a new beginning!

[afle22]

Wow! That really all I can say right now it Wow! As with virtually all other posts here I was amazed that I am not the only one with this 'condition'. You all seem to have the exact same thoughts and fears as I have! How can so many people from all over the world with different life experiences be so much alike! Wow! Thank you all for being so open and honest and sharing your fears honestly. Just knowing that you're not alone is a big help.


I suppose I have emetophobia (more geared toward v* in public). I've had almost constant n* for two years now. A few weeks ago I've decided to do something about. I've lost friends, lost jobs, lost my apartment (agorophobia due to fear of v*). Completely isolated myself from the world. People couldn't count on me because I would get huge anticipitary anxiety.


Just before Christmas I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and he put me on Clonazepam. A miracle!! Virtually no anxiety. Friday i went back for a refill and he doesn't want me on Clonazepam anymore (apparently addictive, etc.) so I'm in the process of switching to Paxil (anyone who has experience with these drugs, please post your thoughts!). Side effects of Paxil (why did I read the side-effect sheet???) is N* and 'rarely' v*. Felt a bit of n* today and fully believe its all 'in my head'.


I'm determined to get over this fear/phobia. Love that there is this online 'support group'. Thank you all for being exactly who you are. We'll get through this together! I'm sure it can be overcome and life can be great. Truly I believe this. Goonight all!

[violet]

hey there...


Sorry to hear that your doctor hasnt refilled your prescription for clonazepam,never actually heard of that myself.


but mind you Im not on any drugs at the moment,but to scared of being addicted.


Hope you are well?


xVx

[afle22]

I've just been reading some old posts and a lot of you are from Canada too!


I don't know how this works and if people feel comfortable asking eachother where they are from, so don't respond if you feel the anonymity of the internet important to you, but is anyone from the Hamilton area?

[crimgoddess]

I currently live a bit further north- in Ottawa.


Although you may not think it's a good thing- drugs like the one you were on can really be addicting, to the point where your body can't function without it, and stopping it can mean severe withdrawals. Withdrawal from prescription drugs is similar to street drugs- shaking, vomitting, pain, etc- I wouldn't want you to have to go through something like that


What other types of therapy are you doing with this doctor- anything that you have found helpful?


Welcome to the site!


*amber*

[crystalmom]

Hey...I LOVE my clonazepam! I take it, and Paxil. I had no side effects with the Paxil, although it does take a couple weeks to kick in.


Clonazepam is very addictive. If I miss more than one day, I get dizzy and feel like s**t. When I got pregnant 5 years ago, I didn't realize it was a bad drug while pg, so I had to go cold-turkey. It was very hard. I think alot of my m/s was from withdrawls.


I am in Alberta. Nobody is from Alberta [img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img] I'm gonna have to go to Ontario just to meet you ppl!!!!! Never been east, so it would be a great excuse.


Wlecome!


Crystal

[crimgoddess]

Crystal, come anytime Make sure to bring that cute kid of yours too!


*amber*

[crystalmom]

Maybe if I can ever save enough...lol. It's cheaper to go to Vegas! LOL....he's damn cute, most of the time. [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]


Crystal

[crimgoddess]

hahaha- I hear ya about it being cheaper to go further:


A round trip ticket to California from Ottawa is approximately 600$.....meanwhile, a roundtrip ticket from Ottawa to Sudbury- my hometown, and approximately 5-6 hours away by car- can be over 1,000$. What's the deal man?


*amber*

[daniela]

Hi Alfe22 and welcome! I was on Paxil for 8 years and it was fantastic; unfortunately, it is difficult to come off Paxil as the withdrawal symptoms are quite nasty (no v*) but things like dizziness, 'electric shocks' to the head, nausea, basically just feeling like you've been hit by a train! However, the benefits of taking Paxil far outweigh those withdrawal side effects. I switched to Zoloft 3 months ago because there is much more information medically about Zoloft and pregnancy. It had been reported in the media recently that Paxil may cause heart defects in babies, however, it is a very low percentage, approximately 1% of births. If you are considering pregnancy, it would be best to speak to your doctor about Paxil and the pros and cons.


I hope I haven't worried you, but I just wanted to share with you what I know about Paxil. I found Paxil to be a wonderful drug while I was on it for 8 years, and I had no problems or side effects during my years of taking it. It is important, however, to make sure you take your recommended dose every day at the same time, because if you miss a tablet you may feel discomfort and some withdrawal symptoms. Never stop taking Paxil abruptly - and I can say that from first-hand experience! My GP advised me to basically stop taking it cold-turkey (as I thought I was pregnant), and the side-effects were horrific (no v*). People takingany kind of anti-depressants need to be weaned off these drugs gradually under a doctor's guidance.


I have been on Zoloft for 3 months now and I still don't find it as good as Paxil, but perhaps it's too early to tell.


Good luck with Paxil and let us know how you are going.


Daniela

[crystalmom]

I took Paxil while pregnant. I never heard of any birth defects, so I figured it was ok. Good thing he is 'normal', or I'de be looking into that one!


As for the Zoloft, I have been on that one too. I found that I had ZERO sex drive with it. It was ruining my marraige, so that is why I switched to Paxil. Turns out, it was my husband...lol [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]


I'm good now though with my current b/f!!!! [img]smileys/smilies_03.gif[/img]


Crystal

[SimplyMe]

Welcome to the site! Sorry I dont' have any med advice but everyone here is great (as you can see) and there's always someone who can relate and offer advice (as you can see lol) So, welcome!

[afle22]

Thanks for the advice and the welcomes


I was just upset about the Paxil because the Clonazepam works SO WELL. Clonazepam allows me to be the person I want to be and know I can be. But, I suppose I can trust you guys <grin> about Paxil being good too. I'm on both now because it takes a while for the paxil to kick in. I don't like the idea of taking any type of drug but this 'problem' was interfering with my life so severly that I did need something drastic. I'm trying to find a thearapist, psychotherapist, psychologist, (is there a difference) who can help me get to the root of the problem and solve it.


Does everyone agree that emetophobia is really just a symptom for some underlying problems, or is it the sole problem itself. For example, I suspect mine might be more about loosing control and embarrassing myself, or feeling guilty (ie. it's my fault for being sick = I am a bad person).

[dord]

Hi Afle22,


I am only giving my opinion of my emet - just to clarify that


My emet isn't the symptom of some underlying problem. I have had this phobia since I was about 6 and I have absolutely no explanation for it.No underlying root of it, no control issues, andI have never experienced any "trauma" regarding vomit.I'm a very easy-going, non-threatening type person and I don't mind others being in control of things at all. I couldn't even explain to someone what it is that I fear.In my rational mind I knowit's just a bodily function, it's not going to kill me and there's nothing to be afraid of. But, when my husband gets out of bed in the middle of the night my heart begins to pound and I have to ask "WHAT'S WRONG????".Or if I myself wake up in the middle of the night my first thoughtis "Do I feel okay?"I know even if I am sick, it's not the end of the world and I'll be feeling better within hours.Really, what's to fear? Even though I can say those words and truly believe them, my heart stillraces and I still shake. Sucks butI've learned to cope and to live with it. I've been this way for so long it's just a part of me. I guess I wouldn't be me if I wasn't this way. But....if I gotthe chance to live life all over again I'd be begging not to have thisphobia. I believe (my theory only)that the psychiatrists have to pinpoint some underlying reasonand tell you they can help, otherwise who would go back?Really, can you imagine the doctor telling you"This phobia is the one that we just don't understand and I can't cure you". Then again the point ofgoingis learing to cope andif they can help you do that then it's worth going.I'm really happythat you are beingtreated with medication and it's making it easier for you to live with the phobia. I too have my Ativan for those nights that I'm lying there worrying and can't getto sleep. Most people have great resultswith Paxil and I'm sure you will too.