New Member Scared

    Hi, 

I have just joined this website, with the hopes of being able to speak to people, I will not feel like the only one going through this problem. 

Finally decided to see a therapist for my anxiety attacks, because, I do not want to wake up every morning for the rest of my life with these anxiety attacks, just knowing that I will wake up every morning with them is making me crazy.  Went to see a therapist for the first time and on my second visit had one of the worst attacks in a long time.  Actually called her to cancel on my appointments, when she suggested that I need to keep seeing her, but also speak to my primary care for a prescirpion for antii anxiety medications when the attacks become unbearable, but after one of those attacks I am wiped out for days.   I am not one to take medical intervention for issues of the head, and feel guilty about doing so, as to me it is a sign of weakness anyone else out there have ever felt this way?

A lot has happened in the last two years of my life, my mom died, my sisters husband died and left her witih a son who is severly autistic and a 12 year old daugher.  I have a teenager daughter. ............The list goes on, I have joined your forum because maybe just maybe, reading about people in similar situations and being able to write to you guys will help me realize, I am not alone and ease the anxiety. 

In just the few minutes I have joined this webiste, I have already feel better.

 

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 8/17/2007 5:29:43 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks that is great to hear, there is light at the end of the tunnel. and should not feel guilty about taking meds. It is good to keep seeing the therapist to see if I can find a way to deal with the anxiety. I only get the attacks mostly in the mornings and by 11AM they subside. However, as we all know, getting up with that rotten feeling in the pit of your stomach is not a way to start the day. And I agree, while seeing a therapist if we need to take meds along the way, there is nothing wrong with that, we are only humans after all.

Dolores,

I'm sorry that you are having a rough time right now, but glad that you found this site.  You will find amazing support here and people who have been and are still exactly where you are.  You have been through alot in the last two years, and it really isn't surprising that panic/anxiety would become a problem with the grief and stress you've experienced.   I understand your hesitation about medication, it's not an easy decision, but I don't believe it's a sign of weakness.  Medication can get you through a particularly rough spot and can stop the p/a from spiralling downward.  Don't think of yourself as weak if you need an anti-anxiety medication right now.  I've taken medication for 17 years and I honestly don't know where I'd be without it, especially during a setback.  Are you practicing cbt with your therapist?  Once you get the hang of it, it does help a great deal.  I was exactly where you are right now back in Oct., every morning was sheer torture, I woke up panicked and it lasted most of the day.  I upped my medication and got back to using cbt regularly and am now doing well anxiety wise.  I'm still dealing with agoraphobia issues, but at least I'm not spending my day in a panic.  You hang in there and keep posting, you will get through this!

I would like to thank you guys for replying to my post.  My therapist said I should keep a journal, but I am one of those people who is not big on writing my feelings in a book.  This is a great place and idea.  You get to write down how you feel and actually have people who ldon't know you, listen, and advise.

You also realize, you are not the only one who is going through this and it makes you feel that you are not crazy.

Here is an example of why, I have anxiety.  I am the oldest of four, my brother and I have two younger sisters and a brother.

Last nite thinking it was okay to chill, my daughter sleeping at a friends house, my husband out to dinner with some friends.

My telephone rings and it is my sister, flipping out about one of my mothers cats.   She is such a drama queen,  there is something wrong with Sophie, all her guts are hanging out of her backside, she is going to die tonite what am I going to do, this from a 52 year old woman.  I rush over there, and yes the cat had was hurt, her guts were not hanging out, she was not bleeding, she did not look in pain, and so on.  She doesn't drive, we took the cat they saw her riight away, and she will need surgery as somehow her little backside got ripped open, probably from climbing up and trying to get down from something in the cellar.  Then she starts about how my niece ruined her credit, that's another story.  I just wanted to give you an example of what goes in my life since my mother passed away.  This goes on all the time, I know you are going to tell me that she is a big girl and she deal with these thing, however, my mother brought us up to take care of one another she came from another country and all we have is ourselves to rely on.  Well, need to get ready for work now.  Thanks for letting me vent and thank you all for letting me know, if I need to take meds for a while or possibly for the rest of my life it is okay.  Hope all is well with all speak to you soon.  You see, just rabbling her with you folks as already made feel better and maybe today, I won't need the meds.

Oh gosh, Dolores55, that is exactly how I feel upon rising in the morning. I am having an attack right now, my chest is so tight it feels like it is going to explode. I wake up with that rotten feeling in my stomach every morning, not to mention being shaky, fearful of what the day will bring. I haven't been to a therapist, don't know whether I could go to one. I can hardly talk about my problems over the phone with anyone without getting very nervous and my voice quivers, especially a stranger. I guess that is why it is easier for me to talk on here. That is why I do not think a therapist would be able to help me. I am totally tensed up right now, my back muscles are knotted as well as my abdomen. So hopefully this will subside.

Dolores55 said...
Thanks that is great to hear, there is light at the end of the tunnel. and should not feel guilty about taking meds. It is good to keep seeing the therapist to see if I can find a way to deal with the anxiety. I only get the attacks mostly in the mornings and by 11AM they subside. However, as we all know, getting up with that rotten feeling in the pit of your stomach is not a way to start the day. And I agree, while seeing a therapist if we need to take meds along the way, there is nothing wrong with that, we are only humans after all.

thats a great suggestion Dolores! And a very positive outlook.

best
Dan

    Not so good today Junebug, Thanks for asking.  My anxiety usually starts on Sundy and gpes on from there, I truly did not want to get up for work this morning but I did.  Can't figure out why some days are better than others though.

I took my meds this morning an they still haven't kick in yet?  Maybe my body is just fighting them I don't know.  I see my therapist on Tuesday and see what she thinks.  I am starting to bellieve/admit that I am in a sort of mild depresssion.  Got up late this morning so can stay on site long.  Thanks for caring and speak to you this evening after work.  Of course, the attack will be gone by then it always is.  I just don't understand why this only happens to me in the morning.......  Speak to you folks soon.  Thank you for your kindness.

Dolores55

 Hi All,

Sorry I haven't written in the past week, but have been extremely busy at work.  I work in a telecom call center.  Well, I finally got meds, for some reason my pc prescribed .25mg of Zanax take two tablets twice a day, but it did not to be working to well.  I spoke to my therapist on Tuesday and she made me feel much better as she explained if meds are needed until we get to the route of my morning anxiety it is perfectly okay.

I experimented and decided to take on pill at night, when in the morning and one in the afternoon.  I started this regiime on Wednesday night, and I have been actually sleeping through the night.  Last night as I was falling asleep I asked God, please don't let me wake up with a anxiety attack in the morning and to my amazement for the first time in months, I actually woke up without an anxiety twinge at all.   I can't wait to tell the therapist and I wanted to share this with all of you because, there is a light at the end of the anxiety tunnel.  With being on meds "temporarily" so I actually feel normal again and seeing the therapist weekly to get to the route of this issue and not be on meds anymore is something I am striving towards.  To all of you who have these attacks, you all know how it uplifts your feelings and the more they are lifted the less the attacks will become. 

Well, I just wanted to share this with all of you.......There is truly light at the end of this tunnel

Dolores,

I'm so happy for you that you found a combination of meds and therapy that are working for you, sometimes that can be such a battle just to find the right meds.  I take xanax as well and it really works for me.  I really hope that your mornings continue to get better, but don't get too discouraged if you have a bad one every once in a while, remember it's only temporary!  All my best too you!

 

Hello All,

Well I haven't posted in about a week and just wanted to fill you in on what has been happening.   As you all know my doctor has put me on Xanax, however, the directions she gave me for taking them was not working to well on the morning anxiety so I experimented.

I take one at night at around 9:00P (.25MG), one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and I am happy to report that for the last three days, I have had a good nights sleep and have not awakened with any anxiety/panic attacks. 

Talked to my therapist today, and she explained that as long as it works and I keep seeing her to find out why I am getting the attacks there is nothing wrong with taking the meds.  I still have a bit of an issue regarding having to take them.  Also, in talking to her about issues (I don't know how to say no to anyone), I am starting to put my foot down on and say no to favors or what other people want me to do or think I should be doing.  Also, since my mother and brother passed away and finding out the people I know in my age group are passing away has probably what has been freaking me out lately.

The reason I am writing this is to let all of you know that you don't have to live with anxiety/panic all of us are different and we need to figure out what is the best way to handle this problem, hopefully, I have found mine and all of you will find yours.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel all you  need to do is believe and trust in God.

  I have a hard time beliving that taking meds for anxiety is a show of weakness at all, in my youth I have been to war in the army and have done things that I did not like doing but falled my orders and do not feel guilty about them for I know it was for a better cause in the long run. but later I came down with A/P crud later on in live and have found that the meds are worth more that trying to go at it alone and have not had a P/A in over 8 months now and have a better feeling and in more control of my A/P them ever before I just hope that you to can find this feeling with in you no matter what you do as I know in my heart that this was the right choice for me even all that I have been though in life.

  Cowboy up 

Hey Everyone. I'm a new mother, and new to this site as well. I just found out two days ago that I have Anxiety. I went to the emergency room thinking something was wrong with me, physically. I had a muscle spasm on the left upper abdomen, and sharp pains on my left and right side of my abs/rib area. Than I started having shortness of breath, my boyfriend rushed me to the hospital, while I'm sitting there trying sooo hard to breath. I seriously thought something was wrong, as if I was going to die. The doctor I seen just basically seen me for 2 SECONDS and said "this is not an emergency, come back during walk in hours, you probably just have anxiety" thanks alot right? So I went back as a walk in thinking that doctor was out of his mind, and there had to be something wrong with me. I just had a baby, so I was thinking maybe I'm bleeding inside? Maybe I have digestive problems? (i was having a bubbly feeling in my stomach as well) I thought if I wasn't treated I could have a heart attack. I was thinking of all the worst possible things that could happen to me. Anyway, I went as a walk-in and the doctor I seen was NICE this time and really listened to me. He saw that I had a newborn with me, and knew right then I was just stressed and had anxiety. He prescribed me Valium, 5mg and I've been afraid to take it till tonight. I only took half of that and I feel no pain, which is such a relief. I have been getting nonstop sharp pains all over my stomach to my back and lung area as well. And to finally not feel it for even half an hour is amazing, and I almost feel normal. I hope that I won't have to take valium for a long while, I'm sure once I'm back to "normal" after having a kid.. I will be okay. I hope... and wish.. and pray that it goes away once I get my body back, and feel good again. Are there any new mothers out there that have the same symptoms as me? I hate feeling these sharp pains all over.. and the bubbly feeling in my stomach, it's not painful at all, just uncomfortable and makes me think something more is behind all the physical pain.

Hey Kitt, Thanks for the reply. Well, when he saw me he really listened to what I had to say. He said some of the pain could be from me swelling inside, and just my body trying to get back to normal. Even though we talked for a good while, he took some chest X-rays to make sure nothing was wrong. Everything came back normal.  He said I was a bit tender in my ab area, due to possible swelling... and also prescribed me Naproxen for that. I did set up an appointment though so they can check everything. I'm going to ask for maybe blood tests as well to make sure it's nothing serious. I hope nothing is physically wrong with me, as much as anxiety can be scary, it can also be cured. I will start a new topic though, didn't know I can do that :) Thanks for the advice though. This site is very helpful, and just to know people are going through similar things as I am, makes me feel like I'm not alone in this, and support is right here.