Let me explain my story

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2006
Let me explain my story
9
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 11:39am

Hello everyone, thank you to everyone who has given advice I really do appreciate it. Let me explain my situation and see if anyone can help this way.

In January of this year I got off work around 7pm I was walking to my car out the mall doors, when two guys were walking up, didnt think anything of it until the next thing I know my purse was being taken and I was hit over the head. They got in a getaway car and that was the end. I called the police and they all came, Iwas in shock and didnt even know what to do, I couldnt even give a description. So I drove home, and when I got here my husband took me to the hospital. They ran tests and everything to make sure there was no bleeding in the brain and that my arm wasnt broken from the fall. I took a couple of vacation days then went back to work. I never seeked councling or anything and went on my way. I never had anxiety or panic before. Well in August my assistant went on vacation and thats when it happened PANIC ATTACK I thought I was going to die, the ambulence was called they said my heart was tactacardic so I got even scarder because I took an EKG class. They rushed me to the hospital and did all kinds of tests, and found nothig, I was released the same day and went home. I stayed off work for another couple of days, then went back, but I have never been the same. I havent worked a full week since it happened, I am sooooooo scared to take any meds, even headache meds, because I think I am going to die. I know that I am not going to die I have had every test ran on me and I am a healthy 26 year old. I recently quit my job because I know that I just cant go back anymore. Knowing that I dont have to go back has helped a little, but I still cant take the meds. WHY??? I wish someone had the answers. I have seen a theripst and she has helped a little but my insurance has run out and I cant afford her by the hour. So I am turning to everyone here. Please if someone has some answers that would help me move on with my life that would be great.

Thank You,
Nicole

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 12:20pm

Hi Nicole,


I'm so glad you feel comfortable to come here and share your story.

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2006
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 12:32pm

Jennifer,

Thanks, I know that I need to take my meds but again there is that stupid fear, that wont go away. I should look at things differently, like look at all the things I have done in my life, but it is really hard. I start this new job on the 6th of Nov so I need to start something now because I cant not work. Thanks fo rthe kind words, every time I start to do better I get stressed out and go backwards. I have been give .50 of zoloft and .25 of xanax, but I cant take them. The pharmacy said it is ok to take half of each to start with and see what they do. They said half the zoloft I wouldnt even notice if I took it, and the said half the xanax will probably make me tired, if nothing else calm me down so I can take the zoloft. I even stopped my BC pills because I was scared. This is getting to the point where I feel like nothing is going to work any more.

Nicole

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 2:07pm

What a frightening story, Nicole. No wonder you are having anxiety & panic. You lost your safety. I am sorry that I didn't read this post first. Please refer to my other reply to your post for what might be helpful to you.


Take care. Be kind to yourself. This is a situation that

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 10-28-2006 - 10:23pm

Nicole, I know how hard this is for you.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Sun, 10-29-2006 - 11:24am

Nicole,

Wanted to send ((((Hugs)))) and hope that you can find a time when you feel safe to take the meds. I think they will really help you feel better.

Alternately, have you tried anything like yoga, meditation or daily exercise to reduce anxiety? Just a suggestion-

I also agree with Jan about the possibility of Post traumatic stress disorder or Acute stress disorder.

More hugs,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Sun, 10-29-2006 - 12:41pm
Hi Nicole, Maybe if you changed your thinking about what the meds are for. That is what I had to do I was scared to death to take anti-depressants for the first time I thought what if they make me feel worse or what if they don't work at all. When I brought my fear up to my doctor I remember him telling me. If you were diabetic would you be afraid to take insulin if it prolonged your life and made you feel better?? If you had high blood pressure would you be afraid to take medicene that would prevent you from having a stroke or a heart attack? Depression and anxiety are diseases just like diabetes and high bp, but sometimes we don't think of it that way and we think we should be able to just shake it off and it will go away. I think after him putting it in perspective was just what I needed to hear at the time, I started taking them the next day and have never looked back. Just look at it like these meds were made for people with a disease and if they can improve our quality of life then that is our first step in healing!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2006
Sun, 10-29-2006 - 11:02pm
Nicole, I have the same story as Sheri Ann, I got to the point I was afraid to get out of bed. I called my therapist during an attack and told her how I felt, she assured me I didn't have to feel that way, that there was Meds to help. I was so glad. I would have taken any drug I was so scared of the anixiety. I now take Paxil, Effexor, and a mood stabelizer, Lamiictal. I should say I have been on paxil for about 12 years, I have a history of depression, but never this anxiety. I also take Clonazepam as needed, it works alot like Xanax, but dosen't make me drowsy. I am about 70% better. This all started in February.
I could not have made it without the meds., I think I would have ended up in the hospital. So don't be afraid.
Massages also help, yoga, relaxing music. I've tried it all.
Good luck to you.
Georgie
Community Leader
Registered: 10-22-2001
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 1:39pm
It sounds like you may have PTSD.
I went through a rape and some other life changing events. (my fiance' committed suicide)
Finally I sought help, it was the best thing I ever did for me.
I couldn't handle where I lived.
Sleeping wasn't happening for almost three months.
Eventually I moved and things are so much better but it has changed my life.
Hugs to you and hope this helps.
I honestly thought I was going "crazy".
Kept replaying the rape over and over again.
Couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, didn't want to go in my room, sleep in my bed, be ALONE in my house.
My life is nothing like that now but that is because I could not carry on any longer.
I sought help, realized my feelings were not abnormal, I had been traumatized.
New Beginnings!
Nightangel
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 7:39pm
Georgie, thanks for sharing!

Sheri Ann