New and scared

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
New and scared
42
Wed, 01-17-2007 - 8:30pm

Hello...I am new here and scared and nervous...I have pretty big anxiety issues due to being sick for a long time, and I also have adrenal and thyroid problems as well. I am seeing a wonderful naturopath who is also a very good counselor and all around wise woman, and I am currently taking Xanax three times a day which does help, but I am afraid that I am headed toward being an agoraphobic because I am scared to death every day I am going to get sick again or I am going to get sick or have an attack outside of the house. My house is like my safe haven, and when I do get worked up and Im home I usually make a warm cup of tea, curl up in my husbands recliner chair with a blanket and watch some good tv shows or a movie on dvd and this seems to help alot, but I am going to be working with my naturopath a few days a week soon and my life has totally changed...i went from being this happy, healthy person who loved to be out and around people to this scared, needy and panic stricken person who cant enjoy her life the way I used to. I can't tolerate any antidepressants ( i have had horrible allergic reactions to every one i have taken) and I really don't like drugs to begin with, i feel horrid because I have to take the Xanax. I would really like to know what some of you have done to get over your fears....my husband tells me I just need to start going out on my own, forcing myself out there and face the fear, and i want the strength to do that but it's so hard sometimes. some days are better than others, and I am doing alot better than i was a couple months ago, but are there such things as therapy groups for people like me? I start seeing a new psychiatrist next week so I am hoping she is nice...the other people I were seeing were really insensitive and wouldn't listen to a thing I said so I am hoping this one will be better. any advice would be wonderful, and if anyone lives in or around Richmond VA as I do and knows good support or therapy groups, that would be greatly appreciated. I am just so scared that this is going to run my life, and I pray to god every day for strength and guidance and hope that my husband will be able to put up with me long enough for us to get through this...I look forward to hearing from many!! Its nice to know we are not alone....

Krista

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 01-17-2007 - 8:46pm

Hi Krista & welcome to our group! I was agoraphobic for almost 2 years & I am happy that you are seeking help now, before you get to that point.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 1:01am

Welcome, Krista! I am sorry to hear what you're experiencing. There are many folks who post to this board who can tell similiar stories. You are NOT alone! When I look back @ 36+ years of panic attacks, I can assure you that I have had many more good years than bad. I have lived well & done what many women do. Married, children, school, a career, etc. You WILL get your life back!


It's not shameful to take meds. There are surely antidepressants(many different families of meds exist)

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 5:45am

HI!

I can relate to so many of your emotions and have had similar frustrations with anti depressants.

Anxiety and fear has been part of me for so long. I get angry with myself because I look around and feel ashamed because I am so blessed in so many ways. Just cannot let go of old "baggage" and fears from terrifying experiences.

I put on a very good front. No one would imagine how fearful I am.

Don't know if you do any crafts or not, but this might help. Try a paint by number, something easy to crochet or knit(nothing complex, will only stress you out). The trick to this is you have to go to the store to get the yarn, kit, etc. Don't go to a little craft shop where there is one person who insists on talking. Walmart is great!! You can wander around forever looking at stuff and no one bothers you. However, sometimes you have to ask where something is or even a little conversation with the check out person helps! Then you go home and start working on your project! It takes your mind somewhere else. When it is completed, you get a good feeling of accomplishment!
There is also the possibility of a group who does the same craft! I have not gone this far yet, but have always wanted to learn weaving and one of these days am going to get the courage to go to a class.

There is also a Winston Churchill quote that has gotten me through so many days:
"Do the thing you fear the most and death of fear is certain."
You do not have to jump into the same social circles or activities you had before you were sick. Maybe you and your husband could just go fishing!

Just try little things, no big things.
You may also want to do a little research on Post Stress Syndrome. I was diagnosed with this by one of the pyschs. Reading about it kind of helped me understand myself some.

The best of luck to you and I will keep you in my prayers!!

Fran

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 3:53pm
Welcome to the community, Fran! We all appreciate you replying to posts with such insight & support. Anytime you'd like to share your story with us, that would be great! Wishing you continued success with anxiety. GL & GBU! (((hugs))) jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 5:18pm

Thank you so much Fran!! And I have noticed that when my mind is busy I am better...I am just scared to go out in public alot for fear of getting sick or having an attack in public, so sometimes it is really hard for me....but driving seems to calm me as well and there are times when I have to force myself to go out, and sometimes I have to come home and then other times I am okay for the most part. My stomach reacts the most to my anxiety which sucks lol...but when I do manage to get out and get something accomplished you are right...it makes me feel good, and I will def look into the post stress syndrome...this has been really traumatic and its really hard for some people to understand what we go through. But I need to really work on myself, because I am going to be working a few days a week for the naturopath I am seeing, which will help me get out of the house and if anything happens (panic attack, etc) she is there and knows what to do to help me...but I appreciate all of your suggestions and I really like to do craft things so I need to def take this advice :) and thank you for the prayers...they are the best gift i could ask for!! PLEASE keep in touch!!

Krista

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 6:01pm

Hi Krista,

Welcome! This is a great place to find support, I noticed some great folks have already replied. I don't have a lot of advice to add, but I hope you feel free to come chat or post anytime.

I'm not on meds, but am in talk therapy for generalized anxiety. I found some free help through my college, but as Jan & Sheri Ann mentioned there are a lot of places to look for groups.

Hope to see you around the board.

Smiles,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2007
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 6:24pm
Hi,
I just ran across this site and was relieved. I have had anxiety problems in the past..but, it has been about one year. Well, my grandma is on Hospice care and we just started my son in a new school and, it hit me. Complete anxiety. I made myself sick for the past two days with nausea, crying, can't eat anything, scared, scared, scared about everything. I had some ativan for neck pain in the kitchen. So, my husband made me take 1/2 of one and go to bed. I just woke up and do feel better...but, now I am afraid of the feelings coming back when the med wears off. I could cry. I feel so alone and wish that I had someone to talk to whom would know what I am talking about. My husband is supportive...but, he doesn't truly understand what I am feeling. If anyone would like to email me, I would welcome any advice. My email is sherilljoy@sbcglobal.net
God Bless!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 8:11pm

Thank you very much for the welcome.
I am enjoying being in touch with other women so much!

Fran

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 8:21pm

So happy anything I offered may be helpful.

To be honest I have gone into many places and had a voice say "get out now!" even when there were a thousand things I wanted to look out.
The bright side is that it saves alot of money.
But then the times when I feel safe to stay in Walmart I spend like crazy in case the next time is not successful.

Really, we have to laugh at it!

You really want to laugh?? My job requires me to be interview prison inmates incarcerated in a county jail.

I never have panic attacks there, always feel in control and no one has a clue that I am not.

Will be check the board for your progress in the attacks and crafts!!

Luv
Fran

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 10:15pm

I was like that for about a yr. the house was my safe haven. I started by getting in the car & driving to the end of the street & back, then a bit further & further. After every trip I felt more confident. My dr. put me on Klonopin & I have no problems. There are times I feel an attack coming on when I'm driving on the highway & I can usually talk myself thru it.

We moved last spring & we live closer to the city & I can get just about anywhere in minutes. I still don't drive the highway unless I have to & then its only for one or 2 exits. Its not attacks but fear of an attack that keeps me from going further.

Try getting out in small increments, alittle at a time & your confidence will grow along w/the distance. Btw, my 1st med was Xanax & it didn't work as well as the klonopin does.

Good luck, dee

Dee  

Mom to Nik

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