I have been having these weird feelings for about the last year. I am usually in a crowd or a line up and I start breathing heavy. I get antsy(sp) and then I start fighting for breath. I want to run out of where ever it is I am but it is usually something I need to do,such as putting money in the bank or paying a bill. It started out it only happened a few times but consistantly whenever I was in a crowd. I thought I could just get whatever it was I needed to do over with quickly then I could get out of there.
Well on friday I was at work and I have a pretty intense job where we all live on deadlines and overtime. I was finishing up the last of a project my boss had given me (which happened to be coordinating his best friends 50th birthday bash at the country club) and it started right there in my office. I couldnt breath and I started to freak out a little bit. My heart hurt and I felt like my chest was being sat on and was about to collapse. I had to get out of there and went to the bathroom and just sat for a few minutes.
I talked to my doctor about this awhile ago and he increased the dose of my anti depressent, but it hasnt helped much. In fact I have had more of them since the increase. I am at my wits end because I cant hide from this and there is no where to go if it happens at the office besides the bathroom. Then people will thinkI have problems there as well.Lol.
Anyways I was just wondering if there are any other options besides pills for this. I dont even want to start anything because I already know that it too will become a problem.
Any suggestions?
My husband who is not an abuser of drugs finally let me drag him to the doctor and he was prescribed an anti anxiety medication. Now this is a guy who won't take an aspirin for a headache (honestly) He had serious knee surgury last year which involved drilling holes and bars in his knee. He took one lortab the day he came home from the hospital I could not believe it that was the last he took. Anyway I am getting off track here what I meant to offer is that the medication he is taking is really helping him, so you may want to talk to your doctor.
Roxy
Roxy
Lixie
Panic attacks are tough but they can be managed without medication. First of all, cut way down on caffeine and energy drinks. They can cause them. There are relaxation exercises to help with breathing. I'm sure someone else can post what they are. Once I realized that I wasn't dying and my heart was not going to jump out of my chest the panic attacks became a little easier to manage. I used to do little things like washing dishes just to get my mind off my breathing. But don't let them put you on any anti anxiety medication that is a benzo like xanax, valium, ativan, clonopin. They are all hell to get off of. If you think opiate w/d was bad, it's nothing compared to benzos. I went thru w'd for 3 months getting off xanax. Don't do it. It's not worth it and after a while benzos cause panic rather than stop it.
Panic attacks are tough but they can be managed without medication. First of all, cut way down on caffeine and energy drinks. They can cause them. There are relaxation exercises to help with breathing. I'm sure someone else can post what they are. Once I realized that I wasn't dying and my heart was not going to jump out of my chest the panic attacks became a little easier to manage. I used to do little things like washing dishes just to get my mind off my breathing. But don't let them put you on any anti anxiety medication that is a benzo like xanax, valium, ativan, clonopin. They are all hell to get off of. If you think opiate w/d was bad, it's nothing compared to benzos. I went thru w'd for 3 months getting off xanax. Don't do it. It's not worth it and after a while benzos cause panic rather than stop it.
I have gone through similiar episodes myself.If at all possible try relaxation techniques before using any medication.Get info from your doctor,or maybe even try therapy.Once you have learned how your body and mind reacts to certain situations it will become second nature on how to cope with those feelings.
Kevin
Kevin
Lixie,
Here's a link to a couple of breathing exercises that have helped me through panic/anxiety attacks. It helps to practice them before the attacks hit (like LaMaze classes, you want to have the techniques down before labor actually starts).
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART00521
I know you feel like you're going to die, but you won't and over time, you learn to recognize when they're coming on and can catch yourself before they become full-blown.
Good luck,
Gina
Here's a link to a couple of breathing exercises that have helped me through panic/anxiety attacks. It helps to practice them before the attacks hit (like LaMaze classes, you want to have the techniques down before labor actually starts).
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART00521
I know you feel like you're going to die, but you won't and over time, you learn to recognize when they're coming on and can catch yourself before they become full-blown.
Good luck,
Gina
You really shoould talk to your doctor, you know you cant live like this. I have been to my dr more than 5 times in the past 90 days and we finaly caught it. I am afraid that if you dont talk to your dr, you wil go back to doc.
I hope that helps
Felicia
93 days
one day at a time.
I hope that helps
Felicia
93 days
one day at a time.
Thanks everyone. I dont want any medication for them I just want to understand why they are happening. I had another one in the bank on Friday while I was doing the deposit for my boss. They hurt alot, my chest feels like it is ripping open and then some. I have to learn to control them because I cannot take anything, pills are not an option. I am just wondering why..all of a sudden I am having this when there is no need to panic? I am safe and ok but my body just wants to run whenever I get in a place that will either take a long time to get out of or there are too many people. I have never had anything like this before. It is very distracting to me because I am starting to avoid things that invlove any of the above mentioned situations. Weird...
The breathing excersize's look doable, I am going to try them from now on. I cant keep this up I am going to have a heart attack. Thanks for all you input, much appreciated. Hope everything is well with you all.
The breathing excersize's look doable, I am going to try them from now on. I cant keep this up I am going to have a heart attack. Thanks for all you input, much appreciated. Hope everything is well with you all.
Lixie,
Sometimes panic attacks happen because of stress or anxiety or other reasons, but sometimes they just happen, out of nowhere, for no reason at all. Like, you could literally be sitting there, happy as a clam, and they will hit. That is why they need to be managed with medication sometimes.
So if these just started out of nowhere, it may be Panic Disorder (which is different than some of the other anxiety disorders because the attacks do come for no reason at all).
The best thing you are going to be able to do is try to get it diagnosed so you can figure out the best way to proceed with working them out, learn some tricks to control them as they are happening (like deep breathing techniques and other relaxation strategies) because you won't always be able to prevent them, and also learn some prevention strategies. But figuring out what it is first often helps direct the course of how you want to deal with it.
There's also this great book that I have (I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder mixed with some Panic Disorder) called the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook and it has been awesome. You know how people always tell you to do some relaxation stuff and then you're stuck with like, "well, ok, now what..." this book has everything....
Just my thoughts. Please keep coming back with questions or if you just need some support. I know this can be so so scary, and sometimes just know that other people know what it feels like can help a bit....
Best,
Bridget
Sometimes panic attacks happen because of stress or anxiety or other reasons, but sometimes they just happen, out of nowhere, for no reason at all. Like, you could literally be sitting there, happy as a clam, and they will hit. That is why they need to be managed with medication sometimes.
So if these just started out of nowhere, it may be Panic Disorder (which is different than some of the other anxiety disorders because the attacks do come for no reason at all).
The best thing you are going to be able to do is try to get it diagnosed so you can figure out the best way to proceed with working them out, learn some tricks to control them as they are happening (like deep breathing techniques and other relaxation strategies) because you won't always be able to prevent them, and also learn some prevention strategies. But figuring out what it is first often helps direct the course of how you want to deal with it.
There's also this great book that I have (I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder mixed with some Panic Disorder) called the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook and it has been awesome. You know how people always tell you to do some relaxation stuff and then you're stuck with like, "well, ok, now what..." this book has everything....
Just my thoughts. Please keep coming back with questions or if you just need some support. I know this can be so so scary, and sometimes just know that other people know what it feels like can help a bit....
Best,
Bridget
I agree with Kat. Like her, my withdrawl was protracted, lasting 3 months. A benzo should be avoided at all cost. In fact, I would recommend your husband stop taking them immediately.
Bullwinkle,
I have to disagree with you... I don't think benzos are the devil of medications. I think it's hard for us all to get perspective when we have addictive tendencies or have had to withdraw from a medication, but benzodiazepines have been used successfully for years in anxiety disorders, and for someone like me, who has a problem with pain medication, do perfectly fine (and have done fine with benzos) and they have helped tremendously with the physical effects of an anxiety disorder so I can actually work through the other contributors to the anxiety issues. You just have to be watched closely by your doctor (which you should be anyway, on any anti-depressant or psychoactive medication) when you are on a benzo, but they really can be helpful, and though they have the "potential" for abuse, for people who really have a true anxiety disorder (and not just the occasional sense of anxiety, or a passing phase) they don't get high from it, it just brings the neurochemicals back down to baseline, and I really believe that. So I just don't want anyone to think that all medicine is evil, just as I don't want to think that pillsare the only answer.
Just a thought.
I have to disagree with you... I don't think benzos are the devil of medications. I think it's hard for us all to get perspective when we have addictive tendencies or have had to withdraw from a medication, but benzodiazepines have been used successfully for years in anxiety disorders, and for someone like me, who has a problem with pain medication, do perfectly fine (and have done fine with benzos) and they have helped tremendously with the physical effects of an anxiety disorder so I can actually work through the other contributors to the anxiety issues. You just have to be watched closely by your doctor (which you should be anyway, on any anti-depressant or psychoactive medication) when you are on a benzo, but they really can be helpful, and though they have the "potential" for abuse, for people who really have a true anxiety disorder (and not just the occasional sense of anxiety, or a passing phase) they don't get high from it, it just brings the neurochemicals back down to baseline, and I really believe that. So I just don't want anyone to think that all medicine is evil, just as I don't want to think that pillsare the only answer.
Just a thought.
Years ago I suffered with panic attacks. They didnt happen often but I began to notice that they occurred when I was around certain people and also when I would go to sleep. It got so I was afraid to go to bed because I knew that when I got to the point of drifting off my heart would start to race and I would feel short of breath. They didnt occur ALL the time, but enough of the time. Finally, I realized I hadnt had any in awhile and I noticed two big differences in my life - a new job and a new boyfriend. Some of the people at this one job really gave me anxiety as I didnt trust them in any way for many reasons. I did not realize they were causing my attacks until I was away from them. I did not have a boyfriend during the attacks but I know I was still suffering from a fear of never "finding another" and distrust in males. When I realized I had not had a panic attack in several weeks, the changes occured to me. So I suggest trying to see if there is a fear or distrust of someone or something close to you. If you can recognize it, talk yourself through it. Get strength through prayer. Find calming things. I also found that when I would feel an attack coming on, I would "do something normal". I was told that by someone and it really worked. For instance, start washing dishes. Empty a drawer and reorganize it, etc. Your subconscience mind is taken away from the underlying cause. I was given a xanax and it made me WORSE. That is a drug that did not agree with my chemistry at all and so I never went near it again. I hope you recognize some of these situations and "help yourself" over these feelings if possible. Of course anything that prolongs for too long and interrupts your life should be discussed with a physician if necessary.
SP- Just a question. Have you gone through benzo withdrawl yet?
Bullwinkle,
I haven't had to. I don't take any of the short acting ones regularly (if at all, anymore). And I am closely monitored on the klonopin.
But I have gone off and on the short acting ones for years and I have never had a problem, so no, I wouldn't know about withdrawal and how bad it could be.
But I also know that it doesn't have to happen.
SP
I haven't had to. I don't take any of the short acting ones regularly (if at all, anymore). And I am closely monitored on the klonopin.
But I have gone off and on the short acting ones for years and I have never had a problem, so no, I wouldn't know about withdrawal and how bad it could be.
But I also know that it doesn't have to happen.
SP
lixie
i have had a panic anxiety disorder for years, brought on genetically by stress when my dad molested me and also my first attempt of smoking weed, it has robbed me of alot of opportunity in my life. the anxiety workbook that was mentioned above is wonderful!
DO NOT EVER START AVOIDING!!! worst thing you can do as this disorder gets its own way and worsens if you avoid. like a quick sand, you keep sinking deeper into despair.
i avoid, and i simply cannot face what frightens me, the breathing exercises are extremely important in helping to quelch the anxiety and feared situation. gina directed us to a site for this and it was extremely helpful and i plan to use it.
also my doctor put me on paxil for this too. i used to always have a supply of klonopin too which i never abused. but i stopped refilling them years back.
good luck to you lixie, jewels
i have had a panic anxiety disorder for years, brought on genetically by stress when my dad molested me and also my first attempt of smoking weed, it has robbed me of alot of opportunity in my life. the anxiety workbook that was mentioned above is wonderful!
DO NOT EVER START AVOIDING!!! worst thing you can do as this disorder gets its own way and worsens if you avoid. like a quick sand, you keep sinking deeper into despair.
i avoid, and i simply cannot face what frightens me, the breathing exercises are extremely important in helping to quelch the anxiety and feared situation. gina directed us to a site for this and it was extremely helpful and i plan to use it.
also my doctor put me on paxil for this too. i used to always have a supply of klonopin too which i never abused. but i stopped refilling them years back.
good luck to you lixie, jewels
Lixie:
I feel ya. Don;t start avoidance behavior, it can increasingly narrow your life until you're afraid of everything. I agree with SP, benzo's have their place BUT I also agree that withdrawal from them is pure hell. I was on xanax for years, didn't abuse them, but did drink alcohol. When I quit drinking I decided that the xanax was a crutch - abruptly stopped - had grand mal seizures. You don't play with benzo's, I learned the hard way. Interestingly, (at least to me) was the fact that the seizures kind of reprogrammed my brain for a while and I quit having panic attacks for a few years. When they came back, though, they came back with a vengence. I was having them everywhere, for no reason. I became phobic of certain things, I became afraid of people (afraid I would freak out in front of them, I guess), my job involved dealing with a lot of people, and I starting avoiding people & things that were a part of my job. I would also have bad anticipatory anxiety if I knew something was coming up at work. I was killing my career, losing friends, it was bad. I was so scared of benzo's though, I tried so hard to tough it out. Eventually though, I couldn't take it & I went to a shrink. They put me on tranxene 7.5 mg. And my life came back. This was years ago, before paxil, I think, which is what I'm on now. I didn't abuse the tranxene, I had a healthy respect for it (which is unusual for me). But, I don't have to take it anymore. Paxil really seems to work for me. It's is very hard to come of off though, I've tried several times, it can cause weight gain. Now though I take 30 mgs a day down from 60 mg's. There is a drug out that isn't a benzo, although I think it starts with a B. I can't think of it right now, maybe someone else knows? It isnt supposed to be addictive, but it's something you take daily, not just as needed, and it takes a while to work (kind of like an anti-depressant) it didn't work for me though. Good luck - I can really relate to this. The workbook mentioned is excellent, and try not to start the advoidance behavior - it can never stop, until you find yourself in one room. That's where I saw myself going.
I feel ya. Don;t start avoidance behavior, it can increasingly narrow your life until you're afraid of everything. I agree with SP, benzo's have their place BUT I also agree that withdrawal from them is pure hell. I was on xanax for years, didn't abuse them, but did drink alcohol. When I quit drinking I decided that the xanax was a crutch - abruptly stopped - had grand mal seizures. You don't play with benzo's, I learned the hard way. Interestingly, (at least to me) was the fact that the seizures kind of reprogrammed my brain for a while and I quit having panic attacks for a few years. When they came back, though, they came back with a vengence. I was having them everywhere, for no reason. I became phobic of certain things, I became afraid of people (afraid I would freak out in front of them, I guess), my job involved dealing with a lot of people, and I starting avoiding people & things that were a part of my job. I would also have bad anticipatory anxiety if I knew something was coming up at work. I was killing my career, losing friends, it was bad. I was so scared of benzo's though, I tried so hard to tough it out. Eventually though, I couldn't take it & I went to a shrink. They put me on tranxene 7.5 mg. And my life came back. This was years ago, before paxil, I think, which is what I'm on now. I didn't abuse the tranxene, I had a healthy respect for it (which is unusual for me). But, I don't have to take it anymore. Paxil really seems to work for me. It's is very hard to come of off though, I've tried several times, it can cause weight gain. Now though I take 30 mgs a day down from 60 mg's. There is a drug out that isn't a benzo, although I think it starts with a B. I can't think of it right now, maybe someone else knows? It isnt supposed to be addictive, but it's something you take daily, not just as needed, and it takes a while to work (kind of like an anti-depressant) it didn't work for me though. Good luck - I can really relate to this. The workbook mentioned is excellent, and try not to start the advoidance behavior - it can never stop, until you find yourself in one room. That's where I saw myself going.
Thanks everyone, I have talked to my doctor and he is not one to give out medications very easily, which is good for me. I dont nessesarily want to go on medications, when can I take them? They probably make you sleepy and I dont have time for that. Two kids and a full time job. When I used to abuse drugs I would do it in the comfort of my own home, at night or when the kids were at daycare. Having this job has saved me more than anyone will ever know. I love my job and I dont want to lose it, I am a happier person and I dont struggle with cravings anymore, not to say I am cured but I just have other priorities. I dont understand why I would get these now, I am a little stressed but I have dealt with alot more stress in my life that was worse than this. I am a very nervous person, I have not had a job before and I am not just talking a career, I am talking a job that you actually get paid for. I went straight from my fathers house to my husbands house and never worked outside the home. I never had a lot of friends and really never went anywhere. I am basically living someone elses life. Thats what it feels like. Maybe I have just answered my own questions.... I like to say that I am not very socialized lol. I want this so bad though, there is nothing that will keep me from moving on with my life. If anyone is wondering why after all these years I decided to get a job, my husband cheated on me last July and it was then that I realized how dependant I was on him for everything. One day I wrote a resume and faxed it off and the lady called me in two minutes. It was so scary I didnt think I would actually have to go through with it. I did and I love it. I now have a sense of worth that I have never had and i wouldnt change it for any drug. That is why I cant understand why I am getting these panic attacks, I am so happy and living a new life. Maybe I am trying to sabotage myself, maybe? Anyways thanks for the input it is good to hear from people who have experienced this and to know that I am not just going crazy. Who would have thought I would be scared to stand in line at the bank...It sounds so funny but its not, its scary.
Sometimes I will go to some place like the mall, or even just a loud crowded restaurant, and after about 10 minutes I feel like everything is closing in on me and the noise levels feel like they are amplified by like, 1000x and I get alll sweaty and feel like I'm coming out of my body. It happens if I'm in a really big class sometimes. And I don't have social anxiety typically, but anxiety likes to sneak up on you.... :) And lie, for me, that stuff will happen when I'm already feeling anxious. You just never know when something will set it off and KABLOOM.
But it goes away... and it ebbs and flows... and we do what we can to get through it :)
Just like you...
But it goes away... and it ebbs and flows... and we do what we can to get through it :)
Just like you...
Hey:
I was diagnosed with GAD (general anxiety disorder) a kind of free floating anxiety, social phobia, and intermittent panic disorder. The social phobia started in Junior High - and that's when I started self-medicating, usually with alcohol, just to relax. I drank alcohollicly for years - until my anxiety was diagnosed and treated. After that I no longer drank alcoholicly, I became a moderate social drinker. I honestly thought I was an alkie big time. DUI's, life unmanageable, etc. I took one of those tests where if you answer 3 questions yes then you are an alkie. I think I answered like 9 correct. But, I just was trying to calm down. Now, the alcohol went on for about 8-10 years before I was treated for the anxiety disorder - about the same time I discovered opiates. So I don't know if the opiates took over where the alcohol was and I just traded one addiction for another. I do know as much as I liked drinking when I was young - the first time I took opiates, I felt like they filled in a part of my personality. I was taking benzo's very sparingly - only when needed, like for an interview or something. But the first opiate that got me was fiorinal #3. The 1st time I felt was the perfect thing for me, it made me feel "NORMAL". It was how I should have felt naturally, I thought. It had codeine to perk me up, caffiene to give me energy, and a barbituate to calm me down. Alcohol disappeared way in to the background - and to this day, I drink moderately and socially once in a while. I ended up on xanax 3 X a day to keep the anxiety at bay- then, out of the blue, I went clean - no fiorinal, no alcohol. Did very well, decided the xanax was a crutch and abruptly stopped them. BAD IDEA - grand mal seizures, several of them. For about 2 years after that I stayed totally clean, and ironically the seizures rewired my brain for a while and for a couple of years - no panic, no social phobia, no GAD. It was great. When they came back though, it was with a vegence. I was so scared to go back on benzo's, but I eventually had to and was put on tranxene 7.5 3X day. For about another 5-6 years I stayed off the opiates, didn't drink, quit smoking, lost weight. All at once. I wish I could do that again, I'm not sure how I did it all at the same time then anyway. When I did eventually relapse it was to opiates. At that same time though I weaned myself off the tranxene because I was on paaxil and I didn't think I needed the tranxene anymore. See, it can be done! I've actually done it! But I don;t know how I got started so strongly. Everyone's advice was don't quit smoking, lose weight, go off everything (except paxil) all at once. I remember I just decided no more. I keep thinking that somehow that will miraclously happen again. I know it can be done, because I know I've done it but it just seems impossible now
I was diagnosed with GAD (general anxiety disorder) a kind of free floating anxiety, social phobia, and intermittent panic disorder. The social phobia started in Junior High - and that's when I started self-medicating, usually with alcohol, just to relax. I drank alcohollicly for years - until my anxiety was diagnosed and treated. After that I no longer drank alcoholicly, I became a moderate social drinker. I honestly thought I was an alkie big time. DUI's, life unmanageable, etc. I took one of those tests where if you answer 3 questions yes then you are an alkie. I think I answered like 9 correct. But, I just was trying to calm down. Now, the alcohol went on for about 8-10 years before I was treated for the anxiety disorder - about the same time I discovered opiates. So I don't know if the opiates took over where the alcohol was and I just traded one addiction for another. I do know as much as I liked drinking when I was young - the first time I took opiates, I felt like they filled in a part of my personality. I was taking benzo's very sparingly - only when needed, like for an interview or something. But the first opiate that got me was fiorinal #3. The 1st time I felt was the perfect thing for me, it made me feel "NORMAL". It was how I should have felt naturally, I thought. It had codeine to perk me up, caffiene to give me energy, and a barbituate to calm me down. Alcohol disappeared way in to the background - and to this day, I drink moderately and socially once in a while. I ended up on xanax 3 X a day to keep the anxiety at bay- then, out of the blue, I went clean - no fiorinal, no alcohol. Did very well, decided the xanax was a crutch and abruptly stopped them. BAD IDEA - grand mal seizures, several of them. For about 2 years after that I stayed totally clean, and ironically the seizures rewired my brain for a while and for a couple of years - no panic, no social phobia, no GAD. It was great. When they came back though, it was with a vegence. I was so scared to go back on benzo's, but I eventually had to and was put on tranxene 7.5 3X day. For about another 5-6 years I stayed off the opiates, didn't drink, quit smoking, lost weight. All at once. I wish I could do that again, I'm not sure how I did it all at the same time then anyway. When I did eventually relapse it was to opiates. At that same time though I weaned myself off the tranxene because I was on paaxil and I didn't think I needed the tranxene anymore. See, it can be done! I've actually done it! But I don;t know how I got started so strongly. Everyone's advice was don't quit smoking, lose weight, go off everything (except paxil) all at once. I remember I just decided no more. I keep thinking that somehow that will miraclously happen again. I know it can be done, because I know I've done it but it just seems impossible now
| QUOTE |
| the seizures rewired my brain for a while and for a couple of years - no panic, no social phobia, no GAD. It was great |
Morning Lola,
The psychiatrist I saw before Dr. M (I call her the pill pusher) recommended ECT when I was having a horrendous switchout between antidepressants. I was horrified and dumped her that day, found Dr. M the next week and have been with him ever since.
Not that I would submit to induced seizures, but it's interesting that yours temporarily helped with the GAD -- and for quite a while, too.
Love,
Gina
Hey Gina:
Exactly! It was as if I'd had ECT, I even had some short term memory loss, like I don't really remember the seizures, or the few days leading up to them. I found the whole thing extremely interesting though. Having really suffered with anxiety disorders for years - OMG what a relief it was. As a matter of fact, during those 18 months, 2 years or so, thats when I quit drinking, smoking, became a gym rat, got promotions. It made me see how empty my life had been due to the anxiety disorders and aviodence behavior. How ironic that the social phobia was so bad, but my job promotions were due to such "Excellent People Skills". When the anxiety, panic, etc came back I was devastated. I tried so hard to handle them without medication, but I just couldn't. Even medicated though, I never felt as good or as comfortable with things as I did during that period of no excess anxiety. I'd always felt like I wasn't "normal" but after the seizures, I was like - oh this is how most people feel! It was really great! Sorry, not meaning to whine and the paxil works pretty well now. So, no benzo's in a while. I'm glad you found that interesting about the seizures too, it still amazes me!
Exactly! It was as if I'd had ECT, I even had some short term memory loss, like I don't really remember the seizures, or the few days leading up to them. I found the whole thing extremely interesting though. Having really suffered with anxiety disorders for years - OMG what a relief it was. As a matter of fact, during those 18 months, 2 years or so, thats when I quit drinking, smoking, became a gym rat, got promotions. It made me see how empty my life had been due to the anxiety disorders and aviodence behavior. How ironic that the social phobia was so bad, but my job promotions were due to such "Excellent People Skills". When the anxiety, panic, etc came back I was devastated. I tried so hard to handle them without medication, but I just couldn't. Even medicated though, I never felt as good or as comfortable with things as I did during that period of no excess anxiety. I'd always felt like I wasn't "normal" but after the seizures, I was like - oh this is how most people feel! It was really great! Sorry, not meaning to whine and the paxil works pretty well now. So, no benzo's in a while. I'm glad you found that interesting about the seizures too, it still amazes me!
