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| Sat, 01-27-2007 - 1:00pm |
Hi I am new to the board. In reading a few of the posts, I realized being on this board may be of great help to me.
I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since I was in high school. I was on paxil for 5 years. This past August I decided to try to go off of it as things in my life had settled down greatly. I was great for a few months then the panic attacks came back . I am the type of person who doesn't want people to know so I kept it bottled up for a while and just tried to deal with them . Boy was that a mistake. I went back to the dr. and he put me back on paxil. However he put me on too high of a dosage which caused side effects. It caused me to have a horrible attack which landed me in the ER. Then I lost my appetite, had no energy and was crying all the time. Went back to the dr. and he switched me to cymbalta, which made everything worse. Finally I was put back on paxil, but a smaller dose. This all happened around Christmas :-( I am slowly starting to feel better, although I still have my days. I worry about every new pain or feeling in my body even though I know deep down that I am fine. I am scared of going out in public, however I am determined not to let that stop me from living my life (that part is actually getting better)
I would love to chat with anybody who can relate. I feel better already knowing that I am not crazy and other people are going through the same thing :-)

Hi & welcome!
Sheri Ann
Hi,
The trouble with your meds was awful, but you've gotten through it! I think it's really positive and admirable that you said you are going to fight this and not let your anxiety stop you from living your life.
I was diagnosed last year with generalized anxiety disorder and am really fighting not to let it control my life, so I can really relate to that. This board has been a wonderful support for me and the ladies here are really friendly and inspiring. Hope to "talk" with you again.
Hugs,
Dee
Hi There,
I have suffered from panic anxiety disorder for 19 years, now at 38 I have them mostly under control, so I can relate to what you have been going thru... I too for many years was afraid of going out to store was afraid someone would know when I was having a panic attack!.. I have found that ice cold water and putting a rubberband on my wrist and snaping it when in a panic attack worked, because we focus on the fear and the sysmptom of feeling like we are going to die any moment that the sensation of the band snaping make us become aware of the moment and releases us from the focus on the breathing etc... I have been on lopressor for the past 4 yrs it is a beta blocker and lowers my heart rate, though I still get them I can feel them coming on but with this med it does not allow my heart rate to stay elevated... and really has helped me. Just thought I would share my story with yopu hopes its helps to know you are not alone in suffering from such dabiliating dosorder. I wish you the best
Kelly~
WELCOME : )
My name is amy and are glad to read your post. This board seems very nice and helpful.
Hope to chat more...
I have taken it for over 20 years now and will not stop
for anything!! I am sure you know that each day you will
continue to feel better and better! Remember when you fist
started taking it?? The strange pains you notice are so annoying
I AM SURE!! Sometimes anxiety makes us think we are severely ill
when in fact it is our bodies reaction to the stress we feel!!
After a good check up turn it over and let it go!!
I can relate to your feelings I did that for many years without
meds and therapy---- HOPE you feel like yourself soon!! Judy
Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing!
Sheri Ann
We have had others post to the board that they used a beta blocker as needed before public speaking or situations they knew would trigger the anxiety. Thanks for sharing your insights. It's much appreciated:) Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan