3 weeks in, because it did make the anxiety worse. I ready about it, and decided to tough it out, and it did level off. I went through it again when my doc and I decided to increase my dose. Again, I almost stopped, but now I'm glad I didn't.

Just sharing my experience in case it helps you.
Posted 6/2/2015 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of good people on here who truly care and I've found this forum to be beneficial and almost mandatory for my ongoing recovery.

When I first took Effexor I also became ill and had constant anxiety and panic attacks while on it. After I switched to lexapro I started to feel better once it kicked in. Everybody is different and not ssris work the same on everyone.

I currently use meditation and mindfulness to get through the rough patches but still take lexapro and klonopin daily. I hope you are able to work with your doctor to find what's right for you.
Posted 6/2/2015 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi CH4 sorry you are having a bad time right now. Have faith GOD can turn it around






All glory to GOD
Posted 6/2/2015 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi! I'm new here, too.
The Ativan would cause a panic attack because it has a short half life. a shorter acting benzo that is usually prescribed is klonopin. it doesn't hit you as quickly or even drastically and it stays in your system longer and wears off slower. Benzos should only be taken for a short period of time though.
you got through it before and you will again. what you are dealing with is hard. how did you deal with the anxiety in the past? I know it's hard, but tell yourself you will get through it. you're obviously very strong!
peace and love!
Posted 6/2/2015 8:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum you will get good support here.

Sorry to hear of the situation with your husband and that you have been having anxiety/panic and depression we know how tough they are to live with.

Sorry to hear you did not get on with the Lexapro unfortunately when you start an antidepressant the norm seems to be that you get worse before you get better so if you can stick with one for a couple of weeks you should start to see some improvements.

That is good you are in therapy as it is that which will really help you what type of therapy are you doing? CBT is one of the most effective and a lot of us here have had good results with it. Also look into Mindfulness Meditation as that really helps and you will find lots of videos on youtube.

Stay with us and keep posting.

Hibee
Posted 6/2/2015 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome chele_4, You've already received great support, so I want to add my welcome. As you can see this is a caring community that above all else understands anxiety.

I myself suffer from depression/anxiety so please know you are not alone any longer. We will walk this journey with you if you let us. Please post anytime, rather it is to ask a question, ask for help, or simply to vent. You've been thru alot and it's no wonder the anxiety is in full blown mode, just know there is light at the end of the tunnel. :) I'm happy you found us.
Posted 6/2/2015 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to Healing Well, Chele <3

I understand how you feel about taking another SSRI medicine, but increased anxiety/panic for a week or so is a common side effect of SSRIs. It is totally temporary and after around a month, the medication will start showing it's positive effects. I experienced the same myself.

Therapy is always good, if you have a chance to see a specialist who is educated with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), then stick to them :)

Please keep us updated and I hope you feel well soon.
Posted 6/3/2015 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all. I am overwhelmed (in a good way) by all the caring support! I do have a strong faith in God to get me through anything, but my therapist and dr. think my serotonin levels are really low from the trauma and the not eating. I have been eating better and started taking magnesium. I did sleep better last night even with having anxiety. I have been told that you have to tough out a couple weeks on the SSRI's, does anyone know if you can take meds for panic attacks while waiting for them to kick in? I really don't know if I can take 2-3 weeks of laying on the couch in agony. It took me several days to get over that and I couldn't eat or drink and had some bad stomach issues. Then top that off with the panic attacks....oh it was horrible. When I had panic attacks in the past I really dont know how I got through them. It was over 20 years ago. I do believe when I gave my life to God that He got me through alot. But for some reason this time is is so different. And the depression is very bad. The last week has not been to bad for anxiety until last night. But I am going to be calling my husband tonight and speaking with him for the first time in about 7 weeks. I am refilling my Ativan b/c I am sure I will be needing it tonight. I am thinking of taking 1mg to make sure it works. I am hoping my psychiatrist calls me today to get me in. Has anyone had any luck on Zoloft? My daughters co-worker is on that after the death of her mother and has had no side effects at all. Once again, than you all so very much!!!!
Chele
Posted 6/3/2015 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, you can take a benzo such as ativan on a as needed basis while you are waiting for the zoloft to kick in. We do have some members on zoloft so I hope they chime in. :)

I wish you luck and will say a prayer for you, for your phone call tonight. I hope you manage it well without any added anxiety, but even if you suffer an anxiety there is help, take a look at mindfulness video's on youtube, they work great on bringing your anxiety down and getting you back to the here and now. If you would like I can post a couple of my favorite video's for you.
Posted 6/3/2015 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on Zoloft actually but I never used benzo since I have had experience with SSRIs and I knew that first week would be a bit more "panicky" :)

Though, whatever anxiety you have the first week, it is worth when you think about the benefits you will have later. Good luck <3
Posted 6/3/2015 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you once again. Rrakkma, how long have you been on Zoloft? Was everything much better after one week? Has anyone ever been on SSRI short term? I am hoping to only be on them for 6 months. Hoping and praying that my body will regulate by then. AngelLisa, what are mindfulness videos? I have never heard of them. I would definitely like to try it.
Posted 6/3/2015 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Here are a couple of my favorites on youtube, you can search for mindfulness on youtube and get a ton of other ones.

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT_ZvD94_kE&list=WL

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpiw2hH-dlc

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDflnqo0TQs
Posted 6/3/2015 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Well I used SSRIs for different periods of times, first for 6 months with Atarax (at night a half tablet to sleep) but after 2 months dr asked me to stop using it then I continued Zoloft only.
That first period improved my condition greatly (Panic Disorder).

Then I started after 2 years for a year and a half (I moved to other country, had lots stress etc etc) that also helped greatly.

Now I use Zoloft for the third time for 8 months now and I feel A LOT better (Health Anxiety problem in general).
After first week or two, the increased anxiety will reduce, and after one month you will start feeling differences in your condition. But do not expect too much before 2-3 months. After that, I promise you will feel much different :D
Posted 6/4/2015 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Does the anxiety stop after the first couple of weeks? I have panic disorder and onset depression. I'm usually battling one or the other. If it's a day without anxiety then I'm really depressed and visa versa. I ended up not talking to my husband. He didn't answer his phone. Anxiety seems ok, but the depression is is coming. Can't wait to get on some kind of meds.
Posted 6/4/2015 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks angellisa
Posted 6/4/2015 8:14 AM (GMT 0)
It will eventually start making you feel less anxious in a couple of weeks and more better later, yes.
But stopping anxiety? I think it is a long path to walk and it requires a bit of a therapy help also.

I really recommend CBT alongside medication. <3
Posted 6/4/2015 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Please understand that sometimes when starting an AD, the anxiety will get worse before it gets better. Alot of people have stated this, and it sometimes gets worse for the first couple of weeks. It is important to use your coping skills thru this time, and know usually within 2-4 weeks the anxiety starts to get better. I do agree with Rrakkam though that the best way to treat anxiety with a mix of medication and therapy.
Posted 6/6/2015 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to therapy. We were trying to get me through this without medication, but I need to get back to work and I just cannot do it with the way I feel right now. I need to have full concentration where I work. Has anyone had success with CBT? Does Zoloft make you feel like a Zombie? I have heard that it can make you feel nothing. Thanks!!
Posted 6/6/2015 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
I'm currently taking Zoloft (we call it sertraline in the UK as we don't generally use brand names), approaching the end of my third week taking it daily.

Previously, I was on Prozac for the better part of 6 or 7 months, and while I did have some success with it (my panic attacks did become less frequent), my moods in general were a lot less stable and I lost a lot of desire.

Currently doing much better on Zoloft, the switch has gone pretty smoothly. Unfortunately I can't say what it's like to go on Zoloft fresh when having not taken it, or another SSRI, before.
Posted 6/6/2015 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, CBT therapy is great and helps so many people. We highly recommend it here. If you can do CBT therapy with your therapist then please consider it, I really think you will find it beneficial.

The zombie side effect from taking a SSRI, usually wears off after the first 2-4 weeks. Many (including a couple current members) are finding it hard to cry, but that isn't such a bad thing if you are one that cries at the drop of a hat like I used too do.
Posted 6/6/2015 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
I do cry alot. But I want to be able to work out my grief. I guess the main thing I am hoping for is to relieve the depression and anxiety to where I can function again, to shut my mind down some (so I am not constantly thinking of him) and to relieve some of this grief. I don't know, I may be asking for to much. But I guess anything is better than the way I am feeling right now. God has definitely lifted some things from me, but I really do think that it may be something chemical that needs fixed. Nightcrawler, how are you panic attacks on the Zoloft?
Posted 6/6/2015 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
They don't happen anywhere near as often since switching. Of course, while I was on Prozac, I was having a lot of trouble with my moods in general. One minute I could be relatively happy, the next, scared out of my mind, then really sad, then back to happy.

On the increasingly rare occasion I have a full on panic attack, it's not as intense. Partly because of what I've learned about the condition, medication, and other coping skills.

Give it a shot.
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