My Anxiety story ... should I try Sertraline, Xanax?

Hi everyone,

I'm a 20yo male suffering from anxiety with mild agoraphobia. It's been ~7 months since it all started basically out of nowhere - Had to quit college. Since then there have been many ups and downs - sometimes I was ok for couple weeks, able to go out, do things with little to medium anxiety depending where I was, even got a job, which I had to quit after a month because throughout 1 week it got worse .. to a state where I couldn't even get out of my house, just laid in bed, watching tv series.

I was prescribed Citalopram and Clonazepam, first 1/2tab made me feel lethargic, low HR, discomfort - didn't take it. Then I got better event without it, but after ?3 months (when I had the job) it got much worse. Then, about a month ago I was prescribed Sertraline (aka. Zoloft) and Xanax. Didn't start taking it (was afraid?). But here I am, feeling better again, able to do things again, just not feeling 100% when I am out, but overall fine. Since Nov 2014 I haven't been drinking, smoking or drinking caffeine, just started eating warm foods more and been taking magnesium supplements (tried couple of them) since then till now.

My symptoms range from high HR to very low HR (<50) at rest, couple different kinds of "weird beats" (palpitations) when resting, sitting, anxious, after physical activity etc., several different kinds of chest pains, some of them radiating to left pec/shoulder/arm, chest tightness, in extreme cases cramps (tetany) etc etc.

As I said, currently I feel good, only get anxious after a while driving or in doctors' waiting rooms, public transport or in shops, etc. etc. ... about 6 weeks ago I was stuck to bed though, even a shower, number 2 was a challenge for me.

My question is, What should I do? Should I try taking Sertraline? Will it prevent me from getting worse again, not getting anxious whereever, to function properly for a longer period of time, to be able to continue college or to work again?

What else should I do? I want my old not-anxious self back :/

Please help. Thanks.

I'm no doc but if you find you don't like the xanax you can still try sertraline. See what happens for you. It may or may not help you'll just have to see through time. Hope things improve for you!

Thanks for the reply

I actually dislike the whole drugs idea - messing with the brain, possibly damaging it, the side effects, becoming dependent ... But if there is a chance that it will help me to continue college (starting September) I might consider giving it a try.

Also I'm not saying I don't like Xanax. I'm just considering it a "quick" fix in case of an anxiety or panic attack that could appear as a possible side effect of Sertraline. I wouldn't take it regularly. I haven't tried it yet so I don't know what to expect from it either.

It could help so you maybe should give it a shot?

Oh, you sound like my son. He has not quit college though but suffers with social anxiety and depression. He started taking generic zoloft 2 weeks ago today. I am praying this works for him. Seeing him not doing anything except sit in his room is horrible. Like you mentioned, getting a shower or brushing his teeth must be very hard. It has been 3 days since he did either. I don't understand.

I hope you find help.

Still not sure about it, but probably will, if nothing groundbreaking happens by the end of the week :/

Hope the medication will help and your son gets better. It's probably just a brain chemical imbalance that needs to be treated properly Regarding the shower thing, for me it was hard because I couldn't bear the anxiety I was getting in the shower. Sometimes I also went 2 or 3 days without shower because of this. It just needs proper attitude, patience and maybe a professional help

Try the xanax but try not to take it regularly. It helps. Also have you tried fluoxetine? That's what im on and its been working, been on it for ~10 months now

:I used the Sertraline for a long time because it is a long term med that has to work into your system and stabilize. As for the Xanax, I would go easy. It can be good for acute symptoms, it can also become addictive and hurt your mental health in the long run.

To be honest I am pretty scared of trying it :/ Haven't tried any AD or anti-anxiety medication yet. I only have the Sertraline pills, Xanax 0.5 pills and Clonazepam (aka Klonopin) drops. Glad to hear SSRIs helped you

I was told by my psychiatrist that it might even take 3 months before the SSRIs kick in properly and would be taking it for 3 to 12 months. I think she gave me Xanax just to help me sleep when I take Sertraline - I should be taking both before bed. Btw. has the Sertraline really helped you? - while on it and long-term?

The Sertraline did help with depression, but I still had issues with the PTSD. I eventually went on Esetolapram for that.

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So sorry your struggling
I understand your pain. My daughter is 17yo and has been struggling with panic attacks and has same symptoms as you. I took her to psychologist and lastly a psychiatrist who prescribed same meds but never worked. I got fed up and didn't know what else to do to help her. After doing some research and speaking with a nurse who's experienced the same with her daughter she told me about Herbal teas that helped relieve her daughters symptoms completely.
My daughter now takes no meds and drinks Tazo - Passion Herbal Tea or takes the Passion Flower Capsules daily; Chamomile Tea also helps calm nervous disorders and anxiety. Of course, you must read ingredients and see if this will work for you or not.
Nevile