My panic disorder has caused me to have agoraphobia

I highly recommend an Extended Release Beta Blocker that stays in your system 24/7. My panic attacks started at 29 years old. Beta Blockers stop the physical butterflies, increased heart rate, racing thoughts etc. When the physical reaction doesn't occur the panic attack tends to weaken or go away. Over time as your panic attacks diminish, they will finally go away.
Make sure to work on your health, exercise, good diet.
GG

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I do not have panic attacks but I do have agorophobia. It started out as claustrophobia many years ago and has now morphed into agorophobia. I have been taking celexa and ativan for a number of years. This keeps everything under control. I recommend.

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I also have agoraphobia and anxiety attacks. I've taken more than 13 antidepressants over the years, but I think it's not a good idea to name them. Some people have had wild success with meds that I hated and vice versa, so I don't want to give false hope. I'm glad you have found meds that help you. Kathleen

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@kathbell666 Kathleen, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for your experiences.

One of the things I have discovered here in our community, is sharing both what has worked or not worked for different members, can be valuable. At times we're taking various medications, either over-the-counter or prescription, and do not make the connection of possible interactions. Sometimes we need to hear that something was successful for someone else. I have learned so many ideas and celebrated with members when they find that "right combination" for them!
Ginger

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I'm 73 and have had panic attacks all my life. I don't think anything can be prescribed to stop them. I do know that perseverance with allowing the panic to pass helps and have someone who understands be by your side to take baby steps out of your comfort zone.

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@graciepeanut521 Like other members here have recommended I would suggest that you give the Cymbalta a good try. A week isn't a very long time yet and after another week you might talk with your doctor about adjusting your dosage.

I had my first panic attack on board a plane when I was about 38 years old. I had another panic attack a few weeks later and it all quickly evolved into panic disorder. I was able to leave the flat in the large city where I lived at the time but there were many places I began to avoid. It took time to find the medication that worked best for me and that brought my anxiety down to a more manageable level. I had to work very hard with my therapist to get myself back on the metro, riding as a passenger in another's person's car and finally getting back on a plane. I'm 71 years old now and I've flown in a plane all over North America and Europe. I've traveled on ferry boats and smaller fishing boats so I can go birding out at sea. These are things I could not do the first years after the panic disorder began. I've realized over the years that I've always had and will have anxiety that will come and go. I've learned coping skills such as mindfulness meditation that are very helpful to me.

I think it's wonderful that you are meeting with a therapist and are willing to try exposure therapy. Please allow grace and self-compassion to guide you.

Will you come back and let me know how you feel after your first session with your therapist?

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Helen,
Thank you for your kind words and advice. I’ve been slowly increasing the Cymbalta and I can see the effects working! I am on my 4th or so week of exposure therapy and it is so hard but so worth it. There are a lot of bad days, but there a good days as well. I’m trying in therapy and I can successfully go a few miles from my house without a panic attack. I know it takes time but I wish I could do all the things I want and not worry about them.

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