[Roxie]

Hi everyone

I got full-blown anxiety in the 70's. I was a bright, attracive young woman with a fantastic job. Life couldn't have been better. I had one bad marriage behind me and ended it and struck out on my own to find out what I was all about. I enjoyed "getting to know me" and had many friends. I have always been out-going and compassionate for others because of this (and help from God) I met the man of my dreams. Oh, he was not wealthy and had an average job, but he's a wonderful man and I am happy to say we've been married 32 years (not without it's bumps here and there though. LOL) My father suffered a stroke and I was working long hours, rushing up to my parents to help my mom with my father and then coming home to the apartment and picking up speed there. This went on for many months and it "just caught up to me!" One day at work I felt like I had been hit in the back of the head with a hammer and I broke out into a sweat and all I wanted to do was run and hide. The long and short of it is ... altho my job was left open by this great co., I worked for I could not go back. I lost my job, my panic attacks took over my life and it turned into Agoraphobia. It was hell! I finally found a wonderful doctor (from Ireland) and he put me on a great SSRI (older one) and it was up-hill from then. I was only on the SSRI for 8 mos. I was back to normal! Then in 1996 had my gall bladder out and it was a lot more serious than the surgeon anticipated. I was pretty sick. After that the panic attacks came back full-fledged and I was devastated. My doctor put me on a low dose (.05 mgs) of Xanax and that is what I am on to this day. It gave me my life back and I am doing much better. I still have issues with driving freeways or on long trips, but I feel blessed that I can work, be happy once again (altho I do have my days) and all I can say is this Anxiety problem has really humbled me and made me see people in a different light. I am much more sensitive to people's feelings (I mean reallly sensitive!) A good learning tool in life.

Although I work, I have deticated my life to finding answers to this ever growing disease. Yes! It is a disease. I am most fortunate in having the opportunity of working with a few doctors, psychiatrists and getting their view of the situation as well as looking in other directions. I know that we are probably genetically inclined this way and now I am trying to prove that hormones (even in men) certainly play a large part in how we deal with stress. I just keep plugging away at it and I know that there will be a cure for this disease and it won't have to be controlled by medications that can sometimes leave us with unpleasant side effects.

Thanks for reading. It's great to be here.

[SundaysChild]

Welcome, Roxie! You've come to the right place. Looking forward to reading more from you in the near future.


"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived."

[darkeyes]

Gee, your name sounds really familar from the recent past (like almost 2 yrs.) My nickname was "Roxy", so that is how I remember this name, but I apologize if you aren't the same person I thought you were, I also am saying, "welcome to our forums", you will meet a lot of really nice, supportive people here

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[Roxie]

Hi darkeyes

Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I could be someone you know. I've been on a bad board before and I am coming under an alias. When I am more comfortable I'll come under my real name. Sorry about this, but I think you will understand. Altho my name isn't real, I sure am and I'm damned honest!

I am really pleased to find such a friendly board. It's been a rough road on the other one and very unpleasant. Was on that board for 2 years so it's sad. You may be seeing some of my other friends on here soon (all great gals.)

[Roxie]

Sundays Child

Posted to you, hope you get it. Disappeared off the board. LOL Let me know if you didn't get it.

Thanks

[yokus]

Welcome Roxie! I've been here a few months and I really like it. The people are all so caring and supportive.

[bptoo]

Hi Roxie, welcome! I'm very glad you've joined us. It looks like you're doing what you need to do to take care of you, and that's always important. I hope you'll find all the support you need here. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.

Greg

"You might as well learn to like yourself; you have an awful lot of time to spend with you."

[Willow]

Hi Roxie,
Glad you found us

[Fuzzybear]

Welcome Roxie!!!