SSRI side effects or is it just my anxious mind

[Moon_B]

Hello everyone,

I am struggling to find the right meds for my anxiety. I have been on Prozac for 8 years and it doesn’t work for me anymore. I have a new psychiatrist and she prescribed me Zoloft which I am taking for now 3 weeks. The problem is I cannot tell if my side effects are due to my fears, anxiety or if it is the meds. I have panic attacks everyday and I feel like giving up, I don’t know if anything could relieve my anxiety at this point, I feel lost.

I have OCD and emetophobia which has been a nightmare lately. The problem with this fear is that I feel nauseous and the fear of being sick all the time. Now that I am taking Zoloft I am not sure what to think because I have abdominal pain and diarrhoea for days and it makes me even more anxious, also I feel like vomiting but it might be just anxiety? The pain never goes away which make me think that maybe I am truly sick. I am not sure if I should keep taking Zoloft because the symptoms are unbearable if caused by this med.

Anybody experience something similar with SSRI and Zoloft in particular or I am just sick? Any advices?

[LilyAnnepuppy]

MoonB, I feel your pain. I, too, was faced with having an SSRI stop working and having to find new meds. It was torture.

After 25 years (lucky it worked that long), paroxetine no longer took care of my mild clinical depression and anxiety. I suffered some very traumatic losses in a 4-year-span, and was diagnosed with a Major Depression/Anxiety Disorder. Went to a therapist and psychiatrist. Tried to find something that worked. Had a full-blown mental breakdown. Could barely get out of bed. Woke up TERRIFIED of the day - every day.

I want to tell you to have hope, however; because we finally found combination that is working. I’ve had a couple of months now where i seem to be on an even playing field once again.

Zoloft was not one of the attempted solutions, but I so identify with not knowing whether symptoms are the disease or side effects. So many of the drugs they tried, caused more problems than relief. And that was compounded by the amount of time needed to see if a certain medication worked.

Ironically enough, the one that eventually worked is Prozac. So My experience is of no help in that regard. I just wanted you to know I understand the struggle and wanting it to end. I’m willing to listen at any time if you want to PM me. Hang in there and keep posting. Lynne

[Moon_B in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

Lynne, Thank you so much for your answer. Prozac is a good one. You are right, sometimes it causes more trouble than relief. I am going through a tough phase and I am having panic attack everyday, I think Prozac could have still been fine for me if it wasn’t of my relapse. I wonder sometimes how does it works. Every relapse I will experienced in the futur will equal new medications? I don’t know, but I hope not, the meds can only help to a certain degree I suppose.

Have a good night!

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to Moon_B]

For our sakes, I hope to not have to find new meds again. But, if we do, we can get through it together. Since I went to Prozac (eventually the one that worked) I wonder if paroxetine would work for you? I’m not a doctor, that’s just how my mind works. Can’t help to mention it to your professional. Everyone is different and I think they are just about in the dark as we are. During the process, I felt like a guinea pig. Some people don’t believe in meds and that’s fine for them, but all the self work in the world didn’t get me out of the black hole. I’m so grateful my psychiatrist (and I) stumbled on the right combination. I’m grateful for my therapist, too. She is helping take care of the non-chemical issues. But I still have to mentally and emotionally participate in my own recovery daily. There is still so much that is up to me. Good luck. L. ❤️

[Ragdoll15]

I'm always afraid of starting new antidepressants as I get such awful side effects from them. The doctor thinks that my fear is what's causing the side effects so it becomes a vicious circle. I was in hospital last year and never experienced bad side effects from the medication, I think it was because there always was help at hand if I needed it. So I think sometimes it could be the worry of taking them that could cause psychological effects. Hope you can overcome your problem soon!

[Moon_B in reply to Ragdoll15]

Thank you, it would make sense, I am considering changing for lexapro but I am not decided yet.