Having a hard time with stomach and anxiety.

I just found this community last night and spent 3 hours reading up on anxiety and meds, very helpful!

I have a history of having anxiety and panic attacks. Recently Ive had 'triggers' that have resulted in having a few panic attacks over the last 3 weeks. In between these attacks I have periods of stress and anxiety that basically make it impossible to do anything, I have been out of work for 2 weeks as of today. These periods of stress and anxiety make it very difficult to eat and basically tears up my stomach. Having stomach issues and other anxiety symptoms makes my mind race at all hours of the day and night, usually the thoughts are related to my health. I am constantly thinking I have some sort of cancer, disease or that my Doc overlooked something.

About 2 weeks ago I was prescribed 50mg of Zoloft then a week later the dosage was up'd to 100mg. In addition to the Zoloft I was given Klonopin .5mg and Zofran 4mg for the stomach.

Since being on this cocktail I have leveled off in terms of panic attacks. But still have anxiety about a separate illness. I still am constantly checking my pulse and am worried about any little ache or weird feeling. My biggest hang up though is my stomach.

Randomly my stomach will feel bloated and gassy, and make it to the point to where I vomit or induce vomiting because my stomach is so upset. Afterwards I feel a bit calmer and usually end up just wanting to sleep. Sometimes I can hold down food and other times I cannot. It usually happens in the morning or evening.

Does anyone have any advice as to what the nausea and vomiting could be related to? I read a few reviews on Zoloft and found that some people experience nausea within the first few weeks of taking Zoloft.

At this point I am unsure if my stomach uneasiness is from a.) something unrelated to anxiety b.) anxiety c.) the meds.

Thanks in advance for reading or responding.

titanatlas, your story is sooo much like mine! I have problems with vomiting--especially when I am anxious. I have ulcers on my esophagus from vomiting so much. I find meditation helps--I also take several meds--lamictal being one of them. I think the lamictal helps the most. I wish I had some answers for you.....heck, I wish I had some answers for me. More than anything, I try to keep the anxiety down--make sure I have plenty of rest and relaxation. When all else fails, I meditate.

Examine your diet also.

Face it yes things like stress medication etc etc will no dounbt have impact on the GI tract but the most important consideration should be diet.

Minimize acids (citrus, vinegar, coffee, tomatos etc) if your are not lactose intolarant things like yogurt and dairy products including cheese can be quite beneficial.

Thanks for the responses DePressMe and Stiv.

I do generally try to get into a 'zen' like state by listening to my ipod outside in the backyard. But as of late i just want to be closed in my room. Its been a week since Ive left my house, I am almost afraid to. I will try a little harder though.

As far as diet I fairly limited to what I have been eating. Absolutely no alcohol, caffeine or sweets as of late. Ive mainly been drinking lots of water and propel and eating spaghetti, chicken dishes, long grain rice, and soups.

In the beginning of starting on my Zoloft, i had nausea. I went through so many of the same panics that you did, I still check my pulse and grab out the blood pressure cuff way too often, I am always thinking the slightest change in my body must be cancer or a brain annurysm. And because I used to get so paranoid, i could detect the slightest change in my heart rate and then id freak out if it elevated even in the slightest.

Propel has niacin in it. It is not deadly in the dose you are ingesting but it will cause strange sensations, like hot flashes and feverish feeling in different parts of the body. It is very smart to avoid caffeine and alcohol until you get it under control. I have been living with severe anxiety and panic disorder for 14 yrs. The stomach troubles are generally part of it. But I found that without all the different combinations of meds like benzos with my antidep. I started doing well with just one med like paxil or celexa, and after about two months of doing so I felt normal again. NORMAL! The main thing is to understand that this condition it real and not going away without treatment just like if you had high blood pressure. You are one of millions that have it and you can control it to the point of leading a normal life with the moderate drink or two of alcohol, and the ability of ingesting a cola without the dreaded anxiety attack. I went for years without any problems and me and my doctor decided I was ready to come of my medicine paxil. I slowly, SLOWLY came off and went for about a month with no medicine and BOOOOOOM!!! I was hospitalized in CCU and had a echo, stress test, and vascular test. My stomach is a mess!!! Back on medicine, this time celexa, and I am good again. But I have to watch what I eat and drink again until it's back under control. Oh yea my heart---VERY NORMAL!!

Titanatlas..........can you tell me if you nausea has levelled off??? I have started Zoloft 25mg a day for 6 days now, with Klonopin .5 every am and pm and the nausea is awful. I'm trying to get my psych to call in some Zofran, but I'm at my witts end.