Hi - New Here

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
Hi - New Here
11
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 10:24am

Hi Everyone - I just wanted to introduce myself and get some opinions. I've had depression since I was a teenager (26 now) and for the past few years I've also had anxiety. 2002 was the first time I had a full blown anxiety/panic attack (not knowing what it was at the time) and living with the constant anxiety since, although I've not had a full blown attack since that year, it's always there - ya know? It contributes to always

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
In reply to: bribug13
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 10:39am

I so totally feel your frustration! I hate trying new meds and new doctors too. It seems to me both are hit and miss. I've been dealing with Anxiety disorder for 14 years! I've found one Pychiatrist I really thought was good and that is about it. And now, I live a 3 hour drive from her. I'm just about to suck it up and start driving all that way to see her again.
About all the diagnosis. I've heard them too and I don't know if they know. It is so grey if you know what I mean. First, they really don't understand it fully. It is something not black and white and really hard to understand and they just do not know the physiology etc. And it is so hard to research that sort of thing. I wonder about OCD because when my anxiety is bad I'm convined I'm dying of this that and the other and have a horrible case of the what-ifs. So is that OCD or just part of GAD? Who knows.
I saw just keeping going to doctor after doctor until you find one that is good. It is not easy!
About your meds, I haven't tried them (at least not that I remember). Just in case you do not know, a lot of those meds take several weeks at least before they start doing anything. And many of them make the symptoms worse at first and that is why you need Xanax and the like to take with it. A word of advice, keep a log of meds you try and what they do and do not do. I should have because I can not remember what I have tried in the past! I would have a good log now if I had started doing that back when all this started and it would really be helpful when the doctors ask about the meds I've taken!

Remember, you are not alone! Sending you big hugs!!!!!

Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
In reply to: bribug13
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 10:54am

hi brianne,


welcome to the board...there are a lot of wonderful supportive women here on the board.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
In reply to: bribug13
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 11:27am

Thanks Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2006
In reply to: bribug13
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 2:41pm
Bri:
I am on Effexor XR 37.5 mg. I tried a higher dose, but it didn't seem to help anymore than the lower, so why bother. Some days (most days) I feel it helps a lot. Some days, like right now, I wonder why it doesn't feel like it is helping. I honestly don't know what my "label" is either, I only see a family practice doctor now because when I was younger the psychiatrist would hand me a new med every other week, and it got out of hand, so unless absolutley necessary, I will not go that route again. Don't get me wrong, there are good and bad doctors, I just have had really bad experiences. I hope the meds help you. Take care!!
KLara
Mother of 2 girls (6yo and 15mo)
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-1998
In reply to: bribug13
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 5:58pm

Hi Brianne! Welcome. I am recently on meds too (just "discovered" that I have had anxiety pretty much my whole life, with a significant increase in the last 5 years) and as much as I didn't want to jump into it, I tried therapy first, then added the meds and love the way they work well together. I am on Lexapro, but I know a lot of ladies also take a second med for anxiety as needed. I may consider that-- my most severe panic attacks happen driving, on the interstate or over bridges. But I am going to see how well the Lexapro does for that first.
I am seeing a therapist (not psychiatrist) and my midwife (of all people, since I am not pregnant, but I like seeing her for a lot of routine stuff and I started talking to her about anxiety and depression at a yearly exam). I get my prescriptions from my midwife. I like seeing her because she thinks of things very wholistically and doesn't jump into the newest meds out there.

Anyway, welcome, I only found this board this week and it is so great.
Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: bribug13
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 7:06pm

Hi Brianne, I'm glad you found us & posted!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: bribug13
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 7:30pm

Hi Klara & welcome!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: bribug13
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 7:32pm

Karen, I'm so glad you like the board & feel comfortable here!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
In reply to: bribug13
Fri, 09-01-2006 - 9:12am
Thanks Karen - I had tried the Lexapro first at the beginning of the year and although I was only on it for about a month at, what seemed to me, a very low dose, I never really felt anything from it .. that's why this new doc prescribed the effexor, so we will see how it goes! Thanks for the welcome :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
In reply to: bribug13
Fri, 09-01-2006 - 9:13am
Thanks for the welcome Sheri Ann!

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