Newbie w/10 yrs panic disorder

 

   Hi everyone, Glad to have found such a resource and to know I am not alone in this mystery.

  I was one of those people in denial about "anxiety" or panic. My earliest recollection was all of the sudden having this feeling

of complete dread. I paced back and forth and couldnt catch my breath. I felt lightheaded and my hands and fingers tingled and felt numb (hyperventilation) I always felt my heart pounding  and race and occassionally skip beats. Of course my first thought was oh

I am only 26 with a heart condition or heart attack, stoke or something sinister.

 

After years of worry and dozens of EKG's, a treadmill stress test (wooo I am out of shape and overweight) and a 24hr holter, The Dr's are convincing me that yes it is anxiety. I have been on Paxil 2 years

(best for my panic) no so good for weaning off (Celexa)- bad for me and small bouts with Anti -Anxiety meds - Valium and Klonopin for

panic attacks. Right now I am weaining off Klonopin after 6mths of daily dosage ranging from .5-1.5 mgs this in itsellf is extremely hard and panic inducing. Oh and just started 10mg of Lexapro (anti depress)

 

Also to top this off this year has been extraordinarily stressful for my family and myself.  We moved 3,000 miles away from the best city we ever lived in (Seattle WA) My husband is AD military and may be deployed any day now. 2 of our best childhood friends  died unexpectly this year. My brother in law was an innocent bystander and was shot and survived but struggled for 6 mths until he recently passed away. My dad in law was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and was just recently in a car accident. I almost feel like since we moved here 1 year ago all these problems started. My 9 yr old son had emotional problems and chronic stomach pain that required a GI endoscopy to look inside his little tummy.  Am I superstitious to think this- I suppose

 

Financial issues, family issues and of cource my anxiety/depression and panic-

Sorry to sound like the victim here but I just feel like I have this cloud of negativity over me and my family.

lately.  I feel at times it is ok to rely on pills to make me feel better. What do u think??

 

Hello armyvet&wife,

Welcome to HealingWell.  I am sorry things are so rough for you.  It may seem that all these bad things are happening just because you moved but I think you may be affected more by what is going on in your life do to the circumstances.

I am so very sorry for you. I know how nasty anxiety can be.

I did read your post in cardiac and please be very careful in mixing alcohol with meds.  As far as using meds, if you need them I would not feel guilty for using what you and your physician feel you need.

Bless You

Kitt

  Thank you Howlyncat, Kitt and gettingby

 

   For all your words of wisdom. I have been on other sites and felt intimidated and ignored. It is nice to know that someone

actually cares and we can relate to one another. Yes, I know I should not mix alcohol and that is one of my struggles also.

 If anyone could recommend a detox diet or more natural remedies for anxiety and depression that would be nice. But mostly thank you again for your words of understanding and encouragement. I really do appreciate it. I also look forward to reading your posts.  Have  a nice day.

Good Morning,

I am so glad you met Lyn, she is a wise and wonderful lady who has been to hades and back more then one time but she is a survivor and she will give you strength.  We are all here and we support each other. 

You don't have to worry about members not carrying on this site.

Hugs to you today.
Kitt

Junebug,

 

thanks for the support. Yes I do plan to stick around. Thanks. Look forward to reading and learning

I can imagine how you feel. But none of these things happening are your fault. Don't ever think that. There is no way you could've stopped any of these things from happening even if you didn't move away. Just try to take every day by the little moments that are good. Live in the moments. Don't worry about the next five minutes or hours or days. I know that's very hard to do. I struggle myself with severe anxiety but my life is basically perfect. Love your family with all your might, everyday. Let the little things just slide off your back. And remeber, there is someone out there who is in a situation worse than yours. (this is hard to do, I know, believe me) Try reaching out to someone in need around you. It's hard to help someone when you feel so helpless but you can do it. I hope you are feeling better today. I will be praying for you and your family. Love Love Love!

Hello and welcome!

What a lot of rotten things you have to deal with right now!

I don't think anyone has said this yet, but some of us experience breakthrough or "rebound anxiety" when coming off of an anti-anxiety medication. It's common enough that a psychologist friend of mine described it for me first, before I even had a chance to talk with my doctor or therapist. Apparently, the body gets used to having certain chemicals provided for it, and so it doesn't make them so much on its own. When the providing stops, it takes a little while for the body to gear itself back up to create the chemical in necessary amounts again.

There are some posts around here about natural remedies for anxiety. I think you can search for them in the search box atop the page. Peacesoul usually has lots of information about that, and maybe she'll be along in this thread to talk about detox diets. Otherwise, you can start a new one on just that topic.

Good luck! We're glad you're here!

percycat