How Long does this last????????

Brandy,

I think your Dr. is right to have you on a med that you take everyday to help keep the anxiety level low.

Ativan is for short term use, up to 4 months. If you feel like you need a benzodiazepine, I would strongly discuss the use of one of these meds knowing ahead of time they can be very useful. However you can become dependent on Ativan and the withdrawl needs to be very slow. No alcolhol should be used with any of this class drug.

Take care. I hope you feel better soon

Reference:7th Edition PDR Pocket Guide.

Thanks for your feedbacks. So are you saying that zoloft isn't habit forming? i'm new to all this and never had to take any meds for anything. I hate taking meds. I have a hard time taking advil. I guess i feel this way because my father died at the age of 52. He was addicted to pail killers. And i am very hesitant about taking ANYTHING. So I thought that taking something every now and then, only when i needed it was better than taking zoloft everyday. Im not sure how to feel about it. I just know i'm scared to death about all this. I hate the feeling when i have an attack, i just feel like i'm going to die. So taking zoloft daily is better than taking a xanax, or ativan, or klonopin, etc. only when needed??

Brandy

In addition to taking Klonopin or Zoloft...

Zoloft is an SSRI.. This pill has to be taken for weeks and even up to months for it to take any effect over you.. I wouldn't think it's best for you..
I took zoloft for 3 days and couldn't stand the side effects! =(

Klonopin is a Benzo.. It will give you relief in about 45-55 mins.. you can get dependent on this if you have an addictive personality..

I have been on zoloft for almost 12 weeks and it has help with the panic attacks that I get i also have anxiety and this med is really helping me. Yes it does take 6-8 weeks to reach its level in the body but I also take klonopin .5 mgs split in half twice a day and have been on that for several yrs, You will have side effects in the begaining but you need to remember that they are just temporary and will go away in time. So I would you suggest to give the zoloft a try. suebird

Hey there. I'm one of those that hates meds too. I think a lot of us feel the same way, that we dont want to become dependent on a pill and we hear so many mixed results from them, they're scary to try.

In the mean time, if you have a book store near you, maybe take a look at " Embracing The Fear -- Learning to manage anxiety and panic attacks". I just bought the book this week, and have already been applying some of the techniques and it seems to be helping some.

Just as a side note I was on zoloft for a few years, after tappering down from 100MG to 0 over 1 year time, i had a major panic attack 5 weeks after completely stopping. I was then put back on 25MGs, which i accepted at the time -- when you're in panic mode any sort of relief (for me) I try. It seemed as things we getting back to normal again, when i had more panic. So, i'm up again on zoloft and the side effects are rough. Anyways, i will post more about myself else where.

I just wanted to share the book with you, and let you know a lot of us are weary about taking medications. I think we have good reason to be :)

Take care.
dan

Hey Brandy_

For everyone the side effects are different, and because i was on the medication before i think its "sparking" up some old receptors and maybe shocking them a bit more than maybe a first time user ( cause i dont remember these side effects before). I'll get into my side effects in a sec, but something you said is wonderful, even though you don't know it. "Well I sure hope i can control it and not let it control me". Brandy, know that panic NEVER controls you, you are always in control. Its accepting the panic that will allow you to be in control. Meaning, if you can tell yourself when you are having panic that its OK to have it, then it will subside. If you give into it, it will go away. It's one of the hardest things to do, and I'm struggling with it, but i was able to do it just on monday night. I just let it happen! When i gave into the panic, saying to myself " I'm having a panic attack and all the feelings i have are ok. I'm safe and the feelings i'm experiencing are normal, and "panic" please come and stay away" -- it subsided. Its really an awesome feeling. A quote from the book is " With the onset of intense anxiety or panic, or first reaction is to try and stay in control. It will help if we practice letting go; the less we attempt to stay in control, the more control we will feel"....

So yeah, my first reaction is the same " how can i control it", by letting go you essentially are.

Ok, so my side effects. I wrote these down the second day. Its long, but some really are just extensions of others (like lack of motivation and fatigue -- them seem to play of each other). But here is my list. And BTW alot have already subsided, i will put a * next to the ones that are still present:
Sweaty Palms
Lethargic
* Lack of concentration ( most likely the ativan)
* Fatigue but anxious
* A bit removed ( the have a term for this, i just cant think of it right now, but it a little surreal)
* Loss of Appetite
* Feeling drugged out. ( meaning i feel like i can taste the drug, i feel medicated -- not in a "high" kind of way)
zombie like, on autopilot
Ache
Almost a feeling of a lack of oxygen or slowing of blood flow.
easily agitated.

You will feel normal again, but know and except that this can come back ( it may not) and if it does brandy its OK.

And everyday you feel better is a great day! Dont be discouraged if you have a bad day in the mean time. Set you expectations low and you will really be proud of yourself. If you try and beat this really fast, and dont, you might think you failed ( i kept thinking that). But you never fail at this stuff!

I hope that was helpful! It helps me to write about it :)

Take care!
Dan

Hi there
Yes many of us are fearful or hesitant about meds BUT your DOC has put you on the zoloft....yes it can take up to 4 to 8 weeks sometimes depending on person to reach full effects ........

No one but your doctor should be telling you to take or not to take or it is your decision BUT still talk to your doc about it and reasons behind the fear you have ( your dad) ......it may well be what you are needing I dont know

Dan has given great input as have many others on here

You can still take a small dose of ativan or another benzo JUST when u need it and until the other med kicks in ................this is JUST my opinion here as you know we are not professionals we are a support group that is great helping with info and support and knowing where you are coming from ............

Plz keep posting and let us know how you make out ..........

LYN