I've suffered with panic attacks for almost 6 years now. Every 4-6 months I get a series of them that lasts a few weeks. I have been on effexor and recently weened myself off. (what a chalenge that was).
I'm now having a period where I'm having the attacks again. I control them with xanax. But I feel so alone. Like know onw knows or understands what i'm going through. I had one last night when the guy i'm dating was over and i locked myself in the bathroom for an hour while it passed.
It seems like mine are always brought on by something inside me. Like i have a weird head ache or strange pain in my chest. I know this sounds strange but a lot of it is when I have to used the bathroom (#2) LOL. Then some times after I go the shaking and hot flashes go away. Although this week I had two when I was just sitting on the couch. All the sudden I start trembling so badly I can't control it.
My doctor wants to put me on zoloft to see if that will help me any, but after being on effexor (that didn't help) for so long i'm reluctant.
Does anyone else out there suffer the same symptoms I do?
Any advice on the meds?
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PattyPanic
said:
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... This is the way this disorder is. I just start trembling for no reason at all, and the attacks like to come on when I least expect them. The medicine I am taking 20mg Celexa and a small dose of klonipin at night has been keeping it at bay and I feel so much better. Xanax just made me sicker and didn't help because my body got so addicted to it. The klonipin I am on is a very small dose .75mg a day. My problem is when I start trembling and the anxiety comes on it has a snowball effect. I have to lern to control the snowball before it becomes a snowman. Good luck to you. Patty |
scardycat
said:
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... hey Dana - I've had panic attacks for... I think I figured it out to be eight years or something now? Until coming to this site, that used to really bother me, but it's an illness so what can you do. I'm on Zoloft (25mg twice a day) and have been for a few years now. Tried to go off for awhile and thought I was going to lose my mind, so now I'm back on to stay. Besides not wanting "sexy time" (lol) as often, it's not bad - for me. I would have to say my symptoms are the same, but not for the same reasons or at the same times (#2 - I laughed!). To me that just means our underlying issues are different, but our bodies are reacting the same. Just keep coming back on here - everyone here understands - you're NOT ALONE. *hugs* |
apenny620
said:
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... It totally sucks. I can't relate about the shaking, but the fight or flight thing, I can totally relate to. It just sucks when I have one at work or church and there is no where to run to, but then again, I won't allow myself to let it take control. I fight it. We all understand where you are coming from. I am on Paxil and they just upped my dose to 20 mg and that bothers me, but if it works then that is awesome. I know that the 10 mg definitely took the edge off, but I was still me! Good luck and stay strong!! |
klyn823
said:
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... Hey! I can completely agree about the #2 thing!!! For one, sometimes I can feel anxiety when I have to go. Then other times, when I get a panic attack I immediately need to have a bowel movement. I joked with my dr. one time about how the only good thing about a panic attack is it kicks your metabolism in high gear!! The technical answer to this problem would be the release of adrenaline, I think. Or cortisol. They are both hormones that play a big role in our metabolic systems. What may happen when you feel a bowel movement coming on you might get sweaty palms, butterflies in your stomach, numbness, and tingling sensations in your arms and legs. Just like the symptoms of a panic attack. But remember it is JUST A BM!! It can mimic a panic attack. I don't know if this is factual but it is my theory. I am glad you can be open like that...I have no shame discussing it either. I think it is a major part of our nerves and what not. Sometimes I also get so worked up I throw up. A lot of people don't get this. This is rare for me, but it has happened and I read somewhere on the past that it is our body's defense mechanism to expel waste and weight to make us lighter to run from the threat. However, with panic disorder there is not actual threat. This stuff goes all the way back to the caveman days!! Take care. |
woodowl
said:
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... The thing with anxiety and depression drugs is that there is not one drug that suits everyone and finding the right medication can sometimes take a while and trying different meds and combinations. I know that when I was first diagnosed we tried four different drugs before we found one that suited me. The other problem is that sometimes they suddenly stop working after years of being effective. I had that with Cilift. It worked for about five years and then at the beginning of this year I started having severe breakthrough panic attacks and we had to start the whole med search again. I don't think that you need to be scared of trying another drug but rather as part of a search to find the best medicine for YOU. |
dana_dez
said:
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... Thank you all for your comments!! It's SOOOO0 nice to know that i'm not alone!! I'm going to fill the zoloft and see how it goes! Does anyone else experiece panic attacks in a series. Like have them for a month then they go away and come back ina few months? |
scardycat
said:
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... klyn823 - i laughed, i too get so worked up sometimes i just start heaving - and i HATE throwing up!!! it's the WORST - much rather the Other End. and ya, that's totally true - the body's trying to expel that waste so it can concentrate on the 'fight or flight' and not have to worry about other bodily functions... i don't think so much to make us lighter - but i would have to read that again!! lol but i LOVE the mental image... |
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