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Bad Anxiety/taking Zoloft, 100mg/Relapse at Period

Hi all!  I was wondering if anyone might have a suggestion as to what could be my problem!!!  Back in December, I had the worst experience of my life...I hope I never experience that again!  I started having unusual anxiety attacks...it seemed like it would hit me in the evening....I started fearing loss of control, not being able to cope with life, fearing the future, thinking bad things were destined for me....etc.  Really scary stuff, and my mind would race between these thoughts, and I would get this taste in my mouth...I thought of it as the tast of fear, and then I would panic more, and pace, and feel like my mind was losing control.  It was terrifying.  My husband was my rock...and still is!  He would always talk to me, and do a lot of reassuring with me, and then it seemed to dwindle away.  It would then appear the next evening...and then after about of week of this...I woke up with it, and pretty much kept that awful feeling from then on until I went to the emergency room.  I pretty much paced that whole day...thought I was losing my mind...could not take care of my precious children...my husband took off work for a week...and then my mother stayed with me too.  I couldn't eat, and starting having dry heaves and bad stomach churning...the doctor's gave me meds for ulcers and then zoloft.  I started at 50mg and felt better within about 3 weeks....the longest 3 weeks of my life!!!   Then around my period, I relapsed, which was only one week later.  I then went to my doctor and he up'd my dose to 100mg.  That was back in Feb.  I've noticed that for the most part, I'm okay, but everytime my period comes...I have that awful anxiety...and even though I have been through this, I still feel like I'm not going to make it.  I do a lot of praying, and I fear having bad thoughts....I had bad thoughts when I first developed this...suicide...although, I didn't plan anything, I just had the thought of it.  I know I will never do anything to hurt myself or another human being...I'm like the most caring, sympathetic person out there...I love people, and would do anything for anyone...but when this anxiety hits...I start fearing having those thoughts.  It's so exhausting going through this.  Is anyone out there like this?  Does anyone else out there understand this...or am I all alone in this matter, and am just a freak or something.  I was fine until December....I don't get it.  Although, I am so thankful to God that I am not like that anymore...I still am not back to my old self.  
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Avatar universal
Hello all. I realise this is an old post but this sounds like what I'm currently going through. Been on Zoloft for 6 weeks now and my period is due anytime this week. I've been doing OK but still not completely normal. I have ocd as well as anxiety. Yesterday I had a feeling of anxiety shoot through my head and today I feel uneasy and like I could cry about it because I fear my tablets might be stopping working. I was on citalopram already for my ocd when I suddenly developed anxiety. I've been through hell and I so don't want to return to that. Just don't like this feeling and worried it could all flare up again. I'm on 150mg Zoloft. Can anyone update me as to how the original poster is doing now? Thankyou
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Avatar universal
Hi Melinda! :)  I feel the same way...it's not good that you are going through this either, but it's nice to hear that someone else really understands!!!  I really thought that after I took the zoloft I would be completly healed, and although I am tremendously better than at the start, I still have bad anxiety, usually around my monthly cycle.  I got online and a lot of my symptoms match that of a hormonal imbalance...it even said that a lot of women will go to the doctor with these symptoms, and the doctor will just give them an antidepressant (it said extreme anxiety is a symptom of hormonal imbalances).  That made me feel a little better, and I am thinking of having my hormones checked at my next dr. visit.  I hope I'm not going through menopause already...gosh, I'm only 32!!!  My mom didn't go through it until 53.  I'm serious though...more than half of the symptoms that site listed, matched mine.  A lot of weird stuff has happened to me...and it's so easy to just dwell in it...but I am trying to do some cognitive therapy techniques with myself.  I'm a stay-at-home mom, and when these awful feeling come upon me, I feel so detached, and it makes me even more nervous because I don't feel like I'm being the best mom I can be.  Lately, I've been acting like God is in my bathroom...lol....I will escape in there and just pray for strength and control!!!  Prayer really helps me....I know the Lord will see me through this, because scripture says so...sometimes we don't understand why we are going through something, but a lot of times our troubles are blessings in disguise.  I just keep telling myself that he sees the big picture, and that I just need to lay it at his feet....and he will lead me through this, and I just know I will come out a better, stronger person who has a closer relationship with my Lord and Savior!  I'm so glad you posted to my comment!  Thanks for caring!  I want you to know as well, that I am always here to listen to your concerns and fears!  God Bless you Melinda...and you will be in my daily prayers!
Love in Christ,
Alicia
Helpful - 0
1100140 tn?1260594269
Your Story sounds JUST LIKE mine !!! Pm me and we can talk. I have never met anyone with the same thing as me !! I hate that you have gone through this but am glad I am NOT alone!! Take care and talk to you soon ..   XXXX
                                                                     Melinda
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370181 tn?1595629445
Hey Toots! First off, calm down. You're under the care of a doctor and you need to make him/her aware of all these feelings and fears. I would also urge you to get into some therapy. I know you said your husband is a rock and that's great, but he can't stay home from work to take care of you all the time and I'm sure your mother probably has her own life. Every symptom you write about is classic for panic and you say the Zoloft IS helping, just not enough. Might be time for a dosage adjustment. And the fact that things seem to get worse around your period may have to do with the added hormones in your system. I know that Zoloft also helps with anxiety, but perhaps you need to add something else along with the Zoloft to get this under control. But you really should see your doctor again as he/she is the only one who can evaluate what's going on. And please consider therapy. The meds are only masking what's going on underneath all these symptoms. I really believe you'd feel better if you started to chip away at those issues and deal with them. After a bit of time, you may be able to toss all those medications out! Wouldn't that be sweet?
You are NOT a freak and you are NOT the only one who feels these things. Everyone on this forum can understand what you're going through.
Let your doctor know you're still having problems and your Zoloft may be increased. Let him know about what happens around your periods. Ask if there is something he can give you to help more with the anxiety aspect and lastly, request a referral to a good therapist.
Sounds to me like you just don't have your meds fugured out yet which is a very normal part of this process. It takes time and patience until the right balance is found. And I know I'm harping, but therapy will definitely help you over this rough patch in your life.
I'm sure you'll be fine..............just don't give up! You're working to help yourself so thers's half the battle won already!
Peace
Greenlydia
Helpful - 0
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Arlington, WA
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