Hi There

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Hi There
6
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 9:30pm

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to introduce myself. I have been reading a lot of your posts all afternoon, and they are so helpful!

I have been battling GAD and PD for 7 years (off and on). In the beginning I had panic so bad, I had a hard time leaving the house. It has mellowed into just anxiety off and on with the occasional panic attack. I have had periods of not dealing with either, but this is not often.

I sought out this board because I am getting tired of it. I seem to have a low level of anxiety most days. Sometimes it elevates to a panic attack. Sometimes, I get anxiety about the silliest things... watching movies, taking showers, exercise. Then I will have a day where I feel like I could do anything. My biggest trigger is having my blood drawn, something I have to do every 4 months. With my masterful avoidance, I get it done about once a year completely loaded up on xanax.

I have never used meds except xanax. I use that very rarely. I usually use techniques I have learned from various sources. I tried Paxil when this all first started, and it was terrible. They could not get a dose small enough for me to be able to tolerate it. I seem to be very sensitive when it comes to all medication (1 aspirin will kick a headache for me...).

I have an appointment with a psychiatrist on Friday to see about meds. I am also going to see a therapist that does exposure treatment. After talking to both of them, I will try to decide which route to take. I am at a stressful point in my life, and I know that is why I am having this stretch of anxiety. I really want to be able to feel stress without my mind freaking out.

It seems that people do not have great success with meds. The meds don't seem to really get rid of the anxiety, is this right? Have people had great success with them?

Thanks so much!!
Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2003
In reply to: hippie_laura
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 10:56pm
Hi and welcome to the board. I'm not to popular because I am more straight forward than people like, so sorry you got me for your 1st post LOL I don't know if you have heard of Lucinda Bassett or not but she is suppose to be an expert in this field. She teaches that once one can control their fear they will never have another panic attack. She doesn't say that about anxiety because everyone has anxiety. Fear of a panic attack is the culpurit that causes the panic attack. My Dr. says it is a chemical imbalance and I have taken meds for over 20 yrs, and for the most part I live my life as if nothing were the matter. Sure I have my moments but I can pretty much do anything and I was very very sick physically and mentally, when all this stuff hit me. I thought my life was over. Donny Osmond has this and he did cognitive therapy and got his under control. Even though we all have the same symptoms and feelings there seems to be a range of treatment. Therapy and meds together are usually the most popular. I wish you well in what ever you decide to do and hope you will come back to the board and try chat on Tues and Thurs, that is very helpful. Take care of you. Debbie

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: hippie_laura
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 11:08pm

Welcome to our caring community, Laura! It's nice to see you;)


You seem to be alot like many who post here. Things go along pretty well for a while, than BAM! Back comes the anxiety or even a panic attack. It seems to take some folks longer to regain their footing. Coping techniques are available, as is alternative meds/therapies. Please check out our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. I am a fan of daily meditation & belly breathing/positive affirmations/progressive relaxation to get through an attack. I have required meds in the past, but am med-free now. Having panic for 36+ years, I do not fool myself into thinking I will never have to take meds again. Research has shown that meds in combination with therapy will show improvement in 80% of cases.


You are doing all the right things. Good luck with the pdoc! Keep an open mind about meds. As for exposure treatment, that is known to be highly successful in motivated individuals. Good luck in seeing the *t* & let us know how it all goes.


We care & want you to feel better. Post anytime with questions or concerns. You can learn to live well with anxiety. Many of us are on the right road. Just works in progress;) GBU! (((hugs))) jan

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
In reply to: hippie_laura
Tue, 02-06-2007 - 12:47pm

Hi Debbie,
Thanks for the straight forward post. I appreciate it! It is great to hear of a success story with meds. I will keep this in mind when I talk to the doc on Friday.

Thanks again!
~Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
In reply to: hippie_laura
Tue, 02-06-2007 - 12:53pm

Hi Jan,
Thanks for the warm welome! I will definitely keep posting here. It is so nice to hear about other people going through similar things.

Thanks again!
Laura

Avatar for peoplearenuts
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: hippie_laura
Tue, 02-06-2007 - 1:18pm

Welcome. I have had success with meds - here's a post from a few days ago to give you some background.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhpanic&msg=22178.1&ctx=128

I really resisted taking meds at first - my first few sessions with my therapist were basically helping me come to grips with the fact that I needed them.

I won't lie, it was really hard for a couple of weeks getting on them - my anxiety really peaked. But once they started working all the weird side effects went away. I still feel some anxiety - how can you not given the world we live in? But no panic attacks, and not anxiety out of the blue - there are very concrete reasons for why I feel it and I can deal with it now.

Good luck with your psychiatrist appointment. I think you'll find it really helpful. I see one and he has really helped me come up with the right combination for me.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: hippie_laura
Tue, 02-06-2007 - 5:47pm

Hi & welcome to our board!

Sheri Ann