summers hope

Hi Amybeth,I had panic disorder,went thru therapy and learned to control them and took xanax as needed after a car wreck 12 yrs ago. It took me a year or two to stop having them and while I was going thru them It felt like a neverending nightmare, and I feel the same, I would never wish it on anyone!! Even though I no longer have panic attacks, I still have insomnia, cronic worries and have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety because I just can't seem to shut off the worry cycles,so I am still on xanax and effexor xr (which helps me sleep,so I don't take it till bedtime). I too am starting LPN school, tomorrow!!! I am scared too, but I know we both will get thru it. Just try to take things a minute at a time and try not to think too far ahead, that helps me. Also, do your breathing when needed and another thing that might help is to think to yourself (I'm doing this to help others who need me). When I think this it gives me a calm feeling because I'm taking the focus off myself. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I know you will do fine!! When I enrolled and got exepted into school, I went straight to my Dr. and asked him about being a nurse with my anxiety and being on my meds and he said of course you can be a nurse with anxiety disorder, that's what your meds are for!! He wished me luck and that mad me feel a lot better too!! So goodluck to you,too!!