Posted by Elizabeth on January 23, 2002, at 15:49:20
In reply to ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 9:28:38
Here's one tip: just because you *feel* like you're dying doesn't mean that you are! That's important to keep in mind (especially when it's happening!). As you've realized, what you are experiencing resembles panic disorder, which, while not fatal, does need to be treated. In your case it doesn't resemble classic panic disorder, but it seems like pretty severe anxiety. Have you seen a psychiatrist about it? If the pdoc wants you to take SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Luvox), be sure that you are started on a very low dose and increase it gradually. You should be allowed to take a benzodiazepine such as Klonopin or Xanax on an as-needed basis while waiting for the antidepressant to start working. It might be that your problems with Effexor resulted from starting at too high a dose.
You also seem to be suffering from avoidance behavior (agoraphobia). This may go away when the attacks go away (with medical treatment), but some people need psychotherapy to get rid of agoraphobia. Still, you need to stop the attacks before trying to deal with the avoidance.
One poster here claimed that benzodiazepines don't work long-term. This isn't correct. People can take benzodiazepines for indefinite periods of time for anxiety disorders without losing effect or needing to raise the dose. Valium and other "low-potency" benzodiazepines are generally not so effective, especially in low doses like the 2 mg you took. The benzodiazepines best proven to work for panic disorder (and I think you should treat this like panic disorder) are Klonopin, Ativan, and Xanax. They don't cause initial increased anxiety as antidepressants can (although I stress that this can be avoided by starting at a very low dose), and they work rapidly (within an hour, often much faster) to relieve anxiety.
I hope this helps. I have high hopes that you can get better.
best wishes,
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:91229
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020116/msgs/91295.html