Anxiety
I have been having the worst anxiety attacks I've had in several years. I called my primary a week ago Friday, she called in a prescription of Xanax. Which seemed to have helped up until the last few days. Which is when she started me on Zoloft (25mg for a week, then up to 50mg), today is a bad day, last night wasn't so swell either. My mom, who's post-op a few years, said if I wasn't feeling any better in two weeks to go and pitch a fit (so to speak). She thinks the dosage is too low for my weigh and height.
I have scheduled time to meet with a therapist/psychiastrist (or psychologist...whichever is able to prescribe meds). My insurance has unlimited mental health visits as long as they are clinically necessary, and my copay is met. So no deductible until May 1st when our year resets with the insurance copany. So right now, we've scheduled recurring Monday visits.
She did say thsi happens a lot with WLS post ops. No offense...but I hate it and rather it not happen with me. I'm crawling out of my sagging skin.
:(
Pitching a fit is not likely to help. If you think your dose is not right, I would just talk to your doctor calmly about it. But psychiatrists are the experts in meds for anxiety and other psychological issues so seeing a psychiatrist is a good idea.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
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Hi!
I know just how you feel; I've suffered with a severe panic disorder on and off for the past 10 years and it's the worst feeling. However I can give you advice as to what has worked for me. I hesitated against medication for many years, not so much xanax as anti-depressants until 2010 when the panic attacks where hitting me back to back and I felt as if I needed to try anything. I was prescribed Zoloft, gradually moved up to 100mg and I never had a panic attack again. I had some (rare) days where I was anxious but overall the anxiety was gone.
Hang in there, it's a slow process but I'm sure the Zoloft will kick in and help, if that is not the med for you try something else. You should see both a psychiatrist and a therapist, at least from what I have experienced the psychiatrist is just there to give you the meds but the therapist is the one you need to speak to, to address the root of the problem and overcome it and hopefully not need meds forever.
Continue to take the xanax until the Zoloft kicks in and starts to do it's job and lastly one thing that helps me is not only meditation and breathing exercises on a regular basis BUT when I do have a full blown panic attack surfacing or I can feel the anxiety escalating instead of trying to get my mind off of it and pretend nothing is happening (which I have personally found makes it worse) I just tell myself 'Bring it" try and tune in to everything my body is feeling and remind myself that ultimately I am in control and it will pass just like the times before. You can't die or pass out from a panic attack and it will eventually pass. Breathe, keep in tune with your body and all the emotions and it will blow over.
If you need someone to talk to do not hesitate to contact me, I have not had my surgery yet so not much help there but when it comes to anxiety I am a veteran and can def be of help! 
- Sheila
