I am new here. I am a 55 year old female who has lived with panic and anxiety since I was a teenager. For five years I was completely housebound with agoraphobia. I eventually began Paxil and did very, very well until a few years ago when I stopped taking it. The reason that I stopped was the weight gain issues...I gained 60 pounds and developed type 2 diabetes. When I stopped taking it, the blood sugar issues resolved very quickly and I lost the weight within two months without even trying. This was approximately five years ago. That was the good news.

The bad news is the fear is back, not the way it once was but I can certainly feel it once again. Driving is becoming scary again, the feeling of wanting to stay in my home, stay safe, isolating myself...the depression and what if's...

A new problem however is the dentist. I have been having extensive work done these past few months, a root canal, and extraction, fillings and a bridge. I Have white-knuckled it so far but it has been pure agony...not the pain or the procedures per se but rather the experience of just being there...the heart pounding, sweating, I am going to have a massive panic attack any second kind of feeling. And my treatment isn't finished...in fact I am sitting here with a tootache because I still have more dental work that needs to be completed. I had an appt. for this week but of course I canceled it...fear naturally. They rescheduled for next week. I absolutely have to finish this treatment...I have been wearing a temporary bridge for three months and they need to make the permanent one...plus I have this horrid toothache....ugh. This disorder makes life so hard. Oh and also, I am terrified of doctors too and haven't been in several years because I am just sure that they will find something wrong with me...and then the mind just takes the ball and starts running with it...maybe I have cancer...maybe I am dying...maybe, maybe, maybe. It just never stops.

Guess I am just looking for some support, or reassurance...or just a virtual hug to get me through the day.

Thanks for listening.