Anxiety Attacks... opinions??

[grunt]

I've been having panic attacks lately. They happen at random times - but alot while I am driving. I went to the doc and he handed me Paxil like it was candy, with no tests at all. This **** just gives me the shakes, and makes me feel like a hump of steamy black stuff.

Anyone else ever had these? I used to think it was **** but after I had them I will tell anyone that they are VERY real. I ask because I had the worse 1 yet today, and just had to end my day by coming home and going to sleep.

This is no way to live http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif Help!

[narayan]

Hey man. Are you getting enough sleep? If not, take Melatonin. Just remember who is in control, I get kinda like that at work sometimes, probly not like what you get but I think I understand. Also try eating healthy foods like green beans and peas and bananas and nectarines. And get some exercise. I know that sounds dumb, but it just may help. If this is becoming a problem like you suggest, maybe you should see another doctor or just get drunk. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

It is no way to live. Maybe take a long vacation and go camping away from everything and everybody. When I go camping, I usually go 1 day before everyone else arrives so I can spend time alone with nature. That is really helpful, believe it or not.

Hope things turn around soon. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by narayan (edited 07-27-2000).]

[CujoRbd]

I am currently prescribed to Paxil by my doctor, so I think I might be able to share some insight here.

Paxil is made to correct chemical imbalances within the body (specifically the brain). It is what I would call a multi-symptom medicine; it is made to treat ALL the symptoms that it is designed to, instead of just the ones that you need.

If you do not have depression, then this is not a medicine for you. That is a definite fact. If you don't, then maybe go with another anti-anxiety medicine that is more directed at treating anxiety (such as Prozac).

Above all, if you are feeling tired and/or physically exhausted from it, talk to your doctor and tell him/her this. He/she will probably suggest taking it at night (around 8:00pm), like I currently do.

Also, as narayan said, be sure to eat some good food. Paxil makes you very emotional inside (even if the emotions are never visible to ANYONE!), so it can cause much hunger. I would suggest that you atleast EAT on a regular basis; such as eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day at about the same times. (NOTE: This may cause you to lose some weight, so be prepared for that.) And definitely drink lots of water!

Just talk to your doctor about this, and have him/her suggest what he/she thinks would be the best alternate. Also, get the name & number of a local pharmacist to talk to, as they've gone to medical school, but also know TONS about chemicals, so he/she might know what medicine(s) would be good for you.


hope you get to feeling better soon!


CujoRbd


DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical physician, nor a person of any certification in the medical field. Please consult your physician before implementing any of the above said things.

[Joost]

Hi, I have had them three years ago and I and still have them(not significant small ones), but the problem is going away.
The first time I had them, my doc said that I was hyperventilating. After a week I went to the doc again and this time he said that I had an anxiety disorder, which would go away after a period of time and so it did.
A year later I got some other problems and I was send to a psychiatrist so he could do some test. At the first sesion he was able to see that my problems were related to an anxiety disorder and that unconsiously or by justification avoided al situations that could trigger these panic attacks. I was afraid of certain social situations and all my live I thought that it was normal to avoid these situations, so it became a way of live for me. He sugested that I would do some exposure in order to make me aware of what I am afraid of and to learn how to deal with these situations. It is been a while since I started with the exposure and I still feel better every day.
When you never had a panic attack, then it can feel like you are dying, or that you will go crazy. You have to keep in mind that this will not happen, your body, although it doesn't feel that way, can stand these attacks. In my case the trick was to see if I would allow the attacks to stop me from going into a certain situation, so I had to ignore them(which is possible).

edit: I also needed diffrent kinds of medicine

I know the feeling you discribed at the and of your topic(This is no way to live, Help)and I hope that you find a solution for your problems.

Joost

[This message has been edited by Joost (edited 07-27-2000).]

[BFlurie]

I've had them at times -- but for me at least, "panic" is a pale description -- dropping straight into h*ll is more accurate. Sometimes the medications take a while to get used to (many weeks) & the side effects fade away. Let your Doc know.

[This message has been edited by BFlurie (edited 07-28-2000).]

[SysOpt]

Paxil in an SSRI (Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitor) anti-depressant that has been prescribed for Panic Disorder. I think it is FDA approved for Social Anxiety Disorder too. It is extremely important to note that your condition may worsen in the initial weeks of treatment of any anti-depressant class of drug - you should not start Paxil at more than 10mg or 20mg / day to work up to a therapeutic dose, to minimize side effects. Other anti-depressant drugs to try: Effexor, Desipramine, Wellbutrin. If you have panic attacks, I'd recommend these in order:

-Make sure your doctor checks out all possible "physical" causes. He/she should do all the workup involved in a thorough physical, and then some.

-See a psychiatrist. Family doctors and interns mean well, but they are used to treating sprained ankles and runny noses, not anxiety disorders.

-If you are prescribed a Benzodiazepine (Klonopin, Xanax, etc), know the facts. When taken over a period longer than two weeks, Benzodiazepines are addictive and do develop tolerance. In most people, they should be used as a way to calm the person down so that they can respond to other therapies, rather than as a long term solution. Some people require them as a long term solution to function, though.

-Insist on Cognitive Behavioral therapy. It is equally as effective as drug therapy. Psychotherapy,or "talk therapy", is less effective but still may be effective if there is something in your life that isn't being dealt with, or could be resolved, that's causing the anxiety.

-As mentioned in posts above, EXERCISE and gradually cut out sugar, caffine, chocolate, extremely fatty foods, and drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of WATER per day. Exercise 30-60 minutes a day 3-5 times per week. Finding an activity you enjoy will help more than an activity you find to be drudgery.

Here is something that I cannot possibly stress enough. Please do not wait to get proper treatment. Panic disorder, when untreated, often leads to agoraphobia (usually, phobic avoidance of people and places where panic attacks have occured, or where it would be particularly embarressing if one occured, or where receiving "help" would be difficult), which can, in some people, result in being housebound from fear of all situations.

"Recovery lies in the places and experiences you fear." That's the key, to face the fear GRADUALLY and to realize that's all it is - fear and anxiety, not impending doom, especially if you develop Agoraphobia, but the above treatments should be in place first.

I believe that 20 Million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, so you are not alone. For those of you who have never experienced panic, imagine how you would feel if you were in the woods on a camping trip, turned around, and there was an 8ft. tall Grizzly bear towering over you and roaring. You would be instantly filled with intense fear, surges of adrenaline, etc. You would be ready to fight or flight. Now imagine if you were walking down a grocery store aisle buying a jar of peanut butter and you suddenly experienced the same exact sensation for 10-20mins straight for no discernable reason whatsoever. That's what panic disorder is like. Fortunately, it's treatable.

You can find good message boards and a specialst referral (for your area) feature at http://www.adaa.org.

Best of luck.



[This message has been edited by SysOpt (edited 07-27-2000).]

[grunt]

Thanks alot for the advice - it helps http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks SysOpt for the link too...

[tonym]

grunt,

Ask your doc about beta-blockers too!

I had a "little" problem with panic/anxiety attacks a few years ago. Hyperventillation, pulse rate ratcheting to 150+ bpm, sweating, dizziness, waking at 3am and shaking to pieces, insomnia (couldn't sleep for days!!!), dry mouth -- you know, you're having the problem.

I thought I was having heart problems, although I think it would have exploded at my record 188 bpm if I really did have a problem!

I went to my doc and he determined it was anxiety. I tried the counceling thing, no go. My problem was pure stress...adrenaline dominated blood in my veins!

I've been on Inderal (Propanalol) at a 40mg dose for about 5 years now. I occassionally get that anxiety "twinge", but that's about it. The doc has wanted to wean me off the meds the past few years (I have inherently low blood pressure and Inderal lowers it further -- 105/60 is my usual BP!!), but I'm a CHICKEN. Unfortunately, I cling to "mother's little helper", because I NEVER, EVER want a panic attack again!

Good luck with this. Please listen to the very wise advice from the other posters. I think that knowing that you're not the only one having this problem is of GREAT comfort. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! And please don't just settle on Paxil, and try a second, third and fourth opinion...


Tony

PS BFlurie -- GREAT description! I really know you've been there! That description is like the "secret handshake" of those that have panic/anxiety attacks!