So I'm in the midst of peri hell. Have had lots of peri symptoms over the past year and a half. This has NOT been a good year. This past week I was on vacation, at our camp at the lake. Normally the happiest place on earth for me, that I wait for all year long. It was probably the worst year of my life this year. Started with INTENSE anxiety the day we were leaving, even had to have someone else do the driving since I felt so lightheaded. The week continued very much like that and I ended up actually feeling very depressed by the end of the week. I did not get involved with anything, had no desire to socialize, interact, eat, do things with the kids, NOTHING. Ended up leaving one day early since I was so "sick". So hard to describe, fatigued, exhaused, anxious, scared, depressed, paralyzed, shaky, terrified. The only reason I can even admit to any of these ridiculous feelings is that I know someone here can relate! Anyhow, called docs office and got an appt for the same day. Of course, had to have my husband drive me becaue I couldn't even drive! CRAZY! Anyhow, spent alot of time talking about everything. She started me on a very low dose of Zoloft, 12.5. I have resisted meds for a very long time, but am now willing to try ANYTHING! Was really scared of it, you know, scared of side effects. Talked to my neighbor, it turns out 4 people in their family take Zoloft, and love it, so I felt better. Was a little wired the first night, then felt great the next day. Must have been some sort of placebo effect because I really felt great. Today, not quite as good, maybe a little more tired and a little more anxious. Anyhow, just wanted to tell the tale, vent and get any positive feeback on AD's that I can get. This is the only place I can come and really let it ALL hang out and not feel like a total whack job! Thanks for being here!

AD's kept me from going insane, just like you have described! As "ridiculous" as all of this sounds, this is very normal during peri! I hope you feel better very soon! Give it time, it doesn't happen overnight!

I agree give the zoloft time at least 4 weeks. I took cymbolta for 2 1/2 years and did well. I weined myself off just because I didn't want to be taking so many pills. I take BP and tyroid meds and that is enough for me. I also have started to exercise daily and that has helped with the anxiety. I know how you feel about the trip anxiety. I start getting all panicy thinking about all the things that could happen if I go on a trip. Its no fun. I feel like I am not living a normal enjoyable life. I want to be myself again sooooooooooooooo badly.

Hang in there
Angel1

Thank you Tidal and Angel. I think there should be a thread called "I want to be myself again sooooooooooooooo badly", I would be all over that one!

I take Prozac. And I think I would go crazy without it. I have the same anxious feelings that you were describing and it is the worst feeling in the world. Give it time though, because it will take a few weeks to help. Good luck.

Hi

I have been on a generic brand of Zoloft - and it certainly stopped the shaking and the scared feeling - it did take about 4 weeks before the initial side effects wore off, but stick with it and hopefully you will get great results.

Hugs

Jackie

I take Zoloft also, and I feel much better with my anxiety. I'm glad I gave it a shot. I just love my zoloft.

So I guess I will just have to stick it out. Worst right now is fatigue, but then again I had that before Zoloft, so I guess I am at ground zero. Hoping, hoping, hoping, that at some point I can feel good, and NOT TIRED!

i took zoloft awhile back , only side effect i got was the sharp head zaps..... dont let that scare you if you get them... they do go away in time....

I just got back from Dr. and was prescribed Lexapro (expensive stuff) start taking it tomorrow. He said I should expect a sedative effect from it at the beginning and frankly I am okay with that because I am always anxious and wired. I am hoping against hope this works, if not, then on to the next one. I will find something that helps. I want some kind of quality of life. I was fighting doing this, but, why? I guess cause I hear of so many woman who just don't have success with AD. However, I am hoping I will be one who does have success with it. Wish me luck. I hope you get your relief as well Maine. Here's to the both of us feeling ready to take on the world.......... in a month or so, lol.

Statistically, ADs help more people than they don't by FAR! It is funny how we hear about the horror stories so often, but rarely about the success stories. I even know men who take the ADs and do great on them. I take Paxil, and it saved my sanity during the worst of my peri nightmare, not once but TWICE!

Do try and hang in there for the full first month. Most side effects (if any) will present during the first couple of weeks but will pass by the first month. If they make you feel tired, try taking them at night.....that is when I take mine.

Good luck Main & Mich!!!

I am not one of few words most of the time but for you here goes...

ITS GONNA WORK!!

Hugs,
Mich

Thanks Floater!! For myself I say...

ITS GONNA WORK!!! LOL

HUGS TO ME

Hi
I also suffer from anxiety and depression. I started off on Lexapro and that didn't work. So now I'm on Paxil. I started at 20mg which it standard dose. Then when I came across a major stressor I had to up the dose to 40. I take 20mg in morning and 20 at night. It's only been 3 weeks but it seems to work for me along with talk therapy. I still have morning anxiety which I hate but as the day goes on I feel better. My 23 yr daughter just had a baby 5 days ago and I'm so nervous for her. Her first and my first grandbaby. I know she can handle it but why am I so nervous. So needless to say my anxiety level is sky high.
I hate to take a benzo during the day when I'm with her- I'm there at her house every day. God please help me through my fears and anxiety.....

Dear 'chaotichar'
God love us all!If we girls didn't know better you'd think we were a lot of junkies!
I take Prozac 20mgs,does the job but I will take a small dose of Xanax if needed.
Congratulations on the baby!I bet she is precious
It is strange though when my son's wife had her son it was as if I were having Post Partum depression.Am not joking.It was scary.
I told the Psychiatrist,who takes everything calmly but seriously,and advised me to take a higher dosage of Xanax till I felt better.It worked and Thank God take only on as needed basis.

Praying for you too honey
It is hard.I really know that but if you need a small dose of your Benzo,so be it.You will be calmer and able to handle things better.

God Bless
Elizabeth

Wise Words,young lady and very true
Like you ADs saved my life.Yes the first few months were difficult with hightened anxiety but I was prescribed a small dose of Xanax to use on as needed basis till felt better.It worked
I think too Kathie that for some reason some of us feel ashamed at needing something to help us through life but have no problem in taking Meds. for heart conditions etc.
Also our expectations have to be realistic.ADs will not suddenly make us "Full of the Joys of Spring" but we will be able to cope better and find more pleasure in life.
So I too say Good Luck to Main and Mich!

Stay Well,my friend
Warm Hugs
Elizabeth

"I think too Kathie that for some reason some of us feel ashamed at needing something to help us through life but have no problem in taking Meds. for heart conditions etc."

I was one of those who felt ashamed. The only reason I can think that made me feel that way was that I had always been someone who could handle things. But about 3 yrs ago, things wasn't so easy anymore, and I feel into a pretty bad depression. Even knowing I was in trouble it still took me forever to ask for help.
I guess those who are used to being the strong ones are not as good at asking for help as they are at giving the help.
I'm ok now. And, I'm glad I got the help!

jes

Well, took my first pill (Lexapro), feel a little nauseous. A friend of mine Facebooked me and said "Lexapro- that stuff is evil", oh great thanks for the input. I do know that everyone responds differently to AD's. My husband actually took it and had a good response. I'm just not gonna read everyone's experience (unless it's a good one, lol) because I do not want to be influenced by other's experience. I did post a thread asking which seemed to work best for most but again it is subjective anyways. I will just keep trying if this one doesn't work. I may get fat and sexless or I may get thinner and more balanced. It's trial and error I guess. I have been fighting this, taking meds but I just cannot do this without help. The hormone Dr. won't give me hormones unless I have an ultrasound which I understand but since I have these anxieties I cannot even go there right now. Soooooo, as I have said a million times gotta get these stress levels down if it is at all possible. Thanks for listening.