[Guest]

I started on Serax about 20 some years ago, prescribed for "general anxiety", inability to sleep etc. It's only on a prn basis, I'm not on a particular regime as there could be days, weeks, even months that go by that I do not take it. I found the low 15 mg dose easy to handle, non addictive and just
something that generally was calming. I have never taken more than a half tab.
This is the first list I have joined to see if I can get a handle on these attacks. During the attacks I become nauseated, palpitations, the urge to get home. The salivating has become the worst part of it and that only started the last month. I thought it was due to
my husband eating chicken one night and I did not like the smell but the next day it happened again and has happened since. Some days are great, I can go anywhere, do anything, other days I'm horrible. I can't plan to go anywhere because halfway there I will salivate and want to go back home. I've had to pull over five times on the way home with this. Driving seems to bring it on more. I very seldom get them at home but it has happened. I've woken in the night with my heart just racing and
feeling nauseated. My worst fear is vomiting. I feel if I don't get home, this will happen (tho I never have). I nearly became agoraphobic when I was in my first 3 mos of pregnancy in 1989, because I had a fear of going anywhere, I felt so nauseated. I've tried to live "in the moment" and get to the
next block without falling apart. Sometimes it works, sometimes it
doesn't and I have been at the place "too late to turn around". Sometimes my husband has to take over the wheel because I am so overcome. I am ok once I get to my destination, usually, and have something to eat. I was known for running out of malls at age 8 because I couldn't see the outdoors. I just had to get out!! We take holidays every year and drive 8 hours across the province. I can manage
about 3 hrs in the car, providing it's in the morning, I am much better
then, and we spend the night and go the rest of the way the next day.
I'm fine going outside to walk the dog for an hour, etc. but driving for some reason has got me rattled. Is this an association thing? Some places I will
repeatedly get an attack in, like one particular grocery store.
I like people too but I would prefer to spend it with my husband and
family. I don't like it when he (the proverbial social butterfly) invites
friends over to MY birthday parties (he has quit that), or invites others
to join us when we go out. It really riles me to the point of I will argue
with him (to no avail) then not want to go. I don't get panicky over it, I just do not want to go and really stick to it and say I'm not going. I am not very social but I like people, I coach baton twirling to kids, I have a 12 year old girl and two older married kids, none of my family have any of these problems. If we are at our trailer on a weekend I prefer to sit inside with
my own company and work on sewing up my bears or do cross stitch. Is this a social phobia of sorts?
My doctor prescribed Paxil 20 mg for me and did tell me I wouldn't notice an improvement for two weeks. I
have a fear of starting the Paxil. Now that I read about the side effects, it's worsened. I have my pills but haven't started them.
I also have pancreatic enzyme deficiency (I was on the list for this but found no help there). This means that I cannot eat many things I cannot break down protein so therefore I am eating of about ten things. It's chronic. Since I've had this, I am afraid to try new foods. I'm also afraid of side effects of things so have a fear of trying new drugs.
Where I live there isn't much support for this type of thing, at least
I cannot seem to find one. It's mostly for overeaters, alcoholics, etc.
so I tried online first. It's hard to know where to go and where you
will gain the most insight. Sometimes the bigger lists wander off
onto other topics and you seldom see anything posted about "your"
problem. Maybe if I were more nutritionally sound I might not have so many panic problems but then others who eat properly and can eat anything still have these problems. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Toby

[Guest]

Both the medications that you have, Paxil and Serax, are FDA approved and effective in treating panic and anxiety. Your doctors suggestions sound good to me.
[quote] I started on Serax about 20 some years ago, prescribed for "general anxiety", inability to sleep etc. It's only on a prn basis, I'm not on a particular regime as there could be days, weeks, even months that go by that I do not take it... [/quote]