Social Anxiety Forums

butterfly67 · Anxious Poster Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 17

:!: Well here it is the 1000th time I have heard you need to get a life you need friends you need to get out-and most of all you are too needy!!!! Well okay I am going to try I am going to go to the doc that I have been terrified to walk out that door and go to. I keep telling myself that this time will be it as my quote goes maybe tomorrow. I am worth this I know I have to start slow but I can do this and so can you all. I will let ya know if I walk out the door tho the doc on this thursday! Wish me hope and luck as I wish to everyone reading this.

elizabeth86 · Terrified Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 9

hey how'd it go?

butterfly67 · Anxious Poster Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 17

Hi Elizabeth! Nice to hear from U. I DID GO!!!!!Yeah for me. I have tried 15 different anti=depressants all with unliveable side effects, the doc says and other docs have said that my chemical makeup is hyper-sensitive and that could be the cause for the difficulty. So anyway I just couldn't go on with just the Klonopin, it felt like a big bandaid, and was taking more and more to be helpful. So we went back to the first and only med that I ever took that Very Happy

helped Zoloft. The side effects are fairly mild and after 7 days of taking it seem to be getting better already/I highly recommend this drug to anyone suffering from any form of GAD, SAD, or any type of depression, with docs advice of course. How are you? What seems to help you? I have suffered from panic attacks most all my life, diagnosed with GAD, which led to my deppression, SAD, and well, all of it. I am really hopeful that the Zoloft works again I had two awesome years with it B4 I grew a tolerance to the high dose and we tried other things. This doc is very good, he is a specialist in chemical treatment, he said he should be able to do something differnt if my tolerance builds up-other than just try other meds that don't work. Well I hope all is well, tell me about you

elizabeth86 · Terrified Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 9

Hey
that's good to hear that you went and are doing better! Sounds like you've tried them all.
Well I'm a bit of a newbie to the whole depression/SAD world. Up until 2 months ago, I always thought I was just exaggerating. Then I discovered SAD on the internet and I found SO many symptoms that I was experiencing.
I wouldn't really say I'm depressed.. I guess I feel a little down about things now and then. But overall I am pretty satisfied. I definately get anxiety though, especially in social situations and even with everyday events.
Anywho,
I finally made a doctor's appointment and just went then. I was soooo scared about it. Very worried they would make out like it was nothing. But the doctor got me to do a blood and urine test. Asked very relative questions, and at the end said it definately sounds like I have a case of anxiety, and tomorrow will be referring me on to a psychologist.
The only problem though is that a psychologist won't be able to prescribe any meds, only offer counselling. I start university in 2 weeks and desperately need to control this anxiety before then, so I can start the year off normal-ish and start making friends. Therapy will take months.
How did you get your doctor to prescribe medication? I know therapy is a better option if medication can be avoided, but I really feel I could stand to benefit from medication and don't know how to tell the doctor I want a referral to a psychiatrist instead.

butterfly67 · Anxious Poster Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 17

Elizabeth, your health is more about you than your doc! If you really believe-and you know you-that meds would help, tell him or her right away that counceling is afine idea but you feel it is imparative to be seen by a therapist that may also prescribe meds when and if you and the doc say. It is your body and mind speak up about it! This is the one time you can't hold back your feelings. If you believe meds would help there is a good chance you are right, be firm. I know this can be difficult, look at me it took me 5-6 trys B4 I even went in the to the doc myself, I am certainly not saying it is easy-but well worth it!!Let me know, take care, Tammie

elizabeth86 · Terrified Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 9

Hey tammie!
Good news.. I went back to the doc today to get my blood and urine test results. He also wrote me out the referral to a psychologist. I did speak up! I mentioned medication.. He said they can become addictive and are only short term solutions and therapy would be better. I explained uni starts in 1.5 weeks and I really want to stick to it this time and feel that medication could help. He told me I probably won't be able to drive on meds.. So I told him my mum and best friend drive, and are on meds for bi-polar and depression. I mentioned Zoloft.. He prescribed it! Yay! So I started taking it tonight, 50mg once a day.
Thanks for recommending it!
I've also booked in an appointment with a psychologist for monday week. She seems really lovely - I was pleasantly surprised really. I'm really quite proud of myself for finally taking these steps after so many years of now blaringly obvious symptoms.

butterfly67 · Anxious Poster Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 17

I am so happy for you! I am really glad you spoke up in about 10 days you will probably notice a little improvement. Let me know how your therapy goes, and about your meds, side effects are usually very mild and you can get through them, they usually last about 5-10 days, depending on your body. Zoloft is one of the best and usually very easily taken. I am so happy for you, keep in touch. Sincerely , Tammie Very Happy

elizabeth86 · Terrified Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks tammie!
Just wondering.. Does Zoloft generally make you tired? The first 4 days I was taking it in the morning, around 9am. About an hour later I would be exhausted and yawning (deep deep yawns) all day. Also I felt a bit of restlessness when laying down, especially in my leg. And also a little bit nauseous in the morning right after taking. These could all very well be unrelated though.

Either way, I am switching to taking it at around 7pm, so will start that tonight. So if it does cause me to become tired, I can sleep through it!

Even though I know it wouldn't be working yet, I already feel better. It's probably moreso in my head, and the fact that I'm now quite positive about my future.

I will definately post back in around a week if I start to see improvements.

Take care!