Stress Center Peer Support

I am new to the program, and REALLY REALLY NEED some encouragement. Here's some back ground on my situation:

I am 28 years old, and a single mother of a 9 year old girl. I am a full time student working on my last year of a Psychology degree. (I know, seems a bit odd that my course of study is closely related to the treatment of anxiety.) I also work a demanding part-time job. When I was a small child, I experienced panic attacks. This went on for about a year (on and off) around 8 years old. Since then, for the last 20 years, I have never experienced on again; until recently.

The end of November, I woke up from sleep in a panic. My heart was racing/pounding, my body was shaking, I was short of breath and had feelings of derealizaton. I thought for sure I was dying of a heart attack. I ended up in the emergency room... and it's been hard ever since. After that day, it was like a swtch flipped in my brain, and I lost myself. I was anxious every minute of ever day for a month after, terrified of the way I was feeling. When I went to see my doctor, she put me on Paxil, and perscribed me Xanax. (When the Xanax failed to work, I was then perscribed Klonopin.)

The Paxil caused me to feel a bit less anxious, but I was so lethargic and had terrible insomnia, that I had to wheen off of it. I was then swithced to Prozac. I started at 20mg of Prozac, and now as of last week, I am up to 40mg. (I've been on Prozac along now for about a month.) About a week after starting the Prozac and being off Paxil, I started to feel soooo much better! I was able to work normally, complete homework, attend classes, and function as a whole person with my daughter. This feeling of 'getting better' lasted about 2 weeks. Then, the 3rd week I started to notice my anxiety levels rising. Two days ago, I was slammed with two panic attacks in one day! (The first I've had since the very first one back in November.) They were just as terrifying as the first... and now, two days later, I'm left with an extremely elevated level of anxiety. (Once again.) I am trying to now work through this program, but am having a really hard time. I'm looking for some advice and some words of encouragement, PLEASE!! Thanks.

Hi Miss Cynthia, and Welcome! I've understand pretty much what you have gone through and are going through! It is rough, I know. My history is around the website somewhere, and since it is long I'll try to tell it in a concise manner. I've only recently experienced my first full blown panic attack and it was scary! It has taken all summer, autumn and finally winter to get all straightened out for the best. I weaned myself off a AD's (anti-depressants) a year ago and then 2 mos later that is when I had my first panic attack.

I was told to use Xanax, and then another Physician Assistant put me on Beta Blockers and Remeron, which at the time I had already tried going back on Zoloft or Wellbutrin which I didn't want to because I weaned myself off of AD's and was very happy about it. Then I saw my original Psychiatrist and he helped me to wean off of the Beta Blockers knowing that they were making me sluggish at the most important time of the year, summer fun! Then I weaned off of the Remeron completely about a month or so ago, I stopped keeping track.

I have experienced withdrawals and always knew I had Xanax just in case, but I haven't had to use any for quite some time.
My last panic attack was back in July. Anyway, I came to StressCenter.com at the suggestion of my sister and later got her CDs.
I can only say that by working the program you will feel better and I had already felt better by using Dr David Burns Good Mood Therapy books CBT programs along with a Psychologist, a year ago and that is what helped me get off of Wellbutrin.

I have worked in the Mental Health field before I even experienced full on deep depression so I understand what you are studying. But before that depressive episode, I experienced S.A.D. and learned how to cope with that and then the stresses of married life and raising a family.

I won't go on because you can read my story elsewhere. I just want to welcome you and let you know that you will feel better. Paisleegreen