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Mysterious health event, anxiety and panic attacks, Zoloft

Posted , 9 users are following.

justin23
justin23

This is going to be a little long, but I could really use some help.

First of all I am a 27 year old male who has always had a clean bill of health.

I was sick about 3 months ago, and once I got over that I couldn't shake the cough. Very deep intense coughs. 2 months ago, one night I had one of these coughs and my chest instantly tightened up. Shortly after my back also began to tighten up. I sat down and it continued to get worse and worse, felt like someone had a rope around my chest and back and kept squeezing tighter and tighter.

Eventually I stood up to try to walk it off and began to get very dizzy. I ended up passing out very briefly. I remember going down, and I woke up immediately. The chest pain was then gone, and I was extremely sweaty and flush.

Went to ER, and was cleared of anything serious, but wasn't given any answers. In the next few days I had multiple ekgs, chest x ray, and a blood test, and everything came back clear. I went to cardiologist, had a stress echo test, and was told there is thing wrong with my heart.

So first question is, anybody have any idea what may have caused the chest pain followed by the passing out?

Since then I have developed severe anxiety and panic attacks regarding this incident and the health of my heart. I have chest pain almost every day. I still am very convinced that something is going to happen to my heart, but it has also now become more of a nonstop anxiety no matter what I do. Checking my pulse all the time, worrying about everything, always on edge and just not feeling good overall. I also have been having multiple panic attacks per day.

I can't function, I have missed work, I'm no help to my wife with out 8 month old son. I feel like a complete failure, but can't do anything about it. I was on Xanax for a while, and that seemed to help a little bit. After I stopped using Xanax I was good for about a week, and then I had a HUGE panic attack and this past week has been the worst one yet.

I just started Zoloft a few days ago, though obviously it isn't helping yet. What can I expect with the Zoloft? Should I expect it to help? Any tips on how to get my life back?

Sorry this is so long, I appreciate any help!

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • kimberly59704
    kimberly59704 justin23

    Posted

    Zoloft was my first med. It worked great for me. That was in my early thirty's,and now I'm 57,so it's been a while. If you find after a time,maybe years,it stops working, or for some other reason, your doc can change it.  You will feel better shortly. Don't stop once you feel better,cause it will come back. We tend to forget the reason we started meds. Good luck,and feel better quick

  • tess33005
    tess33005 justin23

    Posted

    Justine, I have been on Zoloft for a year and after the first eight weeks it made me so much better - so stick with it.

    Asthma???

    I would ask your PCP to check you for asthma. And refill your prescription for xanax.

    Also, start looking for therapy. If this is anxiety disorder (and it sounds like it is) you need therapy.

    BTW I am not an anxious person at all, but I HAVE got asthma. It wasn't diagnosed until I was twenty years old.

    All the best, and keep in touch with us. We're here to help.

    Love Tessxx

  • justin23
    justin23

    Posted

    Update #2: Things are getting worse.

    So I have been taking Zoloft around 12:30 the last 3 days and have been feeling great from 5 o clock or so until bedtime. (Wake up extremely anxious, but that's a different story)

    Last night I had a panic attack out of the blue around 7 o clock. Every time I calmed it down, I would have another one. This lasted until 10 pm and not even a Xanax helped. I then proceeded to wake up with panic attacks twice in the middle of the night.

    Do things tend to get worse on Zoloft first? This makes me very nervous to take my dose today. The only other side effect I seem to have is very sweaty feet.

    • kimberly59704
      kimberly59704 justin23

      Posted

      No , things don't get worse while first taking Zoloft. Call your doc right away,and let them know what's going on. You may need a med change,cause this is not working. Terrible I know,and we wonder how we get through this crap. You are still having major anxiety, and panic.

    • justin23
      justin23 kimberly59704

      Posted

      I actually just got back from the doctor. She put me on lexapro. She thinks that may be a better fit for me so fingers crossed!
  • justin23
    justin23

    Posted

    It doesn't appear that anyone is here any longer, but that's ok, it helps a little to vent.

    Today has been pretty bad. No desire to get out of bed all day, constantly feeling on the edge of a panic attack. Constant fear that something is very seriously wrong with me. I just can't get it under control no matter what I do.

    I am seriously considering checking into some sort of short term inpatient care to try to speed this up. Anyone have any experience in that regard?

    • amanda49932
      amanda49932 justin23

      Posted

      Hey there

      I was feeling exactly like you for almost two weeks

      Mine started when my shoulder and arm felt heavy with a pain

      It was from bad posture and bad pillows

      But of course I thought it was heart attack

      For the next few weeks I obsessed about it I had hot flashes , no appetite , heart palpitations from hell

      So your not alone

      I found this site too and boy did it help

      So many people have the same symptoms

      It's horrible but I would take really deep breaths inhale count to four then exhale count to six it really did help

      I told myself you are fine

      It really is mind over matter

      Try and keep yourself busy

      I know that tired feeling I just wanted to sleep cause if I slept it would make me feel better

      Call a friend go for a walk or to the local coffee spot have a bite and a drink maybe not coffee

      But it gets your mind off

      People on this really understand and are here for each other

      Hope you feel better

    • g.90572
      g.90572 justin23

      Posted

      I'm totally against in patient care. Use your time when you feel okay wisely. Instead of watching TV get in some family time. Even if its just cooking a meal by yourself. As an in patient you'll be bored and ignored. You'll forever be an ex patient. Try an exercise program. Tire yourself out. Don't just lay around waiting for a panic attack

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