Hi guys. After three years of switching doc's and flat out refusing to take meds (because surely I can't be that weak), I took my first zoloft yesterday. When I got home from the doctor's I sat and stared at the bottle of pills for awhile, eventually working myself into a panic attack. Beautifil isn't it, the thing that's supposed to help me caused an attack?! Anyway, after I calmed back down I realized that I wasn't always like this. There was a time in my life when I was a normal functioning human being. I could go anywhere with anyone and not have to worry. So, I took the pill. I didn't die and people didn't jump out of hiding places and point their fingers and laugh at me. It's too soon to tell if its going to help, but in some ways I think I'm past the hardest part for me. Good luck everyone.

Hi Steve. If you click on the Links and Resources at the left, you'll find a link to the Depression Center.

Hey Emily diziness & the fear of fainting is my biggest symptom, along with my chest being tense almost 24/7. (That's just the panic & agoraphobia symptoms not this depression & all this I'm going through now) I'm 25 I 1st really got them severly at my previous job when I was only 20 years old. I had no clue what was going wrong with me I remember those days CLEARLY. Around the same time my parents just got divorced from a 20 year marriage. My crazy religious fanatic mother took me to a counselor at the old church I went to, I was even afraid to go in I remember shaking to death in the chair & that was the 1st time I ever heard the word....PANIC ATTACK I remember he called my old family doctor and gave me Xanax 0.5 & it helped a little, then I stayed at my aunts house that summer(I'll never forget that year I found out my ex was cheating on me on top of everything) I saw a therapist at this piece of s**t mental health organization here who did an assesment she told me I had "severe anxiety & depression" and kept telling me to do timeliness of my life, homework & all this garbage not really paying attention I finally saw there doctor, I remember reading books from the library about it & then learned I had agoraphobia and that benzo's were the best to help it (The main medication I've been on to this day has been Clonopin now a pretty heavy dose....I've been on almost everything in the book too by the way...) I remember the S.O.B. not even paying attention to me at all he was too busy about to go on his lunch break & said I'm gonna give you Buspar & Prozac within a couple weeks you'll feel better. My ASS I remember clearly I went back to the old house which my mother kept I couldn't even get outta bed, my heart used to pound so fast alot I thought I was gonna have a heart attack. Still didn't really know what was going on.... I quit drinking for a while then cuz I was a heavy drinker & thought that might help by quitting, then about a month later, still not knowing too much about this condition I get a call she's getting remarried & she throws me out of the house even told me "I can't believe your my son" Years went on thank God at the same time my best friend's brother got his 1st house & I stayed there, a whole bunch of drama happened,

Hello everybody. I can understand the feelings many of you have about taking perscriptions. I also have a panic disorder. Mine is one that stems from anxiety. My fist panic attacks began about six months ago. I didn't want to leave my living room, let alone my house. I was scared to go to bed and scared to wake up, it was pure hell! At the time, I thought that going to a doctor would help, so I did. The doctor that I saw was very nice. Unfortunatly, she didn't seem to understand the condition I was in. After only two visits with me, she prescribed Celexa, an antidepressant. The thought of taking it, really scard me, but it also made me realize that I had to make a decision about whether or not I wanted to get better. Once I decided on recovery, I went to a naturopathic Physician. The difference between the two is huge! At the naturopath, we sit and discuss my condition for at least a half hour, the office is comfortable and inviting, not clinical at all. My first visit with her was an hour long and we discussed all of the possible situations that could have triggered the anxiety and all of the symptoms I had been experiencing: Increased appetite, loss of sleep, socialphobia and major memory loss. Once she had 'a good feel for me' she gave me Chasteberry to maintain a hormonal balance, a kavakava tincture to use when I felt the panic coming on, and homeopathic medicine based on an outline of my personality and body type. Withing a month I saw major differences! Since that visit we've switched a few things. I'm now taking Relora for the anxiety and I'm staying on the chasteberry and tinture, but I only have to take the homeopathic when I feel that I need it. I can honestly say that this treatment has changed my health and my outlook on life. I'm a much more complete person, I have better self confidence than I ever have, and I experience very little panic (maybe once every couple of weeks for just a few minutes). I may be a rare case, because I know that natural remedies take a bit longer normally to work. However, if you're looking for a very safe alternative to allopathic medicines I urge you to see a naturopath. Naturopathy concentrates on promoting a healthy lifestyle and empowering the individual to understand their illness.

Hi gang, I fully understand the medication fear. I took my first Paxil CR yesterday and I was very nervous the whole evening and refused to be alone. Obviously, I have to take another one today and have been debating it all day. It took me three hours to finally take it yesterday and as soon as it went down, I started feeling panicky. The night went pretty well though other than being nervous. I am going to take it again today, but I am dragging my kids to my moms house to spend the night (30 miles away) (my husband works nights). My husband works in the town where my mom lives so he drives me up each evening and picks me up at 5:00 a.m. when he gets done and drives me home. I don't work right now I am off on disability because of this and am suppose to go back on November 19th. I'm so worried about not being ready to go back to work. I'm afraid I will lose my job, my husband, and the income to raise my kids. I'm 33 and this is a horrible way to live (as you all know). I hope I don't stop the Paxil and I hope it works. Any success stories with Paxil CR? Sherri

Hi everyone, I am new here too, just did my 2nd week of the program. Emily, I know exactly what you're going through, it took me so long to finally realize I had to start taking meds. I tried paxil which caused me to have the most severe and terrifying panic attacks of my life! Actually I can't say it was for sure the paxil because I just had a very stressful summer-got married, my mom got cancer, dog died and we had raging forest fires near the house! and then I went back to school which was so intense and busy this year and right around the samr time, I started taking paxil, so who knows what exactly caused this. Today, I'm at the point where I rarely leave the house and never alone, only with my mom, I've had to withdraw from school (was getting my Nursing degree, which I absolutely loved!), can't drive or see friends and moved back in with my parents. So I am now willing to do ANYTHING to get my life and myself back even suffering through taking those horrible meds-I started Celexa 4 days ago and am trying to be patient. But I know what you guys are going through, my god, it's true hell!!! I never used to be afraid of anything, in fact, I was on a plane to Turkey when this first all started happening a year and a half ago. I 'm just so happy I travelled when I did because I almost can't imagine leaving Canada ever again! I wish everyone much strength and success. Sarah

that's awesome you're still in school. I can't concentrate enough right now to be in school, so I'm putting it off for another semester. I hope I can hold onto my job. That's about all I have left. I know it takes a while for these medicines to work but in the meantime...what do I do?...that's what I ask myself anyways. I have xanax for the panic, but that's also addicting and it has alot of side effects. Keep me posted on how you're doing and I'll do the same for you. Hang in there though, it sounds like you're doing great :)

Hi Dennis. I am 24 years old. Working on assiociate degree nursing. I have had panic attacks for 2 years, now i have depression also. I have been on Zoloft for almost 2 weeks and Ativan. It takes a while to get into your system fully. I can feel it starting to work a little, but not completely yet. Ativan is very helpful when you need it. I take it as an only when needed bases, because i dont want to get addicted to it. I hope your meds start working for you soon. Good luck!!

Hey guys My name is Dennis, I'm only 20 yrs old and I wanted to share my story with you. I've been dealing with panic disorder for my entire life off and on. Fortuantely I was able to go through high school somewhat panic free, not nearly as bad as it is now. I was working towards getting a doctarate degree, but that was short lived once my panic started to take over. I just started to seek therapy because I'm very close to losing a great job and it's taking over my life. I started to take zoloft about a month and a half ago, along with xanax for the bad panic attacks and so far I still can't deal with the disease. I'm doing my best to stick with whatever my doctor tells me, but if I'm noticing a difference right away, than I tend to give up easily. I'll never give up completely because I know that there is help out there, but I was wondering if anyone feels close to what I'm feeling and if they can give me any advice. I'd be more than happy to give any back if I can. Thanks for reading. good luck to all, Dennis :(

Hi Emily, I take zoloft and xanax as needed. I frak out when I take the xanax because it is addicting. I started taking zoloft a few years ago and the does was only 25 mg. I resently went to the Dr.'s and they up the dose to 50 mg and eventually want me to take 100mg and that freaks me out. My symptoms are not bad. I have a dry mouth after taking the pill and for the first week I had diararia and thats it! I do believe that we can concur panic med free, however I am a new wife work a full time job and taking full time master classes and can not afford to have panic every day! The meds also help with depression too! I need this. I just had my kitten die yesterday and school started and I am a manager at a huge company sometimes I feel that I can not DEAL with ANYTHING!!!! Hang in there and do not lose faith. We will get better. I have been better two times before and I know I will be there again! Take care, Lisa