Agoraphobia Support Group

I am a 38 year old male, dealing with panic, GAD and of course agoraphobia going on a decade now. Cant fly, cant do Doctors, dentists, take elevators, tunnels, large gatherings or drive further than one hour from my safety zone, the list goes on..... I have been prescribed Lexapro, Xanax and Klon, and have taken exactly 0. I have carried my safety blanket (xanax) on me for ten years now. I'm fed up. I'm done. I need a change. Perhaps its time for meds. Tired of living a life of avoidence and excuses. Wife wants to take the kids to FL this winter, now how the hell am I gonna do that. Need to have oral surgery, cancelled twice and the one time I do actually show up, my blood pressure is so high he wont work on me. When will I hit my breaking point, the wall, rock bottom so I can finally force myself to just take the damn pill

Sorry, needed to vent. Wonderful group you have here.

Good question, when ARE you going to make changes? Is it today?

There are a few members here who won't take pills also. I wonder if they know what they are missing, or what that final straw will be when they decide that they need a change.

I love Xanax. It IS a security blanket. One that I use now and then to make my life better. I don't like suffering and have no need to make myself do more than necessary. If I can pop a pill and feel better, then why not. <--- statement, not a question! LOL

Welcome to the group!!!

The WHY NOT of taking an occasional benzo is that they sensitize the GABA receptors so they can create more anxiety and if you take an anxiety medication regularly you run the risk of neuro-adaptation with eventual increased symptoms and if you have to stop the drug the recovery can be years and hundreds of times worse than normal anxiety.

For many of us these drugs are a Faustian bargain.

You can recover but you will need a therapist that treats only anxiety and specializes in it ONLY. Run of the mill therapists are worthless.....still many of those are not trained in the physiology of anxiety and work only on the cognitive level.

I went through the grueling 9 year program to become a Medical Psychologist so I could work with the psychological - nutritional - exercise - spiritual and medical components of anxiety recovery - it is a complex condition and leaving out just one part can keep you stuck for decades. I am still learning and I still make personal mistakes - but I make them less often and after being house bound for 3 years I can travel the world

Both are very good points, and one of the reasons I am conflicted on medications for treatments.

Welcome to the agor group! No need to apologize for venting... we are always here to listen. Xanax has really helped me but I can understand the concerns some people have with taking meds. Its a diificult decision and whatever you decide to do, I hope it works out for the best.

welcome to the group. you said that you needed a change and in a way by joining this group you have accomplished that goal. trying something different is a huge step and i hope that you give yourself some credit for that

cheryl

I am curios about the benzo's and wonder if trying a xanax for my oral surgery appt will lower my anxiety, in turn lowering my blood pressure. I have been fighting my restrictions without meds ok for a decade, but being unable to do a needed medical appointment is unacceptable. They call it white coat syndrome. As soon as you enter that office and see the dr/dentist your blood pressure skyrockets.

my daughter has a fear of dentists and they gave her Valium to take right before the surgery. she was calm enough when we got there to go forward with taking her wisdom teeth out. most dentists/oral surgeons are aware of these fears and will work with you to make it easier to complete the work that needs to be done

I HAD a fear of dentists... Until I went and put my big girl undies on and did it. I am in the process of going totally off all medications so I didn't take anything for my last visit. (I had a root canal, and several teeth rebuilt).

Like Cheryl said coming here and doing something different is a HUGE first step. Read, learn, take it all in. Taking a xanax that is prescribed to you is fine. Your doctor says it's ok, and you would be amazed at the difference it can make.

Welcome to the group hun!

I have a huge fear of meds. All meds, not just benzo's. But after dealing with agor/panic for so many years I finally gave in. I was given Ativan which from what I understand is one of the weakest benzo's and doesn't stay with you as long as some others. I don't take it on a regular basis, but it has come in handy a few times. I have a really sensitive system to meds so I cut mine into 1/4th's. I know for most people this wouldn't do a thing, but it helps me, and I have control over the amount I take. If I'm more anxious I can take more So maybe you could try that at first. Cut it into 1/2 or even 1/4 until you're comfortable to try the full dose.

I know you're fear of doctors and dentists all to well also. My dentist will actually call in Ativan for me before an appt. And I did need to take it before a doctor appt just yesterday where I knew I would be anxious.

Best of luck to you, so glad you found the group and vented to us