When doctors give patients a medication for depression or anxiety, they tell them to wait two weeks before deciding the medication does not work. I have never understood that advice because I have always responded, or not responded, to medication within two days. Two days ago, I started two new medications because it was impossible to get the medication I knew would work for me. I have a better understanding why doctors say to wait two weeks.
I have not had more than a few nights of restful sleep in the last two months. Furthermore, I have had twenty to forty panic attacks every day for about seven weeks. Panic attacks cause the body’s stress system to activate, so my body has been awash in adrenaline for weeks. In addition to poor sleep, I am constantly on edge, I have trouble eating, and my muscles are often sore from clenching.
I have now had two consecutive nights of acceptable sleep. The sleep was not great but it was better than most nights in the last two months and the first time I have had two consecutive nights of at least five hours sleep. If I can continue to get five hours of acceptable sleep, then my stress level will decline. As my stress level is lower from sleep and from the anti-anxiety medications, I will be less on edge and I will have less panic attacks–it all produces a virtuous cycle.
The result is that I will not see the full benefit of the medications for many days; when my body has had enough sleep and when my panic attacks plateau. I wish I could have the full benefits now, but my stress is high and my situation is severe so it will take time for me to change things.
