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Posted 11/8/2006 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
  

  I recently was told that I have panic disorder.  I can't do anything. I could'nt go to work, so I lost my job.  I freak out if I have to go to the store.  I hate leaving my house.  I was put on Effexor but didn'nt like how I felt on it so I stopped taking it.  I feel lightheaded all the time .I sometimes get a weird sensation in my brain like an electric shock.  I have an appointment with a neurologist for this week as well as a stress test with a cardiologist.  I don't know how to overcome this horrible situation.. I use to be such a strong person and all of a sudden I am not myself..  Please help!!!!!!

Posted 11/8/2006 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, you came to the right place. How long were you on Effexor? I am taking Paxil Cr which is the same as Effexor they are both SSRI's. That electric shock through your brain you are feeling is from the SSRI it will go away the light headedness could also be from the meds or anxiety. Try not to worry too much but I would be willing to bet all your test come back fine. I think the majority of us have done the same thing you are. It's scary and hard to believe that all these symtoms could possibly be from anxiety or panic. So we go spend a whole lot of money ( good for your piece of mind ) and get our hearts and brains tested and get our results that show no problems. Your not alone you soundlike the majority of us that suffer. Anxiety and panic do no harm to your physical body, no one has died from a panic or anxiety attack! If I were you once you get you negative results back go get a positive book on over coming anxiety and learn how to beat this. It can and has been done, you are just as strong as you were before this is just tough to get through but it can be done! There are a few people here that give advice that have recovered from anxiety and live free of it now. Just remember the more you know about fighting it the closer you are to beating it. It will get better you have to take charge (I know its not easy)! This place is great for support though. The people here are caring and supportive I'm sure someone else will come along with some more advice. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

Let me just say I am in no way saying that you should not talk or listen to your doctor. I'm just saying its not the end of the world, there is help and your not alone.

HUGS
Daisy
Posted 11/8/2006 3:47 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you so much for replying Daisy.  I was only on effexor for one week. I started in the begining of October and stopped.  I have had 2 episodes of that shock feeling.   The  first one was the 4th day on effexor .and one 2 days ago while at Target.  However I remember that a few years ago after I had a neck injury that I would feel a mild form of that sensation from time to time when I'd move my head a certain way.  But what I've experienced lately is a much stronger and scarier sensation.  I hope that I don't continue to experience it. Please respond.

Lee

Posted 11/8/2006 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lee yeah

     Well, I believe Daisy said about all there is to say. Most doctors will rule out any medical reason as opposed to psychological reason for anxiety symptoms and as Daisy expressd so well; it makes us as patients feel better ( and poorer) as well. Keep an open mind and do some reading as well as Daisy suggested. There is something to be grateful for in that this is happening to you now as opposed to 20-30 years ago when there was much less known about panic disorder.

All the best to you and keep us posted as to how you are doing.

Nucham. tongue tongue tongue

Posted 11/8/2006 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW
Most SSRI's take up to 4 to 6 weeks to get into system
Did you go thru your doc coming off of the med ??
I have heard so much good about this partculiar med by ppl here on forum
Paxil is an ssri yes but it is one of the older ones
I dont take them for personal reasons I do take short fast acting meds for my A/P when absoulutely needed
I do other things now
Meditation
Relaxation
Cognitive Behaviuoral Therapy
as well as listen to music cranked ( oldies) whie driving down back roads
oing for walks in Nature and spending time with pps on here
I am almost 53 and have had this since very young but am now just last couple of yrs learning different coping skills to get me thru
I hope you post often ans stick around
This is a very supportive forum with fantastic caring and giving peeps
Take care and glad you found us here
Lyn

BTW ...it sounds like you have some agoraphobia and social anxiety going on in my opinion

I will bump some threads for you okay

Thread on Agoraphobia bumped for you   

Posted 11/8/2006 9:40 PM (GMT 0)

to lee, the panic attacks wont hurt you so dont fear them, no need for a loss of self confidrnce or a collapse of morale

when 1 happens breathe deep and slow, relax and dont tesne up ot fight back, try to get any valkium type med and disolve a tablet under the tongue

klonapin wafers are especially for this but arent available everywhere

get some books on overcoming panic disorder and agoraphobia and follow their advice

an antidepressant can also help a lot if you can find 1 that works for youm start with a low dose and work up

stay with us and read all the posts

if the neuro and cardio cant find anything I would prefer reading the self help books to seeing a psych, always try to get some valium type meds wjich go well with all antidepressants

effexor is a SNRI and not a SSRI

Posted 11/8/2006 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Lee i know exactly where your coming from i was diagnosed with panic disorder but it has nothing todo with how strong you are, i was and am back ro being an elite athlete so please dont think your weak.Are you going through a tough patch in your life prior to the panic attacks? i am on full recovery now and those heads shock you had are andrenalin nothing to worry about.I used to feel lighthead all the time reason why you feel like that is becuse when you are anxious your pupils dialate and let in more light hence the light headedness .It will take time and alot of patience but you need to slowly expose yourself to thing that you fear most and remeber the more panic attacks you have the less you will fear them.Goodluck.
Posted 11/9/2006 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Lee welcome to HW you have already gotten some good advice. Hang in there and let us know if there ios anything else we can do for you
Posted 11/9/2006 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Although I take Valium myself .......I dont believe it is the only med out there for people there are many other meds now as well
There are others ways to cope with this as well IMO and I am sre others wil post and let you know wgat had/ has worked for them
Posted 11/9/2006 12:20 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Lee,

Welcome to the board it's a wonderful place and you will find great support here. Hang in there and keep posting.

hugs,

Georgia

Posted 11/9/2006 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to healing well, you have definitely came to the right place. This is where I go when my anxiety is on a rampage. I also have panic attacks, and we all know that sometimes it feels like there is so much that is unmanageable. Like others have said before, panic can't hurt you, but it definitely can make you feel like it can. Just remember you have a place to come for support. Take care and hugs to you.
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