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My panic/axienty ... please read

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Posted 3/31/2009 6:32 PM (GMT 0)

In April 2008 i had got sick with stomach problems which ended up being my gallbladder . At the same time i was at Walmart shopping and i just got this feeling that i was dizzy and that everything was crashing down on me .. Just a great fear like i have never felt before . Well i figured it came from the stomach problems since they happen at the same time . Well it wasnt cause most of my stomach problems have went away but the fear and doom is still there . Finally went to a adult Therapist about 2 months ago . She told me i was having panic and axienty disorder. Just last month they put me on meds for it and my god the first meds seem to make them worse . I was  on  1. Hydroxyz Pam 50 mg  and 2.Amitriptylin 100mg .

Needless to say my hubby had to take me to the E.R  cause i could not even think . My mind was everywhere. Hard to put in words what it made me feel ,only thing i can say it made my attacks feel worse by x100 .

Now i am on new meds . They are 1. Celexa 40 mg  ( i am told to half them for the first 14 days ) and 2.Valium 5mg . every 8 hours as needed.

Well i took the celexa and on the 3rd night i was feeling fine watching t.v with hubby when all of a sudden i felt like i had warm water running thru my vains and i got dizzy and i could feel every beat of my heart . I could even feel it as it was slowing down .

I lye down on my bed and after a few mins it went away . Is it normal for some of the meds to do that . Only thing that seems to not mess with me is the valium but with 2 kids thats not something i can take whenever i need it . I have taken it while driving and did ok but i dont like it . But for those who suffer from panic and axiexty attacks .. May i ask if one of your feelings are pressure behind your eyes and feel like you have a low grade headache all the time  . Could really use some advice on how to deal with all this . Was told last week that i also have agorahobia if i spelled that right . I just really want my life back . Is there any good books to read up on and etc .... Thank you for reading this ... Love to all

Posted 3/31/2009 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, and welcome to the forums! First off, I wanted to tell you that my heart goes out to you! I had to have my gall bladder removed, and the whole experience would, I think, leave anyone a little frazzled. =)

As to the physical feelings and concerns, I assure you that what you are going through is very common and familiar to all of us here. It's very common after a panic attack to suddenly focus our attention onto how we feel all the time, which seems to magnify anything we DO feel, like headaches, pressure, heartbeat, etc., into something we suddenly worry about... almost a hyper-diligence. We tend to do this because we are looking for signs that indicate a possible panic attack coming on again so that we can prevent or prepare ourselves for it. The down side to this is that we worry about EVERYTHING, and constantly feel anxious and fearful. Please understand that I'm not saying that what you're experiencing isn't real or important! I'm just sharing a little of what I've learned, and that is to try and get your mind a little bit off of all the physical stuff and engage yourself in the moment. What's going on around you? What do you see, feel, smell? This often helps me break out of the worry pattern.

What happened with your initial meds, at least in my opinion, is that they tried some older types of medications that can and do cause many strange side effects. The same thing happened to me when I started treatment for my panic attacks. My own sister even said she thought I was much worse on them! The new meds you are taking are MUCH more "state of the art", and it sounds like you are in good hands. When I went on similar medications to what you are now on, I felt MUCH better after a few weeks, and could tell a difference after a few days.

A really great book to read is called "From Panic to Power" by Lucinda Bassett. It really covers all the bases, and I think you will find that it will be of comfort and help to you.

You will make it through this, and you will get your life back! And know that you have a good circle of friends here that are happy to listen, share, and commiserate with you, without fear of any judgment or criticism... =)

Ross
Posted 3/31/2009 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Im on Celexa (Citlorpram) and was also given  diazepam to take when needed, it took with me about 6 weeks for the meds to have a good effect, i have been on Citropram for about 3 months now. 

My anxiety started from a a bad stomach virus just before Christmas then i had a water infection and was just left with anxiety and panic attacks at first they really scared me i was off work for 2 months i feel im more in control now although i do have some moments when i get all panicky for no obvious reason and i have to just go with the moment and try not to think about it too much and do slow breathing, and i used to get a lot of what if's thinking , but i just try not to think like that now and take each day as it comes, but slowly but surely it does get better but there are times when you feel like given up but dont just fight it with all you have.

 

Posted 4/1/2009 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Jenny,

Hang in there, and try to give your new meds time for your system to adjust. I haven't taken either of those, but I'm sure other members will be along soon with more advice and experiences.

The ER trips and sense of doom are familiar for me. When my anxiety started to really take off, I was in the ER several times a week. It is really hard for some of us to fight down those bodily sensations that try to scream "You're in trouble!" It's good that you're seeing a therapist; lots of us have benefitted from the help of professionals. One of the first things my therapist taught me is the value of deep breathing, and having practiced it during times when you're not panicked, so that it's not an extra challenge on top of a bad panic attack.

There are several books listed in the Anxiety - Panic Resource Center; you can find that link in the top right of each page on the forum. Many members have had success with the Lucinda Bassett program that babblin5 (Ross) mentioned; my therapist recommended "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook," also listed in the resources.

If you search through older threads, you'll find discussions of agoraphobia too.

I sure hope you begin to get some relief soon.

percycat
Posted 4/1/2009 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Jenny2008 I just wanted to address the pressure behind your eyes and headaches. I was just wondering if you had had your Thyroid checked recently? You might want to get that tested because the Thyroid can cause alot of anxiety type symptoms as well as the eye pressure and headaches. Good luck!
Posted 4/1/2009 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Ya know i had a E.R doctor ask me that as well . Only thing is since the econmy has drop like it has my hubby work downsize and all the family insurance is now gone .Only the people who work there have it . What kind of doctor would i look for to check that as well . I would try everything just to not feel this way so if it had to come out of pocket then oh well i will do it . Ty for your reply ....
Posted 4/1/2009 7:31 PM (GMT 0)

jenny,

Hi this is Kitt. :) The most common side effects associated with citalopram are nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, excessive sweating, headache, tremor, drowsiness, and inability to sleep. Overall, 1 in 5 persons experience a side effect.

I would discuss your side effects with your physician as well as the other ideas offered here by the wise members.

Hope you get rid of the side effects soon if that is what is going on.

Each person is different but I have been through some crummy side effects that have kept me from getting onto what others say are good drugs.

Keep the faith and know we are here with you.

Kitt

Posted 4/1/2009 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Jenny I would just ask your family doc for the blood test to check your Thyroid. Maybe you can just call and ask him to order the test and just go to the lab and get it done with out having to make a doctor appt too. Then you could just call him a few days later and ask the results. Good luck!~
Posted 4/2/2009 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Ok will do .. ty
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