New here - anxious and very unhappy!
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| Mon, 06-13-2005 - 12:37am |
Hello all -
To start, I'm a 22 year old that has been seriously dealing with anxiety and panic disorder for about a year now. Its finally gotten to the point recently where it has effected my working habits and I am currently unemployed now living with my boyfriend of 2 years.
The anxiety is simply unbearable. The panic attacks started when I was about 18. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroid/graves disease in the fall/winter of 2001. I thought that taking medication for that would solve my problems with panic attacks compleatly, and it did, for a awhile. I lived on my own for awhile and worked 2 jobs to support myself. I was a compleatly independant and "normal" person living day to day doing "normal" things anyone my age would do.
It wasn't until I got into a serious relationship that everything started to change. My boyfriend is incredible, he adores me and takes care of me without reserve. Sometimes I feel guilty for putting him through all of this thinking he can do better. We moved in together in the spring of 2004. From then on my anxiety has gotten increasingly worse. It went from more panic attacks to the fear of getting sick in public and worse. I started feeling more comfortable staying at home on my days off and after work instead of going out like I normally would because I was so afraid of having a panic attack.
Then in May of this year it finally got to the point where I couldn't even bear the thought of going to work in the morning because I was so scared of being in an uncomfortable situation with people who didn't understand what I was going through. Up until this point my anxiety had never effected my work, and I never thought it would!
I've also been interested in seeking therapy. My mother was an alcoholic and I feel there's alot of unresolved issues that may or may not be related to what I'm going through now. By the way - I AM drug and alcohol free.
I went to the doctors last week and she started me on some anxiety medication called Lexapro. I was just wondering if anyone here had ever tried it and what they thought? Also, if anyone else has a thyroid disorder and what kind of anxiety-related symptoms they have because of that?
I would appreciate ANY advice on people who have been able to wipe panic and anxiety out of their lives. I've been reading up alot on it all and have learned quite a bit on where anxiety stems from and also tips on beating it, but it helps to hear real life stories!
Thanks! - Meghan

Anxiety sucks. You just want to crawl in a hole and not come out for a long time. It sounds like your anxiety has disrupted your life in a lot of ways. Personally, I am still in highschool, and I might not even graduate because I have had to leave school so much due to panic attacks.
I just started lexapro. To be honest, the first week and a half were hell. My anxiety got a lot worse and I basically sat at home and chain smoked cigarettes and cried. Then by week 2 I began to feel better! No more panic attacks, no more trips to ER. I upped my dose 2 days ago, and things have been alittle shady-but not nearly as bad as when I first started. Don't be discouraged if you feel worse at first. STICK IT THROUGH. i know it sucks, but I had to have people tell me that a lot. You WILL feel better. Try some xanax or klonopin to get you through the rough spots until the meds kick in. I forget what week I am on, but I heard by week 6, it feels like you have a new lease on life. Xanax has helped me tremendously though, until all of this kicks in, an I strongly suggest it. Best of luck--God Bless!
-Katie
The research indicates that a combination of meds & therapy is most successful in treating anxiety/panic. Many of the folks on our board have done that successfully. Reading their posts can be very helpful. Although I was reluctant @ first & maybe you feel the same, eventually I did get myself in motion & sought help. My family dr. directed me to a psychiatrist for meds(lexapro is a good one)
Hi Meghan!!! and Welcome!
Blessings, Suz
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Meghan,
Sorry to hear that the anxiety has crippled you as it has. Be hopeful and be encouraged. Tomorrow is a new day, and yesterday's history does not have to repeat itself. This is key.
My sister went on Lexapro, and it did her ALOT of good, and she's tried quite a few drugs. She ended up going back to zoloft because she said Lexapro gave her sexual side effects and bathroom issues, but don't assume it would do this to you as we all react to drugs differently. I must say honestly I never saw her happier then when she was on Lexapro and I wish she would go back on them. I don't know if you've ever been on Meds, but just in case you haven't, remember, you won't feel the FULLEST effect of the drug for awhile so don't give up if you don't feel 100% better right away. Side effects can also diminish after a while, so if you do decide to try it, give it at least a few months on a nice dosage before ruling it out.
Second- Use humor anywhere possible. Its hard when we are anxious to find ANYTHING funny, but if you can lighten it up a little it will make it alot easier. For instance, there was a period in time when I kept having obsessive mental impulses that I was going to hurt someone or scream at someone randomly which freaked me out. It sent me into bouts of anxiety and confusion, until I realized how ridiculous it was that I was about to curse out a lady for no reason, and how silly I would look, then I brushed the thought aside and it had no power over me anymore.
Hope that could help a tiny!
-LernersPetite
Meaghan,
I am sorry to hear that you are going through all this.
I am newly diagnosed but I will help as best I can.
I am on lexapro and started almost 7 weeks ago. I started on 5mg and now I am up to 20mg. I have been on 20mg for about 5 weeks now. My dr. and pdoc said that it will take a while to for the medicine to really work. He said that I won't feel the full effects for 6-8 weeks fro the start of each dose.
It has definately helped me and I am happy with it. It will hopefully be the right med for me and I won't have to switch around.
Good Luck to you and GBU...
panic disorder. I tried for years to fight panic on my own.
Without medication or therapy I would still be in that house
scared to do most anything! The Lexapro should help you soon!
As you begin to feel better take some baby steps and get outside
again! Don't let the panic win!! With therapy and meds I am
so much better I just grew up in an age where panic was not yet
discovered!! BUT I HAD IT!! Take care and keep posting!
We all help each other through good and bad! HUGS Judy
Just wanted to thank you all for your replies and kind words - they have helped alot!
I'm still on the Lexapro and I have full confidence that it will work after hearing everything that everyone had to say about it. The side effects are definetly tough to deal with, but it's easier getting through knowing that it only gets better!
I'll continue to post, thanks again!
-Meghan