22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

[Bluesy]

Hello Everyone! 22 days and going strong-thanks for all the love and support here I have struggled with anxiety issues since childhood but it has been really out of control the last 2 years. I have recently begun taking zoloft (1 week) and am 22 days AF but am still waking up in the middle of the night feeling like I am choking, breathless, etc. I still have bouts of nervous stomach and breathlessness during the day as well- I get all freaked out like I am going to stop breathing (irrational, I know). I am also taking the suggested supps for anxiety, started counseling and exercising. Has anyone else been through something similar? Any advice or can you share your experience. Am I being unrealistic hoping it would go away this soon?
Thanks so much!!!
(Not as) Bluesy

[Waving_not_drowning]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Hey blue, the Zoloft can cause anxiety for the first week or two until your system gets used to it, maybe ask your doc for some low dose (2mg) diazepam for the next week?
Have you tried meditation? It's helped me a lot..

Wavey x

[sosad61]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Blue, I had the same problem with waking up chocking and such. Believe it or not, it was post nasal drip; my sinuses were introducing water into my throat and caused me to wake up choking. A simple saline solution solved that problem; one that you can buy for next to nothing at the local drug or grocery store. All you have to do is sniff it in both nostrils a couple of times a day. A final time before you go to bed is especially helpful.

However, anxiety is a big issue for some. My doctor prescribed Lexapro for anxiety for me about 18 months ago. It took about 6 months to work, but also turned me into a zombie. In the last week (after some pretty hefty withdrawal pains), I got off of it and I'm suddenly feeling like my old self again. The thing that was causing my anxiety was drinking, and now I'm tapering off a little at a time.

One other thing. I don't know if you're a big caffeine drinker, but that will increase the anxiety of sufferers exponentially.

If you do need caffeine to get the day started, I suggest green tea or some other type of tea. For some reason, I found that the caffeine in coffee caused me severe anxiety, while green tea and other types of tea did not. Studies have been conducted that have indicated the caffeine in coffee has a more detrimental effect on the nervous system than the caffeine in tea. Even decaffeinated coffee has been shown to cause the same effect. Don't get me wrong, I'm a coffee lover, but while I'm drinking I can take NO type of caffeine or I suffer severe problems with heart palpitations and such.

One other thing; get lots of potassium. Alcohol depletes potassium in a huge way. If you can't stomach bananas and other potassium rich foods there is another solution. Buy a salt substitute at your local grocery store. It's essentially nothing but a LOT of potassium. Just use it on your food or even sprinkle a little in your hand and take it directly. Just be careful not to take TOO much. Potassium is good for the body, but even that in too much of a quantity can be deadly.

And Waving is correct; many antidepressants will cause anxiety for the first week or so until your system gets accustomed to their effects. Sometimes they take months to begin working.

[startingover]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Hi Bluesy, I suffered major anxiety for about the first month af. I took supplements GABA and True Calm, they helped a little I think.
Also, when I first went on prozac, it caused my anxiety to escalate for a while.
Staying off coffee should help and exercise.
For me, I settled right down after a few weeks.
I hope you do too.

[Waving_not_drowning]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Also Blue, I have tried some antidepressants that have had me go off the edge with anxiety and had to stop them, maybe Zoloft is't for you? Maybe try another one...But give it a few weeks first, to see if you settle down :-)

[scrubbly]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Hey Bluesy - first of all CONGRATS on your AF time, that is wonderful. Second, :l for still having the anxiety and sleep problems.

With my own experince with Zoloft (prescribed for post-partum depression with the birth of my first son) I know that it took about 3 weeks for me to feel ANY relief, and my doctor had warned me that I should expect that long for the Zoloft to have much impact on my symptoms.

Not sure if there is a difference since I was rx'd for PPD and not anxiety, but wanted to share my experience on the drug.

All the best to you.

[Bluesy]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Thanks for the information and advice everybody. I am drinking chamomile right now but will buy some green tea tonight. I usually drink coffee in the a.m.but started decaf today....I don't want to overwhelm myself with too many restrictions and changes. I have some saline spray at home and will give it a try tonight to help with sleeping. I plan on giving the Zoloft at least 4-6 weeks to kick in....sometimes the anxiety feels like it is going to kill me....and each time it feels new even though i try to tell myself "i have been through this before". what up with that?

[Waving_not_drowning]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

I always tell myself that it's just a feeling and it will pass,,,,And it does

I'm sure you know that the more energy you give it, the stronger it grows. Stop feeding it and it will die..

Good luck Blue, I'm off to work xxx

[TimeToLoveMyLiver]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Hi Bluesy.

Is there something in your life you are really unhappy with?

I suffered from quite bad anxiety a number of years ago. For me it was fueled by a high pressure sales job that I absolutely hated. It zapped me of all my confidence and filled me with anxiety 24 hours a day.

I quit the job and the anxiety disappeared within 48 hours.

This may not apply to you but thought I'd mention it.

An old friend of mine was once in a loveless relationship. He too suffered with severe anxiety.

Good luck my friend.

Anxiety can be a horrible thing to deal with. As mentioned short term diazepam may assist you. Just be careful as it can be very addictive. I'd also suggest you discuss your meds with your doc. Some anti dep. meds may work better than others for you.

Warm Regards

Brett.

[DriftyAlison0]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

I am on day 24 and I am still getting craves. But I know that I will get better.

[sosad61]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Bluesy;670751 wrote: Thanks for the information and advice everybody. I am drinking chamomile right now but will buy some green tea tonight. I usually drink coffee in the a.m.but started decaf today....I don't want to overwhelm myself with too many restrictions and changes. I have some saline spray at home and will give it a try tonight to help with sleeping. I plan on giving the Zoloft at least 4-6 weeks to kick in....sometimes the anxiety feels like it is going to kill me....and each time it feels new even though i try to tell myself "i have been through this before". what up with that?

That's one of the major problems with anxiety; each time you experience it you feel like you are going to die, literally.

Truth be told, those of us that have suffered major panic attacks and have had our heart race at unbelievable rates probably are less prone to die than others. If you can suffer a full-blown panic attack Bluesy, you are a tough cookie, and don't you forget that. Your heart is probably stronger than most.

You are not going to die, although it may feel like it at times.

In my life, I've found that the ONLY contributor to my anxiety attacks has been alcohol.

The one other thing would be the post nasal drip thing that I mentioned. Waking up in the middle of the night chocking on your own saliva could set off an episode. It also robs you of sleep because the rest of the night you are worried about having the same happen again.

I DO encourage you to use the saline solution for what could potentially be nothing more than post nasal drip. It worked for me and it could work for you also.

Please do lay off the coffee, whether caffeinated or decaf. Tea is much better for you and has beneficial effects, and you can still get the caffeine which we all love. Herbal tea is like a miracle drug and will do wonders for you my friend.

[sosad61]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

BTW, I wish I could say that I have been AF for even a week. I'm trimming down substantially, but still have a ways to go. I'm intensely looking forward to the first morning after I have not had a drink.

I'll have the biggest smile on my face that I've had in more than a year.

[Lavande]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Bluesy,

....sometimes the anxiety feels like it is going to kill me....and each time it feels new even though i try to tell myself "i have been through this before". what up with that?

What you're describing here is Panic/Panic Attacks, not just anxiety. If you called your Dr. & told him this, most likely he would change your medication to something like Lexapro. Zoloft probably won't cut it for you. That's my 2 cents!

Wishing you the best!

[8Belles]

22 days AF and still have major anxiety???

Anxiety

My doc prescribed Lexapro for anxiety and depression and I've been taking it for two weeks now. Made me incredibly lethargic so switched it to night and I sleep fine. No noticeable effects otherwise (takes 4-6 weeks I'm told). Anyways, a lot of my anxiety admittedly comes from doing the simplest things without alcohol (cleaning, writing, etc). "How can I possibly manage without it" mentality. Talk to your doc?