I have had nothing but positive effects from medication. I was on Zoloft for 10 years and then it pooped out on me recently and I am starting Lexapro (no side effects what so ever yet). I also take Klonopin and it is a life saver.
You are doing the right thing by going to therapy, but sometimes we need a little more help to stabilize us. You will never know how medication will effect you until you try it. If you don't like it then you can stop. I think you might be surprised what a little help from medication can do for you with therapy. There are so many different drugs out there, so don't get discouraged if the first one doesn't work.

I too have been the therapy route and the medication route and I am the type of person who is terrified of trying new meds, I mean it scares the hell out of me but I have come to realize I have to have them and once I faced that I take my meds regurlary and have had so much success, I like panic mom take lexapro with no side effects and klonopin (it is a life saver) I just started the klonopin a month ago and it has helped so much, give the meds a chance and I pray you find the ones that work for you, Good Luck

If I didn't have my medication, I would be lost. 4 years ago I went in for an evaluation to a hospital because the panic attacks were so bad that I didn't want to live anymore. The doctor I started seeing there (I was admitted for 1 week) was awesome. Over the first year we had to play around with dosages a little bit, but nothing that kept me from living a NORMAL day to day life WITHOUT constant panic.
My combo was Depakote, Seroquel, Effexor, and Klonopin. I no longer take the Seroquel and have reduced my Klonopin, but I haven't had any bad side effects from any of the medication. Although the effects are different for everyone. I would suggest trying something, see how you like it, be honest with your doctor and if you don't like something tell them to try something different. Don't forget a lot of anxiety meds take time to build up in your system so don't give up after only a few days. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

I too had mixed feelings about medication. In fact I started lexapro then stopped because I was stubborn. After about 6 months I realized I needed relief so with the encouragement of my brother and wife I started taking lexapro again. A few little side effects at the beginning but nothing crazy. The Dr said after the first month my wife would notice the change and by the second month I would notice. It worked a little quicker though. I have been on it for 4 months and feel great.

don't be scared. i have been on medicine for so many years. i am on depakote, paxil, and klonopin. without my meds. i would have constant avxiety and panic. i have a chemical inbalance from my dyfuncial childhood. i wish i didn't need meds., but i do. so i just accept it. good luck.

dont be too proud to take meds, life is short....
you wont feel drugged up if the dose is correct

hmmm I have the same concerns....seems to me if meds really worked then there wouldn't be so many of us on this site, right.? Maybe I am wrong as I have not taken meds b4 but to me I don't see them as a cure and that is what I am after. I am with you, not so keen on the side effects (which can cause other mental illnesses) and the addiction side of them. It has nothing to do with being to proud or enjoying feeling this way "as harry above me always says" - For me it is about trying to recover 100%, determining the cause & doing the best thing for me in the long term. they maybe good for an aid perhaps for some... depends on how bad you are feeling. If you decide to take the meds I would be interested to know how they go for you as I too am on the fence.

I was on Prozac for a while and it honestly did more bad than good. There weren't any side effects at all or anything like that, I was just afraid of swallowing pills. I am feeling better these days without medicine, just some meditation every now and then, and just keeping your mind busy. You'll be ok!