Anxious and Afraid

[Whitecoat75]

I have been dealing with significant anxiety for the past few weeks after some health events happened. Dont know what to do I have tried a couple of medications but I am afraid of their side effects, dont know if I have them or if it is in my mind. I feel constantly a head pressure and dizziness. I tried sertraline 6.25 mg daily for 3 days but stopped it 2 days ago as I was feeling more anxious than before and noticed some low heart rates. The anxiety is now the same and not going away. Feels crippling. I am doing CBT and meditation, but it is hard. I was also prescribed effexor but it looks scary. Dont know what to do, should I take meds or not? It is always a question in mu mind that it is hard to look past from. I am scared

[Agora1]

Hi Whitecoat75 I was like you at one time. Afraid to Live yet Afraid to Die..

Refuse medication and yet wanted help..I had a habit because of my fear in

filling my meds but never taking them. Suffering each day wishing I felt better.

Wishing and Hoping doesn't cut it.

Medication along with Therapy can help break us out of the cycle of fear

that we put ourselves through. It may not be the "key" to complete success

but at least it's a start forward. When we do nothing because of fear, we stay

stuck in this never ending cycle.

Taking medication with an open mind can be what you've been hoping and wishing

for all this time. But you will never know unless you try to take that step forward.

Good Luck. I stand behind you with your decision. You've Got This.

P.S. I want to Welcome you Whitecoat to this caring and understanding community

Together we will walk the walk with you. You are never alone. xx

[designguy]

It can take sertraline 2 to 3 weeks before it takes affect so more than likely your anxiety is caused by your hyper-focusing on your physical sensations and your anxious mind is blowing them out of proportion. The best thing you can do for yourself is to try to be kind to yourself and take a chance with the meds and give them the adequate amount of time to take affect and make a difference. During this time check out the DARE Anxiety book and youtube videos about how to constructively think and deal with anxiety, meds alone will not solve your problem, and thats the truth based on my experience and of others.

[Squash56]

Hello Whitecoat,

It’s tough to start with but worth it, here is my experiences!

I didn’t want to take medication for my severe anxiety which gradually got worse after i caught Covid, I also started suffering panic attacks early mornings. I then sought help. I looked and felt dreadful. Eventually GP persuaded me to try sertraline, I started on 25mg for 2 weeks, i was alerted I may feel worse before feeling better and I certainly went through lots of the side effects: *insomnia, *dizziness, *feeling sick, *poor appetite, *shaking, and a strange feeling all over. (* also symptoms of my anxiety) I needed to urinate frequently. I had little energy and going for a walk was hard work. Fortunately I had someone to care for me while I was going through this, having company really helped as I felt frightened, especially at night and early morning.

After persevering for 2 weeks I started to feel better, GP advised to step up to 50mg for the medication to really help. He told me my serotonin levels must be very low to suffer so may side effects. I therefore increased the dosage, I gradually improved, but would say it took another 4-6 weeks for me to feel any major improvement. At the same time I was using meditation and CBT.

4 months later I continue to take 50mg, I believe some other side effects have been swollen glands, sore throat, runny nose, ringing in ears. I didn’t want to stop the sertraline as overall so much better. GP gave me a high dose of Lansoprazole and a steroid nasal spray. Which has helped.

My GP did say that sertraline would also help my IBS-D, it certainty has made an amazing difference.

I wish you well with whatever you decide, remember some antidepressants suit some better than others so your GP may advise you to try something else.

Good luck😊

[Kamgal5]

effexor XR changed my life 20 years ago- game changer. I did have mild side effects like finger twitching and sweating… but that all went away after 6 weeks. I have been on the lowest dose for over 10 years now- my Dr said to stay on it because it is now proven to minimize perimenopause/menopause symptoms. Ask for some Xanax or something to get you through the next several weeks when starting any med… sounds like you may have anxiety over taking meds. Only take a benzo if anxiety is really bad. I swear by effexor XR. But… I will say this… when you do want to go off of it completely… do so very slowly, weaning down the dosages over months not weeks. Never go cold turkey…. The brain zaps suck.