anxiety/panic disorder...why me?

Turkee, anxiety and panic really does stink...and as to why you were chosen from the "hat"?  That's the million dollar question.  I used to get angry too when I was first diagnosed with panic disorder at age 18....WHY ME?  As time went on, and I started truly learning HOW to cope with the anxiety and panic...life became normal for me again.  I know right now, that seems impossible for you, and you feel like you are stuck in a black hole...but it won't be like that forever.  The first great thing you did was seeking out therapy...that will help you tremendously.

I know you're scared to start the Zoloft...you are not alone in that.  The are a few camps where us anxious people fit into when it comes to meds.  I was in the one that was SO desperate for relief that I was actually excited to start medication (Zoloft was my first med as I told you).  I couldn't wait.  Then there are the people on the fence about it, and still others who give themselves more anxiety worrying so much about every little aspect of what it means to start a med.  A LOT of people with anxiety have some level of worry when starting meds, that's normal.  What I hate to see is what you're doing to yourself.  You're putting so much importance on the horror stories you've read and are setting yourself up, preparing for the very worst.  The likelihood of you having a nightmarish experience is actually pretty low.  Zoloft truly is a pretty well tolerated med.  I'm not saying you won't have a few side effects or not feel a little worse before feeling better, but the trade off is SO worth it.  You may not have even one side effect, but the more you convince yourself you will, you will be ultra focused on every little sensation, convincing yourself you are having a rough time, maybe even if youre not.

Have a long talk with your therapist about the Zoloft, share with her what we've talked about with you here.  I know you're scared...we promise we'll help you through this along the way.  At some point, especially when you're suffering with panic to this level, you have to put some amount of trust in the people who are trying to help you and just take a chance.

The amount of time you MAY have to endure some side effects will be SO small in comparison to the big picture, and you'll probably look back and chuckle at just how much you're torturing yourself about this.  This just may be the answer for you...and may finally give you your life back.  Medications along WITH therapy tend to have the best success rates...and you're already in therapy.

It will be okay...and for the moments you're scared, or not sure, we'll help you.  Most of us have been in your shoes, and know just how hard this is.  You need to move forward and start fighting this head on.

I can't wait to hear how your therapy appointment goes!

i totally agree and actually your story and a few others have helped me lean towards taking the meds, and i have the xanax if i need some help with the side effects right??........25mg might not even give me any side effects . i a,m trying to be positive. i really am. and i really do think i will laugh at myself in a few months when i think about how scared i am to take these meds when really they are here to help me.

and these meds are supposed to take away these feelings of worry and dizziness right?......

thank you again nursegirl you have been MUCH MORE then just a support system.....you been my ROCK!....thank you thank you thank you

Hey Sweetie-  I agree with everything nursegirl told you.  Really, I worry more about that Xanax...Zoloft does it's job and it's subtle. You will not even feel it, most likely, AND it's a small dose.  Give it a try...

Now, for a more important topic   (lol)    Where do you think Casey Anthony is hiding out???  I think the defense attorney is taking care of her and they'll soon be married....LMAO!!

xo

NO thanks needed.  I'm a little more radish shaped than rock shaped, but okay!  ;0)

Most definitely the Xanax can be used to help you with any side effects that pop up.  I used a short term treatment of an occasional Ativan when I was starting on meds.  For the Zoloft, it was more to keep my preexisting panic and anxiety symptoms controlled, and when I started on Lexapro ( few more side effects), I used the Ativan here and there for the jittery feeling.  It really helped to the point where I didn't even notice the side effects when I took it.

Of course there are no guarantees, but chances are, you will tolerate the Zoloft well, and with such a low dose, any side effect you MAY encounter will be mild.  The hardest part for me was being patient waiting to feel better....and all of a sudden, I realized I HAD been gradually feeling better!

Oh and yes, pretty much however your anxiety is presenting (dizziness, etc), those symptoms will improve and then gradually resolve all together after the med starts working.  Basically, the whole premise is getting the anxiety under control.  Once you do that, any related symptoms follow suit.

yea the being patient part is hard as well.... i want it done now!.....lol

casey anthony is somewhere....someone knows....im suprised it hasnt gotten out yet.

so therapy went great as usual....i also feel so much better after talking with her. i told her it feels like its a month before i see her next so now i will see her every 5 days yay!

i filled the RX and i will start it tomorrow....so i guess thats step one.

i will see her again on saturday. she did tell me like the rest of you that if i had a head ache or diabetes that i would take meds for that so why not take it for anxiety

she gave me some good coping skills, which she gives me a new one every time i see her.

im trying not to do the "what if" thinking....and im trying to stay in the now. using the coping skills like "anxiety is normal, i watch it come and go an dit causes no danger". and today she said she wants me to learn how to use probability. like its a LOW probability that the plane will crash when traveling.its a LOW probability that i will get struck by lighting. and its a low probability that i will have side effects and that this medicine wont work for me.

she thinks i will have great success with this and the therapy. and i guess i agree with her and all of you. i tol dher about you and she thinks its great but wants me to stay away from the negative thinking. she also says i have way to much time on my hands and i couldnt agree more. im home all day with nothing to do. i had to take a leave of absence from school and wont return until november and she says by then i will be fine =)

so tomorrow is the big day!......and hopefully all of you will be along for this journey with me......

one question that the bottle doesnt say....should i take this medicine everyday at same time (dr said morning but what do you do) and with or without food?

YAY!  What great news!  I figured you'd feel a lot better about it after speaking with her!  It's also wonderful that she increased the frequency of your sessions.  That will help so much!  Sounds like you've found a super therapist, that is so important!

Of COURSE we'll be along for the journey....keep us posted, and when you're having a rough moment...read and re-read your post above about staying in the here and now, staying positive, and use those coping skills!  We'll be here for you!

As for how to take it, try to take it around the same time every day (an hour either way is fine), and you can take it with or without food.  I would recommend the first few doses being taken after/with a light meal.  There's always the option to change the dosing time if needed.  For instance, if you would notice some drowsiness, ask your doc about taking it at night versus morning....and vice versa.  If it would make you have a hard time sleeping, you would want to stick to the morning dosing time.  The med will work properly either way, as long as it is taken the same time of day each day.

I think this will be the best thing you've ever done for your anxiety, along with the therapy of course!  The medication will help you to control your symptoms while the therapy will teach you invaluable coping skills.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!  Chin up.....wake up...eat something and just take it...then busy yourself for the rest of the day...find and activity that will distract you so that you're not overthinking everything.

Of course, keep us updated, we're here for you, and if you have some rough moments, we'll get you through them.  Promise.

(((((HUGS)))))

even now at almost 8 im still kinda worried about what the next few weeks bring. but i guess i will have to find out. trying to not freak myself out too much. she said she dont really think i will feel some side effects and if i do just take the xanax thats why its there.

giving myself a headache just thinking about it. im excited about feeling better just scared of everything else.

I know it's scary...I was terrified of meds for all the same reasons they worry you. I know you already know this, but my fear of the meds was totally outweighed by my desire to just not feel the way I was anymore.  And it so worked for me.  No side effects at all in my case.  I do think you are doing the right thing, and the best part of any of these decisions?  If after trying it you feel it wasn't the wrong decision you can always try a different approach right?  I sure hope this helps you and am thinking about you!

thank you......i am nervous but i do want to feel better, and yes if it doesnt work then i will have to try again but i think it will work!!!!! right?!?!?

did you  take zoloft adgal? still taking them for anxiety?

No, I never took zoloft.  I took cypralix only.  It was the first drug my Dr tried on me and it really worked well.  I have no doubt zoloft will do the same thing for you!  Keep us posted ok, you have been on my mind a fair amount and I can't wait to read that you are feeling more like your old self.

good morning all

ok well took my dose about an hour ago. im just worried now..... ya know i think its normal....but i find my minf racing with thoughts of "omg what about side effects?!?!?" im trying to relax but thats alot easier said then done

i dont htink i feel any different today then i have any other day (everyday seems to be filled with anxiety no matter what!) so why would i be extra nervous now??.....lol cause my mind knows i took that little pill lol!!

i tossed and turned all night i think in anticipation (sp??) about today and the upcoming weeks .

do today is day one.....7/20/11 25mgs

Don't be afraid to take your Xanax to help you through this...it will help and that's what it is there for you!

i was pretty nervous for the hour or so after taking it.....but i just got out of the house for a few mins and i do feel more calm about taking it.

dont wanna get into habit of taking xanax just yet (or ever) but i did decide that if i have side effects that are really bothersome then i will take a xanax thats what they are there for right?......

so its now 10 am.....2 hours after taking it and im feeling pretty good......atleast calmer in my own skin about everything.....

thanks doll!

One of the things to keep in mind with your worry about the side effects is that part of it is your anxiety talking.  

Things with me improved dramatically when I changed my thinking about my anxiety disorder.  I decided that I was going to approach it for what it was - a medical condition, and that I would treat it as I would any other medical condition I may have had.  I was always thinking about diabetes for some reason.  If I had diabetes I would try whatever I needed to to be heatlhy...diet and excercise, insulin, whatever the case may be.  It helped a lot.  Anxiety is a medical condition, and I think part of the problem many of us have is we feel ashamed for some reason.  Perhaps there is a still a bit of a stigma associated with having something like this and requiring medication for it.  I never thought I felt that way, but realized when it struck me that I did to a certain extent.

For me medication wasn't the magic cure at all.  It worked, and worked well, but what it did was help me calm down enough and get into the right place emotionally and mentally for therapy to be effective.  I used both.  My goal was to get off the meds, but for no other reason then I don't want to have to take anything for the rest of my life if I can avoid it.  But without the meds I don't think the therapy would have worked if that makes sense.  I still am in therapy and probably will be for a very long time.  Currently I am not taking anything, but would not hesitate to if things got bad again (and they do from time to time).  

Hope that made sense.  I know you are afraid of the potential side effects.  But I still think it is great you are treating this medical condition so you can live your life the way you were meant too.  Panic attacks and extreme anxiety are a terrible way to live and thank God we don't have to.  Hang in there, your going to do great, I know you are!

I know I say this all the time, but it really does ring true.  Distraction is a HUGE help when it comes to anxiety.  When you sit around and worry and ruminate about all of the "what if's", it naturally makes you more anxious.

If you can....find something to do today, even if for a little while.  Take some time for yourself and do something you like...go to  a movie, to the mall, do some shopping...get outdoors...go to a park and appreciate nature.  Do something YOU enjoy to take your mind off this for a while.  Even if it is watching a silly movie on TV.  TV has always been a great distraction for me, and watching something funny always makes me feel better.

lol...i know i been trying to do something distracting. i was feeling better and then bam it hit me again that im nervous. but im trying to just deal with it....nothing to be nervous about im home safe watching tv talkin on the computer. whats the deal??....lol

im going to ve going somewhere in a few, dont know where but im going to get outta this house for a while.......

i am doing the therapy as well.....i was there yesterday and going back on saturday. i like the therapy and will go until november and my insurance runs out =(

seems to have had a headache all day.....probably from being worried about taking the meds this morning ....who knows. i took a few advil today, i think it took it away for a while but its back to i just took 2 more advil and hopefully it will feel better.......

I would almost guarantee it is the anxiety causing the headache.  Side effects rarely would kick in that fast.  Even if you do experience a slight headache in the beginning, taking Advil, or Excedrin (my personal fave) will knock it out.

You're almost through day 1 and still alive!  Yay!

You know I'm only teasing...but really...I think once you see that this likely won't be anything NEAR what you expected, your anxiety will improve a lot and time will start to pass a little faster.

I'm very proud of you!!

yea i agree 100%!!!......im hoping i will laugh at myself about how scared i was, then i will come on here and help more people just like you are doing for me.......


day 2 coming up!

I have been on Zoloft for 13 years (different dosages as needed) and I have no complaints! The benefit truly outweighs any side effect it can bring. I have severe panic and anxiety (mine attacks last for days at a time) then I have the general anxiety and am a hypocondriac  as well. I truly believe Zoloft saved me.  It was before Panic attacks were well known or acknowledged. Now, they have therapist who specialize in these disorders which is so nice!
Give the Zoloft a few weeks to kick in, I have faith you will not regret it either :)

thank you dolphin.

today is day 2, and i wasnt as nervous this morning taking the meds.

thank you guys again. i made another friend on another site going thru the SAME EXACT thing as me right now, she got her zoloft but hasnt taken it yet cause she is scared. i invited her to come join us here cause i tol dher how wonderful all of you are so hopefully she comes on by!......

Popped in to check in on you.  Glad you are feeling a tiny bit more relaxed about the medication.  Your doing great!!!  ((huigs))) to you and thinking about you.

thanks sexy!......yea im sure the meds havent kicked in this fats cause i can still feel the anxiety, its still but but i feel a little calmer about it.

so hopefully it gets better every single day!.......

Everyday will get better. I remember it taking a week for them to kick in for me (before I really started feeling it) but everyday I woke up and things were a bit better. Just knowing there was light at the end of the horrific panic attack tunnel!!!  

So happy for you :)

Hugz ~ Dani

got another headache =(

I get them a lot. Did you know your anxiety can cause head aches?

at this point i think anxiety can cause anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........lol.....but jeez!.....

I know right!!!!  It can lol, it can make you feel things and think things, it really *****! :) But it's nice that we are all in this together :)

yea a agree....your my girlfriend lol

i love talking people who are going thru the same thing as me....its helps alot

Hey!  You are doing great!  You can handle a headache!  And, it doesn't matter if it is the anxiety or the Zoloft...a headache is do-able!  :0)  Chances are, your anxiety is causing them anyway....so once your anxiety improves each day...so will those pesky headaches.

TWO days down!  How awesome!  One thing I'd like to point out that will hopefully make you feel even better is, those people who are extremely sensitive to meds and have usually the scariest and worst horror stories....experience their symptoms very early on, within the first 1-2 days. So, that's a good thing!

You're going to do this and have tremendous success.  I sincerely feel that in my bones!

Chin up!  Keep going...keep busy!  The less you think about all of this, the better you will feel!

Come on.....DAY THREE!

(((((HUGS)))))

I have Panic disorder, and agorophobia,  to the point I stayed inside for over 6 months.  over the years I have been on imiprimine, zoloft and paxil, paxil worked best,  after divorce, lack of medical etc... I am now treating myself with 5htp and Gaba (5 htp helps produce seratonin ie: paxil inhibits the reuptake of seratonin- so it can stay where it needs to and work.   GABA works like ativan (lorazapan)  calms the nerve receptors- )  stopped smoking, limit my coffee (1/2 cup a day) limit sugar etc...  these items are worth looking up-- 5Htp  and GABA, they have helped me as well as paxil and I dont have the side effects  .  God Bless and good luck

today is day 3 and i think i am feeling better everyday........i heard the meds dont work this fast , maybe my anxiety just calming down a little cause i know im treating it. who knows.....but so far so good, just taking it day by day..... going to see therapist tomorrow..yay!

i might not get any side effects right??

thanksssssss

Not everyone gets side effects, and even if they do, they are most often mild.  Keep at it!  I know most say the meds took a while for them, but for me it was pretty quick.  Maybe your right and it is sort of a placebo effect initially, but all I know is it was great not to feel the way I had been.  I'm so happy for you!  I hope this is the beginning of the end of this issue for you.  And good for you for sticking with the therapist.  I learned some great calming tecniques from mine that really work well for me.  Once again, just checking in on you and thinking about you.

BTW - you mentioned earlier in this journal about eventually being able to help others going through the same thing. By journaling your situation I guarantee you are already doing that.  I think that's fantastic!

thank you.....im just tired of seeing so many horror stories i wish all the people hwo had good expirences with things would also post, but i understand that they are out living their life and not online yelling  about how they feel.

im feeling a lil anxious but im just trying not to worry about it. its normal right??.....its not gunna to hurt me and it will go away.

It's very normal.  I remember one time being on line here and in the midst of a panic attack.  It was a fairly mild one, but still...hate that feeling.  Anniebrooke was also on line and posted something to me that I use all the time now.  When it starts I say "this is the illness speaking, not really me".  It works really well.  It also helps I think to know you are not alone. When I started dealing with this I was amazed at how many people had been or were going through this.  Now, I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but when you realize how common this is and how many people are successfully being treated, it sure helps.

And your right..the majority of the people that post about the meds had bad experiences.  From those I have talked to and from talking to my therapist I came to realize the majority actually had no problems with the medication.  And if you do?  There are alternative meds they can try.  I honestly had no bad side effects at all.  Most of my issues came from my fear of the medication, not the medication itself.  

What you just said in your last sentence..."it's normal, right??" is great.  You are recognizing that it is the illness doing this to you.  You are working on treating it and yes, it will go away.  Sending you another ((hug)).  I know I needed lots of those, and I hope it helps.  Journaling my feelings really helped a lot too, so your doing all the right things, at least in my opinion.

yea i think thats me right now adgal, mist of a panic attack, just had my boyfriend go with me for a drive around here for a few mins, and i feel a lil bit better, but jeez!

got the xanax sitting here next to me but im trying to be strong and just ride thru it. craziness!.....so im going to do some crochet (taught myself yesterday via youtube, made a chain stitch!!!) and my nails to try and keep my mind off of it....lol

yes knowing im not alone is great and my therapist gave me those good lines...anxiety is normal, is come and goes, it wont hurt me, you felt this way before and nothing bad happened.......glad i get to see she tomorrow.

I know you don't want to get in the habit of taking the Xanax too much and that's great, but there really is no harm in taking it when you're having a rough moment, especially a panic attack.  You would be amazed at how much it would help you.  Don't try to be a hero!

You're doing great....the anxious moments stink, but remember you'd be having those without the Zoloft, and hopefully soon enough, they'll get better and better.  You already have noticed some subtle changes for the better.

Keep it up.....keep pushing through.  You're going to be fine!

HUGS!

yea im feeling better now.....doing my nails......so i got my mind off of it thanks

Congrats!!  You just worked your way through a panic attack!  See how quickly you are learning to use those coping tools?  For me that was a massive breakthrough...recognizing them for what they were and finding ways to work through them.  It is really quite the milestone if you think about it.

can you drink while you take zoloft?....

well I dont know ..rum  maybe  lol   I am jesting ...well I was waiting to see how it was going, so you are feeling better and the med worked .I know I read  most Doctors will only prescribe xanax for a short time as it can be addictive and hard to come off .not certain about zoloft have you done some research to find out about side effects,Main thing is like the others said that you feel better soon , then try something like 5HTP or Sam-E which are natural meds ..You had a nasty trauma recently with the op I would expect some repercussions .You sound chirpy so thats a good thing ...

No, not adviseable.  After you're on it a while, you can ask your doc about an occasional drink, but generally speaking, NO.  Plus, alcohol can increase your anxiety...my advice would be to steer clear of it for a while.

day 4 todau and i been pretty anxious all day....saw therapist and was still anxoius after =( *****

took a .25 xanax a lil while ago

i just wanna get my life back!

It's okay...you're going to have good days and bad...hang in there!!!

That's why the Xanax is there..use it if you need to!

Pulling for you!

thank you.....trying to keep high hopes

I remember feeling like that...just wanting to be my old self again.  Your on the right path! For what it's worth I think the combo of therapy and meds is the way to go...at least that's what works best for me.  It's only been 4 days so the meds probably aren't built up enough yet to be as effective as I am sure they soon will be.  Hang in there!  

so what am i supposed to do about the sexual side effects???

seems like my anxiety is a little high again today.....did you guys have higher anxiety when you started the meds?

headache

The headache and increased anxiety are super common side effects.  Take an Excedrin and try to kepe busying yourself like you're doing such a good job of!

The sexual side effects may improve for you, but some people do report a decrease in libido with these meds.  Don't get too worried about it yet, though, it's too early on.  To be frank, when I experienced this with meds, hubby and I just got a little more creative (and a little more wild) and that helped a lot.  HE was pretty happy about needing to do that too...lol.  To reach orgasm required a little more concentration..but in some regards that was a good thing.  It prolonged the experience for me.

The sexual side effects came and went for me throughout therapy.

You're doing great...almost a week under your belt,  another week from now, you should really start noticing an improvement of the side effects and maybe even possibly a lifting of your mood and anxiety!

HANG IN THERE!!!!!!!!!

anxiety spiked right befpre the headache.....a few of my friends are coming over to talk about an up coming wedding we are going to......so im sure thinking about all that made it a lil worse.....i was feeling so happy with my self today for not taking a xanax but i just ended up taking a .25 to take the edge off......but over all i think i did pretty good.

im glad to hear things like when you and dolphin both said you took the ativan and she the xanax thru the side effects and it worked lovely (which it does) but i was worried about getting hooked. so you guys put me at ease

oh sexual side efefcts didnt seem to bad today....will try again later and see what happens =)~

LOL

You go girl!  :0)

I truly think you're doing phenomenal!  Give yourself credit!  And don't worry about the xanax.  Once the Zoloft kicks in, you'll need it less and less.  Plus, you;re only taking a very low dose here and there.  No worries!

You're right on track.  No, go iron your Naughty Nursie costume for later!  Ha ha!

im thinking maybe a naughty pirate or maid!.....lol.... my nurses outfit says nurse mary jane!....lmfaoooo

when i up the dose at 2 weeks will i go through the side effects again?

Your side effects will probably not be as noticeable, you may have some when you increase the dosage but for me, I know what to expect and they do not seem as strong as when you first start the meds. And like I said before, the benefits out weigh the side effects. The side effects will decrease with time :)

I still take Xanax when I need to. I take them a few times a week (like you, I take 1/2 a .25mg tablet) to help me sleep without being anxious. My Psych and primary care said that is fine, with the low dosage they aren't worried about addiction etc. So, no fear with that either.

You are doing great, remember, you will have break through anxiety and it could last a few weeks. Zoloft can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks or sometimes longer before you get the full effect but you will start noticing changes (very good changes) :)
Proud of you!!!!!

well i take more then half a .25 pill.....lol.....the past few days i took a .25 during the day of anxiety gets bad and at night i been taking a .50 to sleep.  so all together like .75 the whole day, unless i dont need it during the day

so i just called the psychiratrist and asked them about the higher anxiety, the nurse said that she never heard of that before and that if i still felt that way on thursday to call them back. that made me not happy. actually worries me a little. she said she was going to leave a note for the dr, so i guess he is supposed to call back, i dunno. how could have never heard of it?  from whati have read online it seems pretty common, now it makes me feel like the meds arent going to work and/or they might change it.

actually  just talked to the dr he said its normal and if i could stick it out that he thinks i will be just fine, i told him about all my friends (you guys) that have taken it said the same thing and he said yes its a normal thing, stupid girl.

so i will stick through it for now unless it gets to point that its too mucha nd i will call again but i think i will be ok!

I think thats kinda weird the nurse said that.  My anxiety levels always went up and down...still do.  Some days are tougher then others for sure.  Thats where using my "self talk" comes in and I am getting pretty good at it. You will too.  For me, part of it also is figuring out triggers and just learning to deal with overall stress.  But yeah, as far as I am concerned it's really normal.  I think most anxiety sufferers have days where things are worse then others.  One thing that always makes a difference for me...if I am overtired or haven't been taking care of myself in general..you know, eating too much garbage, that sort of thing.  It really effects me.  Not sure if that is the case for everyone.  Hope your feeling better soon!

going to therapy this afternoon, still waiting for the meds to kick in........

blahhhhhhhhhhhh

whoa just had a small panic attack i believe. felt my inside shaking, literally (i think that was new).....felt pretty lightheaded,real sweaty palms and just completely nervous.......just took a .25 xanax, but i have calmed down some.

ugggg this *****.

i have taken 11 .50 xanax in 14 days......is that bad/alot if they are supposed to be as needed?.....i have been cutting them in half and taking during the day when anxiety gets bad and maybe one at night.

today is day 9......been a long week!....

im going to stick thru it for atleast a month, and then if things dont get better i guess i will have to see dr and see what next step is.

im praying that this will be the medicine for me.

day 12 ....seems like the anxiety goes up and down.....one day i need a xanax and the other i dont.....

sometimes i just want to throw in the towel and give up but i said i would atleast give it a month to see what happens...

now im supposed to up the dose on wednesday and im scared that it will make the symptoms worse

day 13 dont know yet lol

Gosh life is tough at times isnt it gal, this is but a moment in time albeit a long one for you struggling to feel better. Tell your self this will pass you will feel okay soon, brain wash your self ...dont think too much ..its always those thought make us feel worse ...It could be that you are taking the xanax one day and not the next ask the doc what he thinks .

who knows.... lol...yea the thoughts are killers!!!.....

today seems to be ok....knock on wood!....just went to library and got some books to read.....ITS HOT OUTSIDE!!!!

Hang in there-- it will get better over time. It's so hard to see that when you're in the thick of it, but you're doing all the right things. Be patient with the medications. It can be a very gradual, almost unnoticeable change for many people. One day you'll realize, "Hey, I've been feeling more calm than anxious, when did that happen?" You may have some residual anxiety now and then. Don't misinterpret that as the medication failing you. It will prevent most attacks and blunt the ones which do crop up. Only over time will you be able to see the trend of improvement, so don't give up.

2 weeks today....upped my dose to 50 mgs today

does anyone else have a 24/7 lightheaded feeling from their anxiety?

have deff had a increased jittery feeling, like my insides are shaking!!!!

ugggg WHY ME!!!!!..... no no no stop it!...i can do this!....i cant get thru this!.....things will start getting better soon,,,,,god loves me