I suffer from panic attacks please read?!

I suffer from panic attacks please read?

I had a major panic attack about 3 weeks ago. Since then my doctor gave me a script for Zoloft. Four days into taking the Zoloft I couldn't fall asleep, I was up until 2am, I was having chest pains and problems swollowing. I stopped taking them 2 weeks now. My question in after 4 days, was I feeling bad side effects from the meds, or was it all in my head????? My sister said, "There's no way possible I had those problems in just 4 days!" She says it take 4 weeks!

2 days ago
Really bad headaches also!

hi there,
everyone reacts differently to medications, and you could have been experiencing side effects...
Side effects can be experienced immediately when taking any medication... it is only the therapeutic effect that takes up to 4 weeks for zoloft to work (so it might take 4 weeks for you to get the full effect of the drug, but the side effects can hit at any time).
It does sound like what you experienced at 2am (chest pains and problems swallowing) were typical anxiety symptoms, but anti-depressant medication can often increase anxiety symptoms, even if they are supposed to do the opposite.
As i said, everyone reacts differently to all drugs.
I know people who have had severe anxiety symptoms after being prescribed anti-depressants.

I would suggest that you talk to your doctor about what you experience, and ask for some different medication... in my experience, Paroxetine (seroxat in UK) is a very calming antidepressant, but again, everyone is different and you might have to try a few medications until you find something that suits you well.

I would highly recomend getting some CBT therapy... it is very effective for anxiety problems... its been proved to be better at reducing anxiety in the long term than medication... and it is very helpful to help you deal with your day to day anxiety and panic, which can be very distressing... it gives you coping exercises and ways to help you reduce your symptoms.

best of luck and take care,
zag

BTW, SteveX gives some excellent advice (above)

PS There are excellent herbal remedies for anxiety, especially to help you sleep... dont take them if you are on medication because they interact and can make your panic worse, but if you not taking medication then u could try one of these: Lemon Balm, Passiflora, Valerian, Kava Kava... these are all well known remedies.