Agoraphobia Support Group

Hello sorry for not writing an introduction up before I started posting here

My name is Matthew and live in south Florida. I am 27 years old. I have a long history of having an anxiety and panic attacks. I've recently found out through research online http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/agoraphobia/DS00894/ DSECTION=symptoms that I may have a bad case of Agoraphobia. I show a lot of the symptoms that is listed on the mayoclinic site.

Currently I am housebound, and that's just how severe my situation is right now. I don't know how I can explain to my best friend that whenever I go to her house, I start feeling very uncomfortable to which I did not have the feeling in the past. I feel like a prisoner that is left in isolation... even know I did not commit any crimes.

I had to be rush to the hospital 3 times because of rapid heart beat along with palpitations. It didn't help my situation as I fear that I am dying from heart failure, or going to have a massive heart attack. Not a day goes by when I don't think about it. I do have an appointment with the cardiologist (The hospital appointed me one) within the next couple of days so hopefully that will ease up my mind if my heart is indeed healthy.

I've been meaning to call up someone that I know at the hospital to discuss what is going on with me lately. What is keeping me from doing it is that I know the results... Psych drugs to which I am against. I I feel like I am on dried ice. I just hope that this condition doesn't become worst in the future.

Welcome to the group Matthew! I know panic attacks can even make a healthy person's heart go crazy. I have a heart condition plus the anxiety so I know how scary it can get. I hope when you go to the doctor they find you are healthy, but if not you'll get the treatment that you need. It could potentially help with the panic too. Once I found out about my heart condition, I learned and understood the symptoms. So when my heart goes on the fritz, I'm not in the dark anymore. For me at least, that knowledge was life-changing.

Welcome to the group! Getting your heart checked out is an excellent first step. Once you know that you're not having a heart attack, it's just panic, things are a little less scary. I say a "little" -- panic attacks still suck, even if you know that's all it is.

I look forward to seeing you around the group!

I'm in the process of canceling my Gym membership because I no longer am comfortable in the building. I find myself having to leave early because I begin to feel anxious during a workout. I could remember the last time I went. I had a real bad episode to where I started having a balance problem. I wasn't able to walk in a straight line, and I almost passed out. I'm pretty sure that if a normal person saw me they would think that I came in drunk.

I also found this post to be interesting http://forums.webmd.com/.eeeb419

DemonVonKitc, Thank you I also forgot to mention that I do have a thyroid problem. I've been diagnose by a doctor of having hypothyroidism so I think the anxiety has somewhat to do with my thyroid condition. I'm currently not taking anything for it but I was taking Synthroid for the longest time until I developed bad heart palpitations. I just hope that the drug didn't screw up my heart

I find myself having a hard time discussing these things with doctors because all they want me to do is to take psych drugs. They treat me like a mental patient instead of a normal human being with some issues. It's unfortunate that I already have the mental health stigmatization stick on me.

Hi Matthew!!

Ouch, thyroid problems can cause panic attacks. I had some problems with mine a bit ago but was lucky in that I worked it out on my own as it wasn't too severe. I still get it tested once a year though just to be sure, but it made me way worse, for sure.

This may sound weird, but take cold showers and wash your hair with cold water. Even it you start with warm water 1st....It makes your thyroid work harder and actually did work for me anyhow. Exercise also does help.

I sure know what you mean about being under house arrest too for a crime never commited

Hope to chat to ya more....

Welcome!

Hi Matthew, welcome to the group. It's always a good step to get your heart checked out. I did that years ago when my panic first started. I also have thyroid problems and I know it can cause anxiety and panic problems. I've been on synthroid for years, but if it bothered you there are other thyroid meds that are shorter lived in your system you may want to try.

I'm glad you found the group

CanadianAngel, Unfortunately that is apart of the territory when having thyroid problems I recently missed my blood work appointment because the anxiety was too much for me to even leave the house So now I must call up my doctors office to let them know that I've missed my appointment, and that I need to reschedule it for another time! More time waste on treating my aliment.

I wouldn't call it weird but pretty interesting. I never heard of taking cold showers to get your thyroid to work harder. Sometimes I am sensitive to the cold so I take hot showers instead of the typical warm ones.

Thanks for the welcome

Conn65, I believe my doctor is wanting to do a radioactive iodine test on me. I am confused about this test because I am hearing that it's for people who have hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer. My thyroid, while taking Synthriod would be at hyperthyroidism level at times.

Hi Matthew Thank you for your introduction and Welcome!!

Medical issues always complicate anxiety and panic I hope your appointments work out well and your tests coming up give you some peace of mind and comfort. I'm glad soo many here can relate to some of those issues.

You will find we truly are very supportive of each other in all areas of our lives, because, well, everythings conncected isn't it?

Again, Warm Welcomes to the group and keep letting us know how you're doing!

Hey Matthew....I am glad that you came back!

There are herbs that you can take that will give a similar effect as medication. Depending on your symptoms, here is a site to help you take a chance and try something new!

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsatod/a/ Anxiety.htm

How about Aromatherapy?

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/anxiety/a/ anxiety_acupuncture.htm

Welcome to the group

Cheryl

Hi Matthew and welcome to the Agor group. I know how it is not wanting to go into buildings,if they are not open and have windows to see outside I will not go into them. I was homebound for several years and now I have a place of my own and I go out to the mailbox and to do laundry and talk to neighbors and go shopping so I am doing much better and all without medication. Mostly because I have no medical insurance yet. But, I have come a long way on my own. Doing visualization helps me alot and telling myself where I am going over and over again. Also discussing where you are going helps the mind not to panic. And take things to take your mind off the panic like books, or music or a phone to call someone.I have used all of them and I am doing a lot better than I was. Good Luck to you and God Bless you