Introduce Yourself

[trapre]

Name: Tracy
Age 39
Suffering from Anxiety 20 years
Staring at a bottle of Topamax and afraid to take my first pill.

[tbook]

Good evening, Tracy! 20 years is a long time to carry the heavy load of anxiety all by yourself.  I also have Anxiety and Panic Attacks. Your road to freedom may start with that one pill.  What is the worst that can happen?  I have taken Topamax and nothing horrible happened.  My hair didn't fall out, I didn't feel sick to my stomach.  If this prescription was suggested by a doctor you trust you might want to take a deep breath and take that first 1 pill.  If you have an adverse reaction you never have to take that again.  I send you positive energy as you make your decision.  Either way - you have my support.  Let me know how it goes for you.

tbook

[trapre]

Oh you are so wonderful for posting. I was feeling so very alone. I read all the side effects and it scared me. I decided to take a big leap of faith and took the pill. It made me concerned when I searched this website for Topamax and did not get any hits. I think o know better than to ask if it worked for you. You would have offered up that info. So we will leave it at that.

[sixpack]

Hi Tracy!  Nice to meet another Tracy (even if you do spell it wrong) 

I know, lots of people are afraid to take meds.  We hear or read all kinds of scary stuff about these things and it freaks us out.  But really much of the scary stuff is exceedingly rare.  AND the horror stories we read, well, people only complain if it is bad.  It is rare to find a website that expounds on the glories of a med.  Folks who are doing well dont talk about it, they just live their lives. 

[richard]

Hello,
My name is richard,I'm happy to be a part of the group,I have suffered with anxiety for 10 years.Best of luck to everyone!

[Nss1212]

  Hello everyone my name is Kia I am 36 years old and suffering from anxiety and I need some support form others who can relate to what I am going through.  Its tearing my relationship apart and it has already cause me to loose a job but the job wasn't good for me anyway!  Im just so tired of hearing my boyfriend tell me I need to get my mind right all of the time we fight and he also has anxiety issues.  He tried to get me to use the Lucinda Bassett program but I didnt like it and he is mad because he said I dont want to get better BUT I DO!  I dont like be forced and bossed around thats where we start to fight.  In the past I've been in abusive relationships and I have had a heavy use of marijuana and alcohol.  It use to help me but since I moved in with my boyfriend I have not smoked or endulged in risky behavior except for one night.  But we had a fight and I went to a bar and got so intoxicated the cops brought me home and I dont remember anything.  The cops found me about 45 minutes from home and wandering on the highway I am at my lowest of lows  .  The kicker is I think I am pregnant and my anxiety is driving me crazy I am moody.  Sometimes I trust him sometimes I dont and I do love him but after everything Ive been threw I feel like I refuse to let someone cheat on me again.  I dont know what to do and I know I need help.  The best thing is I am back in school but that doest help keep my mind occupied I am constantly thinking he is cheating.  I just dont trust people in general my guards are always up.

[tigerpaw]

I know you will find lots of support here. 

Also you can post your favorite picture in the Members Gallery.

Check out an introductory post on, "When you think no one understands ....read this."........Link: http://www.anxietyzone.com/index.php/topic,9100.0.html

Lots to do here~

 

[legaspi89]

Hi my name is Robert. I'm 22 years old and I been diagnosed with OCD & Asperger Syndrom.
I been struggling with OCD for about 8 years and now I decided to register in a number of dicussion sites that can relate what I go through on a daily basis. I'm thankful to be apart of this site.

[Kathy444]

Hi my name is Kathy. I began suffering with anxiety postpartum 5 1/2 years ago. I have had issues with severe anxiety including depersonalization and some derealization. I was put on Effexor and Klnonpin and they worked great but then became addicted to klonopin and had to go to rehab to get off of it. I am currently on Buspar for anxiety (not sure if its helping yet) and continue to be on Effexor with good effect. My anxiety is DEFINITELY the major issue. It seems to be exacerbated now, due to life stressor i.e pending divorce and custody battle of daughter! Im concerned that now that I am no longer on Klonopin that I will just have to "deal" with anxiety issues. These include (most recently) times of acute anxiety, comes out of nowhere, in which I feel a hot flash and then feel as though I am "coming to" from a dreamlike stated. This begins a huge feeling of anxiety and the awful cycle of anxiety and symptoms begin. I hope that I can get some support and help others as well. TY!

[ClaireLake]

My name is Claire and I am 31.  I have been suffering from anxiety and OCD since I was about 8 or 9 years old.  I have been through many different stages of anxiety and I have been on all different types of medicine.  I am currently not on any medication and I have noticed that my OCD has gotten a lot worse.  I used to abuse alcohol to deal with my anxiety and OCD, but I have been sober since April 2008.  It is nice to join a group like this and read through other people's stories because I often feel alone and like my family and friends don't understand what I go through on a daily basis.  I look forward to learning more about everyone and hopefully learning some new techniques to managing my disorder.

[kitkatsue]

Hi my name is Kathy,

I am 41 and have been dealing with anxiety, well I guess for some time. My first memory of a panic attack was when I was in grade school. I hyperventilated and the school nurse had me breath in a bag. I guess I was 11 and after that going to school was impossible. After some time my parents allowed me to be home schooled. In my teens I don't recall having to much difficulty, and I worked for 14 years for a department store. But starting in 2000 the anxiety attacks came back, I thought I was having a heart attack and went to the emergency room.

I only found out last year that my panic has a name called Agoraphobia. I have seen doctors, and taken many different medications. I can't tolerate antidepressants they make the anxiety worse, also the other side effects are very uncomfortable. Benzodiazepines help but I only take them before I am going to be in a situation that might prove difficult. I have an appointment for more benzos. But I was hoping that by joining this group I could see what other people are taking or doing that seems to help.

Thanks K.   

[andi915@comcast.net]

I have not been diagnosed, but have suffered from HA forever. Just had medical tests that are abnormal and the doctor said further testing is needed, but I should not loose sleep because it is probably nothing. Now I have aches, pains and stiffness everywhere. I have back problems and now feel tense all over and have general pain. I am 56 and am under great stress. I have no one close by as support. My husband is throwing my daughters and I out of our home because I separated from him 4 years ago and made him leave the family home. I am 100 pounds overweight.  Is there any support out there? Does anyone else have stiffness, aches and pains like I do? My daughter suffers from anxiety disorder, but had flu like symptoms. Am I alone in this?

[pauly j]

Hi andi


I am sorry to hear that you are going through this right now!  If I may ask if you can post this under the hypochondriac part of the forum!  I think you will get a whole lot more replies there!  I am not sure how you posted on the introduction part of the forum!  Once you post there you will have a lot more support from the site members! 


pauly j

[ontarioguy45]

Hello all!!
45 year old married guy with kids, and a fulltime job.  I have had anxiety issues my whole life.  Just last 5 years trying to sort it all out and keep it under control.  Hope this helps here, talking with others in the same boat.  cheers

[cepheid]

Hello, everyone.  I've suffered from anxiety and depression since college.  I'm now 56.  Over the years I have seen therapists, psychiatrists and psychologists.  I feel I've been on a gamut of drugs including lexapro, wellbutrin, seroquel, buspar and tricyclics.  I'm currently on klonopin.

I keep changing jobs due to anxiety.  I've also been dealing with my mother's diagnosis of dementia, a move, financial stress and memory issues.

Lately, I've been obsessing about days gone by and unresolved issues.  I seem overwhelmed with how the past has formed the present.

I seldom leave my home or talk to anyone about my issues, so I'm glad to have found this group today.

[BitsofEverything]

Hello....just here to introduce myself and figure out where to go. I am 35 have suffered with panic,anxiety,ptsd,ocd for many years. I am on Xanax,Paxil,and metroprolol for the last year and a half and over the years been on different meds. I need to be able to live my life....I have been instructed how but just can't get to that point. Really hoping I can get some good guidance and encouragement here. Thanks all!!

[reezeegee]

my name is linda......i am 61.....i have panic/anxiety disorder from a child.

[lyndal]

 
Hi My name is Lyndal and I am 40 and have had a anxiety disorder for 30 years.

[capodo]

Hi Everyone,

I live just north of Chicago, IL and was diagnosed with Depression/Panic/Anxiety in 1994 after suffering a minor stroke due to severe migraines (I was 27). I've been on several antidepressants: Paxil, Prozac, Cymbalta and now Celexa. Overall, I have done fairly well - I've had panic and anxious moments now and again but counseling and medicine seemed to help.

In 2009 my brother Paul passed away unexpectedly.  I'm devastated at his loss.  Not only was he my sibling, but also my best friend.  This year at the anniversary of his passing (January 29), I started slipping into a funk that I cannot seem to climb out of.  Since then I have had SEVERAL panic attacks and great bouts of anxious thoughts - to the point I wonder if I now have GAD. My current psychiatrist doesn't believe the Celexa is to blame.  I'm convinced it's not working anymore - AND is a major player in why I can't lose weight despite my best efforts.

I've decided to see a new psychiatrist because I am very tired of battling this anxiety and panic on a near daily basis.  I'm taking antidepressants for heaven's sake!  To me, this shouldn't be happening.

To all those in here, by heart goes out to you.  NO ONE should have to deal with depression, or panic or anxiety.  It's simply horrific. May one day a literal cure be found!

[Emm]

Hi

I'm Emm, im 25 years old and a new mum.
I've lived with anxiety ever since i can remember.
At the age of 5 when all the kids were happily playing at school, i was
breathing in and out of a paper bag that mum said would calm me down
when i was scared.   

My most recent attack started with a twitch in the left eye, then tingling in the left foot, which went
on to tingling in fingers, face, right hand, etc etc. Like many of you i googled this and yep
was convinced i had MS. All the thoughts that Pan describes in her new comers post were
going through my mind, i actually convinced my husband and in laws that i had MS
and they were in tears. They rushed me to the emergency room and to all our surprise i was
sent back home and told to get rest as i was going through stress after having a baby.

I wasn't convinced so i went to my GP, who yet again stated i was stressed out and disregarded
all my symptoms. I couldn't believe how disinterested these Dr were with my life threatening
symptoms so i went and saw another GP. By this stage my left foot was actually buzzing and getting
tired and weak. I had convinced myself that i was losing my eye sight and that MS was taking me down
quicker then expected and the DR's didn't want to admit it. Finally the last GP i saw sat me down and
explained to me exactly what was happening in my head. He said i had Anxiety (Hypochondriac) and
prescribed 2mg Valium to calm me down. I mean deep down i knew this but for some reason wouldn't
let myself believe it.

I'm so happy to have come across this forum and be able to share my problems and read
other peoples experiences with anxiety.

[midnight11]

I'm a 29 year old female from the mountains of NC. I've had chronic unsteadiness for 4 months now and no doctor seems to be concerned and believe me, I've seen quite a few. I frankly find it hard to believe this is anxiety- I've never experienced stress to cause these changes in my body before. However, I do realize that I have anxiety-having experienced panic attacks from this.

Ever since I started nursing school, I've been under extreme stress. I even went to the ER one time thinking I was having s/t serious. Turned out to be HA and $150 later, I was fine. Since then, I've thought I've had everything from colon cancer to a heart condition. I've had the 30 day cardiac monitor, ears checked, balance study, and almost every antidepressant out there! It doesn't help that I study diseases in school, and relate every symptom to myself somehow.

I feel crazy! I have my psych rotation soon, and I'm afraid of what I'll have this summer. Bi-polar disorder is on its way, I'm sure. Is anyone else experiencing chronic unsteadiness?

[debbieb]

Hi my name is debbie,  ive been agrophobic since I was young, Though It went a away for a good number of years but now unfortunately It has returned.  There have been so many occasions where I have avoided going out to places and meeting people Ive lost count. Though recently I have tried doing more things, like going to the local library and using the internets, I even went to the cinema on my own last night......which is something I would never do! I think my biggest fear is not having a job, I want to have a job as personal assistant, like the sort of job I had 8 years ago. I really need to feel fullfilled and doing something worthwhile, but the fear of being out to long on my own I find frightening, because I have no family close by, other than my mother , but we hardly speak. I moved back to my mums a couple of years ago after a relationship break up and since then I feel trapped. My whole life has changed and I am so embarressed I dont want to go out,I have overwealming anxiety and its scary. I feel if i meet up with a friend then I may be asked to go into a pub and I the thought of that and how I would react I would panic. Its happened to me before when I have been in a public place and my mum just walked off and left me on many occasions. Because of this I avoid socialising, pubs, dates, Ive avoided at all costs. Though really its something I want to over come I have put a massive defense barrier around me and  I hide myself. sometimes I'll be so quiet I wouldn't say boo to a goose, nobody would ever no Other times I just want to chat and I have no one to chat too, other times I am just to frightened. Just dont want to live in fear any more.

[january1987]

My name is Debra, I am 41 years old. I have been struggling through the last 24 years with horrible anxiety. I can not tell you how happy I am to find a place where people understand. in 1987 they just said I was "too sensitive". No one would help me. I suffered in silence until I was 24 and the attcks became so severe that I had no choice but to seek help. NOT EASY WHEN YOU LIVE IN A RURAL AREA! Now 17 years later I have had many highs and lows. I am now at a low! Hoping to find support here. Thank you all for sharing your stories :)

[artar62]

Hello everyone.  My name is Alec and first had panic attacks in 1986 when I lived terrified for over a year.  Recently I started my first job in three years, a physically demanding janitorial job.  Not having done work like this in 18 years really scared me.  My first week on the job I thought I had a heart condition.  All the symptoms though were anxiety (different symptoms from what I originally had).
Some days with my job I can get scared, especially today with the heat, working outdoors and worried I was going to get light headed, maybe have heat exhaustion.  Anxiety didn't help with that.  Even though it is several hours later it seems like the job is all I can think about and that is causing anxiety and makes it hard to sleep.
I currently am taking Ambien and have 5 days left on the prescription and will need to get more so I can sleep at night.  Thinking about pursuing counseling again for anxiety to get my fears out.   My biggest fear right now is my over stressing myself, unconsciously working too hard and passing out or worse.   Trying to deal with Spanish speaking coworker who I feel pushed by to my job who doesn't understand.  Very stucked situation.  You can read the panic and fear in me right now.   Doctor said I would get stronger every day on the job and have but now with the summer heat arriving.     You can read the panic and anxiety in my typing.    No one to turn to or outlet too just like back in the day when I first had anxiety. 

[Shakyjake]

I am a 41 yr old M, from as long as I can remember I have had panic attacks, it affected my personal life, my work, my everyday life. I waited 25 years too long to get help. I played sports, went through physicals, so forth, always was asked "is your blood pressure always this high?" that forever gave me the "white coat syndrome" when going to the Dr.. I lived in a small town and was in the middle of the crowd, always throwing parties so forth, but on my terms as I knew I was a room away if I needed it. I passed up many many trips to the lakes, so forth as the further I got away from my house the worse I felt. I will skip 20 years of my life to tell you that at the age of 40, (had not been to the Dr. in years) that I was driving with wife and 3 year old in car when I looked at my wife and said "IHow much is it to go the emergency room?". I drove to the hospital and they rushed me right in, my blood pressure was 239/137....... They hooked me up to all these wires, my 3 yr old walked in and asked me if I was ok....... They said you have anxiety and to make an appoint. with a Dr. 1 week to the day I was home alone with 3 yr old and it happened again. I showered as I knew I was going to be transported to the hospital. I tried in vain not to call 911, but i felt a rush overcome me and had no choice, the call was made.... while my 3 yr old watched Spongebob my house was filled with firemen and EMTs..... They hooked me up , drew blood yadda yadda.... they said, "you are having a panic attack" . Needless to say my Dr. appoint. was switched to the following day. From that day on, my life has changed in so many ways and I wish to share it with those that believe they have to live like this..... I am here to tell you , that you dont. Vince