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Posted 11/29/2006 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone, this is my first post and I am very new to forums.  I am a 35 year old male who made my first trip to a pyschiatrist on Monday.  She diagnosed me with anxiety and panic attacks after all my numerous tests (MRI and MRA of brain and spine) came back normal as well as my blood test, stress test and EKG.  The original reason I went to my general doctor was for a twitching thumb that got me a little worried.  Then I took a stroll on the internet highway only to make my worrying 100x worse when I read about what it "could have" been.

I have always been a little bit of a worrier I guess but have had no attacks up until a month ago and have had 3 "big" ones in total.   I haven't had a fully "normal" day in over just over a month and was wondering if anyone else had any type of vision problems pretty much everyday?  Not blurry or double vision, but just a little "off" to the point that it becomes annoying and comes with some slight dizziness.  This is also accompanied with some headaches usually in the back of the head and neck area.

In reading through some of the forums here, I noticed that most people have it worse in the morning, I am the exact opposite.  I usually feel my best first thing in the morning and then I get worse usually at it's peak right around dinner time.

I was put on Toprol XL a month ago for my high blood pressure and I also take an Ambien CR 12.5mg each night in order to sleep.  I've taken both of these for about a month now.

As of Monday, my psych. put me on Zoloft (25mg for 1st week, 50mg week #2 and then on to 100mg after that.)  She also gave me a prescrip. for Lorazepam which I can take 2x a day but on a need to basis.

I guess I am just wondering how and if I feel back to the way that I was 2 months ago, pretty happy and full of energy?  I just hope that these new meds don't make me a zombie and change my personality and way of life completely.

Just looking for some direction if anyone can point me in the right path.  Thanks for listening.

Posted 11/29/2006 2:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Cosmo

Welcome to HW were so happy you joined us here. You will find great support and information from a lot of members here that are going thru the same things you are. (((hugs))).

I'm the same way I feel my best early in the day and start running out of energy around 1:00 or 2:00 pm then it's down hill from there. My dr has me on Oxazepam 3x a day, Flouxetine 1x a day, Trazadone before I go to bed to sleep. I also see a counsler once a week. I do ok most of the time as long as there is no excitement. I suffer from other illnesses too so that don't help much.

So you hang in there and remember were all here to help you hun so post often.

Posted 11/29/2006 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cosmo and welcome to HealingWell. If I am reading your post correctly, you have been taking anxiety meds but not an anti-depressant. You ask what if I feel like a zombie?. Here is something else to consider, what if I feel better than I have in a very long time? I think you should give it a try and then report back to the doctor any concerns that you have. If the internet makes you more anxious, resolve yourself not to go on it to look into illnesses. Concentrate on getting an EXCELLENT doctor that you can trust and let him do the worrying. Smiles and cyber hugs to you.
Posted 11/29/2006 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply and I understand that I should be thinking with an open mind and more positively about how these new meds may actually help me to feel better than I have in a long time.  You asked me if I was taking anti-anxiety meds only but I did write that I was also prescribed Zoloft (which I believe is an anti-depressant unless I am missing something?).  I was given Lorazepam (the band aid anti-anxiety) to go along with it until the Zoloft works it's way into my body and for those "just-in-case" panic situations. 

I am trying to realize that I have to be patient through this process but it has been hard to due to the fact that this came out of nowhere just about a month and a half ago.  I guess that it can only get better?

Thanks again.

Posted 11/29/2006 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, and welcome to the forum. I think the first step is realizing what you have. Now that you know it can only get better because now you can take steps to beat it. When I was first diagnosed with pd 8 or 9 years ago I was also worried about taking drugs. I ended up being on Paxil and then celexa for about 2 years. At the time I really needed the meds. I couldn't function normally anymore. I was having panic attacks several times a day. The meds didn't change my personality of make me into a zombie or anything. I still felt a full range of emotions, but they weren't overpowering me anymore. I wasn't crying for no apparent reason and I stopped having panick attacks.
Posted 11/29/2006 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
welcome cosmo

IMO your psych is more sensible than many others

toprol, a beta blocker is the best BP med for an anxiety sufferer to take as it has a calming effect on your body also

your valium type meds often cause sedation until you get used to them, if so reduce the dose for a while

the zoloft, a prozac type med, will help a lot when and if it eventually works properly but this can take up to 6 weeks, if it continues to sedate you, take it just before bed

worry can be addressed as a separate issue, get some self help books on how to stop worrying, there are several

also self help books on agoraphobia and panic disorder have useful advice, many being written by former sufferers

stay with us, part of the cure involves learning relaxation and CBT from the self help books, dont just rely on the meds

Posted 11/30/2006 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
hi cosmo, to clarify my post, I meant that since you have not been taking an anti-depressant until a couple of days ago think about what you might have to gain. smiles and WELCOME again. We're glad to have you.
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