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Posted 6/27/2017 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning everyone.
I'm reaching out today in hopes of getting some encouragement for to make a doctor appointment. I've struggled for many years with Gad and I have many signs of PTSD. I've been on meds for 30 plus years and a few months ago the Paxil I was taking just wasn't working anymore. I finally got enough courage to go to the doctor for help. My excited was changed to Zoloft and without going into all the details I plummeted into a very dark place. I'm still trying to get regulated on Zoloft. I did feel better for a few weeks but this health Anxiety is back in the form of shortness of breath or feeling like My breathing is off. It's hard not to focus on it. I'm so aware of breathing that it causing severe anxiety.
I take 75 milligrams of Zoloft and I'm fairly certain it's just not enough.
It took several months for me to increase to 75 because of my fears.
I don't leave the house very much because of this anxiety but I need to go to the doctor to help me. im just looking for help to get courage to leave the house and do so. Thanks all
Posted 6/27/2017 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Zoeyz!

I am so sorry to hear of your current challenges! 😣 The loss of effecacy from your Paxil was bad enough... (but not unusual after that time)

...but to add the difficulty with the Zoloft must be quite a blow! :/

I am glad that you are going in for a med evaluation. As difficult as this is...big picture...it is the right move...and you will be glad you did it!

Is there someone you can take with you for support? How about a reward for yourself afterward? As silly as this may sound...having something to look forward to really helps me to get through a tough situation.smile

Use of positive mantras is also a helpful tool. Envisioning only a good outcome from your appointment will go a long way in ensuring that it is so!

We are cheering you on...so please update us when you can.

With encouragement,

S.C.
Posted 6/27/2017 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I was very much like you not too long ago. I finally mustered up the courage to talk with my doctor and he started me on medication. After about a month on it things started to get better.

I felt I could get even better, though, so I reached out and got into therapy. That's when things started looking so so much better.

I have PTSD, GAD, and my anxiety takes the form of health anxiety. With my therapists help, and the help of medication and self help measures, I'm getting better and better each day.

Have you thought about therapy? It would be a good option for you, especially if you do have PTSD.

Are you doing any sort of self help measures? Breathing techniques, positive mantras, guided meditation, anything like that? There's a lot of tips and info on that in the Resources section here and could be of great benefit to you.

That said, have you expressed your breathing concerns to your doctor? Where any tests done to rule out anything physical? That might be a good idea as well. Just to give you peace of mind.

I know going to the doctor can be scary. But if you truely want to start on a journey to feeling better, that has to be your first step.

I wish you strength and courage and I hope you are able to find peace soon.
Posted 6/27/2017 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
It's very good that you reached out for help, and it's very strong of you.

I know, because I know how much strength it took for me to finally sit down on the net and try to find a group that could help me solve problems, also.

It's not easy to come to the conclusion to do that, and not easy to find such a group on the net.

I was having so many problems, and being at home by myself with emotional and physical problems, I finally realized: I need help solving problems. And like you, I found this group.

And here this group is trying to help you.

Do you have anybody there who can help you?

Do you have someone you can call on to give you moral support, who may can actually drive you to an appointment?

Can you drive? Did you know the person who'll answer the phone at the doctor's office will be a female? And she'll help you all she can.

If you can just write down the number to start, and call them when you feel like it.

I have phone number I'm supposed to be making right now, and I don't feel like it. It's agony. So I know the feeling. I don't want to make that call. Oh, gosh.

You say:

"I don't leave the house very much because of this anxiety but I need to go to the doctor to help me. im just looking for help to get courage to leave the house and do so. Thanks all"

I don't leave the house much either. And I have transport problems. And I have to call somebody when I need to do somewhere. So I have an idea of what you're going through. You sweetheart.

Do you drive? I don't.
Posted 6/28/2017 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Tim Tam thanks for responding. I drive very little. I do have a support group "my parents" and they are absolutely wonderful.
They drive me or I go with them when I am able to leave home and venture out.
Thank you so much for sharing With me. It seems we do have the same type issues. It helps so much to talk with someone who understands.

The good news is I did go to the Doctor today. He changed my meds up. I hate to start something new but hopefully it will be for the good.
Thank you to all that were supportive today. It really helped me do what I needed to.
I will let you know how the meds work.
Blessings to all.
Posted 6/28/2017 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats on going to the doctor! Good for you!

It's good to hear you have some support. And that your doctor is helping you find the right medication. I hope it works for you and you start feeling more at ease.

Keep up the good work and keep us updated. Hopefully peace will find you soon!
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