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

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 4:41pm

Krista, I think the half days sound perfect!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 6:11pm
Thank you Sheri Ann...I am hoping to get out of the house tomorrow and my nephews birthday party is tomorrow evening as well so wish me luck!! lol that would be something huh to freak out in front of a bunch of kids lol...no usually when I am around my family I am okay...its just being away from the house that bugs me but im gonna try....:)
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 6:42pm

Hey I just wanted you to know I sent you a long email....so you could look for it!!! I think it will help....much love and hugs...

Krista

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 9:06pm

I am happy to hear that you are venturing out, despite your fears.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-02-2004
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 9:09pm
Thanks for your response. I also sometimes take valerian, an herb that helps with anxiety. I also stopped consuming caffeine and I think that has helped with my nervousness.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 12:22pm

Yes burnel, I do "get it."

If the Prozac helps you-TAKE IT!

There is no shame to it. I take a multivitamin, premarin, Xanax and nerve pain pill everyday.
My husband has diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesteral problems. He has to take about 11 pills a day!

If I did not have stomach side effects with anti-depressants, I would take one too.

Life is too short not to feel as good as you can. And God must have let these medications be created to help us.

Love yourself as you are, anxiety and all. When I get wrapped up in my mental issues I see someone in a wheelchair or a little old lady using a walker to struggle through a store and count my blessings it is just my head that is kind of "screwed up."

I'll keep you in my prayers and stay in touch on the board. Put you in on my friends list but have not figured out how to use that yet. I'm new at this too.

Have a beautiful weekend!
Fran

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 12:31pm

The craft department in the back of Walmart hit so home with me I had to stop laughing before I could reply.
Try this! I park in front of the garden shop-lots of spaces. Then when you go in the store, don't go through the middle. Stay along the wall, through automotive(not alot of people there), take a left and go straight to crafts. Take the same route back and check out at the garden shop.
This works for me.

Cannot express in words how wonderful it is to share with so many woman who are dealing with the same issues I am.

The sharing and support has helped me everyday!

Let me know how the next Walmart trip goes and congratulations on driving again.
That is quite an accomplishment.

Have a beautiful weekend!
Fran

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 12:33pm

You do not know how happy I found all of you!

I do not feel so alone!!

I have never tried "chat", need to learn how to do it.

Thank you for the welcome!!

Fran

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 12:45pm

Congratualtions on the Walmart trip. I started laughing so hard about leaving the cart!

I have actually made sure I bought perishables last in case I had to leave the cart.
Would feel too guily to leave milk, etc.

Sometimes I just get one of the little baskets so I make sure I get exactly what I need.

You really want to laugh?!? Rather than being scared when I am with the inmates, I actually catch myself counseling them about positive thinking, stop beating themselves up for the past, low self-esteem, etc. etc. Also learn from them. Many have everything against them, horrible criminal records, no home to go to, family has washed their hands of them, many have HIV.
But even with all of this alot of them have dreams and goals. I then start thinking how if they can attempt to overcome such big obstacles(most do not succeed)I can try harder with my mental obstacles.

Pretty crazy that the most interesting people I talk to and understand are criminals ain't it!!

Thank God I found this board!!!!

Keep up the good work, and do not push yourself physically. Let your strength come back a little at a time.

Have a beautiful weekend!
Fran

P.S. Haven't run into Charles Manson yet LOL

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 7:55pm

OMG!

Sheri Ann