Someone please calm me down! :(
Hi guys
A week ago, I started taking Zoloft for my very bad OCD and GAD altough i really didn't want to. I had severe side effects so I stopped taking it after 4 days. This medication threw me right back into the state of constantly worrying about my heart and lungs. Until then I only worried about developing a mental ilness like schizophrenia. I really felt like I was dying. So my problem right now is that I've been having severe vertigo for about 5-6 days now! I've never experienced something like this! I have this strange falling sensation in my head as if I was in an elevator. I always feel like I'm passing out or will fall because I can hardly walk straight. I also have shallow and rapid breathing 24/7 and chest pain/discomfort. Oh, and my body feels somewhat very weak; like I wouldn't be able to lift something heavy or as if my legs couldn't support my body weight. Now my question is, can this happen with severe anxiety? Everybody tells me yes (my parents and 2 doctors) but I really feel like I'll die very soon! I can't even sleep anymore because I'm concentrating a lot on my breathing or I'm afraid I'll die in my sleep. Do you think this is maybe caused by my light constant hyperventilation (that started with Zoloft)? I feel like I forgot how to breathe normally but all the breathing exercices don't calm me. I really belive the medication has damaged my heart or whatever. I'm going crazy right now! THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYBODY THAT TAKES THE TIME TO READ THIS! Much love to all of you! <3
Sorry for the typos, I'm literally shaking.. :(
@omw2fyg To answer your questions, even though I am not an expert...
Can that happen with severe anxiety? Yes, I've read that it can, including that feeling that you about to die.
Can it be caused by hyperventiation? Yes, I've read that hyperventilation can do that.
I have also read that some medications similar to Zoloft can affect the heart if the dose is very high, but Zoloft itself and some others do not have this effect on the heart.
So it sounds like maybe if you can somehow stop the hyperventilating you might feel a lot better. If you search the Internet it's easy to find ways to stop hyperventilating. Maybe one of them will work for you.
Charlie
@omw2fyg
Hey, I'm sorry you're having a rough time with Zoloft side effects and stuff. Here's what I think (speaking as someone who's taken an antidepressant for over a month now): Side effects happen. I take Lexapro and experience some very mild effects too. The vertigo sucks. But if you only started taking the meds last week it's possible that they didn't even have a chance to build up enough in your system to do anything about your anxiety. But waiting for the meds to start working and not seeing good results definately can increase anxiety and worry, so I understand!
Now, if you stopped the meds after taking them for several days but then still experience problems it could have been caused by how quickly you stopped the medicine- with antidepressants its really important to taper off the drug rather than stop cold turkey. Most meds can have uncomfortable side effects, but we have to remember that we were given them with the focus being put on how the meds will help us later, and that the side effects could happen or might not happen. And I guess that's why your doctor and your parents don't seem as worried over the side effects right now?
I get what you're saying about the breathing exercises. It takes me forever to feel relaxed when I'm doing those, but I've noticed that if I pair the breathing exercises with music, it's a little better. I hope that this was a little helpful!
make an appointment with your primary doctor or go to the ER ASAP. Vertigo or the dizziness that you are experiencing starts with your ears or problems with an infection or others things in your ear. You can also get lightheaded with high blood pressure or low blood pressure. It can also be that you are deficient in certain vitamins or any new type of medication that you are taking. Go to your doctor. Don’t wait - GO TO Your Doctor or urgent care or even ER if you can’t pay.
@omw2fyg
Hey, it sounds like you are going through a lot right now and all those physical feelings and thoughts sound pretty distressing. When it comes to medication you need to talk to your doctor about the side effects and stopping it without their guidance may make things worse. I wonder if you could contact them as soon as possible to discuss this.
Right now it sounds like you are experiencing a lot of anxiety, i wonder what you usuallu do to help with this usually and if you could use these techniques right now?
