[quote]When was your first attack? The one that REALLY got me to wonder was after my blood clot. (did I mention I also was a hypochondriac at the tune of over $20K in tests?) I remember it well. It was the start of me thinking they (doctors) missed something, then I got scared to leave the house because I needed to be near the home "in case" anything happened. My world became smaller that I could not even go out to get the mail.
When was your last attack? When I was told at the ER that stopping my Klonopin dose of .25mg woulf not do anything. I stopped and 5 days later I had the worst anxiety attack (withdraw symptom) I ever had experienced. Felt like I wanted to run, peel my skin, just shook, sweated and ask my husband to hold me. WORST! NEVER EVER just stop taking meds. TALK to your MD!besiddes that episode I can't remember that last attack that shook my world! I do feel a little anxious when my thyroid meds are too high, so I adjust the dose. I do get nervous with tests for school, but it is nothing I cannot handle. I know it is normal to get jittery as I always have been jittery with tests. The nervousness does not get the best of me anymore. I know what it is and it does not put fear in me anymore.
Did you for awhile without and did it ever return? I had it (anxiety & depression) before to a certain degree but I stilled functioned. I worked, socialized, went to places, did things because it never was so severe. It was really bad several years back (late 2002) that I became agoraphobic. Earlier that year I had a blood clot, we just had moved to this city, new job, friends, LOTS of changes. With meds and talk therapy I thought I was "over it" (2003). Well my father died (2004), other family things with his death came (bills, his family attacking us, legal estate issues), I had a crappy job that was stressful. I felt stuck, trapped (which I wasn't!) and other stressful things..."IT" came back.
What did you do? Other times, I was prescribed meds (Paxil & Prozac) and did not find them helpful so I stopped taking them. First time when I was agoraphobic (late 2002) I did meds (Zoloft & Klonopin Feb 2003), read some books and did "talk" therapy with a PhD. Thought the "talking" about my problems fixed me. (the PhD did not teach any skills, but just had me talk and he justified my feelings, anger.) 2nd time (late 2005), I got back on Zoloft & Klonopin, got this program, re-read many self help books on self esteem, confidence, bought some MORE books, went to a therapist (late 2005-July 2006) that practiced EMDR and taught CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) skills.
Are you fully functioning again normally? YES! I have been back in college studying for my second career (I am 38), I drive everywhere, do most anything (bungee jumping will never be on my list of things to do though
!) I go to crowded places, make class presentations. I also exercise and do not worry about over doing it like I used to. If I get an ache, pain, thumping, I am not obsessing and worrying about it anymore.
Did you take Meds and are off them now? Yes. Have been off Klonopin since June 2006 and Zoloft Feb 2007..
What Meds did you take? Tried Paxil and Prozac and felt those did nothing. For me Zoloft (100mg) and Klonopin (.5mg at night) worked.
How long did you take the Meds? 2nd time started both meds Sept/Oct 2005. Stopped Klonopin June 2006 and then stopped Zoloft Feb 2007. Been med free since then.
How did you get off them? VERY VERY slowly weaning. Took a several months.
Are you back at work? In college studying for my 2nd career. I do want a summer job at our church though!
Are you stronger now than before? Most certainly!
Do you remember your first attack? My symptoms seemed to be heart related, thumping out of chest, I got nauseous and felt physically ill. The more I thought about it, the worse it would get, stronger and more frequent scary symptoms and then different symptoms would join in so all I was doing was thinking, worrying, wondering, fearing. It consumed much of my time and energy. Too much as a matter of fact!
