I'm dancing for joy. I've given up totally Ambien and Xanax after taking them for years!!! It's been 9 days I think! I used to take 6 pills to sleep. Previously I gave up coffee, soda, processed white sugar, most chocolate. This Program is a life saver! It works if you work at it! Good luck everybody.

I'm glad you're having such success! Keep up the good work.

Thanx Julie, I had a huge practice opportunity today. My girlfriend fell and broke her elbow, smashed it up really bad. I spent the whole day driving her to the hospital being there with her, taking notes, (CT scan, Lab work, Heart tests)helping in any way I could. . . all without any xanax!!! I'm just so happy and proud of myself and so amazed. When I first left the house this morning I started getting pretty anxious I almost took a xanax, and remembered about the practice opportunities Lucinda said would present themselves and how well I'm doing. I had to remind myself that this wasn't about me that it was about my friend. I had some pretty loopy moments and my memory isn't great but I did it all and many people commented what a good friend I am. My girlfriend was very grateful. I did a great job at not bringing my situation into the picture even though I thought about it alot. It was great. She's going to need alot of help over the next week or two. I plan to be there for her but it's helping me alot too. . . feeling better all the time!!! Thus the screen name -- Whahoo (it's how I feel alot these days)

I think that is wonderful!!!!! You are an inspiration to us all and I thank you for that.

Whahooo!!!!!

You are doing great! Isn't it something when you find yourself feeling so good, while helping others? You went outside yourself, even though it took great effort .... and you've succeeded!

What a wonderful opportunity and experience for you. Your friend is so lucky to have you. Thanks for sharing your story.

Everyone: I've been so locked up in this cycle of depression, anxiety, agorophobia, panick, etc. for so long. In the program they say that everybody feels they are the worst. After going through most of the program I still feel I was the worst. I had ("had" whahoo!!!)9 out of 10 symptoms/problems that all the people had. To be emerging from it is so awesome and now to feel like I actually might be helping others is just another gift that I gratefully accept. I'd like to shout from the roof tops about this Midwest Center program. I've been in therapy, on drugs, locked in my house, in my miserable mind and begging for help for so many years. This is just great better than words can express. You all keep up your efforts it does pay off! And thank you too! -- sincerely

wow what an inspiration and today i just started week 3, still thinking when is this going to work, happen etc. i was feeling hopeless and like giving up. you have given me the courage to face tomorrow and stick with the program. thank you!!!
PS congratulations on your success story!!

anxiousinnj: Wow thank you. I probably should mention that I had a block about doing the workbook but I've probably listened to each of the audio and video tapes many many many times. Everytime I do, I hear something else I hadn't heard before and it reinforces everything. I'm finally making it through the workbook and loving that too. I'm on Lesson 6 now. If you want out of this you have to work at it. Please don't give up on yourself. Growth spurts is a really good lesson too. Those hit you and it feels like starting over -- for about two seconds if you go back to the lesson(s) you need.

Congrats for making it off the meds!!!

Just wondering if you quick cold turkey, or tapered them. I have been tapering off of valium since Oct 2004, almost done. It has been a rough time for me, the withdraws have been worse than the orignal root of my anxiety.
Best of luck!!!

Crunch: The xanax has been a process. I was told it would be harder than Ambien but I wanted to give Ambien more because it cost so much more. I just got to a point where I said, I'm done; the stress in my life is gone, I have no one i'm accountable to, no job, only 1 friend that I see about once every 3 weeks, kid is grown and gone and I just did it. It was hard yet it was really easy. I'm into my 3rd week now and the longest i've slept at night is 4 hours last night. I just so wanted off the drugs and nothing was stopping me so I just went for it. I wish you the best of luck. You can do it, just be kind and gentle and loving to yourself.