Newbie with maaad issues!

Hello,

I am new to this forum but not the site. I have been suffering from anxiety and panic since  about my pre-teen years. I remember the first time when I had an episode I didn't know what the heck was happening to me, it happened a couple more times around that age but got worse when I went off to college. I remember being in my dorm room freshman year doing chemistry homework and all of a sudden I couldn't breath, my heart was racing and I thought I was about to pass out, I called for an ambulance and was rushed to the hospital where they gave me valium. I was then diagnosed with having anxiety attacks and panic disorder. I have been on Lexapro, Wellbutrin and Xanax in the past. I was also diagnosed with GERD, and was given Nexium, which seems to go hand in hand with Anxiety. I am currently not on any meds but seriously think I need to be. I haven't had many extreme panic attacks but I feel depressed and trapped inside of my wandering and worrying mind. I truly feel that most of my anxiety is health anxiety because I constantly think I have everything that I hear about or read about. Right now I feel like I have a million STDs, HIV, and other infections. I've only had sex 3 times in my life and all within this year. I posted on the HIV forums as well and they told me I have nothing to worry about, that my possible risk was low. I am going to see a health provider soon, but it's rough because I am without insurance right now (darn recession). I have always been a healthy person but my anxiety always makes me think the worst. I was a total maniac when the whole swine flu pandemic hit. I work as a pre-school teacher and I wouldn't go near my kids that were coughing or looked sick, it was ridiculous. My dad was even sick around that time, I had given him a hug and within a day I thought he was going to die from the swine flu, then my mother because she was in the same house and then me because I hugged him. As you can see I clearly have maaaaad issues!

Please give me some advice and guidance. I truly thank you guys for being here because I  find comfort in communicating about my disorders, and desperately long to control them.

ChiGirl24

Thanks for your response, I am definitely going to get back on the meds as soon as I can, because I am tired of my life being interrupted by anxiety. Right now I have constant abdominal pain that's been going on for about a week and I'm thinking it's from stress and anxiety about my health. It's so comforting to hear from others who go through what I go through because sometimes I just think I am going crazy or worse, dying. I remember when my dad told me I didn't need the meds, but I do, my mind isn't right when it's left to it's own devices. Thanks again and I wish you well.

ChiGirl24

Your response was refreshing to read, it always is when someone understands what I am going through and can further asure me that I am not going crazy.

The Wellbutrin helped, but I don't know how much because I wasn't on it very long. I was put on it by my primary physician when I was still in college. I then graduated and was kicked off of my father's insurance. I work as a pre-school teacher but still do not have health insurance so I can not afford the meds. However, I am thinking of going to the county hospital. I really want to see my family doctor though because I am more comfortable and he knows me well.

Also, I had a question. Is there a problem with using anxiety meds after the expirstion/discard date?

Thanks,

ChiGirl24

Welcome to the forum.  I have some very similar fears and I know how hard it can be to deal with them.  I was put on Wellbutrin 150 by my doctor and then after 3 weeks I was moved up to 300mg..  within 3 days I found that my anxiety went into overdrive and I was constantly having panic attacks.  I heard that Wellbutrin often causes people with anxiety to have WORSE symptoms of anxiety.

Does anyone else know if this is true? 

I am not on any meds at this point either because of side effects.  :(

Good Morning ChiGirl,

To answer your question, While most prescription medicines lose potency after their expiration dates, many can become toxic and even deadly. I would advise you to dispose of the outdated medication.  Just my Monday morning 2 cents worth. 

Take care,

Kitt