im new too and want to connect with others that are shy or have anxiety problems. need this help from others to know im not alone

hi maxy140..i feel the same way.. in regards to side effects im on zoloft and my doctor gave me a heads up when i started in august .. she said keep taking the medicine everyday.. youre probably gonna feel real sick but keep taking it.. so for about 7 days i was nauseus dizzy lightheaded and just always sick to my stomach.. all of a sudden i woke up the next day and i didnt feel like that at all..could also be youre dose.. i started off on 25mg for 7 days then increased to 50..im now on 100mg,,im actually off work until jan 17th because i had 2 pretty bad panic attacks at work.. the chest pain was insane i thought i was having a heart attack. my doctor also said the most important thing to remember is youre not going to die. because when your shortness of breath starts and my fingers start tingling and my arms go numb and my chest is sore the first thing that kicks in is fear and that jut kicks up your anxiety and panic..im also dealing with depression and the medicine has helped me alot i think.. my problem is i have way too much in my head i have to write stuff down or my brain is going to explode.. ive purchased a few books on anxiety and depression they talk about cognitibe therapy which actually makes alot of sense..remember.. keep breathing.. and breathing from your abdomen really does help .. i actually do it at night when im lying in bed trying to fall asleep or if i wake up during the night and cant fall back asleep..

Hi everybody.I'm new to this group. I've had panic disorder with agoraphobic avoidance features on and off for years.Recent life events have brought me here.My name is Jen.

Welcome! I suffer from severe anxiety and depression. I know how horrible it can feel. Unfortunately, all the anti depressants I have been on have had awful or no effect. I am on a 'take as needed' basis meds: ativan and diazepam as well as sleeping medication: zolpidem at night. I try not to take the tranquillizers too regularly to avoid getting addicted to them. But I do understand how difficult it is to get medication to suit. I am doing schematherapy at the moment, which is really difficult but I hope in the long term it will help me to deal with my issues.

Hi all, I know how debilitating the anxiety is. It's a very scary thing during attacks. I used to pace the floor, shaking my hands, praying I wouldn't throw up. I do take Klonopin for anxiety and Celexa for depression. I've had the anxiety since childhood. It's taken me many years to learn to overcome the anxiety. I do still have my bad days. I've been able to cut my Klonopin down to once a day, and one left as needed. I still take the Celexa as I'm not worth much without it. There is no shame in needing and taking meds to help you get through the day. I've not posted on this site in a very long time, but felt it was time to come back. I'm not sure I can help anyone, but I will certainly try. I think the most important thing is to take things one day at a time. Don't worry about what is going to happen tomorrow. Take care of what you need today. Sometimes you have to just stop and have a time out. Time to get a little quiet time and catch your breath. There is hope and there is light at the end of the tunnel. It takes time and patience. It takes learning coping skills and utilizing them. It also takes friends and lots of support from those who go through the same issues. Talking about what works for us and what doesn't. What works for one, may not for someone else and visa versa. Coming to DS and then finding this support group was one of the best things for me. I pray you find the ways to cope that will work for you and through that find peace and contentment. hugs, Char

Hi, I've suffered from separation anxiety off and on for years, but have always managed to get it under control in a fairly short time. The problem however has taken off in the last two years due to different issues, so I've been suffering more, which led me to the doctors. I'm finally realizing that I need some therapy to guide me since I feel like I'm going crazy. I pace the floor, wring my hands, cry uncontrollably, trouble eating, heart palpitation, and what I call a burning in my heart.

Hi there, I know how you feel, I've had some pretty bad experiences with my medications before too. It's really hard go to through. I'm sorry a couple of your meds gave you some bad side effects. *hugs*

I also have need to find others to connect with....feel free to message me if you need to talk :)

Hi, I feel the way and I have a few medications that had really bad side effects. Big hugs to you.

Celexa has been so good for me, (I want to marry it) It took awhile to find the right med.

Hi, Maxy
I started having panic attacks about 5 years ago and they had subsided for the past three years until about 2 months ago. My panic attacks have kept me from driving for the past couple of weeks. I have a coworker take me to work and my husband picks me up. I work for a Gynecology practice and my doctor had me try a couple of different meds. I can not get past the 3rd day because of the side effects. I am taking Buspar 5 mg and my doctor wants me to take 7.5mg but I start to feel severe side effects at that dose. I truly understand not being able to take meds. Right now I am trying to focus on changing my thought process to a more positive one. I plan on taking a long walk with my husband and dog today and try to get some endorphins going. I am also seeing a therapist who is encouraging me to get in the car and drive and visualize my route of travel from beginning to end. I understand what you are going through and remember your not alone.

Celexa has been good to me, Effexor was the worst of them all. I hope you feel a lot better !! Don't give up the medication, it's like a trial and error thing until you find the one that works for you. You don't have to live feeling this way.