Success

Avatar for peoplearenuts
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Success
5
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 3:58pm

I had a meeting with my T yesterday. We are only meeting every 2-3 weeks now. She was asking if I wanted to continue seeing her. We talked about where I was at the end of October and where I am now.

When I was diagnosed, I was having panic attacks daily. At least one a day. Lots of anxiety. Terrible insomnia - I was sleeping maybe 4-6 hours a night if I was lucky. Getting through each day seemed insurmountable. At one point I had to call her on a Sunday and we basically made a schedule for my afternoon and evening so that I could deal with it. I was a mess. I was taking Xanax to help me fall asleep, but I would wake up after 4 hours no matter what. After a while the Xanax wouldn't even guarantee that I would fall asleep. So I'd be up all night, but thankful I was at least "relaxed" and not having waves of panic attacks.

I have been on Lexapro since beginning of Nov (after a terrible false start with Effexor - not to worry anyone - it's probably a great drug for some, just not for me). I am now tapering off Klonopin which I started taking at the end of November. I tried Ambien twice, it literally did nothing for me.

Now I fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. I still experience some anxiety, but it is 'normal' anxiety - like when one of my kids is really ill. I haven't had a full blow panic attack since November.

I am so much better! I can't say I'm better because of one specific thing. I do a lot of things differently now - I'm on meds, I've been going to therapy, I gave up caffeine and alcohol, I am more involved in my church. This board has been a HUGE help. Talking to people who are going through similar challenges really helps so much.

Thank you so much to all of you who have reached out into cyberspace to help someone you don't even 'know.'

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
In reply to: peoplearenuts
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 7:45pm

YEAH!


it sounds like you've come really far and thats GREAT!


keep us posted on how you are doing and don't be a stranger:)

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: peoplearenuts
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 10:33pm

WHOO HOO!


That is a great place for you to be. It's also inspirational for newbies to see that anxiety can be conquered. In spite of the fact that the meds are helping, they are ONLY a tool. You have done some work in learning better ways to cope, gf! Don't forget that:) Wishing you continued success! (((hugs))) jan

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

 


 



Avatar for peoplearenuts
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: peoplearenuts
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 11:03pm
Thanks! I still find it really helpful to read posts and check in here. How are you doing? You have your hands full with a 2 year old and an infant. So obviously you are going to have anxiety no matter what for a while, but I know it was really bad when you were pregnant. Has it eased up a little?
Avatar for peoplearenuts
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: peoplearenuts
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 11:07pm

Thanks! When my therapist was saying how much better I was and asking if I wanted to continue seeing her I said "Oh, I'm sure they'll get worse." But she pointed out that now I have all these tools to work with and I am sleeping now which makes such a huge difference. She said it's like an alcholic going to therapy when they're drinking - it's not going to help much. She said when I wasn't sleeping it was hard to make any progress until I got that under control. She was a big help in convincing me to get on meds.

I am SO BUMMED that the Bears lost tonight!!!!!!!! But we went to a fun party even though we were all kinda deflated by the time we left...

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2006
In reply to: peoplearenuts
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 6:16am
I am truly happy for your success. It sounds like you have come so far. You should be proud. Keep visiting the board though or we'll miss you ;D