Morning, Diane --
>Sounds like me a few years back. "What, me depressed? Of course not. I may be grouchy and hypersensitive and having panic attacks, but I am fine!"
I really don't think I am depressed, although the swallowing is scary and I do obsess a bit about what is going to happen next. I don't know if there is a 'normal' for PALS ...
>Forget about the Xanax and Valium ... Mine were about breathing, not swallowing, and when I got to point where just knowing I was going to be alone for a few minutes set one off, I asked the doctor for something for panic attacks. We tried Valium and as I said, too little too late. I wanted prevention, not a psychological nitro tablet
psychological nitro ... perfect description!
>Then it was Zoloft ... No more panic attacks, no more grouchiness, no more hypersensitivity to everything someone said ... I was back to the normal person I had been, able to think without emotion taking over rational thought, reengaged in living. And guess what? Only one side effect: That depression I didn't believe I had was gone too.
I am glad for you. Obviously you worked at finding what worked for you.
>Suicide pills? Maybe for some. ... For me any thoughts of suicide were ended by the SSRI, not triggered by it.
The warnings are what worry me ... it seems like most of the SSRIs come with something like:
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Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment. Depression and certain other serious mental illnesses are important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior.
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Thank you, again, for your thoughtful and thought provoking feedback. Seems like there is no simple answer to this issue. I am not sure I am up for trial-and-error right now, but it has been/is another tough night and maybe after some sleep it will be better ...
Max