newie saying hi

[BambieEyes]

Hi all just thought i would just introduce myself quickly.Ive been suffer of panic/anxiety and agoraphobia since 1999.Its never gone, i just ride the tides.Some good days some bad.Im contemplating trying medication( Something ive not wanted to do) however i want to enjoy life instead of existing.... Citalipram is what has been suggested... anyone else had good/bad results with taking medication?

[Karen]

Hi Welshcatherine

Welcome to the forum.

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)

Starting on recovery/Agoraphobia
Agorophobia (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6184)
im back now! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6310)
Agoraphobic - how did that happen? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6745)




You will find a lot of help and support here.


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

[Alexandra]

Hi Catherine

Welcome to the forum.

You will find lots of help & support on here.

Im a fellow sufferer of agoraphobia, there are a few of us on here.

Also have gone through panic & anxiety too.

Pm me anytime if you want to.

Take Care

Alex

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

[crazychick]

i've had good results taking medication - the first time i was put on anti-depressents along with propranalol i was able to live a normal life again after what seemed like ages. it doesn't work overnight and can make symptoms slightly worse for a week or so at first but it does get better. Citilapram did not agree with me and made me really tired and did not help but my doctor explained that different people react to medications in different ways and te second antidepressent they put me on was brilliant. I ad to start taking it again in January when panic attacks starting controlling my life again and it means i can have my life back. i think medication can really help.

[vernon]

Hi Cath, I was in the same predicament as you, not knowing whether to take meds or not. I have suffered on and off for close to 40 years and 2 and a half years ago when I stopped drinking after heavy daily drinking for about 40 years, my anxiety and phobias hit the roof, so I was offered seroxat from my GP. I asked about on many sites and also looked up as much info as I could and decided not to go for the seroxat, but heard from lots that Cipralex had helped them pretty good. There is an advanced member on here to Sarah 1980 who had took this antidepressant and it helped her lots and 12 months later didn’t have any big problems coming off them. So I went to my GP and asked for Cipralex, It’s similar to the med you have been offered but a newer version of it. It took about 6 to 8 weeks to kick in but it helped me lots and I was going out and doing things I hadn’t done for years, In my eyes a better life is well worth one little pill each morning. You could ask your GP about Cipralex, but remember the first week or two some people feel more anxious until the med kicks in, however I didn’t seem to have any bad side effects when I first started. Anyway taking meds is entirely up to you. I did try just about everything over the years before I went on them; Relaxation, breathing exercises, Hypnosis to name a few and nothing seemed to work. Anyway hope you cane decide and no matter what you decide I hope you feel a bit better soon, Take care, Vernon

[mariposa]

Hi

Thanks for your advice. Seroxat is good for making the PA's less severe but it does also have a wierd side effect which feels like an electric shock going up your body, I prefer to have this feeling than to have an intense PA, my PA's are now only mild brought on by some situations.

Find out about side effects that other people have and go for the recommended one.

[trac67]

Hi,

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

I took citalopram for 7 years and have just gone back on them again to help me over ride a tough period, they really did help me, and hopefully they will help you too.

Take care

Trac xx

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

[lisarose]

Hi welshcatherine and welcome to the site. I tried citalopram and it didn't help me much but I think it was because I didn't give it enough time to work, I wanted a quick fix but unfortunately with anti-depressants they can take up to 6 weeks maybe longer to work. I was like you and was reluctant to try medication at first but if you find the right one it can really help. It took me 4 years to find the right one(venlafaxine) and I took it for 12 months and it really helped me get my life back but like all A.Ds it doesn't suit everyone.
You have nothing to lose by giving medication a try.
Take care
Love Lisax

[clickaway]

Hi Catherine and welcome.

Have you considered a course of CBT as a remedy? It can be very effective and get people their life back again.

Cheers,

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

[BambieEyes]

Hi all and thanks for your welcomes and advice.
Thanks Ray, im currently doing Cognative Therapy AGAIN! as I got alot better and its suddenly hit me again recently.Im determined to not let it rule me this time though.
Take care all
x

[Lylakwine]

Hi welshcatherine, and welcome! I am currently taking Citalopram and have done for just over 2 years now. They have been brilliant for me, I am much more able to cope and although I'm a long way from being cured, It has given me a bit of my life back. I think it would be well worth you giving them a try..........perhaps you could talk to your gp again, and see what he/she says. Good Luck!!
Lyla xxxx