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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CM on December 15, 1999, at 4:15:28
Hello...Yesterday I swallowed my first tablet of Zoloft (50 mg).
I've started taking them for panic disorder/anxiety, which I've
suffered from for about 1.5 years. I took it around 1100 when
I woke up. Already an hour later the first effects appeared.
I had a slight panic attack that lasted for like 20 seconds.
Another hour passed, and I started to feel something going on
in my stomach, and I got mild diarrhea. The diarrhea lasted for
the rest of the day, but this wasn't really a problem. Actually,
I felt kind of better, in a happier mood, almost a speed-like
effect. But, of course, this is not the end of the story.When the night arrived, around 2300 o'clock, I felt very tired.
But one has to take in consideration that I had only slept 4
hours the previous night. I felt like it was so easy to just
"dive" into the dreamworld, in other words, very easily fall
asleep. When I was lying in my bed ready to sleep, I felt that
a panic attack was on its way. And I was right. This time it
was quite severe, but far from the worst I've been through.
It lasted for something like two hours, not as bad all the time
though - I tried to calm down as much as possible. I felt like
I was going to faint, and had rapid heartbeats and a sense
of impending doom/fearful thoughts, chaos in my head, nausea.
All typical symptoms of a panic attack. I finally fell asleep
and slept for 2-3 hours before I awakened 0500 in the morning.
The anxiety was still present, but not as much. I probably had
like 2-3 smaller attacks after this, and here I am, writing this.
I was a little unsure if I wanted to take another tablet this
morning, because I don't really want to go through this again.
So 90 minutes ago I took half a tablet (25 mg). Just now I don't
feel very bad, but earlier this morning I was a bit shaky
and generally just felt like shit, with the anxiety lurking in
the background, waiting for an opportunity to break out. But
I know that it is the Zoloft that triggered these attacks, because
I've had a very good period lately before I started on them.I wonder if this is a common reaction for people taking Zoloft/other
SSRI's for panic disorder/anxiety. I thought this medication was
supposed to stop the anxiety, not trigger it. I called my doc and
she said that this was very common like for the first week or so.
So I have to go through this hell for a week?? *puh*...
Well, I'll see how this day ends.Any answers/comments to this would be appreciated!! Thanx!!
CM
Posted by jamie on December 15, 1999, at 14:37:15
In reply to My second day on Zoloft (for panic/anxiety), posted by CM on December 15, 1999, at 4:15:28
CM, what you describe is quite typical of zoloft at first. The jitteriness, anxiety, shakiness, panic, etc all goes away. I think you did the right thing by cutting the dose back to 25mg. You can break that in half as well if 25mg is still too much. As your body adjusts in a few days you can titrate back up. No pun intended, but don't panic. The side effects you are having are normal and will go away. Meanwhile, keep your dose at a comfortable level and increase it as tolerated. You will find as time goes by it is easier and easier.
Posted by Dave Bradley on December 15, 1999, at 17:33:35
In reply to Re: My second day on Zoloft (for panic/anxiety), posted by jamie on December 15, 1999, at 14:37:15
Dear CM
I also suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, and although these generally pass withing 3 or so weeks, I found a few other methods that also work: Try exercise, but nothing too exerting as it's easy to overdo it, and eating a little better. I don't know the reasoning behind my theory, but it works for me. Perhaps Sertraline is more effective when nutrients are more readily available? But if you're finding these panic attacks aren't subsiding, you could ask your doctor about perhaps some mild benzodiazepenes, although I wouldnt recommend them, a good mix of say, Temazepam and Sertraline isn't contraindicative afaik, and does spell relief for some. Personally, I'd prefer Olanzapine (Zyprexa) for the panic attacks in addition to Sertraline. Please note however, I'm not a psych or a MD, only a patient, and you should see someone qualified in your area if you're still feeling panicky. Another thing it could also be is the Sertraline triggering these panic attacks, in which case Sertraline might not be the AD for you.
Hope this helps
Davo
Posted by GS on December 15, 1999, at 21:30:16
In reply to Re: My second day on Zoloft (for panic/anxiety), posted by jamie on December 15, 1999, at 14:37:15
> CM, what you describe is quite typical of zoloft at first. The jitteriness, anxiety, shakiness, panic, etc all goes away. I think you did the right thing by cutting the dose back to 25mg. You can break that in half as well if 25mg is still too much. As your body adjusts in a few days you can titrate back up. No pun intended, but don't panic. The side effects you are having are normal and will go away. Meanwhile, keep your dose at a comfortable level and increase it as tolerated. You will find as time goes by it is easier and easier.
*************************************************
Actually since this is a very common problem (I had it happen to me too)why don't the pdocs prescribe a small amount of a benzo. like .5 mg of Ativan or similar to have on hand for a week instead of putting their patients through the needless suffering?
By the way, anxiety disorders are successfully treated safely and with great effectiveness with benzodiazapines - an anxiolytic or anti-anxiety medication designed for that very purpose.
Unless there is underlying depression in a case such as yours, ask why you weren't given one of these medications instead of Zoloft. If Zoloft doesn't give you total relief after awhile, ask about ativan, xanax, or klonopin - all benzos.
If your pdoc says anything about addiction or withdrawl concerning benzos. - run, don't walk to a new, more informed, unprejudiced doctor that will really help you.
GS
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Posted by Dave Bradley on December 16, 1999, at 3:20:57
In reply to Re: My second day on Zoloft (for panic/anxiety), posted by GS on December 15, 1999, at 21:30:16
[edited]
> If your pdoc says anything about addiction or withdrawl concerning benzos. - run, don't walk to a new, more informed, unprejudiced doctor that will really help you.
Err benzodiazepene withdrawal is very real, and depending on factors can be quite addictive too.
> GS
> *************************************************
Posted by GS on December 16, 1999, at 15:34:25
In reply to Re: My second day on Zoloft (for panic/anxiety), posted by Dave Bradley on December 16, 1999, at 3:20:57
> [edited]
>
> > If your pdoc says anything about addiction or withdrawl concerning benzos. - run, don't walk to a new, more informed, unprejudiced doctor that will really help you.
>
> Err benzodiazepene withdrawal is very real, and depending on factors can be quite addictive too.
>
> >
> > *************************************************
Dear Dave,Maybe I should have clarified a little that tapering off of benzos properly halts withdrawl. Addiction is another matter entirely. But if you really want to follow a thread that is interesting concerning issues surrounding benzos, check the archives at the top of the page under 99 November 23, scroll down a ways to a single thread message entitled Re:Benzo Risks - to Sean from Michael 11/23/99, scroll down to the bottom of that message and on 8/4/99 you will see a message by GS that starts quite a discussion on the matter that continues on about this very subject.
As if that isn't enough, check out under Psy. tips - enter the word Benzodiazapines - and you will find all kinds of professional opinions under the section "long term treatment with". Very informative for me when I first read it.
I hope that you find it as interesting and informative as I did. Would like to hear your thoughts if you've got the time!
GS
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Posted by Kev on December 18, 1999, at 19:07:19
In reply to Re: My second day on Zoloft (for panic/anxiety), posted by Dave Bradley on December 16, 1999, at 3:20:57
The controversy about benzo's aside, does Zoloft really work for anxiety???
--Kev
This is the end of the thread.
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