Newbie

[daybydayjodie]

Hi. I am new to the forum and have been suffering from anxiety for the past 4 years. My first encounter was during a business meeting and I suddenly started feeling like I was going to faint. I had all the symptons...sweating, watery mouth, dizziness, etc then my chest started hurting. Somehow...I made it through the meeting. Very scary though. After that I kept having the same symptoms. Went to the dr, couldn't find a thing wrong with me. All lab work, cat scan, etc came back normal. Finally one day at work I had one and my office sent me to the ER. This is where the dr told me I was having panic attacks. From there I was put on Effexor. Now it seems that I just have anxiety attacks...for no reason most the time. I can't leave me home town w/out someone being with me. Totally afraid I am going to have a heart attack. (Yes, I smoke) Tried to quit over and over but just can't seem to kick it. I have to say though I am doing better because I used to not be able to be at home by myself (drove me husband nuts). But now I can drive to town or stay at home by myself. I reallywould like to be able to get a handle on this stuff. I have two very active kiddo's that participate in many activities. I however, have to have someone with me to attend all these events. It's very embarrassing and frustrating. So I was in hopes that I could get some advice, coping skills, etc....whatever it takes.

[Murakawa]

Jodie,

You're not alone. For the longest time, I was panic-free and generally laid back. Then I had a panic attack, also in a meeting (maybe it's something to do with feeling trapped?) and since then I've just been stuck in this horrible anxious, panicky state. I've had quite a few attacks since - especially at night.

Do you find that the Effexor helped at all? And how long have you been on it? I've never really gone down the medication route - though did take Cipralex for a very short while, to no real effect.

Hope you're having a good weekend, Jodie, and keep in touch.

Stephen


Hi. I am new to the forum and have been suffering from anxiety for the past 4 years. My first encounter was during a business meeting and I suddenly started feeling like I was going to faint. I had all the symptons...sweating, watery mouth, dizziness, etc then my chest started hurting. Somehow...I made it through the meeting. Very scary though. After that I kept having the same symptoms. Went to the dr, couldn't find a thing wrong with me. All lab work, cat scan, etc came back normal. Finally one day at work I had one and my office sent me to the ER. This is where the dr told me I was having panic attacks. From there I was put on Effexor. Now it seems that I just have anxiety attacks...for no reason most the time. I can't leave me home town w/out someone being with me. Totally afraid I am going to have a heart attack. (Yes, I smoke) Tried to quit over and over but just can't seem to kick it. I have to say though I am doing better because I used to not be able to be at home by myself (drove me husband nuts). But now I can drive to town or stay at home by myself. I reallywould like to be able to get a handle on this stuff. I have two very active kiddo's that participate in many activities. I however, have to have someone with me to attend all these events. It's very embarrassing and frustrating. So I was in hopes that I could get some advice, coping skills, etc....whatever it takes.

[daybydayjodie]

I have been on Effexor for almost 3 years. It's has helped take the edge off the attacks, but I still have scary thoughts. I am terribly afraid that I am going to die. I know it's part of the anxiety issue, but I just wish it would go away. I used to be so carefree and on the go on a whim. But now...I have to plan everything out so I know how long I will be there and how long it will take to get there. So if something doesn't go as planned you can just imagine the chaos.

Anyway I cut myself down on the dosage because I quit my job (part of the reason for my anxiety) and when I left I lost my insurance. So I have to pay for the meds out of my pocket - Effexor, just like anyother med, is quite expensive.

What is your situation? How do you handle it? I just really hate this junk and wish it would go away. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jodie

[gian13]

I've had 3 panic attacks and actually I believe I know how to stop them now.
Just start doing something else and take deep breaths. All the symptoms and weird thoughts go automatically away.
Last time I almost had a panic attack I was in bed and the weird toughts started flowing. I immediately ran to the kitchen and started fixing me a sandwich for next morning and evertyhing went away.
Hope that helps.

[daybydayjodie]

That's generally what I end up doing as well. But when I have one driving down the road, that sometimes causes a problem. I usually try to play w/ the radio or call someone on my cell. I know, I know that's not the safest thing to do - but it's helped so far.

Right now I trying to figure out if I am fighting - the flu bug, if I am just having anxiety or if there is something really wrong. My head feels like it is about to explode - lots of pressure, by body aches all over and I get rubbery legs and feel like I dizzy. Sure sounds like flu symptons to me, but when you have anxiety...well it just worries you more that you are dying of something.

I just wish I had insurance! Maybe if I could get a complete check up again (it's been around 3 years since my last one) I would feel better.

Anyway, thanks for the advice and listening to my bellyaching.
Jodie