Hello, hope this is a good place!

[Scaredy Cat]

Hello, I'm not sure what exactly to say here, where to begin?  I've had anxiety issues almost from Day 1 - I'm 42 now and in a bad place.  Really, really struggling with hypochondria and panic attacks right now.  I also have social anxiety & a bit of agoraphobia.  I take a ton of medication that I'd rather not be on, and more and more I'm afraid to take new medicines.

Today... I'm away from home (visiting my dad) and have a very weird ear infection thing going on.  I've been prescribed antibiotics and I'm afraid to take them because they tear up my stomach every time, but I've already had to delay flying home twice because of the infection.  I feel like I"m trapped and I know it is ME trapping me, but I feel completely powerless right now, and rather desperate for help.     I just desperately want to go home, and I'm frustrated and sad and just don't know where to go from here.

Wow, I sound fun, don't I?!  LOL  Actually I love to laugh, even in bad times.  Non-anxiety-related stuff... I'm a jewelry designer (part-time due to anxiety issues of course...) and work from home (due to social anxiety/agoraphobia).  I live most of the time in South Carolina, though I spend a lot of time in Arizona when I can.  Not married - bloody hard to meet folks when I seem to be hiding half the time.  I'm Catholic.  I'm Cornish & a wee bit French.  I like broccoli.  And purple. I'm completely mental I think, but kind as well.  And I'm determined to not let this bloody disease conquer me.

Look forward to getting to know you & I pray we can help one another somehow!

Pax,
Cat

[camel]

Hi there, welcome to the forum

glad you found us. I know you will find plenty of info and support here.
We have a lot to do around here, as well as a great chat room

I think you need to weigh up the "wanting to go home" and the "antibiotic side effects" and make a decision. Also maybe post your dilemma in the "Panic disorder" section and you will get some more replies on the subject. I am not too sure what else I can suggest. I hardly ever take antibiotics so I don't have any experience there to offer advice.

Glad to hear you are a broccoli lover lol.. I am too 

I look forward to seeing you around the site :-)

[Scaredy Cat]

Thank you, Camel!    Actually your simple suggestion to weigh wanting to go home with fear of the antibiotic DID help me to put things in perspective and I took the first pill last night.   

Looking forward to exploring the community here!  Thanks again 

PS - LOVE your "Scrat" avatar!   

[camel]

That is great news!! Well done and I am glad I could help 

Thanks, not many people seem to know Scrat's name!! 

[Happy sailing]

Hey there!
I am pretty new on on here too.  Maybe a couple months...
I find, for me, you have o kind of navigate the site in the sense that I have to watch what I read.   When I start reading some posts/threads they can start to scare the crap out of you.  I have to stop and find some more encouraging posts.  I find this site helps me a lot because I don't feel so alone and I can feel "normal".  I have also found some of what people write helps me a lot in how to help manage this.  So, my best advice, is if something starts to freak you out, stop reading that post immediately and try to find an encouraging one instead.   
I am your age and not married as well.  I find it difficult as well.  My anxiety issues really started last year after prolonged stress, lack of emotional support etc and a tragedy.
However, I do feel I am getting better with the tools like telling myself the fears are just the anxiety, the anti-anxiety meds, talk therapy, time, and TOOONNNSSSSSSS of prayer!!
Hugs and hope you have a good time here!