I am new and need your advice

I have anxiety-panic disorder. Have been taking Effexor for 3 years, and am sick of it. Am getting attacks even with it, would like to have a baby and want Effexor out of my body. With the help of my doc, I have weaned down very slowly. Am having more anxiety, actually panic attacks,when driving, and difficulty at night stopping the thinking cycle, worrying, sometimes severe anxiety. I am 29 y.o. and sometimes am afraid to be alone at night with this anxiety, even tho I know I am not going to die.

So, say I get off Effexor, what do I do next? What meds have you found success with? Does Yoga or meditation help? How often, what kind do you use? I don't mean help, I mean make it go away. Can't take Xanax when I am driving and on my way to a big meeting. Any highly recommended therapy out there like DBT?

Would appreciate the benefit of your experience in feedback- Thanks

Well , I am a huge supporter of cognitive behavioral therapy (c.b.t.). I credit my recovery to it. however, I am sorry to say that there is not a cure that can make anxiety dissapear from one's life forever. Once you have had acute A/P, it is generally believed that while you can learn tools to alieviate it, the tendency will always be there. Through therapy, you can learn how to change your mental, and subsequently your physical reaction to stressors. Once I could do that, I improved dramatically. I can't say that I am anxiety free (really, can anyone?) but I am so improved! I commend you on trying to wean off the medication before trying to conceive. I have heard that many women find thier symptoms relieved with pregnancy. I hope that you find this to be true. If you feel that you need to continue w/ meds, ask your obgyn what is safe to take when you become pregnant. I also reccomend going to the library/bookstore and reading books on A/P that teach breathing exercises. (learning to breathe correctly can eliminate the severity of panic attacks, and in some cases stop them) I wish you luck!

btw... free online c.b.t. through a site called Moodgym-have heard good things about it.

Scaredy Cat

Yes, c.b.t. can take time, but it is worth it because it actually changes how you deal with anxiety, rather than just masking the symptoms. Think of it this way. If you were getting headaches from misalignment in your neck-you could keep taking aspirin everyday for relief, or you could go to physical therapy to strengthen and realign the neck permantely. One is easier, one is longer lasting. Your therapist will give you homework, exercises, assignments all to help you in the journey of being free from fear. I started, wasn't sastified because progress was slow, but ultimately went back and am so glad that I did. Go in with patience and an open mind. The alternatives are far worse;)
Best wishes,
S.C.