Hi there!

[Abii]

I'm new to this forum. I've suffered with anxiety and panic attacks since I was 14. It's always been an endless struggle, my problem has always been lack of understanding to do with anxiety and panic. No doctor would take me seriously when I was young, and by the time they had offered help, I was able to just about get through it myself! My question for this forum amongst other things is; are the meds worth a shot? Panic is a constant struggle, but I'm terrified meds will just bring on other, different struggles. I've been In the darkest places anxiety can bring, tried to bargain with doctors to put me in a coma.. I often think to the outside world, us panic and anxiety sufferers must look bonkers! But is it worth sticking out without meds? Does it get better?

[dboldman]

im no doctor but I do know that effexor helps me with my ability to focus, smoothed out my ups/downs, hgelps me deal better with panic so that it doesnt get out of hand. I am not crazy about being on any med but for the last 10 years I have been better off for it. Just ask your octor a lot of questions about withdrawls and side effects. you may end up tring a couple different ones before finding one that works for you. When I started effexor the dose I was one casued my sex drive to shy rocket and I drove my wife nuts (after a while). Adjusting the dosage down solved that problem.

[alankay]

Agreed. Meds are worth a try when you are having that much anxiety as is a talk with a therapist. Alankay

[SunnieDebris]

Totally! And give them a chance to work. Don't stop taking them after 2 weeks because you don't see results. It comes slowly over time. You may also want to consider seeing a talk therapist about your struggles, if you can. Journaling your thoughts and feelings might also help reduce some anxiety. Sometimes if we acknowledge our fears to ourselves, the anxiety comes down.

Sunnie