New to all of this....
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| Wed, 03-15-2006 - 4:17am |
Hey everyone,
I'm new to the board and was looking for a little reassurance that I'm not the only one with these problems. I'm 26 and have been a "worrywart" my whole life, but the panic attakcs started about 3 years ago. Went to a psychologist and had really good luck controlling/preventing them with behavioral techniques. I started having greater feelings of anxiety about 8 months ago and talked to my GP, who suggested valerian b/c I didn't want to go on meds.
I moved to Germany with my husband about 6 months ago and was doing ok. The long winter (I'm a Southern girl) and separation from my family have been hard. Then in December a good friend back home committed suicide, and my grandmother died in January. I came home for the funeral, but on my way back suffered a panic attack that laster almost the entire plane ride. I don't know if that was really a panic attack but it left me exhausted for a week.
Just recently I found out the my mother has breast cancer....and I lost it this weekend. Totally out of the blue after going on a nice walk with my husband! I started feeling anxious and trhen fearful and then panicky and finally out of control. I managed to amke it till Mondya morning when I went straight to the doc. Needless to say, I'm now on Effexor XR (this was my 3rd day on it) and he gave me some Xanax for the acute anxiety.
I've been taking the Xanax (half a .5mg tab every 4 hours b/c the .5mg was too much at a one time) for three days now and I can always feel the panicky feelings and out of control thoughts coming back as the medicine starts to wear off. Will this get better as the Effexor starts to work?
I've never been as bad as I was this weekend. Is there really a way back from all of this to where my worries and anxiety don't consume my life? Encouragement from some folks who have been there would really help me right now. I'm trying to muster the strength to fight this but it's really difficult.
Thanks for listening...
Meghan

Welcome to the board Meghan,
You are most certainly not alone! I am also a worry wart, have anxiety, and suffer from panic attacks. I have been this way for a while now but after a long series of unfortunate events it all came crashing down and took me one day at a time to start to feel better. But I do!
In a nutshell I had a bad time a couple years ago. Within a 2 week period I had to cope with 2 deaths, a fire, IRS audit, and a bad call from my DR. Then I had a series of tests, told I had cancer, had surgery, 2 days later nearly bled to death, started the nursing program, had a stalker who tried to harm me, and had to go to trial to get rid of his sorry butt. Did I mention I am a mother of 3 girls and trying to get my nursing degree?
I went through all of this dealing with anxiety and panic yet there is light at the end of the tunnel. I graduate in May, my anxiety is less, I have not had a panic attack since September 05 and I am trying to change my life for the better.
You can and will get through this, I have gotten a lot of support here and developed some new coping skills along the way. Hang in there and keep posting!!
Lisa
Meghan,
Hi, and welcome to the board. EVERYTHING you described is absolutely typical of someone suffering from an anxiety disorder, AND totally normal for the average person that has had that much dumped all on their plate. Our minds and bodies can only take so many stressors put onthem before we go into "sensory overload", your mind's job is to kepp you alive and keep your body safe so it is going to get all those emotions bottled up out one way or another (I'm sure you have heard of the fight or flight response:).
You will get through this! It sounds like you have a pretty good relationship with your doc, keep in good communication with him, he is there to help you through this. The Effexor generally takes 3-6 weeks to kick in to maximum effect, if it still isn't working after that you may want to talk to your doc about alternatives. There are some great coping techniques out there, keep trying them until you find one that works for you. Don't be discouraged if one doesn't work, look at it as you are ONE step closer to finding the one that does work :).
Feel free to post on here anytime, WE all know what you are going through, and I am relatively new to the board myself and although, right now, with my college classes I dont get to come here as much as I would like I can not believe how helpful this board and the incredible people on here have been. Its something about just knowing people that care are right there anytime you need them. :)
Andrea
Andrea
Hello, Meghan! My oldest dd is named Megan, so I'm a bit partial to that name;) It's so great that you found our community. There's many a caring folk here that can relate to what you're feeling. We like to think our members are the best online support you can find:)
You are NOT alone. Research shows that for some of us a chemical imbalance triggers our anxiety. Others find that stressors in life such as you have experienced are a major factor. I must say that you have been through alot & I am very sorry for that. Please accept my sympathy in the passing of your friend & gramma. Also, there's a good cancer support board on iVillage & Judy, the cl there posts here. I know she can give you some advice with your mom's illness.
Meghan, welcome!
Sheri Ann
Meghan,
I am so sorry that you are going through all of this.
Everyone has already given you such great advice but I just wanted to let you know that we have all been in your position and you are doing what is right for you.
Sending Hugs your way! Keep us updated and please post anytime
Thank you everyone for the kind words. It's challenging being in a new country (on a military base in Germany) with no real support system and a husband that loves me dearly but just doesn't understand.
I've seen some of the progress folks have made while I've been reading on the forum, and it's really given me some hope that I'm not losing my mind.
I'm going to hang in there with the Xanax until the Effexor begins to kick in and take a look at some of the coping skills on the board.
Thanks again for your support!
Hello Megan!!
I'm also just starting Effexor XR except i don't have a script for xanax - or anything else for that matter to help while it gets in my system. You are home here - I've only been actively posting for a few days now - and i can say these women have given me such a warm welcome and let me know that they care about me and my issues. I have been fighting anxiety and Panic attacks on and off for 6 years now - there is a light at the end of the tunnel - but it definetly takes time. Being a southern girl myself - (Texas) I can't imagine living in Germany i bet it is neat and scary all at the same time. . I'd imagine that carries a stressor all on it's own. My baby brother is stationed in the Azores Islands near Portugal right now...
Anyways - stick around - tell us how your doing with the Effexor - SO far i have not had any major issues - headaches and being tired - but that seems to be starting to subside. I double the dosage on friday - so I'll let you know how it goes.
Glad you found us!
Valerie (28)
DD - Abby (2)
DS - Devin (7)
DH - Tripp (35)
Meghan,
I know I posted before but I just wanted to tell you once again that you are not alone. We will all be here for you as much as you need.
You have so much going on and being in another country doesn't help at all.
We do have chat but I'm not sure of the time difference between us. If you ever just feel like chatting then post on the board that you would like to chat at such a time and if someone is around then they will meet you in chat. I have done it MANY times when I have really needed help and chat has gotten me through so many panic attacks and I have actually taken meds that i was afraid to take while in chat. It is a great support system.
Once again welcome and please use us as a support system. We have all been REALLY down and full of anxiety and scared and know how hard it is, we also know that wil the right support and help you can get through it.
Hello Meghan,
I am out of town right now so I haven't been as quick to answer post as I usual am, so I
truly apolgizes in not welcomeing ealier you. My name is Lynn and so happy to met you and
see you have met some of the great ladies here. I am Take Effexor XR and It stared
working for me somewhat right away, do you take it at night or in the morning? I take
mine in the morning it kept me awake When I took at night it works diffrent lt for some
people, but the full effect took 6 weeks,but truly I never really new when it took effect
except I started feeling so much better. I take the xanxa as my doc told me I really
starting feeling great. I didn't have any noticeable sides effects. So Effexor
is doing good, If there is anything I can help you please feel free to ask... or email
me. It is so nice to met yiu and hope see you hear again. Take care You will start
feeling better soon I know you will will keep you my thoughs ok. Hang in there ok we are
here for you ok.
((((((BIG BIG HUGS TO YOU))))))
Lynn