its been a good life, but here we go again...

[2sungo]

Hi folks,
I had my first panic attack right after my 31st bday (i'm in my 50s now), it was hard and although I had few actual full blown attacks, the in between anxiety and depression were tough.  My father had them, so I know its a genetic thing for me.  It took a long time to find a good doc who treated it with klonopin and nortryptilene.  That worked, but eventually I switched to serzone, which was great in that there were no side effects but later on there was some stuff about it being not good for livers, anyways it gave out on me one day and boom, panic again.  So back to another pdoc, made a transition to zoloft (with some klonopin for help), (God that was hard) but it worked, and I weaned off  the K and all was fine but Zoloft bothered my stomach and made my hands slightly shaky. Eventually I went onto 10 mg lexapro, great med except for sexual side effects which got better after a month, and also when I eventually dropped it down to 5 mg.  I had been off it at least once before I think and got back on easily IIRC.  Been on it for many years, havent had a major problem in something like 10 years, so I went down then tapered off of it without problems last summer.  All was good, but I did  have several significant stressors in my life the last 6 months, then bam, anxiety waves hit me (not a full blown panic) and here I am back on 10 mg lexapro and .5 klonopin at night, sometimes another .25 in the day, and not enjoying it as I wait for the lex to work and not give me side effects like more anxiety, raised blood pressure, uncomfortable body sensations, and some depression and considerable fatigue (latter maybe from klonopin or the disorder itself, who knows).  I have to take time off from work, which I am not happy about, and I keep myself going by reminding myself daily that this will get better as it has in the past few times I had to go through it.  I guess I joined this group for support and reassurance, people here seem so knowledgeable and it reminds me that we are not alone, and that good results can and do happen given time and the right medicines/therapies.  When I have been good on the meds, which is the vast majority of the time, I have traveled and done so many things and enjoyed my life. I just want to get back there asap. 

[camel]

Hello there, welcome to the site

Glad you found us. I know you will find plenty of information and support here.
Lots of people going through similar things here.

There is plenty to do around the forum as well as a great chat room (once you have 3 posts, and is for 18's and over only)

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

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