PTSD after fires

[Annerenee]

 I lost my home in the wildfires that blazed in San Digeo in October 2007.  It was the home that I had grown up in and lived in for 22 years.  It was such a heartache to lose everything I had and the home that I loved so dearly.  Now three years after I am starting to have panic attacks and anxiety throughout the day.  I didn't realized at first what was the cause of these sudden symptoms and actually thought that I was starting to have asthma.  I went to urgent care because my heart wouldn't stop pounding and I felt as if I couldn't breathe.  My doctor said that I was experiencing panic attacks and we noticed that they started in October last year.  I get so sad when I think about the fires and scared and stressed at the little things because I feel like I cant go back home to where I was safe and to where no matter what everything was ok.  I sometimes have nightmares about fires and  wake up not being able to breathe.  I went for the first time last week to see a counselor and she said that I have post traumatic stress and generalized anxiety. I am on Celexa and I am starting to feel a lot better.  I have also been reading a lot about anxiety, stress, and PTSD and have taken the initiative to fight to get better.  Is there anyone else who has lost there home to a fire that is going through the same thing as me?  I am still very sad and was hoping someone out there will be able to relate and maybe would like to talk.  Best wishes.

[Turbotommy]

I can relate in some ways. I bought my first house this past November. In March it flooded. There wasn't alot of damage but now I am freaked out over floods...everytime it rains I can feel my anxiety building. I dont know what to do sometimes. I'm on paxil and go to therapy and that helps some but it is never fully out of my mind. How have you been coping?