200mg of Zoloft, still have panic.. 200mg of Zoloft, still have panic..
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Posted by
Tom on October 11, 2000 at 00:04:45:
Approximately 2 months ago I had my first ever panic attack, and went to the hospital. Two weeks later I was diagnosed with panic disorder, brought on from extreme anxiety. I started out on Paxil 20mg, but the side effects were unbearable. My psychiatrist then started me on zoloft 50mg. Each week there was a marked improvement, but not complete relief. Every 2 weeks I was bumped up 50mg, and I am now taking 200mg. Things were going fine for the past few weeks, and then out of the blue I had another full blown panic attack. I spoke with my doctor, and he told me to take a .5mg xanax tablet. I took the xanax, and within a half hour I felt better. The next day I felt the anxiety coming on again, so I took a half of a xanax tablet, and my anxiety again went away. My problem now is that I have a constant low level feeling of anxiety. My doctor wants to bump me up to 250mg, to get me to what he calls a "level point". I understand that the average american prescribed dose of zoloft is 150mg, and the zoloft website lists a max dose of 200mg. I've heard of people on higher doses, but I am not sure if that is the answer. Before I had my first anxiety induced panic attack I was a well functioning person, now I feel that I am unbalanced, and being given drugs that I shouldn't need. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I would like to know that I am doing the right thing by increasing the dose again, but it seems high to me. Like I said in the beginning I started off with Paxil, but the side effects were unbearable, although 20mg a day did wonders for my anxiety.. Any suggestions please!!
----Tom----
