S281ER238
23-08-06, 09:46 AM
hi everyone ive had panic attacks in the past iam a very HYPER PERSON and stressfull person i took zoloft 100mg for 1 year it was good and then while i was still on the pill i had a panic attack when i went to san fransisco to visit my aunt ,.onthe way to the alctrz on the boat and at there house my whole trip was crazy when i got back my doctor told me to take 15o mg i did and still no change so finally i talked my self out of it and iam doing a little better but iam afraid on going on a road trips long trips and ive cut down my zolaft to 25 cause it dosent help iam doing better now but still iam afraid that stupid thought is still in my head that what if i get a attack ill die and my girlfriend planed a trip for 3 days cruize to mexico and iam afraid to go cause i think if i do it will happen and no one will do anything and i can die i hate that heart beat feeling its bad .sometimes i get dizziness to when i start to think iam getting dizzy what should i do all my friend and family just look at me like iam crazy adn when they want to go places and i dont and there fed up with me need advice or some good support in this
rabidbadger
27-08-06, 08:47 PM
Hi
I'm new to all this but I can sympathise completely with what you describe.
I am acutely agoraphobic and some days I can't even leave my room and go to the toilet without feeling like I'm going to collapse or die.
It is very common for a panic disorder to develop into agoraphobia and it is very common to dread leaving your own 'safe places' for fear of dying or passing out.
What I find most annoying is that, even if I have a good day and I can walk down to the end of the street, it doesn't make it any easier for me to go out the next time.
I found a drug called escitalopram was quite effective (I don't take it now because I moved house last year and I can't get out to register with a new doctor) but it certainly had less nasty side-effects for me than some anti-depressants that I've tried. I don't know if this is available or marketed under the same name in the states.
On your last point, I have an older brother who thinks I'm just being stupid when I tell him about my anxiety and agoraphobia. The rest of my family are really good but it's takem them years to realise that it is an illness.
You are certainly not alone.
Hope this helps.
Chris
