I also have come a far way from how I was before. It was hard and took a really long time, but I did it.
How I did it: Got on a medication that worked for me. In my case, it was Lexapro. I took it before, during and after pregnancy and shortly after I had my son it stopped working. I think because of all the hormones and stress of being a new parent. Well, they then put me on Effexor XR and Klonopin and I have been on that for about 3 years. It worked, but now I'm having side effects I don't like from it. So...I'm going to try Lexapro again. It worked wonders on me before and probably didn't stop working, but my symptoms came back because it was so stressful.
I have also been in therapy for years. When I was afraid to leave the house, my therapist came to my house. They will sometimes do that for people. I think that would help you tremendously.
Also, I think you need to go to the dr and get different medication. There are lots of medications out there. I know there's one out there for you.
I know the pain of not being like other mommy's. My son is still young, only 4 so he doesn't really notice too much yet, but it's very hard. Tell your kids to have patience. Your just not feeling very good and when you do, you will try your hardest to be like the other mommy's.
Another thing that will help you to get out of your house to the dr's is if you make goals for yourself. Like if you are scared to stand on your front porch, make it a goal to go out on your front porch everyday for a certain amount of mins. As you feel comfortable with that step, move further and further. Soon, you will be comfortable going to the dr.
Same with if you can drive. If your afraid of driving, make it a goal to sit behind the steering wheel. Once you feel comfortable with that step, start the car, etc.
Also, if you could reserve a self help agoraphobia and panic attack book at the library and have someone else get it for you and read that, it could help you. Or even order one from half.com, ebay, etc.
I know you can do it!!! I am here for you. If you want to learn some more coping skills, let me know and hopefully I can help you. Bless you. Jenny

Wow! What an outpour of caring people are on this site! Thanks for all the responses, it sure helps!

i am a recovering agorophobic i just recently started going out. It stillis scary sometimes but i try to overcome and deal because i am tired of being a prisoner in my own home>the reason i got out was i became very ill from anemia and was put in the hospital it was not that scary.I think i made more out of it then it was but by me being gone for three days from my kids I realized i am missing out on my life it is passing me by and now when i get anxiety i walk i walk around the block or to the park or something but i walk it really does help.Istartedwith baby steps too just to the end of the driveway then the end of the treet then the block etc...till i adapted to the anxiety and the strange feelings i was feeling .lightheadedness,faint,sweating,racing heart cannot breathe till i said f... it there ain't nothin wrong and i kept telling my self that till i adjusted but i do still have a hard time going in some buildings i think it is the lights so i wear sunglasses alothey but whatever works right also i always carry cold water or drink and 1 ativan just in case i never had to use it yet it has been a month or 2 since i started going out i was stuck for 5years in my home i think sometimes we just get tired and need abreak thats what happened to me my outside family kept hurting me emotionally i had just had a baby and i was wanting to rest and they wouldn't leave me alone so i went into a safe shell where they couldn't get i.e. my safe house so see u r not alone and please write me if u need 2 talk keep ur head up it does get better !!!!

I can relate to this so much. I would love to be a friend to you because I am just as lonely in my life these days. The only interaction with people I have is with my husband, my 3 kids, my 6 grandkids, my brother-in-law, and my father-in-law as they are the only ones that bother to come see me. I used to have a lot of friends before I became so homebound but except for my best friend the rest gradually quit contacting me because they didn't understand why I quit going anywhere or doing anything. Agoraphobia is a horrible prison that we have locked the windows and doors to that keeps us alone and empty. I pray for all of us who know first hand how awful this is that we can overcome and be strong again. My kids basically grew up with my being this way with it getting much worse the latter half of their childhood. I have lived with the guilt of letting my kids/husband/family down for years and years and still fight each and every day with the guilt because of the sadness and hurt I see on their faces when I can't do something they really want me to do. I am here whenever you need someone to talk to, I understand and can relate to what you are going through.

God bless,
Susan

Hi,
I too, have agoraphobia. For MANY years, I pretty much "white-knuckled" everything I did that involved going out (along with "medicating" myself with alcohol at times to get me where I needed to go) and then succumbed to this and was in my home for almost five years. My significant other of 13 years then left me and that forced me to take care of myself. I did okay for a couple of years and then become housebound again for another four years. I am slowly coming out of this now. It isn't easy but the longer you remain in your "comfort zone" the more difficult it might become to free yourself and you forget that your uncomfortable symptoms aren't life-threatening. You are NOT alone - there are many here who know EXACTLY how you are feeling...including me. Small steps do help, as does retreating if you need to, support is very important. One important thing that I have learned which gives me comfort is: having this condition has made me appreciate and feel grateful for many things that most people who do NOT have this condition take for granted. Keep posting. People CARE!! Hugs and Bless you and your family.

this is where the good push bad push come in at! I can't beleive some of the age these posts have.