Aa
Agoraphobia and housebound
This is something I have been interested in discussing on this forum. I'm just wondering how many of us are agoraphobic and to what extent. I know that I am and fight it all the time but make sure that I do leave my home most days. I have a very dear friend who hasn't left her home in almost 7 years. She has had all kinds of therapy and has tried SSRIs and other meds but is now VERY meds phobic and even with the CBT she finally gave up and just stays home. I'm wondering if there are others on this forum who are like her or are the majority like me. I wish there was something I can do to help her but she is just plain scared to leave her house. She has tried on occasion and has had some success but very minimal and therefore doesn't leave home. We don't even discuss it that much anymore. Our discussions are about everything but... I have to say that she is a perfect example of someone who would benefit from more CBT and medication because she definitely doesn't have any depression, she just has GAD with panic. I would love to know who on this board has agoraphobia and if they have been housebound or are still housebound and how they are dealing with it.
I hear what you are saying and I don't think anyone would blame you for fearing medication after what you have been through. What you are doing now, your own form of CBT, will help you eventually to get your life back assuming you continue to work on it daily. I've always said that, it is work for me everyday and that is why I make sure I get out for at-least a little while each day just to reinforce the fact that I can do it. If I do have a couple of days where I haven't left the house, I feel it. Agoraphobia is not for sissies. It is a battle just to do the things that most people take for granted. Repetition, helps to make an activity become common-place again. Rewarding oneself for accomplishing a goal is important too. Set goals and see if you can reach them and reward yourself for doing it. Be determined and remember that when you are right in the middle of a panic attack, that it is just that, panic, nothing more nothing less and it will subside. Do the deep breathing, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Keep a diary/graph of your panic attacks and see if there is a co-relation to something else that is going on in your life or something you eat or drink. Make it a graph, each page being one month. Chart to see if there are differences as far as time of day or season. I did this for about a year and a half and what an eye opener it was. This may sound really involved but can easily be done by colour coding or giving a code to each item to be graphed. It will help you understand yourself. Once you are feeling better, absolutely stop graphing because you don't want to become obsessive about it and bring in another phobia to the equation.
These are just some thoughts that you may consider. You don't have to do any of this, just ideas to try to get you through this. By the way, psychiatrists love this stuff...it makes there job that much easier and basically you end up diagnosing yourself while they still get the big bucks for their consult. LOL
These are just some thoughts that you may consider. You don't have to do any of this, just ideas to try to get you through this. By the way, psychiatrists love this stuff...it makes there job that much easier and basically you end up diagnosing yourself while they still get the big bucks for their consult. LOL
Hi Sumi,
Thanks for info. Although I was living a normal lifestyle, with insomnia after I quit smoking, I do feel Klonopin put my system into a level of calmness, and now readjusting without the medication. Anxiety, panic attacks & agrophobia has been the worst symptoms of them all. I also feel my thyroid is contributing to health crisis, but nothing can be found medically abnormal. Reason I try to push so hard, to find something medically wrong, and it's very frustrating, because I try not to put the blame on benzo use but at this point, but there is no other explaination. Medications can do harm to a person, but doctors do not want to believe an unharmful treatment, can be so harmful.
As I stated before medications do help millions of people, but at the same time harm millions of people, the not so lucky ones. As someone suggested, sometimes a person just has to find the right combination of meds to work with thier system. But once a med causes harm to a person, it's very hard to convince them medications will help, and this is what has happened to me. Because Klonopin was actually the first prescription medication I have taken in 20+ years, I have always treat my ailments with natural remedies or acupunture, etc.... I have always taken Melatonin, drank Chamomile tea, green tea etc..... with no ill effects. I visit my doctor on routine check up, and told him I quit smoking, and couldn't sleep (another story),.
So I am not here opposing anyone taking medications that helps them, reason I was cautious about sharing my story, but felt at the same time, my story may help others, experiencing the same.
When I decided to come off Klonopin, my doctor was no help at all (long story), reason I sought out help from the internet, and now feel if I take any medication that could be harmful to me, my doctor wouldn't help me. My doctor told me to just cut my dose in half and stop after a week, several day's later I ended up in the ER going into convulsions(long story),.
So I hope others can understand why I am anti med. I have not shared my complete story, but bits and pieces here and there at the forums.
My agrophobic condition has gotten alot better over time, I've been working on the condition myself, forcing myself out of the house, the problem is once I am able to start doing so, one/two hours a day, it takes one day of staying indoors to put me back into agrophobic condition. So it has been a battle, but not impossible, it's just going to take time. I no longer have panic attacks leaving the house, only thing now is my chest tightens up real bad, and I get short of breath, then feel exhausted afterwards. My agrophobic condition has improved tremedously over time, just don't feel naturally comfortable leaving the house, and dislike the way I feel when I do.
I really appreciate all the help from everyone, taking the time to help me.
Hi there,
Barfer has given you some excellent suggestions and it is important getting any thyroid conditions under control.
With the benzo, perhaps you got so used to a certain level of calmness while on the med and didn't learn how to deal with anxiety symptoms triggered by various situations in your life. So now, you are off Klonopin and your body is all anxious and you don't know how to cope with it except retreat to a comfort zone. This is why your doctor probably is suggesting Klonopin or Paxil.
You fear Klonopin, so don't go there . Get your thyroid issues sorted out like barfer suggested. Next step you could consider is perhaps Valium - as a as needed basis whilst you see a therapist who can take you to the next level - some sort of exposure therapy. You mention , nothing helps , possibly because you haven't found the right therapist and perhaps you are too anxious to practise any strategies and wanting a quick fix. This is a normal reaction and you are just normal. You are a normal, healthy person who is just going through a bit of crisis at the moment.
Beta blockers are good but not without the side effects, some cause depression as they can cross the brain barrier etc. , sleep disorders in some and some are unsuitable for asthmatics. Long term usage seems to even link it to development of diabetes now. This is from what I know as I was considering a beta blocker of a different kind this time around. A few years back, my blocker caused depression and wheezing. So consult your doctor and while I might be an exception, it is my understanding that there are many people who don't seem to have much issues with blockers apart from mild fatigue.
Finally, I suggest that if you are housebound and can do some form of movement exercise, do it - suggestion, dance, housework, some gentle stretches.This is to get your cardiovascular fitness level and it will burn some of the adrenaline and get the endorphins (feel good hormone) going . This in turn will help you have fewer symptoms when you venture out of the house.
Take care.
Sumi
Thanks for info. Although I was living a normal lifestyle, with insomnia after I quit smoking, I do feel Klonopin put my system into a level of calmness, and now readjusting without the medication. Anxiety, panic attacks & agrophobia has been the worst symptoms of them all. I also feel my thyroid is contributing to health crisis, but nothing can be found medically abnormal. Reason I try to push so hard, to find something medically wrong, and it's very frustrating, because I try not to put the blame on benzo use but at this point, but there is no other explaination. Medications can do harm to a person, but doctors do not want to believe an unharmful treatment, can be so harmful.
As I stated before medications do help millions of people, but at the same time harm millions of people, the not so lucky ones. As someone suggested, sometimes a person just has to find the right combination of meds to work with thier system. But once a med causes harm to a person, it's very hard to convince them medications will help, and this is what has happened to me. Because Klonopin was actually the first prescription medication I have taken in 20+ years, I have always treat my ailments with natural remedies or acupunture, etc.... I have always taken Melatonin, drank Chamomile tea, green tea etc..... with no ill effects. I visit my doctor on routine check up, and told him I quit smoking, and couldn't sleep (another story),.
So I am not here opposing anyone taking medications that helps them, reason I was cautious about sharing my story, but felt at the same time, my story may help others, experiencing the same.
When I decided to come off Klonopin, my doctor was no help at all (long story), reason I sought out help from the internet, and now feel if I take any medication that could be harmful to me, my doctor wouldn't help me. My doctor told me to just cut my dose in half and stop after a week, several day's later I ended up in the ER going into convulsions(long story),.
So I hope others can understand why I am anti med. I have not shared my complete story, but bits and pieces here and there at the forums.
My agrophobic condition has gotten alot better over time, I've been working on the condition myself, forcing myself out of the house, the problem is once I am able to start doing so, one/two hours a day, it takes one day of staying indoors to put me back into agrophobic condition. So it has been a battle, but not impossible, it's just going to take time. I no longer have panic attacks leaving the house, only thing now is my chest tightens up real bad, and I get short of breath, then feel exhausted afterwards. My agrophobic condition has improved tremedously over time, just don't feel naturally comfortable leaving the house, and dislike the way I feel when I do.
I really appreciate all the help from everyone, taking the time to help me.
Hi there,
Barfer has given you some excellent suggestions and it is important getting any thyroid conditions under control.
With the benzo, perhaps you got so used to a certain level of calmness while on the med and didn't learn how to deal with anxiety symptoms triggered by various situations in your life. So now, you are off Klonopin and your body is all anxious and you don't know how to cope with it except retreat to a comfort zone. This is why your doctor probably is suggesting Klonopin or Paxil.
You fear Klonopin, so don't go there . Get your thyroid issues sorted out like barfer suggested. Next step you could consider is perhaps Valium - as a as needed basis whilst you see a therapist who can take you to the next level - some sort of exposure therapy. You mention , nothing helps , possibly because you haven't found the right therapist and perhaps you are too anxious to practise any strategies and wanting a quick fix. This is a normal reaction and you are just normal. You are a normal, healthy person who is just going through a bit of crisis at the moment.
Beta blockers are good but not without the side effects, some cause depression as they can cross the brain barrier etc. , sleep disorders in some and some are unsuitable for asthmatics. Long term usage seems to even link it to development of diabetes now. This is from what I know as I was considering a beta blocker of a different kind this time around. A few years back, my blocker caused depression and wheezing. So consult your doctor and while I might be an exception, it is my understanding that there are many people who don't seem to have much issues with blockers apart from mild fatigue.
Finally, I suggest that if you are housebound and can do some form of movement exercise, do it - suggestion, dance, housework, some gentle stretches.This is to get your cardiovascular fitness level and it will burn some of the adrenaline and get the endorphins (feel good hormone) going . This in turn will help you have fewer symptoms when you venture out of the house.
Take care.
Sumi
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for all the info. Problem is, I have been medically tested from head to toe, according to the doctor, endo, oncologist, surgeon & pyschiatrist, I am physically & mentally healthy.
The reason I claim that benzo use caused my thyroid to swell, agrophobia and other ailing symptoms over the past year is, I have read the manual by Professor Heather Ashton & read a book by Dr. Edmund Bourne that has written all the all the effects and damages benzo's can cause on the endocrine system, nervous system, immune system, etc..... the changes a person system will go through once coming off of benzo's going through withdrawals, and how long withdrawal symptoms can last.
I have sought out support from benzo forums, and many members experience the same as I am, including agrophobia without a thyroid condition. I cannot convince my doctor to test my thyroid more in depth, to rule out benzo being the cause or contribute to my thyroid swelling/agrophobia, because my thyroid tests all return normal, my complete blood work up returns normal, biopsy on the thyroid returned normal, ultra sound, I've had extensive cardiology testing, stress test, heart ultrasound, heart cath, 24 hour monitor, etc.... all return normal. I had an upper gi, endoscopy, 3 CT scans that showed a mass in my throat 5.5 X 3.3, I had a million dollar workup, and yet they cannot find the cause of my thyroid swelling. The surgeon said, there is no reason to remove a perfectly working benign thyroid.
If I suggest the information you provided me, all they are going to tell me is, there is no reason for the testing, because my thyroid is working normal. My doctor said abnormalities has to be found, to do a further in depth study.
Many benzo users have gone through ailments, that returned normal on testing, from IBS symptoms, to diabetes symptoms, to thyroid symptoms etc.... coming off of benzo's, nothing could ever be found.
So this is the reason, I am 100% sure benzo use caused my health system to go out of wack. Also did alot of reading at a website that did a survey for those on & off benzo's, all the withdrawal symptoms experienced etc......
After I came off benzo's, I had high blood pressure, now stable, I was diagnosed as a diabetic, but now my blood sugars are normal, I had bad heart palpitations, which is now normal, I had a wbc of 24, which is now normal, so all the facts written in the Ashton manual is true. My blood work went from chaos to normal, during the course of the year, I was prescribed 30-40 different medications to treat all the symptoms I complained off. I have a picture posted up on the net of all my meds.
According to Ashton manual, benzo withdrawal can cause a shift in the endoctrine system, which can cause irratic symptoms, and I'm hoping this is the case with me, cause the docs cannot find anything. But I will take all you shared to heart, and really appreciate you helping me, I recieve more help from forums then I do my health care providers.
Thanks for all the info. Problem is, I have been medically tested from head to toe, according to the doctor, endo, oncologist, surgeon & pyschiatrist, I am physically & mentally healthy.
The reason I claim that benzo use caused my thyroid to swell, agrophobia and other ailing symptoms over the past year is, I have read the manual by Professor Heather Ashton & read a book by Dr. Edmund Bourne that has written all the all the effects and damages benzo's can cause on the endocrine system, nervous system, immune system, etc..... the changes a person system will go through once coming off of benzo's going through withdrawals, and how long withdrawal symptoms can last.
I have sought out support from benzo forums, and many members experience the same as I am, including agrophobia without a thyroid condition. I cannot convince my doctor to test my thyroid more in depth, to rule out benzo being the cause or contribute to my thyroid swelling/agrophobia, because my thyroid tests all return normal, my complete blood work up returns normal, biopsy on the thyroid returned normal, ultra sound, I've had extensive cardiology testing, stress test, heart ultrasound, heart cath, 24 hour monitor, etc.... all return normal. I had an upper gi, endoscopy, 3 CT scans that showed a mass in my throat 5.5 X 3.3, I had a million dollar workup, and yet they cannot find the cause of my thyroid swelling. The surgeon said, there is no reason to remove a perfectly working benign thyroid.
If I suggest the information you provided me, all they are going to tell me is, there is no reason for the testing, because my thyroid is working normal. My doctor said abnormalities has to be found, to do a further in depth study.
Many benzo users have gone through ailments, that returned normal on testing, from IBS symptoms, to diabetes symptoms, to thyroid symptoms etc.... coming off of benzo's, nothing could ever be found.
So this is the reason, I am 100% sure benzo use caused my health system to go out of wack. Also did alot of reading at a website that did a survey for those on & off benzo's, all the withdrawal symptoms experienced etc......
After I came off benzo's, I had high blood pressure, now stable, I was diagnosed as a diabetic, but now my blood sugars are normal, I had bad heart palpitations, which is now normal, I had a wbc of 24, which is now normal, so all the facts written in the Ashton manual is true. My blood work went from chaos to normal, during the course of the year, I was prescribed 30-40 different medications to treat all the symptoms I complained off. I have a picture posted up on the net of all my meds.
According to Ashton manual, benzo withdrawal can cause a shift in the endoctrine system, which can cause irratic symptoms, and I'm hoping this is the case with me, cause the docs cannot find anything. But I will take all you shared to heart, and really appreciate you helping me, I recieve more help from forums then I do my health care providers.
PLEASE read and follow up on what RYAN has written. He knows his stuff! You won't regret it!
Barfer
Barfer
Hi Barfer,
All my troubles began once I stopped taking Klonopin, long story. I quit smoking Feb 06 cold turkey, after smoking 30 years, and became an insomniac without my nightly smokes. My doc prescribed me Xanax for sleep. I didn't like the way the med made me feel, took it for around a week, returned to my doc, he then prescribed me Klonopin, and assured me the med was a sleeping pill, and would not harm me. My medication bottle label reads take 1 time a night for sleep.
I completely tapered off Klonopin with Valium, a few weeks afterwards my thyroid began to swell, I've had a biopsy return benign, several thyroid tests all return normal. A year later, the surgeon, oncologist & Endo, does not have any idea why my thyroid swelled, I've had an upper gi & endoscopy, to rule out esophagul acid conditions, which returned normal, so I've been posting at the thyroid forum, hoping someone would have an answer, as to why my thyroid swelled.
As of right now, the only thing that could have caused my thyroid to swell, is benzo withdrawals. There is no other explaination.
This is the reason I know my thyroid/agrophobia was medication induced. Prior to Klonopin, I was in perfect health, comfortable lifestyle. My primary doctor tried to put me back on Klonopin & add Paxil, cause she felt I was stressed out about my untreated thyroid condition, and felt the meds would help until they can figure out the cause, but my psychiatrist written in my medical record, there is nothing wrong with me psychologically 4/21/08,.
What is done is done, now all I can do is try to recover.
I did not desire to share my story, for the reason not to offend or scare someone beginning or stopping benzo's.
I have learned to venture out of the house but still not fully comfortable as I was prior to using Klonopin, I still get out for groceries & necessaties, just not out enjoying life.
I would like to provide & recieve support from others experiencing the same, no matter what the cause.
Some have had great success on meds, and other's are not so fortunate.
Thanks for your concerns & support.
All my troubles began once I stopped taking Klonopin, long story. I quit smoking Feb 06 cold turkey, after smoking 30 years, and became an insomniac without my nightly smokes. My doc prescribed me Xanax for sleep. I didn't like the way the med made me feel, took it for around a week, returned to my doc, he then prescribed me Klonopin, and assured me the med was a sleeping pill, and would not harm me. My medication bottle label reads take 1 time a night for sleep.
I completely tapered off Klonopin with Valium, a few weeks afterwards my thyroid began to swell, I've had a biopsy return benign, several thyroid tests all return normal. A year later, the surgeon, oncologist & Endo, does not have any idea why my thyroid swelled, I've had an upper gi & endoscopy, to rule out esophagul acid conditions, which returned normal, so I've been posting at the thyroid forum, hoping someone would have an answer, as to why my thyroid swelled.
As of right now, the only thing that could have caused my thyroid to swell, is benzo withdrawals. There is no other explaination.
This is the reason I know my thyroid/agrophobia was medication induced. Prior to Klonopin, I was in perfect health, comfortable lifestyle. My primary doctor tried to put me back on Klonopin & add Paxil, cause she felt I was stressed out about my untreated thyroid condition, and felt the meds would help until they can figure out the cause, but my psychiatrist written in my medical record, there is nothing wrong with me psychologically 4/21/08,.
What is done is done, now all I can do is try to recover.
I did not desire to share my story, for the reason not to offend or scare someone beginning or stopping benzo's.
I have learned to venture out of the house but still not fully comfortable as I was prior to using Klonopin, I still get out for groceries & necessaties, just not out enjoying life.
I would like to provide & recieve support from others experiencing the same, no matter what the cause.
Some have had great success on meds, and other's are not so fortunate.
Thanks for your concerns & support.
Mr. Green - good to see the govt in Ireland is almost as out of touch with reality as the Canadian govt. Also, love Father Ted .... maybe I don't love him but I enjoy the show and the joke.
Nursegirl - thank you for the encouragement. Just reading this thread has helped me to understand agoraphobia when then helps me deal with it.
Suzi_q - your story made a lot of sense, to me anyway
JSG - the jokes LOL it really helps to keep things in perspective .... stiff penalties ROTFLMAO
wolf
Nursegirl - thank you for the encouragement. Just reading this thread has helped me to understand agoraphobia when then helps me deal with it.
Suzi_q - your story made a lot of sense, to me anyway
JSG - the jokes LOL it really helps to keep things in perspective .... stiff penalties ROTFLMAO
wolf
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