klarkent422
10-25-2013, 05:48 PM
Hello all,
First I want to introduce myself... My name is Vick, I'm a single dad and I suffer from Generalized Anxiety/Panic Disorder.
Back in July, I fell into that "black hole" of panic attacks. I couldn't leave my house and a lot of the time stayed at my parents'. My psych started me on 25mg Zoloft and .5 klonopin daily. Since then, I'm up to 50mg Zoloft and range from 1.5 to 2 mg of klonopin daily. This combination has been working great. I was able to get out of that "funk" i was in and started doing more and more of the normal day to day things. I started feeling like my normal, confident self again. Got back to work, I started coaching my son's baseball team again and I started playing a little softball myself.
Now, I've always noticed that the Zoloft made me jittery and in turn more anxious in the beginning but it seemed like my body was adjusting to it, up until 3 weeks ago. Now, I don't blame it all on the medication... work has become more stressful (which is why I would increase the klonopin from time to time), but I feel like my anxiety is once again on an incline. I've contacted my psych about it and he just wants me to increase the klonopin intake and keep the Zoloft at 50mg. I dont like to increase the klonopin because it makes me very tired when and less motivated to do things when I take it. For the record, Ive been on these medications about 3 1/2 months now.
So I ask, any similar experiences? Should I ask for an increase in the Zoloft or maybe a change in medication? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
UPDATE 04/01/14: Hello all and thank you for all your replies. I noticed there were some members in this thread that have had a similar experience as myself. I wanted to give you guys an update on my condition.
I had been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety with Panic Disorder (a tough combination to control). I have successfully been able to taper down my zoloft intake to .25mg for my panic attacks and an average of 1 to 1.75 mg of Klonopin for my anxiety per day. I have to say, I am in a much better place now. I now understand how to manage my anxiety/panic and I'm able to go out and do things once again. Heck, I even have a girlfriend now who has been very helpful in getting me through my battle. Just last week we went to a Laker game and went clubbing in L.A., and I didn't have any major issues aside from some slight anxiety.
I still deal with anxiety on a daily basis, but I don't let it bring me down anymore. I now understand and accept that it's always going to be a part of me. But a main part of that is because I've educated myself by reading books about it, articles and visiting sites like these for support. It's all in the power of the mind.
One thing my doctor said to me that really stuck in my head is "IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU, IT'S ABOUT HOW YOU REACT TO IT". I've been living by these words religiously and it's helped me get through some tough situations. So if you guys have any questions, I'll be more than happy to share my experience.
Thank you all once again!
First I want to introduce myself... My name is Vick, I'm a single dad and I suffer from Generalized Anxiety/Panic Disorder.
Back in July, I fell into that "black hole" of panic attacks. I couldn't leave my house and a lot of the time stayed at my parents'. My psych started me on 25mg Zoloft and .5 klonopin daily. Since then, I'm up to 50mg Zoloft and range from 1.5 to 2 mg of klonopin daily. This combination has been working great. I was able to get out of that "funk" i was in and started doing more and more of the normal day to day things. I started feeling like my normal, confident self again. Got back to work, I started coaching my son's baseball team again and I started playing a little softball myself.
Now, I've always noticed that the Zoloft made me jittery and in turn more anxious in the beginning but it seemed like my body was adjusting to it, up until 3 weeks ago. Now, I don't blame it all on the medication... work has become more stressful (which is why I would increase the klonopin from time to time), but I feel like my anxiety is once again on an incline. I've contacted my psych about it and he just wants me to increase the klonopin intake and keep the Zoloft at 50mg. I dont like to increase the klonopin because it makes me very tired when and less motivated to do things when I take it. For the record, Ive been on these medications about 3 1/2 months now.
So I ask, any similar experiences? Should I ask for an increase in the Zoloft or maybe a change in medication? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
UPDATE 04/01/14: Hello all and thank you for all your replies. I noticed there were some members in this thread that have had a similar experience as myself. I wanted to give you guys an update on my condition.
I had been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety with Panic Disorder (a tough combination to control). I have successfully been able to taper down my zoloft intake to .25mg for my panic attacks and an average of 1 to 1.75 mg of Klonopin for my anxiety per day. I have to say, I am in a much better place now. I now understand how to manage my anxiety/panic and I'm able to go out and do things once again. Heck, I even have a girlfriend now who has been very helpful in getting me through my battle. Just last week we went to a Laker game and went clubbing in L.A., and I didn't have any major issues aside from some slight anxiety.
I still deal with anxiety on a daily basis, but I don't let it bring me down anymore. I now understand and accept that it's always going to be a part of me. But a main part of that is because I've educated myself by reading books about it, articles and visiting sites like these for support. It's all in the power of the mind.
One thing my doctor said to me that really stuck in my head is "IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU, IT'S ABOUT HOW YOU REACT TO IT". I've been living by these words religiously and it's helped me get through some tough situations. So if you guys have any questions, I'll be more than happy to share my experience.
Thank you all once again!