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Posted 8/23/2014 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, I have been through panic disorder/anxiety three times since I was 27 years old. THe first time I went undiagnosed for months because I was scared to go to the doctor. My anxiety has always been not being able to catch my breath, which leads to panic attacks. When I finally went to the doctor she gave me an inhaler. Well, that didn't work. So then she gave me a script for Ativan. Well, that didn't work either. The last time I went back she gave me a script for Xanax and Zoloft (not explaining what either were for). Well when I looked up the Zoloft, I saw it was an antidepressant and thought I am not depressed so I'm not taking it. I took one Xanax (which ended up being an extended release tablet) and was knocked out! Shortly after that I got myself better somehow. The second episode happened a couple years later and I was promptly put on buspar and Xanax by my PCP. The buspar seemed to work for me. I took it for about a year and did not have another bout with anxiety until this April. On a drive home from Florida, I had a huge panic attack. I was put on a low dose of buspar when I got home. I was okay for a couple weeks, then I really hit bottom. I've been up and down these last couple of months. I've tried a daily Xanax routine to try to get me out of the vicious cycle and it worked for a while. But I still get a big panic attack every six weeks or so. I rarely drive anymore and it takes a lot to go out and do things (this is SO not me). My pdoc prescribed me lexapro a couple months ago, but I have been terrified to try it. Any of my fellow panickers have SSRI stories for me? Any advise would be appreciated. I just can't take the up and down anymore.
Posted 8/23/2014 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
My psychiatrist wants me to try LEXAPRO too,i guess its better for anxiety /depression but same here i am scared of new pills ,all have some weird side effect.

with panic attacks i feel lazy and stuck in my room for days ~i am tired of this ups and downs myself>

this panic /anxiety is new to me ,let's see what my doc suggests next.

keep us posted !

try journal writing or gardening ~
Posted 8/23/2014 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Cilly,

Thank you so much for the suggestions:)

I started journaling almost two months ago and I love it! It helps me mark my progress. I found a great app on my iPhone that makes it super easy to remember to write each night.

I know we will all get through this, I'm just slowly running out of patience, which is why I'm contemplating trying the Lexapro. I especially miss my yoga class and having a glass of wine once in a while.
Posted 8/23/2014 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Yw~
oh yes YOGA is amazing i hear but not my cup of tea~pls tell me app where i can lock the journal too ~i am having hear time figuring stuff out.

wine hmmm
Posted 8/23/2014 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Many of us here are an A/D meds to treat anxiety. I'm not depressed either (but I am a highly anxious person),...so yep, I'm an A/D med too!

It still works and helps us to function. But for the maximum benefits, it's best to combine meds with therapy and self help! :)











M.
Posted 8/23/2014 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
The app is called Day One. You can add pictures from the day or music you are listening to. It also adds the weather.
Also, I never thought yoga was beneficial, but when I was pregnant I started taking a prenatal yoga class and I loved it. I went back about a year after the baby was born and was constantly taking two classes a week. One was a candlelight yin yoga class where you would hold relaxing stretches for 3-5 minutes each. That is still my favorite class. Best for anxiety. Unfortunately my anxiety has stopped me from attending:( But if you look up yin yoga on YouTube, they have a some really great classes you can do at your house. I recommend Leslie Fightmasters Yin Yoga.
Posted 8/23/2014 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MtGGaQ and welcome!

I am sorry that you are currently in the midst of a struggle. It is hard to know just how to proceed for the best treatment...so it is good that you are exploring your options, asking questions, ect.!

It is great that you have picked up some good coping skills such a yoga and journaling to help you.:) Are you also currently doing therapy with your P-doc? (or other therapist) CBT was extremely effective for me in treatment of my panic disorder!

I do hope that you can get your Rx decision made with a level of comfort and confidence that enables you to feel relaxed and open to recovery!

Here is the link to our Resources where you will find great information...and maybe some new anxiety management techniques.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Keep posting with us. Support is key, and we understand and care.:)

Scaredy Cat

Posted 8/23/2014 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I feel like, even after researching, I am not qualified to make a decision on something like taking an antidepressant. So I am going solely off what my pdoc thinks is right for me. Now he as only met me twice for about 15 minutes each, and I think he goes off the notes from my therapist. I've been seeing my therapist on and off for almost six years, so he knows me pretty well. I really though I could get it together with buspar and Xanax, but it's been 5 months now and I've missed most things this summer because I'm scared to panic:( The good days are good and I feel like I can build off of them, and I do. But having a full blown panic attack, like I did a couple days ago, makes me feel so sensitized all over again. I realize I could probably beat this with what I'm on now, but I realize my recovery would be sooooooooo much longer. I'm okay with that most days though. It's just these days after a panic attack stink.
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