We are stronger...

Hi.. I think this is a great topic and it allows us to recognize the "good things" that come out of a tough situation.. Things I have learned (some of these we share :) ) I have learned that I am stronger than I thought I was. I have learned I am a fighter!! I have learned to believe in me (even though during setbacks I must remind myself of this..lol) I have learned to count on myself and not others - something I am very proud of. I have learned to enjoy alone time. All of these are challenged during a setback but by looking around me and where I am today I can remind myself of my successes thus far. I have also become a more empathetic / sympathetic person to the plights in others lives. No longer do I cast stones or judge others as I once did as I don't know their daily battles and how or why they are who they are... Everyone assumed my life was "perfect" by the image I portrayed..and nothing was further from the truth. That being said... I have learned to be HONEST about who I am ..and what I am..No shame!! Letting the facade go was the best thing EVER... Well.. I could go on and on.. but thanks again for a great topic.

We are stronger...

Me again.. One more thing which I think is VERY important... I have learned it's ok to ask for help... When things get too big or scary to battle alone it's ok to say "I can't do this alone"...and by this forum we know there a whole bunch of us out there :) Good Night

medication

Hi dolphin4me Lol.. funny we all have issues taking the meds.. I did too.. Years ago but I'm glad I finally did. They sat on the counter for 2 weeks approximately before my husband finally convinced me it was for the best.. lol.. As for dosing.. I take paxil not prozac but I had a lot of issues in the beginning with side effects. I've always been VERY sensitive to meds and don't usually need the full "recommended" dose so for myself I could never take the recommended dose of 40mg per day..This is all by trial and error though so you just need to perservere.. The side effects will pass as your body adjusts but if they last for too long you will need to discuss them with your doctor. You have to remember you're creating a chemical change within your body so it's going to take some time for your body to find it's balance. It's different for everyone which makes the meds so frustrating. For years 10mg per day was enough for me and now I take 15 mg total daily but I split it up... Works for me and it keeps me grounded.. I've never been able to come off of the paxil.. The lowest I've been is 5mg and then it slowly creeps back in.. but as my doctor said.. if you needed insulin you would take it.. so if you're lacking seratonin..you NEED to take this.. synthetic or not.. Ok.. I've rambled long enough.. Remember you're strong..and a fighter!!

medication

Hi Interesting Miki... You're right the meds need to be based on the individuals needs not as a "general rule". I've tried to wean but had a really tough time and have pretty much come to accept that the bit that I take just keeps the edge off. That being said I've been great for awhile now and tonite is not so great all of sudden. I do hate how it just seems to come out of the blue with no precursors.. Round and round we go... lol.. Oh well.. I'm sure theres stuff I can do around here.. :).. like laundry.. blah :( Keep the mind busy G'nite!

Intrusive / obsessive thoughts.. OCD like??

Hi everyone Do any of you battle OCD as well as Panic Disorder.. they often go hand in hand or you share signs of both. I know that my "thoughts" are what often send me into panic and are thoughts I can't "control".. sometimes they are random scary thoughts.. things I know I would never do but the thought just keeps coming back.. An example would be harming someone I loved... I am the most gentle souled person and don't have a violent bone in my body so why would I think such a thing?? Then I start to panic about having the thought... The thought can also be about illness..and it will even be the first thought when I wake up... ugh!! Like my schizophrenia stage.. or that I'm going to have early onset alzheimers... Lol.. I know it's ridiculous but it doesn't change the cycle.. If I read something (like some of the other posts)it can start a new cycle... a news story.. someone elses fears that I never thought of before.. LOL.. I only experience this when I'm out of whack (hormones, having babies, trying to wean my meds).. as my meds seem to keep the thoughts at bay... When I first started on this journey they were really bad.. I was just wondering if anyone else feels like this or has shared this type of experience... Thanks for reading.. :)

Intrusive / obsessive thoughts.. OCD like??

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts. I can relate to you all!! Michael.. I related to your scenario most as I remember being at a hotel and staying very high up..and all night I kept thinking what if I jump?? That upset me terribly...as I was there for a celebration, feeling happy and the thought was so random and stressful.. I like all of you just talk my way out of them..... but sometimes it's more challenging than others. Again, thank you all for making me feel "normal".. lol... whatever that means :)

Medication question....

Hi Everyone... As I've mentioned before I had been free of symptoms for many years but since my last baby it's been a bit of a battle. After much debate I have agreed to try upping my medication (as I was down to a VERY low dose in hopes of weaning ...eventually lol) as per my doctors advice. I take Paxil... and am finding my anxiety a bit worse and I'm sweating a lot etc. If I remember correctly this is how I felt when I first started on the meds and it takes weeks to even itself out. Is that the same when you change your dose?? Your body needs time to adjust?? It's frustrating me a bit as I just want my "self" back.. Just thought I would ask... Thanks for listening.

Obsessively Afraid

Hi Miki... It sounds like you're having a rough go right now. I completely understand and have been there. Diva has shared some great ideas! Although I don't have an easy solution I do have a few thoughts to share also. I want to stress again that sometimes this disorder runs hand in hand with OCD and obsessive thinking that is not easily turned off. Therefor what you are feeling is NORMAL and OK.. and a lot of us have shared that experience. The anxiety caused by these intrusive thoughts at times can be overwhelming and scary. I would definately work on challenging your thoughts more than anything and if it's not working you may need help greater than this program to get you started.. someone who can show you how to specifically deal with these "obsessions" because THEY ARE TREATABLE... and you can definately learn some coping techniques.. to "quiet the voice" I say... I too have shared with my hubby but because he has NEVER experienced what I have his views are very simplistic.. like yours.. "focus on the happy stuff".. much easier said than done when your in the moment. If only it were that easy. lol... I often laugh that I married such a laid back no stress type of guy.. I am SOOO opposite.. lol. As for not having a "belief"... that's a personal journey you can embark upon. It doesn't mean you have to go to church.. You can begin with the spiritual side of things.. That includes anything from reading, meditation, yoga, even taking the Alpha courses to see if religion is your cup of tea. I read uplifting stories about peoples experiences that show a glimpse at the "other side".. There is a lot of reassurance in reading these, and they often inspire me in one way or another.. For me the obsessive thinking is the worst but I honestly couldn't quiet the "voice" without medication and I had done everything to work through it on my own.. I just found it took me a long time to actually be honest with my doctor about my "thoughts".. I had shared the anxiety but it took me years to admit to the thoughts... even now I find them hard to talk about... but I do.. because it's the best way to fight them.. Well, I hope this helps.. I've rambled on and on as always... Be kind to yourself.

Am I just being too tough on myself?

Diva.. I think it's great that you're in school. I too have gone back and found it has given me a whole new outlook after being home for the past few years with my babies.. I just think it's funny that so many of us with this anxiety etc. are such driven people.. lol.. If that doesn't say something in itself... As for your meds.. You do what needs to be done now.. everything else will fall into place. I think sometimes we overanalyze a bit.. worrying about things that we really can't control. Just be smart and keep the dialogue with your doctor and pharmacist open and once your life slows down you can work on getting off them again if the time is right. I've never been able to ween off my Paxil.. and believe me I've tried.. lol.. I've learned to accept that I'll probably always need something but I'd rather be happy than worry about the stigma attached to being on something.. Quality of life is soo important. Keep up the great work.. and pat yourself on the back. You're juggling a lot of stuff!

Medication question....

Michael.. Again, you've come and set things straight for me. Your thoughts are appreciated. I'm sure it's the change in dose that is creating the "havoc"..lol..and as you mentioned, I too have ALWAYS been overly sensitive to any type of medication (as well as all other capacities) and the doses always have to be scaled back.. since I was a kid.. As for the sunshine.. We had a beautiful sunny day today.. and it was warm so I was thrilled. Took my spirits right up and it's been a great day! Thanks again.