How Do You Manage Your Anxiety?

[MidwestGal2015]

Background: Diagnosed w/ OCD (health obsessions, not compulsions), PTSD, PMDD, panic attacks

So after 5 very unsuccessful attempts at managing my extreme anxiety w/ medication (psychiatrist & PCP), my [new] PCP & I may have had a breakthrough w/ Zoloft. I'm currently taking 25 mg (we started low due to my intolerance of other SSRI's), but this time we combined it w/ .5mg of Xanax (.25mg 2x/day). Yes, I know benzo's are dangerous & addictive, but trust me when I say it's being monitored & managed well. The goal is to carefully wean off Xanax once we find the right dose of Zoloft. I imagine she'll want to try upping the dose to maybe 50 mg to see if I can handle it w/o Xanax. I'm already noticing I need my Xanax later in the day. I guarantee w/o a doubt the Xanax is the only way I've been able to get through the initial transitional period often associated w/ SSRI's, so please don't lecture me ;-)

The first week of Zoloft was tough. I was completely & totally EXHAUSTED. I can't remember the last time I was that tired. Being so tired killed my appetite. GERD flared up. Trouble staying asleep. And an increase in anxiety. That's where the Xanax helped. By week two the severity of my exhaustion started to level off. Week 3 (this week, now 3.5) is going much better. Ironically, this is my PMDD week. This is where I'm really noticing a difference. In the past, PMDD week was a nightmare. Emotions were all over the place: crying/yelling/depressive thoughts & hopelessness/ridiculously anxious/panic attacks, couldn't sleep, hot flashes, horrible headaches, food cravings or no appetite at all, etc. This week has certainly improved. Only one day did I have a headache & felt grumpy, otherwise no major mood swings. Sleeping fine. Appetite mostly normal except a few cravings. I know SSRI's can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to take full effect, so I'm excited to see how I progress. I also recently switched to a birth control where I only have periods 4x/year to help w/ PMDD.

In addition to medication, I've also made big changes to my eating habits w/ the help of a nutritionist. We're focusing on less processed foods & eating out. A lower sodium diet (heart problems run in the family), anti-inflammatory foods, less gluten & dairy (not eliminated), more fruits/veggies/protein/healthy fats. I eat 5-6 small meals/day to help w/ my GERD & TMJ. I track what I eat via myfitnesspal.com

I see a psychologist 2x/month (all I can afford).

Journal daily via penzu.com

Additional lifestyle changes: At the suggestions of my therapist & nutritionist, during my PMDD week I drastically limit appointments/plans after work, grocery shop/plan my meals ahead of time, & rest A LOT.

Next up: slowly getting back into a light workout regime

What I'm finding is the combination of medication, diet, & therapy is finally making a real dent in my anxiety. The Xanax keeps my obsessive thoughts & anxiety attacks at bay (so I can drive to/from work!). Zoloft is helping level my mood out. Not necessarily happier, just more level-headed. Even my fiance has noticed as I haven't snipped at him a couple weeks. My energy/motivation is slowly improving. For ex: I now straighten up the house every evening, & as a result.. a clean house = lower anxiety :-p I also have fewer headaches. I haven't taken any ibuprofen in 3.5 weeks! Good for me. Only a couple Sudafed for sinus congestion/pressure. Overall, I'm feeling far less anxious & less hopeless that my anxiety will never go away.

I'd love to hear your story & how you're working through your anxiety.

[MidwestGal2015]

I can't edit my post, but I should also mention the only prominent side effect I'm still feeling is some odd body sensations (like I felt w/ other SSRI's). A few times in my calf, but mostly my face around my cheeks, under-eyes, chin, around my eyebrows. Not sure how to describe it.. kind of taut, sometimes tingly. Nothing that overly alarms me (which is ironic considering my health anxiety), just strange feeling. I'll mention it to my PCP during our next appointment.