Stress Center Peer Support

I haven't been on here in years. I have had my Panic and Anxiety under control for a very long time. However, 2010 has been a very stressful year in my life. I have horrible nightmares and the one that sticks in my head and I had it over a month ago was dreaming of my deceased uncle that died over 20yrs ago. The funny thing is that I have dreamed of him before and I never felt scared. Now, I have a fear of dying and every time I pick up a book or watch TV something about death comes up and total panic comes over me. I kind of laugh at myself cause this would happen to me when I thought I had MS, Lupus and every other disease. I would watch TV or whatever I was reading would have to do something with my fear. It's been awhile for me.
I would just love to have some feedback. Thanking you all in advance.

Hey Lynn..... I'm with you on this topic. I'm the same way. I'm freaking out about death. I opened a book to begin reading and the first page had someone dying of cancer. I closed the book and decided that this is one of my "triggers". However,,, I was up all night tossing and turning. I'm always worried about my aches and pains and about people close to me dying. I wish I had an answer for you but I dont.... I can commiserate though. JON

Hello Worryguy,
I always try to face my fears and I was like how do I confront this one. As high as my anxiety was I just picked up the book that I was reading it was by Eckart Tolle and read the end chapter on death. Honestly,it wasnt as bad as I was anticipating it to be. I understand what you are going through...you did help just knowing that you too have the same fears and that I am not alone made me feel a whole lot better. GOD BLESS YOU! I am hear to tell you that it does get better. For the most part I have it under control and its not with me everyday. I actually go for months without having any symptoms. Its just been a rough year so I can understand why mines is revisiting. But I am going to make sure that my visitor anxiety and panic is only visiting and not staying. Take care of yourself.

Hi I am the same way. As soon as I hear a story about anyone dying or getting cancer, heart attacks, suicide, it just freaks me out. I am on medication and I still get sick to my stomach but I am able to sleep a little better at night. I have been like this as far back as I can remember but was always able to deal with it a little better since I didn't have children now I have a more difficult time. Everything is alway what if that happens to me. I really hope this program works. Thank you for sharing it makes me feel better that i am not alone. I have felt this way about other things in my life and have gotten better with some things like, for awhile i was afraid that i was going to have an affair, and i would make myself sick and think i do not want to do this. (there was not anyone i was even talking to and am happily married) it drove me nuts taking the meds and talking about this helped me it took about 6-12 months so i am praying that this to will be resolved.

Well..... good to know we arent alone. I really have to work on this. I have a feeling that my Dr. visit this weekend will lead to me some medications. I did take Zoloft a while back,,,, I felt dull and lifeless..... any advice on better meds than others?

I am on a low dose of zoloft right now because i am nursing; however, I took prozac 4 years ago and that really seemed to work well for me with my obsessive thoughts and panic along with counseling.

any side effects with the Prozac?

I did not have any severe side effects, for the first month while my body was adjusting I had the inability to orgasm but that went away after the first month. That was the only side effect that I had. That realy helped with the ocd thoughts. I really started to feel like myself again. I was not on a very high dose. If you give it a try good luck. I think that the combination of this program, therapy, exercise and meds are what it takes for me to overcome this. I thank God for this program, my health, and the meds.

I've had those same feelings as well. So I eliminated watching tv shows with death in it. I'm doing better after visiting my Aunts who are in their upper 80's and 90's. They are getting frail and losing some of their eyesight or other problems. But all seem well adjusted and enduring. They all have family living with them or nearby. My parents have already passed on after living long lives.

So I get fearful of all the What Ifs thoughts I get. I never had this feeling until the panic attacks appeared after weaning off of Wellbutrin.

I'm on Remeron now, only because going on the other anti-depressants are too energizing and I won't take Xanax at a therapeutic level. But if needs be, I will if I'm having a Panic Attack, but haven't had one since I've been on Remeron and understand what the uneasy feelings in my gut are. I do aerobic exercise to help ease the anxiety.

Prozac worked for me for a year but I gained weight and didn't like that.