..I've been checking this BB for a while now trying to get up courage to ask for help, so here goes.
My problem started years ago.When I was in my teens, back on the sixties I became severely agaraphobic, in fact. For several years I hardly left the house. When I was 17 I think, I suffered my first major panic attack and as a result I was prescribed barbiturates, which I then became dependent on.The agarophobia and panics took a back seat and I functioned on barbituraters for some time, until my doctor suddenly woke up to the fact that he'd been prescribing these things for ages and decided I should receive treatment to get me off them, which I did. This was a very bad time for me and I find it quite hard to talk about. As I came off these drugs I became clinically depressed and was given lorazepam. I have been taking these for more than 25 years now.
I was originally taking 2.5mg three times a day, 15 years ago over a period of time I reduced this to 1mg three times a day Now, ater discussion with my GP I have taken steps to further reduce the amount and am currently taking 2mg daily.I really really want to come off these things altogether, but I'm terrfied of taking the next step. I have had only one major bout of depression since the first one, and feel that this is something I can deal with now, but the panic is always bubbling under the surface and I am finding it increasingly hard to cope.
On the plus side I have a close supportive family, a rock solid marriage to a good man and no major financial worries. I find it really hard to ask for help as there must be many people worse off than me and basically my life is good, but these horrible drugs are running my life and I'm not in charge. Can I turn things around. Can homeopathy help?
I have no major health problems. Three years ago I had a total hysterectomy,from which I mde a good recovery. I have a small hiatus hernia which causes some acid reflux.
I get hayfever, but not very badly.I also occasionally get the visual disturbances (flashing lights etc.) that go with a migraine, but I don't always get the headache, just the aura. When I do get the headache, it isn't very bad and always on the right side.
I slipped a disc about 8 years ago,and get occasional sciatic pain, this is right sided too.
I took oestrogen after the hysterectomy, but have recently stopped as I couldn't stand the amount of weight I put on and thought it might be easier to shift it if I weren't taking the oestrogen.
I don't know how much more information might be needed. I am finding this very hard. I think I'd better just post this while I have the nerve.
Please can anyone help?

GM, thankyou for answering.
Yes my ovaries were removed. I have no particular craving or aversion to salt, but I never add salt to my food at the table, just a little in cooking and I do find some processed food too salty for my taste.
The aura of the migraine (the visual disturbances) I have had for maybe 20 years now. The headaches themselves only started about 5 years ago, maybe less, but the headaches really aren't bad, and often go just by themselves. They are usually better for sleep, or fresh air. Sound doesn't bother me but light does, and I find the visual disturbance leaves me feeling disorientated for several hours and can precipitate panic. Do you need to know any more ?

Depend on alot of things this, if hom can help, first , are the ovaries removed too? second wwhat makes your heaache better?+ can you tolerate ligth, sound when getting headache?+ any craiving or aversion for salt?
Also, this may be side effects of the mediactions your on, so when did the headaches start?

Well, use first cimicifuga r c200 one dose, and report back.

Thankyou. I have ordered the cimicifuga and should have it within the next day or so.
What about antidotes. Is there anything I need to avoid.
I don't drink much coffee, but I do drink tea. I love chocolate, but am trying not to eat it at the moment as I am trying to lose some weight.

[This message has been edited by ellesse (edited 11 July 2000).]

This is a long shot. The title given to this post makes me think of Stram. Maybe it's underneath some others?

check tunnelvision..you find cimicifuga...

GM, very smooth with tunnel vision.
However, Cina is wormwood,not Cimic. Haven't we had this discussion before, re Chernobyl?

Yes...but aethusa is chern...and its black snake root..that is cimicifuga..i stand corrected..again....
( im a homeopath you know, so im not so aquainted with the herbalist terms...)

[This message has been edited by GM (edited 13 July 2000).]

GM
I took the cimicifuga around mid day and some 24 hours later I suddenly realised that I was feeling more comfortable with myself, less jumpy and concentration was easier. Not a big change but it was noticeable. What, if anything do I need to do now ? Is this just one single dose and nothing more ? And do I need to avoid any foods?I'm still not sure.
It seems to me that vision is the key, the way I see things. I am quite sensitive to bright light and I work in artificial light all day.Often things around me don't seem quite real and this makes me feel panicky and insecure. But on the whole I do feel a bit better and I thank you for that. Will we be able to progress with homeopathy?

Anna,
thank you for your interest. I feel so much better knowing that there are people I can talk to who don't feel I am wasting their time. Conventional medicine has messed up so much of my life, that I am very reluctant to go along that route again. I am just so grateful that there are people like you and GM out there.

[This message has been edited by ellesse (edited 16 July 2000).]