I started the program back in September. I got to Session 10 and the Holidays came. So, I never did finish the program. However, before "quitting" the program I was noticing that I was starting to have more and more anxiety and now it's escalated to full blown panic disorder. I've had anxiety for 3 years now and until November, I had only had two full out panic attacks. Now in the past 3 weeks, I've been having all out panic attacks, on average, 4-5 times a week. I've been trying to keep a steady workout routine, but we've had soooooo much snow that I can't get to the gym. I've tried working out at home, but there's too many distractions. So, I know that more exercise would help.
I also just went on Celexa today. Took only a 1/2 pill of 10mg and totally had the jitters for a good portion of the day. I'm reluctant to try it again tomorrow, but my Doc doesn't want me to give up on it yet. Neither do I, because I really, really want to get rid of this. I do the positive talk thing, I try to do the deep breathing thing (but it makes me more nauseous sometimes) and I'm completely freaking out that this will never go away.
I have a lot of anxiety when I'm driving, but I have to do it. I get extremely nauseous and feel as though I may get sick, however I never actually have. But I just always have that niggling thought floating in the back of my mind that it could happen. And I am TERRIFIED of throwing up. It's a phobia of mine.
Can anyone offer some worthy advice, besides "Don't give up"? I only say that because I'm not the type to give up on things and have even started reviewing some items in the program. Please HELP!! I'm a wreck!
HELP! Panic taking over & don't know what to do
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Guest
hi ban46!
I just wanted to tell you that I started Lexapro just over a month ago, and Celexa is very similar to it from what I've been told. When I started my Lexapro, it controlled the itense, never ending panic phases I would have, but I started to have more frequent mild panic attacks that were managable upon starting the meds. I too had a case of the jitters on and off for the first 2 weeks, and when I would adjust the dosage. It's your body getting used to the medication. I found it so strange because when i took Prozac it never did that to me. But all the sudden now, my body reacts differently to antidepressants.
My advice is, keep taking the medicine and I surely think you'll see postive effects from it each day and as time goes by. I would think in a month you should be alot better. I do know that the Lexapro does make me a tad nauseated, so if you feel that more often, it could be the medicine side effect. Im also recognizing that Im getting nauseated as I stuff my feelings down too, so that's something I need to work on. But now that I've got the most intense anxiety of mine undercontrol, Im able to focus and use the techniques successfully from the program. Before I was so wacked out, I couldn't.
Thanks to the program I now know I've been an anxious person all my life, but it didn't become a problem till the past 8 years. Prozac worked wonders for me, until I didn't need to take it for 6 months. Then I hit rock bottom after a very intense 2 years, and that's when these panic attacks started. I started to get agoraphobic, and I was basically in panic/anxiety mode all day until I fell asleep from exhaustion. I had never experience anxiety and depression together in this way before. But I got some help and am so glad I did. It hasn't been easy and still isn't, but I feel so much better.
I just wanted to tell you that I started Lexapro just over a month ago, and Celexa is very similar to it from what I've been told. When I started my Lexapro, it controlled the itense, never ending panic phases I would have, but I started to have more frequent mild panic attacks that were managable upon starting the meds. I too had a case of the jitters on and off for the first 2 weeks, and when I would adjust the dosage. It's your body getting used to the medication. I found it so strange because when i took Prozac it never did that to me. But all the sudden now, my body reacts differently to antidepressants.
My advice is, keep taking the medicine and I surely think you'll see postive effects from it each day and as time goes by. I would think in a month you should be alot better. I do know that the Lexapro does make me a tad nauseated, so if you feel that more often, it could be the medicine side effect. Im also recognizing that Im getting nauseated as I stuff my feelings down too, so that's something I need to work on. But now that I've got the most intense anxiety of mine undercontrol, Im able to focus and use the techniques successfully from the program. Before I was so wacked out, I couldn't.
Thanks to the program I now know I've been an anxious person all my life, but it didn't become a problem till the past 8 years. Prozac worked wonders for me, until I didn't need to take it for 6 months. Then I hit rock bottom after a very intense 2 years, and that's when these panic attacks started. I started to get agoraphobic, and I was basically in panic/anxiety mode all day until I fell asleep from exhaustion. I had never experience anxiety and depression together in this way before. But I got some help and am so glad I did. It hasn't been easy and still isn't, but I feel so much better.
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Guest
Thanks Kimmygirl for your advice. It's reiterated so vehemently on this site, but knowing that there are others out there going through exactly what you're going through IS a relief. I feel so isolated sometimes and forget that there are so many people in this world that go through anxiety/panic everyday. So, thank you again for your story and advice. I will stay on my Celexa and hope to God that it works. The thought of giving it a go for a month, not working and having to go through all of this again with something else is excruciating!
As to an answer for Karilynn... The only thing I can see that happened in November is the thought of the Holidays and all the get-togethers we had to go to. And we also got snow earlier this year than we have in years past and it hasn't seemed to stop! I manage the apartment complex I live at and I'm responsible for removing snow off of 56 apartment sidewalks and 5 city sidewalks. So, needless to say I've been overwhelmed with snow removal this year as we've had go out, on average, 3-4 times a week!
Plus I have a 40 minute commute to work and my biggest stressor for the past 6 months or so, is driving. Add in snowy roads every two days and you've got the perfect makings of panic (sorry negative thinking; bad habit to break)!
Going back to the Holidays though, they were stressful. This was the first Christmas for my boyfriend and I and it was my opportunity to meet all of his extended family, so I felt obligated to go to every event. Next year, that's not happening! I think we had 8 family gatherings when it was all said and done. Ugh!
OK, so there's my saga, in a rambling nutshell! I think I'm just getting worn out and overstressing myself by taking on too much. But I have no one to delegate my responsiblities to and feel that I would be letting people down if I did. Today was a prime example of that happening (panic attack on way to work; long story).
Anyway, I'm going to go now as I've rambled on now much too long. Thanks for listening!
As to an answer for Karilynn... The only thing I can see that happened in November is the thought of the Holidays and all the get-togethers we had to go to. And we also got snow earlier this year than we have in years past and it hasn't seemed to stop! I manage the apartment complex I live at and I'm responsible for removing snow off of 56 apartment sidewalks and 5 city sidewalks. So, needless to say I've been overwhelmed with snow removal this year as we've had go out, on average, 3-4 times a week!
Plus I have a 40 minute commute to work and my biggest stressor for the past 6 months or so, is driving. Add in snowy roads every two days and you've got the perfect makings of panic (sorry negative thinking; bad habit to break)!
Going back to the Holidays though, they were stressful. This was the first Christmas for my boyfriend and I and it was my opportunity to meet all of his extended family, so I felt obligated to go to every event. Next year, that's not happening! I think we had 8 family gatherings when it was all said and done. Ugh!
OK, so there's my saga, in a rambling nutshell! I think I'm just getting worn out and overstressing myself by taking on too much. But I have no one to delegate my responsiblities to and feel that I would be letting people down if I did. Today was a prime example of that happening (panic attack on way to work; long story).
Anyway, I'm going to go now as I've rambled on now much too long. Thanks for listening!
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Guest
you know i have panic about everything it seems. and driving is one of mine too except its driving with people. i feel like if i panic i cant just kick them out of the car can i? so i know how you feel. i havent ordered the program yet but am going to after hearing from so many supportive people. i go to the forum for spirituality and anxiety and it seems that the people in there have not only great advice but so much support. i struggle with this everyday but hearing from other people and their words of wisdom really seems to help me. i wish the best for and hope that things get better. "dont give up" lol i know you dont want to hear this but if i can say this to myself at such a low point right now, i hope you can say these same words to yourself