a bit about me

[Kerry]

hello all, thought i would take the plunge and make a first post, after 'lurking' for a month or so.

i'm 29 and i struggle with panic and anxiety, although my gp has diagnosed a depressive illness with associated anxiety. i live with my other half, have done for nearly 6 years. i think my gp has not been that bad, after reading some of your experiences on here!

i take cipralex, which is new to me - only one month, before that paroxetine, and also have diazepam when needed. (this is so difficult to write!)
anyway, i have my good and bad days, today is not good so far, i thought making contact with others who understand might help, as it's so difficult for other half and people who haven't experienced any of it. i also get counselling on the nhs, he is very supportive, but i feel drained for a few days afterwards- i guess this is 'normal'? (last went ysesterday!). anyway, struggled to type this, so bye for now!

[Lylakwine]

Hi Kerry! I know exaclty how you feel Hun, I am on Citalopram at the moment....how did you get on with the paroxetine? I tried it years ago and it didn't agree with me at all, it actually made my panic attack and anxiety very much worse....I also had to take diazepam with them.

You have made a massive step forward by joining up Kerry, there will be loads of people on here who will help you through difficult times.....and we will all understand because we are either going through it or have been through it. No one will judge you........so if you ever want a chat feel free to get in touch.

Good luck hun...........Lyla xxxx

[trac67]

Hi Kerry,

Welcome to the forum, you will get a lot of good advice here and make some new friends.

take care

Trac xx

'Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten'

[Alexandra]

Hi Kerry

Welcome to the forum.

So glad you have now joined us thats great.

Im on citalopram same as Lyla.

You will find lots of really good support & help also some great advice which im sure you have been finding out whilst browsing.

Take Care

Alex

Many People Will Walk
In & Out Of Your Life
But Only True Friends
Will Leave Footprints
In Your Heart

[sillymoo]

hi kerry i to suffer from panic anxiey and depression so i know how u feel.but with the right help we will over come this .u take care luv mooxXx

[Ma Larkin]

Hi Kerry, I'm on Prozac (only been 2 weeks) & also take Diazepam when needed, also having counselling. I feel drained, think its the Prozac kicking in. The only symptoms I seem to be getting at the moment are the odd chest pain, which is quite sharp & scares me as I think its a heart attack. I'm on my own with 3 kids. Your other half must have accepted your illness which I think is really great when you have a supportive partner.

You'll love this site & get great reassurance from it, meets lots of lovely people who know what they are talking about, & hopefully feel tons better.

Take care.

Les, xx

[Karen]

Hi Kerry

Welcome to the forum. You have been very brave in writing that first post and I hope you'll see no one will judge you here and we are all friendly and supportive.

You might find the following information helpful:

First Steps (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=firststeps)

Symptoms (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=symptoms)

Links post: Links to posts about Common Problems (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7784)

Cipralex

Cipralex (escitalopram) (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1567)
Cipralex/escitalopram (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1807)
Is Cipralex not working for me? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3285)
Citalopram/Cipralex & Side Effects (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5980)
very sleepy on cipralex (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6666)
cipralex 2 (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5755)
Cipralex (escitalopram) (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1567)
Escitalopram/Lexapro/Cipralex and feelings.. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5532)




Karen



Happiness is not a state to arrive at but a manner of travelling.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough ~ Christine Cagney, Cagney & Lacey

[Kerry]

thankyou for your replies-so welcoming!

lyla- i took paroxetine for about 2 years in total, when i first started i was on 10mg for a fortnight, then 20mg. gp warned i may experience worse anxiety to start but it should wear off. it did make things very much worse for about 10 days, then settled. the highest dose i was given was 30mg, which i wasn't happy with, but each time i reduced i did get withdrawal symptoms, lots of crying, anxiety, snappiness plus feelings like electric shocks in my hands and face-apparently quite usual, gp said. so he changed me to cipralex which he felt is more effective at a lower dose. plus i think there was so much negative publicity about paroxetine i was nervous of increasing it again.

i try to do other things to help myself too- i've taken to walking on my days off, we have footpaths over open fields and apparently it helps use up adrenalin and cortisol and exercise is beneficial, i've bough claire weekes book but i am finding it difficult to read too much at a time, i try to distract myself by having a structure in my day so my mind doesn't wander, and addressing the root causes in counselling. i can do ok for a while but then, like today, i get 'caught out' and it feels scary.

[clickaway]

Hi Kerry and welcome aboard.

You seem to be taking a few fabulous courses of action to improve your life - the walking - the reading - the counselling - and new joining this site.

The counselling can take it of you, especially if you take it too fast . But presumably the NHS counselling won't last forever and you are limited to so many sessions, so that's probably the best way to go.

Hope you have a better day tomorrow. And the day after :)



Ray
http://www.anxietyrelease.org.uk/

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.
~Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers

[Kerry]

thankyou all for your supportive posts-and for the links too.