New to forum

[CallMeCrazy]

Hi. I've struggled with anxiety and panic attacks for as long as I can remember. At one time I was close to agoraphobic but eventually fought it off with the help of Paxil. Paxil made me gain about 40 pounds (some of it from lifting weights at the time, but mostly fat). I'm now on Citalopram and my metabolism has sped back up and the weight fell off. I was feeling pretty good for a few years and tried to get off the Citalopram but this summer the anxiety has gotten stronger. It always seems to get worse when it's hot. It started back right before I went to work at a new job almost 3 months ago. I'm out in the heat and sweat a lot so that doesn't seem to help. Here are my own personal anxiety symptoms that I've had over the years. Maybe some of you have had them before yourselves.

-Dizzyness (maybe from the medication)
-Lump or mucus in throat, can't clear throat, tightness in throat (throat Dr. says I'm fine)
-Upset stomach
-Feeling claustrophobic
-Needing to be near an exit or bathroom
-Feeling uncomfortable riding with others
-Feeling I'm going to die or pass out
-Worrying about weird diseases I may have
-Losing control, out of body type experience
-Feeling like I'm just along for the ride in my own body (that's a fun one!)
-Thoughts that used to make me feel better don't work anymore
-Floating feeling when walking and whooshing sensation(caused trying to come off med)
:unsure:

[RichB]

Those are the standard list of symptoms, I can certainly relate. I especially had a problem driving, which I overcame and work with now, and the whole outer body feeling (called depersonalization).

Stick around and you'll get better. PM me if you need anything or advice, whatever.

Rich

[anxietycrusher]

I think you need to take a step back and consider an alternative to meds at this point. It seems like you weren't happy taking the meds (hence you going off them), but you're not better either. You need to find out about the different techniques that can help the PSYCHOLOGICAL part of your anxiety and allow you to find long lasting relief.

If you're against alternatives, go back on the meds as a temporary solution. My nutshell advice is do whatever you can not to feel like crap.

[CallMeCrazy]

I wasn't happy putting a medicine in my body everyday so that's why I tried to get off of it. I've been back on it for a while now because the withdrawl symptoms were just too much! It was terrible.