Anxiety NBR

minervacullen · February 2014

I'm taking Zoloft for ppd/ppa, but I'm not that happy with it. I no longer feel bipolar, but my anxiety seems worse and I'm dizzy a lot. I emailed Jack Newman about another and he was really helpful, but I know my dr will be difficult.
Like I found out my nephew is sick, it sounds like the flu and they don't get the flu shot, so it's probably that. However we just saw him Sunday and I'm in full on panic mode. I also keep worrying about having enough food and batteries in case of some disaster. It's ridiculous, I know it, but I still worry about it. Then DS is having issues, he's a good kid, super smart, kind, friendly, but seems to have sensory overload. His sense of smell and hearing is very strong and unfortunately I'm the same way. It was a struggle when I was younger, I was diagnosed with ADD, then that was retracted and they realized I was just "overly sensitive to things around me". But back then it wasn't a well known thing. His teacher thinks it isn't too bad and we can help him work through the overload and learn to deal with it. I don't know if I should just call his pedi and ask for a referral for OT.
Plus money, always money...

ExcitedAunt2b · February 2014

((hugs)) you are going through a lot right now and are stressed to the max! Justifiably so, if I may say so!

Hopefully your doctor will work with you and find a med that will help you get back to a good place, and the dizziness doesn't sound good either. If your doctor won't help is there someone else you can see or a different doctor that you can go to?

minervacullen · February 2014

There are a few different drs in the office and dr Jack said he'd be happy to talk with them for me. But I feel like they're going to be annoyed by me.

JessAnnJ · February 2014

Do you have a therapist? I know that costs money but it can really help. Even if you can only afford to go once a month or once every other month. Especially when it comes to working through specific types of anxiety like fear of disaster. They can teach you ways of working through your thoughts that you can use in conjunction with the medication.

minervacullen · February 2014

JessAnnJ said:
Do you have a therapist? I know that costs money but it can really help. Even if you can only afford to go once a month or once every other month. Especially when it comes to working through specific types of anxiety like fear of disaster. They can teach you ways of working through your thoughts that you can use in conjunction with the medication.

I think that's a great idea. I have a lot of childhood issues that I would like to talk through too. Hmmm, I'll have to check into my insurance later and see how much they cover.

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kescalera · February 2014

The sensory over-load thing sounds kind of like my cousin and my nephew. My cousin couldn't go out in the sun without screaming/crying because his skin was just too sensitive. I forget the name of the condition but its treatable with the right therapy. My nephew is a touch/hearing sensitivity that will cause him to just fly off the handle either crying hysterically or, unfortunately, being physically violent. Its called 'Sensory Processing disorder' and is a real, valid diagnosis. I would encourage you to explore it and don't let people tell you it's nothing.

LittleFish1 · February 2014

I must say, given the winter storms I've been hearing aboout in the mid-west, I would be anxious about ensuring there were enough supplies.

It is good that you're recognizing the meds effects are changing. Definitly best to talk with your docs. Was the dizzyness a possible side effect of the med?

You have a lot going on ... you did a great job telling us, have you talked with DH about the current triggers for the anxiety?

Jackiemxoxo · February 2014

I agree with getting counseling along with medication if possible. That is the field I'm going into and I think a lot of relaxation techniques would help. Also, get another doctor if you're doctor gets annoyed about the medication. Zoloft is an older drug and although it works well for some, there is much better stuff on the market. You might want to see a psychiatrist if insurance covers it because they can tell you the best medication for your exact symptoms.

SingleMom31 · February 2014

I also have anxiety issues and have been on meds for a while. A few things I've learned are:
- GPs tend to start with the "most safe" option possible. Zoloft has a long history of being okay while pregnant and breast feeding, so I think a lot default to it. I don't think it worked as well for me though (Celexa is best for me and there was a definite difference).
- GPs don't have much training in this. If you're helped with low doses of the common SSRIs, great, but then they run out of options. Psychiatrists have enough training to know how higher doses or combinations of drugs can work, and are more comfortable going there. May be something to think about.

So, I guess my point is that if you don't like what they gave you, keep challenging them bc there is something that will work for you.

Now I'm curious though... What did Dr. Jack say?

minervacullen · February 2014

SingleMom31 said:
I also have anxiety issues and have been on meds for a while. A few things I've learned are:
- GPs tend to start with the "most safe" option possible. Zoloft has a long history of being okay while pregnant and breast feeding, so I think a lot default to it. I don't think it worked as well for me though (Celexa is best for me and there was a definite difference).
- GPs don't have much training in this. If you're helped with low doses of the common SSRIs, great, but then they run out of options. Psychiatrists have enough training to know how higher doses or combinations of drugs can work, and are more comfortable going there. May be something to think about.

So, I guess my point is that if you don't like what they gave you, keep challenging them bc there is something that will work for you.

Now I'm curious though... What did Dr. Jack say?

He said I can basically take most antidepressants because of some chemical binding stuff. I have links to the studies and his literature on it. He also told me not to stop breast feeding. I told him I want to continue to bf for another year at least and he said that it helps with ppd, I can't imagine what I'd be like without it.

I will try to remember to call my dr tomorrow to set something up. I had to fight to just get the Zoloft, they tried to tell me I had to stop bf if I wanted meds. I told them to google it.

Thanks for the support ladies!
@kescalera his isn't that bad. Examples are he can't sit by another student because he can't handle the way she smells. The teacher doesn't notice a smell, but said student is of a culture that eats lots of spices and that's what DS can smell. He will say he can hear something across the room and others can't that far away. He's pretty much bionic

I have the same issues. I literally will walk around sniffing the house trying to pinpoint something that smells. Other people can't smell what I can. When I bake I rarely need the timer, I use my nose. I hear everything and low base noises hurt. The sun hurts my eyes, but it isn't terrible.

minervacullen · February 2014

bloomraiser said:
Have you read about "the highly sensitive person", by Elaine Aron?

I just looked it up! I'm buying it on Friday.
The dream thing, I never knew having such detailed, realistic dreams weren't the norm. My dreams are just like real life. Good dreams are great, scary ones suck.
Thank you for letting me know about it!

LittleFish1 · February 2014

wait, realistic dreams are not the norm? Humm... know from talking with others, some people have no sound. Others there isn't color (shades of grey).... I thought these variations were the non-normal.

myskyegirl · February 2014

First I'm sending you a BIG HUG. I'm sorry all of this is happening at once, you have the right to feel over whelmed.

I agree with the other posters, if your doctor isn't willing or giving you a hard time about talking to you about your meds, then you need a new doctor. A good doctor has no problem with their patents getting 2nd opinions.

I don't know about meds so I can't speak on that, but if your doctor isn't up on new meds then he's not the right doctor for you. I also agree that counseling might help, or at least trying to take a 1/2hr or 1hr out of the day for yourself to relax, maybe take a yoga class, or go and to the local library and sit and read.

Feel better sweetie.

minervacullen · February 2014

LittleFish1 said:
wait, realistic dreams are not the norm? Humm... know from talking with others, some people have no sound. Others there isn't color (shades of grey).... I thought these variations were the non-normal.

I think a lot of people have them, but I don't think it's the norm. I've had people accuse me of lying when I say I can use all of my senses in my dreams.

jac409 · February 2014

Just a thought, but have you ever had your thyroid checked? I used to have a lot of problems with anxiety, but it was because I had hyperthyroid. Meds could only do so much. It may have nothing to do with your issues, but it definitely did for me. Anyway, just thought I would mention it, in case it was something you had never explored.

robyn2201 · February 2014

I don't have any advice but I hope that your DR. is receptive to your requests of changing your medication and things get better for you. Way to go with being proactive and talking Newman. GL momma!

perfectlove09 · February 2014

Huh. I need to look up that book. I've always had the MOST vivid dreams and I can go on forever telling someone about one after waking up. It drives my husband crazy. I've had people tell me there's no way I remember all that I do. I've also just recently realized that not everyone dreams in color. When I heard that I was floored!
I'm also very sensitive to things. Sounds, lights, smells. Emotions. I once saw a poster at a gyno office I used to go to that was advertising a meeting they were starting for "highly sensitive people". I always wanted to inquire about it but in general my family is very anti emotional and I just felt weird even thinking about going. I also have unresolved issues from childhood that I think would be helped with therapy...again I'm afraid to bite the bullet. And more than that I think a therapist would tell me more than I want to know. All of the learning I've been doing about child development has been very eye opening and I wasn't expecting some revelations to come to the surface. Still trying to figure that out.

Wow...I guess you opened up the flood gates. Sorry. I'm really sorry you're going through all of this. You aren't alone and I'm glad you're researching alternative options. You also should really consider a new doc.

As for the dizzy spells; is Zoloft an SSRI? I used to take Paxil (biggest mistake of my life) and wholy hell did that pill mess me up. It was over 10 years ago that I took it, honestly the dr NEVER should have given it to me without sending me to a therapist but that's a whole other issue. Anyway. I would get these unbelievable weird dizzy spells. Not even a spell. It would honestly last 1 second. I told my then boyfriend (DH now) that it felt like electrical zaps to my brain. He of course thought I was crazy but I researched it and sure enough a lot of
People noticed it. Mainly when being weaned off of it. I had them even worse then. And I've been so afraid of that experience that I've never wanted to take another pill. Maybe your dosage needs tweaked?

I hope you're cake to get some relief. I think we all need a big therapy session

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