beating the panic and my health

[bluebirds2005]

After my panic got to bad i turned to drink and destroyed myself getting to 21 stone, high bp and being hospitalised with type 2 diabetes.At the hospital i met an anxiety specalist who offered to help with my condition as long as i helped with my health.I agreed and now a year later i weigh 12 stone with normal bp and normal blood sugar and am still being helped with the end of my health anxiety. heres a photo from last year with my mum and another from last week

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http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/acky81/fatboy-1.jpg

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http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/acky81/tenby1.jpg

[nomorepanic]

Wow Gareth you look so different and so healthy as well

Well done x

[Pipkin]

What a difference! Quite amazing :ohmy:

What changes did you make that helped you to get fit and lose the weight?

Pip

[kittikat]

Wow, you look brilliant, you must be very proud of yourself. Well done to you, keep up the good work :yesyes: a great success story.

Kitti :)

[bluebirds2005]

i was just fed up of the constant panic everyday and the thought i was making it worse so i started cutting out junk going for walks and i found the more i exercised the less i panicked so i started training harder and got alot stricter with my diet and the weight just kept comming off and now im training to be a exercise referal specialist to help people going through the health problems i did but as good as i feel i know the health anx is still lurking in the background waiting to pounce and its my job to keep him away.Its amazing to think how far ive come since i joined this site nearly 10 years ago and how much this site has helped as every time i relapsed i could come back here and there was always a shoulder to cry on so to speak

[nomorepanic]

I remember you Gareth from when you first joined and it is lovely to see you back here again and looking so well.

You should be proud of how well you have done.

[bluebirds2005]

thanks nic i just wanted to come back and share my story and to let people know that no matter how bad things get and how hopeless life feels there is always a light at the end of the tunnel we just have to walk through the darkness to get there first

[nomorepanic]

and you have done that so well Gareth. It is lovely that you came back as well

[paranoidtree]

Wow, what an amazing difference, even in the way in which you hold yourself and in your eyes too!

You have provided some much needed inspiration, thank you!

[eternally optimistic]

Wow, that is amazing, what a difference... you MUST feel great looking at your new pic. You look very well.

Remember, if you can achieve this, your anxiety can be beaten.

You are obviously someone with loads of willpower and that is always important when trying to beat away the anxiety.

Fantastic and well done.

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just reread your posts and noticed you are going to training to help others.

it is so important that people who advise others have a life experience and can truly relate to how they might be feeling.

you really must feel on top of the world and, if you dont, you should be.

keep posting.....

[pennypanic]

Wow!!!You really are an inspiration...
I'm currently at day 5 on my therapy with Escitalopram,and I'm scared to death of gaining weight,as I think this would make my depression and panic attacks even worse.I've read so many bad comments about ad's and weight gain especially in women.
At the moment I am housebound and so scared to go out because of panic attacks and how other people see me.I'm watching my diet and I hope that I will continue losing weight.I had gained 38kg due my thyroid who messed up my hormones.Apparently,that developed into a thyroid cancer and a had a removal surgery.With stabilizing my hormones back and healthy food I managed to lose 18kg but I want to lose more and now I am afraid.I weigh myself everyday and eat really healthy,only veggies fruits and proteins.If I start gaining weight I will wean off myself from Cipralex.
I'm so thrilled in reading other people's success stories,cause they make me have hope for something better in my future.
I hope you will advantage this experience of your life and become a successful trainer and help other people with panic disorder.
Wish you the best!!

[bluebirds2005]

hi penny ive been on citalopram for 6 years now and the stories of weight gain worried me to and although i did put on a few pounds at the start i think that was more the case of me stuffing my face with junk to take my mind of the side effects of the meds.However looking back the meds were the best thing that happened to me as without then i wouldnt leave the house or interact with anyone and my health anxiety was through the roof,however taking small steps day by day things got better,but even today i still have panic attacks ive just choosen to except there part of my life and if the 1000,s of attacks in the past havent killed me then this one isnt going to,

[pennypanic]

Well my main concern is that if people actually can lose weight while on ad's. I guess I have to wait and see.I'm not suffering now from panic attacks since I 'm not going out, my main problem is fear atm.When my panic attacks came I thought I had health issues due my post surgery,so I kept fighting them back,I ve never heard of panic attacks or met someone who had. So instead of trying to relax and breath I was trying not to faint and panicked and each panic attack lasted for at least 4 hours leaving me like a living zombie. Now I'm suffering from post dramatic symptom, I'm afraid to take my car,each traffic light and traffic jam seems like hell to me.I can even imagine taking te underground or bus alone.I hope with the aid of my psychologist and the meds I will come over and live my life again.

[bluebirds2005]

well i can certainly gaurantee that its possible to lose weight whilst on ad,s im still on citalopram and have been all the way through my weight loss journey as for your other problems im sure with the right support and help youll do great, good luck

[bernie1977]

That's amazing. Well done! It's always good to read a success story as it certainly gives me hope.

[pennypanic]

Your kind words are such a relief to me,I 've read so many awful stories about people on ad's and diet that I want to cry. Especially women!I hope this works for me.Seconds ago I was trying to get a nap and then my mobile started to vibrate ( a friend called), I woke up like having a heart attack and scared to death,I hope this is a side effect of the med.
Please keep us updated on how life is treating you.

[bluebirds2005]

the side effects of the meds can be pretty horrible to start. i remember spending days sat in a corner rocking back and forth crying because i was sure each breath was going to be my last.but then slowly day by day the feeling eased and for the first time in a year i was able to step outside my front door and i felt so happy i just sat there for hours breathing in the fresh air it was like i had woken from a long sleep.I know it may seem bad for you now but if you can tough it out in a few weeks from now youll be glad you did but thats just my opinion other people ive spoke to just couldnt handle the meds and sought alternative treatment and found that worked for them so i guess its just each to his own

[OliviaD]

Wow!! many, many congratulations and thanks for posting :yesyes:

[Tufty]

Wow Gareth - in Vicki Pollards immortal words - you are well fit. If I was only 10 (or so) years younger and single :blush:
Your advice is inspirational too. I admire your spirit and determination (as well as your six pack) and am sure you will succeed in your career plans. Good luck and well done x

[bluebirds2005]

thank you for all the kind words guys and just hope my story can show everyone that no matter how bleak you may think the outlook is theres always hope and samhar thanks youve made me blush lol