Hello,

Ive been having panic attacks for 30 years now. I finally enlisted a psychologist and am enrolled in a panic disorder clinic as of a few weeks ago so hopefully i can post anything i learn, its not cheap! $1600 for 16 week program. Anyways, something has cropped up lately that ive never had to deal with in the past. In the past ive had panic attacks that have led to agoraphobia. This however is a slow build up of anxiety, that gets worse and worse over the course of about 8 hrs until im so amped up my pulse rate feels like i ran a marathon, i cant sit down, and its basically really close to a full blown panic attack except it just wont go away. I cant eat, sit down, think straight, fear is unbearable, my heart is beating so hard. The only thing that i have found can calm me down is a handful of Xanax. This will happen say if i dont sleep all night. It will start to build at say midnight (the anxiety) and more every hour til 8 am comes all i can do is walk for miles and miles. I have literally walked 20 miles before i give up and take 2mg of Xanax. There is nothing worse as far as i have experienced. Even panic attacks go away and will leave you alone even if its for a few minutes. This never goes away. Does anyone else have this? I dont understand why this is happening.

I'm sorry that you're experiencing such a unbearable experience. It's great that you're finally getting the therapy that you need. I would suggest that you communicate what you've just written here with the Dr. who is prescribing you these Xanax. If he/she is not a Psychiatrist, please ask for a referral to one as this specialist is more qualified to prescribe meds that can work well together with therapy. A handful of Xanax is a dangerous option and could lead to addiction. Addiction to Xanax is a hard one to come out of.

Write back and let us know what transpires. I'll keep you in my prayers . . . hugs

It happened to me two or three times. Like you said coming on slowly, increasing every hour. It lasted up to three days and after that I had bad depressions for two or three days. I bought the anxiety workbook and when it started I took it and started to work with it and it went away. It never happened again after I started working with the book a few times. I had the insomnia too at the time this started. Try to do something when it starts, don't wait until it is getting worse. I have Xanax too. I take it when needed (didn't touch it since I had it refilled beginning of this year). It will get better just hang in there.