Hi Everyone,

I have been having all the symptoms of anxiety(breathing problems,
headache,tightness in chest,dry heaves,diarhea,dizziness,hands
trembling)now for 4 and a half days.Only time I have any relief is for
a few hours after I take my Ativan(only 0.5),I have been taking 2 or
3 a day.But,it will NOT stop,problems sleeping 2 nights.

Went to ER and they confirmed this to be anxiety.How long will this
go on?Does anyone only have this anxiety about a week before your
period?Mine is about to start,just wondering.My other doctor added
Zoloft(only been on that for 2 days now).Should I wait until after my
period,or should I go see my doctor now about increasing my Ativan,
seems like a low dose compared to alot of you here.I was put on this
Ativan for seizures and it seems like it has caused the anxiety.ER said,
NO. Please any advice or opinions will be appreciated.I am about to go
insane.

Take care,Sherri

Hello Sherri,
I haven't tried the meds you are taking but I know that drugs like Zoloft take a little longer than two days to sink in.
Also I have found that my anxiety and panic attacks increase a few days before my period despite the medication am on. Then as soon as it starts everything goes back to normal again. If you think you cannot stand it talk to your doctor about Ativan. He may want to increase it a little until the other med takes hold.
Good luck and do not be scared. This is the way it is. You will get better in time.God bless :)

Hey, the increased anxiety could be from starting zoloft. Either you may be anxious about starting or the initial start up of a med like zoloft can increase anxiety for a short time (side effect).

I used to use ativan sometime las year but my doctor switched me to Klonopin, which is an anti seizure drug and used for anxiety/panic. Klonopin acts similar to ativian but stays in your system alot longer than ativan. I now use it along with Keppra on an as needed basis. I split a .5mg pill and I am fine for the day.

This may be something to look into.

Did they start you on the lowest dose of the Zoloft?

I am not at my best the week before my period and sometimes during. Lovely hormones take charge.

Let me know if I can help.

Hi,

No,I don't think the Zoloft is the lowest,it's 50mg(half a pill)for
a week then it will be the 100mg.My anxiety problems started
2 days before I was even put on the Zoloft.I thought it could
have been the anxiety of seeing a psychiatrist for the first time.
But,I have never had problems like that before.
Glad to know that others have had anxiety before period.Because
mine is already a little late,and that is when my seizures normally
come.Again,no seizures,but,anxiety instead.Don't know which is
worse,at least I am use to seizures and do not have so much after
effects,like this anxiety.

Feeling a little better this morning,hopefully it stays this way,it has
come and gone.Hopefully this time is stays GONE.

Take care,Sherri

j2006,

You were right,it was the Zoloft,I just had a very slight breathing
problem the two days before(maybe know I was going to see a
psychiatrist for the first time).But,it wasn't even 24 hours after I
started the Zoloft that it all kicked and had to go to ER.Well,I never
really felt like I needed it because the Ativan has done wonders.So,
I stopped taking them today since I had only been on them for 4 days.
And as of now I feel wonderful.Still had a bad headache good portion
of today,but,now all of that has subsided.You should be a doctor :D

Take care,Sherri