Posted 2/22/2012 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,
I first started struggling with anxiety about 6 years ago. I was having panic attacks that would peak but I was also having these sort of mild episodes all day long it seemed. I was under a lot of stress at the time and finally went on zoloft which helped immensely. I also had migraines and around that time went on a preventative treatment for those as well.
I decided about 8 months or so ago that I didn't need the zoloft anymore and got off of it. Three weeks ago I had a nissen fundoplication surgery and I think the stress of that surgery and its recovery set me over the edge again. Sunday I started having panic attacks and they just kept cycling over and over. I know it is anxiety because the thought (like is this me having a panic attack??, is this anxiety, am I going to have a panic attack, etc) happen first and then I immediately start feeling all those feelings (hot flushes or chills, nausea, shaking, dizziness, etc).
It is so frustrating because I keep telling myself that if I could just control the thoughts that it would all go away but the tiniest thing can set me off. I went to see my doctor yesterday, who is wonderfully understanding and supportive, and he reminded me that this is a physiological problem - that even our thoughts are physiological things- and that if I could fix the problem just by wishing it away that I would have done it years ago.
We talked about options and while he is supportive of counseling he said that takes time and that we need to break this cycle that I am stuck in. I decided to go back on the zoloft because it did help before and this time he also prescribed some xanax, only.25 mg but he said I could take it 4 times a day and even take 2 at a time if one isn't working.
I took the xanax last night and while I still feel a bit on edge the panic symptoms are less now but I still feel so fragile and tired. I keep yawning all the time. I slept fairly well last night but I still just want to lay around today.
How long does it take for most of you to feel "centered" again after these bouts of anxiety. I was in a full blown cycle of repeating attacks from Sunday to yesterday it seems. The individual attack symptoms were less on Tuesday but I wonder if that is just because my body just didn't have any energy left.
I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks.