Question:
Why the hell can’t I have a menstrual cycle which should stop now (almost 50) and take care of my PD? You women have all the luck. But then I feel the bother of monthly periods entitle you to having some advantage afterwards. Still….damn! Philip Peters
Well Phillip, I’m glad you qualified the statement at the end of that post. <G Plus, don’t forget the "wonderful" experience of childbirth that many of us go thru. I think most won’t begrudge us this one small perk! Best Wishes, Jen
Response:
I am convinced that this PD will abate when I finally go thru menopause. Hi Jen: It could happen for you. It happened that way for me. I’ve had PD since 1962, becoming Agoraphobia in 1974. At the time I started having symptoms I was a grocery checker, then it became so bad I had to quit that kind of work and went back to office work. Eventually, I couldn’t even walk into a store anymore. This continued until 1991 when I entered my menopausal stage.
~ Snipped a little ~ The only thing is I do have to take an extra Xanax, and I have to use a grocery cart to hang onto. I can’t go into any type of store that doesn’t have carts to use.
What WOULD we do without those grocery carts? Actually, it works differently for me. I just HAFTA have that estrogen to feel OK. When the estrogen level goes down, the panic attacks get worse and occur more frequently. Every now and then I need an upgrade. Right now, my medications are working pretty well. My doctor doesn’t want to change a thing – hormone replacements included. Now I’m hoping that some day I’ll be much better because of gaining some self-confidence. I have noticed that I’m not white-knuckling the cart handle as tightly as before, and have, on occasion, even managed to let go briefly. So, there’s always hope.
Yep, there is always hope. Even if I always hafta pop pills to live comfortably, it’s worth it. That may be some people’s hope fulfilled. It is mine at this point in time. Nancy N.
Hi Nancy, Glad to have you with us. I guess we are just a couple of examples of YMMV. I’m Tasha. … Tasha … ~8)
Response:
Here’s an upbeat story for once! 
Like me, my Mom started suffering from P.D. all of the sudden when she was in her early 20s. Pretty soon she was on her way to becoming agoraphobic….when suddenly it disappeared as mysteriously as it came, with no medication, no therapy and no major change in her life that might have changed the levels of ordinary stress she might experience. So, yeah, I guess spontaneous remission can happen! — Steve
Just curious….when did the "remission" occur? Did it have anything to do with hormonal changes, i.e. end of a pregnancy/nursing a baby, menopause, hysterectomy? I am convinced that this PD will abate when I finally go thru menopause. My symptoms ALWAYS get worse during the time leading up to my period and were worse after the birth of my first child. I am convinced that in womenthere is a definite hormonal link. Best Wishes, Jen
Response:
I am convinced that this PD will abate when I finally go thru menopause. Hi Jen: It could happen for you. It happened that way for me. I’ve had PD since 1962, becoming Agoraphobia in 1974. At the time I started having symptoms I was a grocery checker, then it became so bad I had to quit that kind of work and went back to office work. Eventually, I couldn’t even walk into a store anymore. This continued until 1991 when I entered my menopausal stage. I could finally go into a supermarket and shop. <snipped
Hi Nancy, Glad to hear that there is hope for me! <G Glad things worked out for you the way they did….see menopause isn’t so bad! Best Wishes, Jen
Response:
I am convinced that this PD will abate when I finally go thru menopause.
Hi Jen: It could happen for you. It happened that way for me. I’ve had PD since 1962, becoming Agoraphobia in 1974. At the time I started having symptoms I was a grocery checker, then it became so bad I had to quit that kind of work and went back to office work. Eventually, I couldn’t even walk into a store anymore. This continued until 1991 when I entered my menopausal stage. I could finally go into a supermarket and shop. The only time I couldn’t go into a store from then on was about a week or so before I would have a period. I would skip periods for 3 months, 6 months, 8 months, etc., so never knew when I would have a period so I know it wasn’t just ‘in my head’. I don’t have my menstrual cycle at all anymore, so go shopping any time I want to now. It wasn’t because of medication because I had been on Xanax since 1984, but still couldn’t go to stores. Only when I went into Menopause was I able to. The only thing is I do have to take an extra Xanax, and I have to use a grocery cart to hang onto. I can’t go into any type of store that doesn’t have carts to use. Now I’m hoping that some day I’ll be much better because of gaining some self-confidence. I have noticed that I’m not white-knuckling the cart handle as tightly as before, and have, on occasion, even managed to let go briefly. So, there’s always hope. Nancy N.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here’s an upbeat story for once! Like me, my Mom started suffering from P.D. all of the sudden when she was in her early 20s. Pretty soon she was on her way to becoming agoraphobic….when suddenly it disappeared as mysteriously as it came, with no medication, no therapy and no major change in her life that might have changed the levels of ordinary stress she might experience. So, yeah, I guess spontaneous remission can happen! — Steve Just curious….when did the "remission" occur? Did it have anything to do with hormonal changes, i.e. end of a pregnancy/nursing a baby, menopause, hysterectomy? I am convinced that this PD will abate when I finally go thru menopause. My symptoms ALWAYS get worse during the time leading up to my period and were worse after the birth of my first child. I am convinced that in womenthere is a definite hormonal link. Best Wishes, Jen
She told me there was no link to anything she could think of…she wasn’t pregnant or anything at the time and was in "remission" in her early 20s, so that rules out menopause….it was quite mysterious how it disappeared. — Steve
Response:
Lori… Sounds like healing to me… Wonderful! Jody
Response:
I am finding at the moment my body is not requiring as much medication that I have been taking. I find myself forgetting to take Xanax and this is interesting! I feel the symptoms of withdrawal but not an increase in any of the symptoms of the Panic disorder. Can there be a spontaneous remission to PD?
I think we all have ben thru time when we need alot of meds and times where we need less. As someone else said, remission being the key word. I AM curious how you are dealing with the withdrawl feelings, Lori. Every time I have felt them it feels just like the anx/panic. But, this is good news! Gwen
Response:
I was born with disorder and I will die with it but I do like your idea of just slowly "mellow out", and yes I was in the groovy ‘60 and ‘70…. in San Francisco’s flower era! Remission is great even if it only last a short period of time. lori )
Does that mean that someone like me who developed it late in life (panic attacks) is basically stuck with it for life but with remission periods from time to time. Would it be like being a diabetic which I am and developed it at 34yrs. I know I have it for life but control it with Insulin. I honestly thought these recent panic attacks would go away in time either with drugs therapathy or both. Regards. — Mark
Response:
Now that is another story. The withdrawl is ‘hell’, all the nasty symptoms but no PD. I have been free of most of my panic/anxiety reactions to symptoms but I am having one heck of a time with some of the withdrawl. No sleep being the worse! But I able to function in crowded society without all the major symptoms I had. I can even stand in a line for a long period of time something I have not been able to do for years. lori – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I think we all have ben thru time when we need alot of meds and times where we need less. As someone else said, remission being the key word. I AM curious how you are dealing with the withdrawl feelings, Lori. Every time I have felt them it feels just like the anx/panic. But, this is good news! Gwen
Response:
<much snipped But I tell ya what……anything is possible in this world, and I’ve read of instances where people just wake up one morning and it’s gone. (usually women into menopause)….I sure hope you have the luck of getting past this! KC
What a wonderful thought. Come on Menopause! I’m not there yet. But I can see it from here. Actually I’m feeling much better today. Upped from .5 klonopin – twice a day to three times a day. I feel like scrooge on Xmas morning. Merry Solstice to everyone. Today, daylight starts to increase every day. Very good news for those of us with SAD as well as PAD. Kiesha
Response:
What I was saying is Panic Disorder is in my family’s genes. I am the second reconized generation with it, two of my children are the thrid and with the odds in this family one or more of my five grandson will be the fouth! Panic Disorder is very misunderstood of all the cause and effects. We are just starting to learn about this disorder! There are people who have a few panic attack and then have no more problems. There are people who live with this disorder all their life. What your personal prognosis is I cannot answer. What I can say this is the best time in history to have this disorder because the medical community has finally reconized it. The reserarch is very interesting and on going. It is now an acceptabel, treatable condition! When I was little it not reconized, talked about, and very misunderstood. lori – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Does that mean that someone like me who developed it late in life (panic attacks) is basically stuck with it for life but with remission periods from time to time. Would it be like being a diabetic which I am and developed it at 34yrs. I know I have it for life but control it with Insulin. I honestly thought these recent panic attacks would go away in time either with drugs therapathy or both. Regards. — Mark
Response:
Now that is another story. The withdrawl is ‘hell’, all the nasty symptoms but no PD. I have been free of most of my panic/anxiety reactions to symptoms but I am having one heck of a time with some of the withdrawl. No sleep being the worse! But I able to function in crowded society without all the major symptoms I had. I can even stand in a line for a long period of time something I have not been able to do for years.
I find that utterly amazing! I wish you the best, Lori! Gwen
Response:
Merry Solstice to everyone. Today, daylight starts to increase every day. Very good news for those of us with SAD as well as PAD.
Keisha…… Indeed….I see someone else makes a note of minutia! Yep, Dec 21st is the shortest day of the year. I made it without depression! Yay! Me and my dorky $12 shoplight! Tra la! KC Cindy Embraced by my light!
Response:
I am finding at the moment my body is not requiring as much medication that I have been taking. I find myself forgetting to take Xanax and this is interesting! I feel the symptoms of withdrawal but not an increase in any of the symptoms of the Panic disorder. Can there be a spontaneous remission to PD? lori
It sure would be nice it it was a spontaneous remission to PD. When I found myself forgetting to take my Ativan, I knew that it was time to wean myself from it and take it PRN and not daily. It took a while for me to relearn how to go to sleep on my own though cause i had been taking a nightly dose for two years. I still take it occcasionally which has been a bit more often around the holidays. — Michelle
Response:
<snippedthat humans actually lose some of the capacity for anxious CNS arousal as they age. That is, the areas in the brain that generate these kinds of reactions basically lose some of their former potential. <snipped Stan
Hi Stan, I am 33…and my psychiatrist told me that he had read that as people age, the tendency for anxiety lessens!!! Hurray!! There is a definate positive to aging isn’t there? Besides, according to Cosmopolitan, I am nearly at my "peak". ;) — Michelle
Response:
Yep, Cindy I know it is not forever, but it does feel good while you are in it. What causes it I do not have a clue! There are SO many faces to panic disorder, but this is one of my favorites. ) Take care, lori – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Lori……operative word there is "remission". I’ve had PD ebb and wane over the years. Almost like it’s cyclical. Sometimes it goes away for a more reason to know it’s some chemical glitch. It can also be hormone related. Has your "light" changed lately? Are you on HRT? Various hormones might be at work and either alone or in combination has allowed you some "normal" chemistry for a time. The more I read about this, the more I watch the discussions from sufferers I learn that there are many faces to panic disorder. Take those peaceful days and run with it! I drive to the city and run errands, then drive around and see what’s up to date in Kansas City (usually not much). But don’t get upset it if rolls back some. It’s hugely disappointing after a "high" to get hit with anxiety again. I think, just as well as I have days of TERROR, I get little gifts of days of joy. Most of the days in between are background anxiety and anticapatory anxiety and depression. But I tell ya what……anything is possible in this world, and I’ve read of instances where people just wake up one morning and it’s gone. (usually women into menopause)….I sure hope you have the luck of getting past this! KC
Response:
I have Generational Panic Disorder, therefore I have had PD it all my life. I have been on medications for five years and I just cannot believe I am remission. A very new feeling for me! )
This is *such* a strange condition, Lori – I’ve been wrestling with what I can attribute my own recovery to, and failing. I have a sneaking suspicion that it *does* ‘just happen’ – at least to a degree. And that, I suspect, is a pointer to the physiological basis of it. Either way… it is *wonderful* news that you’re feeling better and I hope you go from strength to strength — Gary Cooper
Response:
Here’s an upbeat story for once! Like me, my Mom started suffering from P.D. all of the sudden when she was in her early 20s. Pretty soon she was on her way to becoming agoraphobic….when suddenly it disappeared as mysteriously as it came, with no medication, no therapy and no major change in her life that might have changed the levels of ordinary stress she might experience. So, yeah, I guess spontaneous remission can happen! — Steve
Response:
I was born with disorder and I will die with it but I do like your idea of just slowly "mellow out", and yes I was in the groovy ‘60 and ‘70…. in San Francisco’s flower era! Remission is great even if it only last a short period of time. lori ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Don’t know that it applies or not, and not knowing anyone’s age or meaning to offend….but I once read in a medical text (the name of which I can’t recall) that humans actually lose some of the capacity for anxious CNS arousal as they age. That is, the areas in the brain that generate these kinds of reactions basically lose some of their former potential. Maybe it ‘is’ possible to just slowly "mellow out" as we used to say in the groovy ’60s and ’70s… Far out, man! :-) Stan
Response:
I am finding at the moment my body is not requiring as much medication that I have been taking. I find myself forgetting to take Xanax and this is interesting! I feel the symptoms of withdrawal but not an increase in any of the symptoms of the Panic disorder. Can there be a spontaneous remission to PD? lori
Lori……operative word there is "remission". I’ve had PD ebb and wane over the years. Almost like it’s cyclical. Sometimes it goes away for a reason to know it’s some chemical glitch. It can also be hormone related. Has your "light" changed lately? Are you on HRT? Various hormones might be at work and either alone or in combination has allowed you some "normal" chemistry for a time. The more I read about this, the more I watch the discussions from sufferers I learn that there are many faces to panic disorder. Take those peaceful days and run with it! I drive to the city and run errands, then drive around and see what’s up to date in Kansas City (usually not much). But don’t get upset it if rolls back some. It’s hugely disappointing after a "high" to get hit with anxiety again. I think, just as well as I have days of TERROR, I get little gifts of days of joy. Most of the days in between are background anxiety and anticapatory anxiety and depression. But I tell ya what……anything is possible in this world, and I’ve read of instances where people just wake up one morning and it’s gone. (usually women into menopause)….I sure hope you have the luck of getting past this! KC
Response:
I have Generational Panic Disorder, therefore I have had PD it all my life. I have been on medications for five years and I just cannot believe I am remission. A very new feeling for me! ) lori – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am finding at the moment my body is not requiring as much medication that I have been taking. I find myself forgetting to take Xanax and this is interesting! I feel the symptoms of withdrawal but not an increase in any of the symptoms of the Panic disorder. Can there be a spontaneous remission to PD? Ummm… yes…. I mean that’s how we get better, surely? I’m not sure whether I’ve missed the point here, but what you seem to be saying is that you are recovering. IME, this is very much how recovry happened for me – and I’d hope for many others too — Gary Cooper
Response:
I am finding at the moment my body is not requiring as much medication that I have been taking. I find myself forgetting to take Xanax and this is interesting! I feel the symptoms of withdrawal but not an increase in any of the symptoms of the Panic disorder. Can there be a spontaneous remission to PD? lori
Lori…….oh, what a wonderful dream!! I hope you continue to do well…..and keep us posted!! ) All the best…….MikeH
Response:
I am finding at the moment my body is not requiring as much medication that I have been taking. I find myself forgetting to take Xanax and this is interesting! I feel the symptoms of withdrawal but not an increase in any of the symptoms of the Panic disorder. Can there be a spontaneous remission to PD?
Ummm… yes…. I mean that’s how we get better, surely? I’m not sure whether I’ve missed the point here, but what you seem to be saying is that you are recovering. IME, this is very much how recovry happened for me – and I’d hope for many others too — Gary Cooper
Response:
I am finding at the moment my body is not requiring as much medication that I have been taking. I find myself forgetting to take Xanax and this is interesting! I feel the symptoms of withdrawal but not an increase in any of the symptoms of the Panic disorder. Can there be a spontaneous remission to PD? lori
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.