Why would my doctor put me on Zoloft if it is "precribed for depression" and I went for anxiety/panic attacks?
Ive been taking the Zoloft two months now. My anxiety and panic attacks are the same if not worse. I dont understand why I would be put on this and not given something like I have been told about Xanax? How do I talk to my doctor about getting on something for my panic attacks?
~Zoloft works for Depression, Anxiety and Panic Attacks. Obviously it’s not helping you, so you should talk to your doctor about trying something different. Just tell him you would like to try Xanax, you heard good things about it, make sure he knows how hard it is for you to deal with panic attacks.
Xanax is only temporary. Your body builds up a tolerance to it really quick. Usually it’s prescribed until the drug you’re taking starts working.
If you can’t talk to your doctor about your feelings, take someone with you, who can speak for you.
I’m sorry about the panic attacks, I have them too. I have a link below for you on Xanax. Good luck to you.~
Comments
Comment from Kathleen
Time September 21, 2009 at 2:58 am
~Zoloft works for Depression, Anxiety and Panic Attacks. Obviously it’s not helping you, so you should talk to your doctor about trying something different. Just tell him you would like to try Xanax, you heard good things about it, make sure he knows how hard it is for you to deal with panic attacks.
Xanax is only temporary. Your body builds up a tolerance to it really quick. Usually it’s prescribed until the drug you’re taking starts working.
If you can’t talk to your doctor about your feelings, take someone with you, who can speak for you.
I’m sorry about the panic attacks, I have them too. I have a link below for you on Xanax. Good luck to you.~
References :
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-9824-Xanax.aspx?drugid=9824&drugname=Xanax
Comment from asb
Time September 21, 2009 at 3:04 am
First, Zoloft is used as a treatment for both depression AND anxiety. Your doctor probably prescribed Zoloft first because anxiety and depression are highly co-morbid (meaning that a very large number of people who have problems with anxiety also have problems with depression, and vice versa) and he or she may have wanted to try a more mild treatment first rather than going right to the xanax which is typically taken more on an as-needed basis.
The best thing to do is to tell your doctor what your exact symptoms are and how they have changed since you started the medication. If you don’t have another appointment scheduled, make one so that you can get this taken care of. Tell him that you don’t feel the medication is working and if you feel that you do need an as-needed medication like xanax then ask him for one — many doctors will give someone a prescription if they specifically ask for it.
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Comment from officer_betty_lou
Time September 21, 2009 at 3:21 am
I think everyone else explained pretty well that Zoloft is precribed for depression and anxiety. Your doc probably hoped it would stablize you attacks. Doctors are hesitant to prescribe antianxiety pills like Xanax and Adavan because they are highly addictive and often abused by patients. If you go in and tell your doctor that the zoloft isn’t working don’t be surprised if he moves you to Paxsil and maybe a few xanax. Like 10 pills or so to see how you do with them. If you don’t come back for more too quickly they will prescribe them.
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Comment from Violet Pearl
Time September 21, 2009 at 3:27 am
The drug will dull your mind and you won’t feel anything, that’s why he gave it to you. And he probably gets perks and kickbacks from Pfizer Inc, when he writes lots of prescriptions.
Here’s my standard advice for anxiety/panic. If you’re a woman, I suggest you go with #6 first.
You have a number of options.
1. The most popular (but damaging) option is to get drugs like Prozac. I suggest you read http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/ first before taking this option. Many times drugs don’t work and people get trapped in the cycle of trying different mind-bending drugs for years, without relief.
2. If you have an issue or problem with a certain event or situation or person, see a therapist and work through it, learning new coping skills. If seeing a therapist isn’t an option, self-help books can help you to learn ways to cope with problems. Plus, there are many books on panic/anxiety and also a free online course that you take over a period of weeks at http://www.paniccenter.net
3. If you have irrational phobias in an otherwise balanced life, and can’t understand why you get anxiety/panic in a certain situation, try self-hypnosis-type programs like http://www.panic-anxiety.com
4. Calming herbs like valerian, kava-kava, chamomile or special formulas might help to take the edge off, but don’t seem to eliminate the problem completely. Be wary of expensive on-line herbal formulas that promise to eliminate anxiety/panic: you can easily get the same herbs at most drug stores for a fraction of the cost.
5. Exercises like tai chi or yoga (many libraries have DVDs you can rent) are helpful to calm the breathing and mind. You can do these, and other things like walking no matter what treatment you decide on.
6. If you feel you have a more or less balanced life without any major issues, yet you’re having both mental and physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations, anxiety, feeling weak, mood swings, confusion, etc. you could have a hormone imbalance, which would take blood or saliva tests to determine. If you have a hormone imbalance (NOT a chemical imbalance) no breathing exercises or hypnosis or self-talk is going to help- the physical imbalance is in the adrenals, thyroid, and cortisol levels. This is easily corrected with bio-identical hormones. Many doctors/insurance don’t deal with this, so you’ll need a specialist. http://www.womentowomen.com/depressionanxietyandmood/anxiety.asp
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Comment from Señor
Time September 21, 2009 at 2:42 am
Tell him the medication is not working, and that you would like to try Xanax.
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