New to this! Please help!!
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello everyone, I'm kinda new to these forums and groups and I've been going through some anxiety (or what I hope to be anxiety) things recently that I'd like to share and hopefully get your opinions or advice on them because I'm starting to get very worried.
First here's a quick history. I'm a 19 year old male. I don't really work out or do any physical activity. I'm 6'1 and weigh about 170. I also live a very sedentary lifestyle (which I'm not proud of) I've suffered from anxiety for about 4-5 years, ever since my freshman year of high school. My anxiety got so bad I had to leave regular public high school and start online high school. I have been on sertraline (Zoloft) ever since I developed the anxiety so about 4 years, everyday. Just 2-3 months ago I ran out of my prescription and dumbly decided I don't need them anymore and quit cold turkey. I was getting the main side effects for the first few weeks or month. Heart palpitations just feeling like crap. My biggest side effect was that I had no motivation to leave my house. I wouldn't go back to the doctor I wouldn't hang out with friends nothing. I haven't left my house for months. Just thinking about it gives me anxiety. Also I was getting episodes of what I think was "derealization/depersonalization". Anyways it was just episodes of them and they would come and go. I've talked to my parents about it and they just tell me I have severe anxiety and depression but I don't believe it because I'm not sad or have any sad thoughts. Then exactly three weeks ago I was sitting at home watching all the NFL games and started to have a little anxiety attack or episode of everything except this time I was getting these sharp pains in my head and I've never had a headache before in my life. Long story short this feeling hasn't gone away. I mean sometimes if I'm doing something it'll take my mind off of it and I'll feel a little better but it's mainly 24/7. Is it possible for side effects from stopping the medicine to come late? I've never gotten any tests done no brain exams or anything other than blood tests a few months back and everything came back fine.
Here is a list of my symptoms if anyone was wondering.
- sharp pain in my head that comes and goes, or a pressure feeling in my whole head
- The biggest one, extreme brain fog, derealization, dream like state of mind I can't explain 24/7
- Dizziness/lightheaded
- Very tired, fatigue
- I feel as if my memory's getting worse and I can't concentrate.
- Loss of appetite
- Fingers will twitch throughout the day
- Unmotivated, unwilling to do daily tasks
Those are all I could think of right now. Lastly my biggest problem is I google or look up my symptoms all the time and that just leads to more anxiety for me because you know how the internet is!!! I know this is long and I apologize. If anyone knows anything or has any advice on what I should do I would greatly appreciate it. I just want my life back already!!! Thank you!!
0 likes, 7 replies
arlene09047 jameson37039
Posted
jameson37039 arlene09047
Posted
Hi Arlene thanks for responding! That makes me feel a lot better knowing other people are feeling this too. My sleep schedule is very off. I can't seem to want or fall asleep until 3-4 am. I have no problems staying asleep or waking up. Sometimes when I'm trying to fall asleep before I'm fully asleep I'll get a wave of the derealization or brain fog but that's all. I'm getting a good 6-8 hours just at a bad time!! I'll take your advice and start going out taking a walk or just siting outside for a little everyday. Thank you so much!!!
arlene09047 jameson37039
Posted
I'm glad to help do u ever get a sensation threw you're body I feel at night a hot water bottle helps my anxiety started after an I section do u get headaches
jameson37039 arlene09047
Posted
Yes I've never had headaches in my life until a few weeks ago. I either get a sharp pain that lasts seconds and goes away or I'll get a pressure feeling in my whole head. They both come and go it's never constant, but it's been happening for weeks. The only thing I'll feel is a wave of anxiety or the unreal feeling and it'll make my heart race but once I try and fall asleep again it'll go away and I'll be asleep.
kathy73461 jameson37039
Posted
Hello Jamison, I have suffered with anxiety for at least 50 years, and I did not know it. I was always afraid of dying but I kept it to myself. That was in the 60's , when I was in high school. Back then nobody spoke of anxiety, so I thought I was just wierd. Even though I suffered for years quietly I continued a very active life. Then as I got older it began to manifest with stomach problems headaches dizzies etc. but I could still cope and was still very active and productive then about 12 years ago I had some real trauma with family members dying while I was out of the country and I couldn't get home soon enough and my dad died. During that time I began with derealization, rapid heartbeats sweaty palms pacing back and forth dizzy and sharp shooting pains in my head, but then I started ruminating with all the body sensations that scared me . I was paying attention to every feeling and it was so scary that soon I was so fatigued and foggy feeling and exhausted, and I couldn't sleep at night. Then I got afraid when night would come because I knew I couldn't sleep but was so exhausted. Anyway u need to get some more understanding of what anxiety is and how it makes u feel. We begin to focus on all the body sensation and then we are consumed with how we feel all the time and wonder why? Then we tell ourselves that we will never get better agaain, but it is not true u will. U need to go back to doctor and see about changing meds and or dosage. You may need some xanax or something like that for a few weeks to slow down the severe anxiety u are feeling. If u need to talk let me know anytime.
jameson37039 kathy73461
Posted
Kathy thank you for that! It's awesome knowing people are there for you and willing to take time to talk to me. I'll take your advice talk to my doctor and keep in touch! Thank you again!!!
kathy73461 jameson37039
Posted
U are so welcome. You will get out of this horrible feeling, it does go away, with proper meds and a better understanding of what anxiety does to u so soon one day u will not be afraid of it, and when that happens ur symtoms are no big deal because they don't scare u anymore and then it all subsides. U learn when anxiety is kicking in and how to just float right through it without upsetting your life.You are young and have a lot of years ahead of u to have a great life. U WILL GET THROUGH THIS AND U WILL LOOK BACK AND SAY TO URSELF I can't believe that happened to me. Again I can't stress enough this will go away.
Kathy