Need help on a very off topic *update post #37*

[laura001]

Hi,

I want you to know that by at least acknowledging outloud that you have a problem is the first step and good for you! My husband has had this problem for years (he is the president of a large company) and hid it quite well, except with me. He went to his Dr., tried some medication but didn't want to be taking it all the time even though it seemed to help, then he tried hypnosis which didn't work at all. He finally caved in and went to see a therapist that deals with anxiety, and to make a long story short, it has made an amazing difference. She came very highly recommended and is very good at what she does, quite expensive but well worth every penny. I am so thankful that he is and has been learning a different way of dealing with his anxiety and the nice part about it is that it is permanent, he doesn't have to take medication to hide or help with it. He knows that it is himself that has complete control, I will also say that because of that he is a much stronger person for it. Him going to this therapist was definately "god" sent!

Good luck to you!

 

[Crankyshank]

You've gotten great advice on this thread and I'm glad you've made an appointment to see your Dr.
I've been suffering from Panic Attacks and mild OCD since I was 7yrs old. I've been on and off medication from when I was 19 and admitted I needed help. I have been unmedicated for 5yrs now. I do still get panic attacks from time to time (Did you know the one of the most common places to get one is a grocery store?).
I would suggest taking a tai chi or meditation class. Medication is great and is therapy but the best tool for me and others I know is learning breathing techniques to calm you down when you suffer an attack.

 

[kidshop]

You are not alone! I made it all the way until my last semester of college...but I couldn't do the final classes. I had just 16 credits left, but I couldn't do the 20 minute presentation...so I dropped out. I never told anyone the real reason why, I just let them think I was stupid and a screw-up. I did tell one of my teachers, thinking that if I said it out loud, it would lose it's power. She tried to help, but I don't think she realized the scope of the fear's power. It was too big for me to handle alone. So, here I am at 36, and it doesn't affect my life so much anymore. I really only have a problem speaking formally in a large group setting and it doesn't come up much as a SAHM. Although, I recently visited my ds's first grade class and we shared some memories about our days as first graders.....I managed to get through it LOL! (no, I did not picture them in their underwear!) You are brave to seek help, and your life will be better for it!

 

[iloveflorida]

Well I went to the doctor today and told her everything, it was almost the hardest things I have had to tell someone, I let it all out. Things I have never told anyone expect here on the board. I even cried.....( tried not to!) But she told me this was nothing to be ashamed of and it was very treatable. She prescribed me Lexapro 10mg. to take once a day and then she gave me Xanax .5mg to take whenever I felt I needed it. Geesh she double dosed me!! She must think I'm way off in left field!! I took a Xanax about an hour and a half ago and I can already feel it. Can't quite figure out how it feels exactly but I'll let you know tommorrow!

I'll start the Lexapro tommorrow. I am so tired of dealing with this that I am so excited to see the results!!

Thank you~thank you~thank you for all of your support and kind words!!!

 

[Aidensmom]

I'm glad you saw the doctor, you probably already feel a great weight lifted from your shoulders by doing so!

 

[Equidae]

Well I went to the doctor today and told her everything, it was almost the hardest things I have had to tell someone, I let it all out. Things I have never told anyone expect here on the board. I even cried.....( tried not to!) But she told me this was nothing to be ashamed of and it was very treatable. She prescribed me Lexapro 10mg. to take once a day and then she gave me Xanax .5mg to take whenever I felt I needed it. Geesh she double dosed me!! She must think I'm way off in left field!! I took a Xanax about an hour and a half ago and I can already feel it. Can't quite figure out how it feels exactly but I'll let you know tommorrow!

I'll start the Lexapro tommorrow. I am so tired of dealing with this that I am so excited to see the results!!

Thank you~thank you~thank you for all of your support and kind words!!!

Great news! Good luck! Check out a therapist too if you can, it can work wonders to talk things out with someone who you feel isn't judging you and is just trying to help. My therapist is wonderful and I can control my anxiety (and mild OCD related to anxiety) without medication. It was tough at first though. Isn't it great to read here that you aren't the only one? If you are anything like me just knowing you aren't alone or the only one is a great feeling.
As far as double dosing, well, maybe it is, but when things get under control the meds can be adjusted. When I first had my panic attacks my doc. suggested Lexapro. I talked with my mom about it and found out she was on that and Xanax too. So, whatever works. Good luck!!

 

[Equidae]

Just want to let you know that I have been suffering with this for years. I have terrible anxiety and it is also ruining my life. My problems don't revolve around public speaking, but going out in crowds, restaurants, or not being in control (i.e., I can go out to eat if I am there in my car with people I'm comfortable with but I can't handle it in a strange group and I feel like I cannot get out of it).

I have been to therapy and to many doctors. My problem is that the SSRI medications (Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, etc) make me feel absolutely wretched and I cannot tolerate the side effects AND hold down a job. The Xanax works well for me, but it can be sedating at times so I don't use that as much as I probably should. It is basically a living hell.

Anyway, this probably doesn't make you feel better (as I am still uncured to date) but I hope you don't feel like you are alone with this.

I am sorry to read that anxiety is ruining your life! I know how terrible and hopeless it can be. There is no cure, by the way. Only treatment. I really hope that maybe with a combo of meds and therapy you can learn to cope with it. My therapist taught me how to imagine being in my happy place (for me that's Main Street USA in the MK ) and whenever I started to feel myself spiral to a panic attack I would imagine I was standing on Main Street. I would imagine how it would sound, look, smell and feel the earth beneath my feet. My therapist said that one school of thought it that you can't have intense happy and panic feelings at the same time. I don't know if that is true or not, but just visualizing my happy place really helped me in the beginning. There are also breathing techniques to get your body to calm down.
I really hope you can get control over your anxiety soon!!

 

[disneymac]

A really sad part for me is that I've given up on ever completing college because of this. I simply don't think I can handle those classes and even interacting with so many people all the time.

Good luck and hugs to you!

Don't give up on college if it's something that you really want! I managed to graduate, even with my extreme public speaking phobia. Most professors are more flexible than you realize - don't hesitate to talk to them - you are not alone in this problem. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Also, you would be shocked at the people who will tell you that they fear or hate public speaking! Even people who do it all the time (and make it look like it's no big deal) often get anxious about it.

good luck!

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I have thought of seeing my doctor but it is so embarressing feeling like this, my dh doesn't even know. Thank you for reading this long post.

A coworker went to the ER with this. They took her before other cases because they had sympathy for the panic attack cases.

Many, many people have panic disorders to some degree. Your Doctor won't even blink when you tell him, just wonder why you hesitated to ask him for help.

As for embarrassing, nothing else comes close after a hand up your ****** to attach a fetal monitor and two Hemmorhoid lancing procedures.

 

[Steffi]

Well I went to the doctor today and told her everything, it was almost the hardest things I have had to tell someone, I let it all out. Things I have never told anyone expect here on the board. I even cried.....( tried not to!) But she told me this was nothing to be ashamed of and it was very treatable. She prescribed me Lexapro 10mg. to take once a day and then she gave me Xanax .5mg to take whenever I felt I needed it. Geesh she double dosed me!! She must think I'm way off in left field!! I took a Xanax about an hour and a half ago and I can already feel it. Can't quite figure out how it feels exactly but I'll let you know tommorrow!

I'll start the Lexapro tommorrow. I am so tired of dealing with this that I am so excited to see the results!!

Thank you~thank you~thank you for all of your support and kind words!!!

I'm so glad for you; you're going to love the difference you feel after a couple of weeks on Lexapro (I take it, too).

 

[iloveflorida]

0A really sad part for me is that I've given up on ever completing college because of this. I simply don't think I can handle those classes and even interacting with so many people all the time.
color]

Chell I meant to reply to this last night, I know exactly what you mean. It's not just the getting up infront of the class or reading aloud, it's the entire atmosphere for me. I remember when I started some classes some years ago and just walking through the crowds, or standing in the lines I just didn't feel comfortable, I felt like I didn't belong, and I was so nervous. And not to even to mention how I felt sitting in the class. I KNOW I could have a degree if it weren't for this problem. It's like inside I want to be successful, educated and confident but my body just won't let me!

Anyways finally told dh everything, well still not everything but enough for him to know why I got these meds. He totally supports me even though he REALLY doesn't understand. He's a very laid back, easy going guy that has really no idea what I have gone through. But atleast he knows now.

As far as what I've taken so far, the Xanax did make a difference last night believe or not that quick. I just felt really comfy last night, kinda just really relaxed me...and I slept great. And I just took my first Lexapro so I'll have to update later on that one.

But thank you guys for all of your support!

 

[chell]

iloveflorida You seem to know exactly how I feel. If you want to chat more about this and/or vent feel free to PM me.

Make sure you take the Lexapro as prescribed.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Don't be surprised if the Lexapro makes you feel real tired for about the first 4 wks. I used to get home from work & just fall asleep on the couch. But after that, no problems. (Same thing for a co-worker of mine. She would just take it later in day, so she would fall asleep later.)

Dr started me on 5mg for the first wk or 2, then it went to 10mg. Then at some point, we increased it to 20mg because I was still feeling a bit anxious. By the way, it's GREAT for pms. It gets rid of ALL symptoms. Great side effect.
After about a yr & a half, mentioned to the doctor that I was getting really moody again just before my period. Yelling at DH.... So, about 10 days before I'm due to start, she has me increase Lexapro to 30mg, then back to 20mg when I start.

So, just let the doctor know how its working for you. Tweaking is normal for these meds. Good luck.

It is hard to describe to people. It just makes you feel "NORMAL" -- in the right sense. Not loopy or anything.

 

[Christine]

Well I went to the doctor today and told her everything, it was almost the hardest things I have had to tell someone, I let it all out. Things I have never told anyone expect here on the board. I even cried.....( tried not to!) But she told me this was nothing to be ashamed of and it was very treatable. She prescribed me Lexapro 10mg. to take once a day and then she gave me Xanax .5mg to take whenever I felt I needed it. Geesh she double dosed me!! She must think I'm way off in left field!! I took a Xanax about an hour and a half ago and I can already feel it. Can't quite figure out how it feels exactly but I'll let you know tommorrow!

I'll start the Lexapro tommorrow. I am so tired of dealing with this that I am so excited to see the results!!

Thank you~thank you~thank you for all of your support and kind words!!!

Just wanted to let you know that you weren't necessarily "double-dosed." It's quite common to prescribe Xanax along with the antidepressants (Lexapro). Sometimes, when you are starting out on the Lexapro, you can feel a bit more anxious as your body gets used to the medication. And Xanax is good stuff. It works immediately as you can see.

Please keep us posted as to how you feel on the Lexapro. I would love to be able to take one of these meds; however, the start up side effects are so bad for me that I am unable to go to work. The one I have not tried was Lexapro. It would be great if you could tell me what you feel while taking it. I just like to know if I'm normal or not!

 

[iloveflorida]

iloveflorida You seem to know exactly how I feel. If you want to chat more about this and/or vent feel free to PM me.

Make sure you take the Lexapro as prescribed.

Chell I'm about to send you a pm.

Well yesterday I took my first Xanax and Lexapro. I felt really good, I had to go to a pretty big family party (inlaws) and I just felt really really nice and calm. Alot of times if the party had a bunch of "strangers" you know I just didn't feel so comfy and always felt a little keyed up. Not yesterday though. I guess it must have been the Xanax since I read that the Lexapro takes a week or two to kick in.

And guys I felt absolultely no irritabilty at all! That is a first for quite a while now. My poor little family has been seeing the grumpy side of me really bad lately and I just felt so happy yesterday. It was the first day I haven't "griped" in a long time.

As for those who have taken or take Lexapro what part of day do you take it? Because I think my doctor told me but I forgot. For the Lexapro she only gave me a two week supply sample ( to last me when I go back on Feb. 3) so I don't know when is the best time to take it. But for the Xanax she gave me a 60 pill count suppy (I got generic, the pharmacist says it does the same thing), that presciption says to take 2 to 3 times a day as needed.

I'll update later. Thanks everyone!

 

[SplshMtn99]

I take my Lexapro in the morning when getting ready, along with my daily vitamin & my vitamin C.

I have a day of the week pill container so I won't forget. Sometimes I'm so "routine" in the morning, I can't remember if I took my pills or not. This way, if the "day" is empty, I know I took it. LOL

 

[iloveflorida]

I wanted to update everyone since I've been on the Xanax and Lexapro for a week now. Believe me when I say they have already made a huge difference in my life. At work I felt very comfortable this week, not quite at 100% but I would say about 80% better there. I felt not so high strung, not so wound up. I just felt relaxed where I could talk to people a feel confident about it. When I had a conference call earlier this week I was able to just pretty much take control and say what I had to say where before I would say as little as possible to get me by.

The depression is completely gone. I don't know if I told you guys or not but last Thursday (the day before my doctor appt.) I got home from work and sat in the driveway in my car and cried before I came in the door...for no reason at all! I was just feeling sad and I had had that feeling for over a month, well on these medications that feeling was gone almost instantaneously.

Someone in an earlier post said that the most popular place to be anxious and panicky feeling was at the grocery store, well not until this week did I realize that I had those feelings too. I have noticed a huge difference in me at the stores. Example Walmart last night....struck up a conversation with a lady (we were both waiting in the pharmacy) and we just chatted a good 15 minutes, something I never do! I can't explain it but I didn't realize how nervous I was shopping until being on these meds.

The irrititability is GONE. I haven't griped (as my family puts it) in this entire week. That's a record for me. There used to be days I would literally just wake up mad, not anymore. I just feel HAPPY. I just want to enjoy life. I feel like I can be me again, the me that I knew was in there but something wouldn't let it out!!

As for anyone who may be reading this thread and is dealing with the same things I am dealing with, go see your doctor!! I can't explain the difference it has made in my life in only a week.

I will keep updating my progress but I wanted to thank everyone here for the encouragement and support I probably would have never gone to the doctor without you guys and knowing that I wasn't alone with this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

[joshsmom]

I'm so happy for you and hope that you continue to feel better!! Take care of yourself!

 

[chell]

It is wonderful to read your update. I am so glad to hear that you are feeling so much better.

 

[Christine]

Oh, I'm so glad that the meds are working for you. I wish they would do the same for me. They just make me so sick (well, not the Xanax but the SSRIs).