Posted by Maxime on May 25, 2005, at 12:40:03
In reply to Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 4:10:37
Hi, I am very sorry that you have to live like this. It sounds awful. There are other meds you can try like Paxil. And you can try a longer acting benzo like Klonopin or Valium. But when it comes down to it, you don't want to be depending on meds forever. I think you should see a specialist (psychologist) who can do cognitive behavioural therapy with you or hyponosis.
You also need to rule out any physical problems that might cause these attacks like your thyroid or a really messed or cortisone levels. You should see an endocrinologist.
I hope this helps and that you find some relief soon.
How do you manage to fall asleep at night?
Maxime
> Greetings all,
> I've been doing research on the internet, which in the past years has been laden with mostly online pharmacies trying to sell you something or infect your system with spyware, and always seem to wind up back here so I figured I would give this place a shot..therefore - first time poster.
>
> I have severe panic disorder and need serious advice as to what to do next.
> Back around 1999, I had my first panic attack. It all started with a strange feeling like I was leaving my body or was watching everything through a television. All of the sudden, several months later, my sides started hurting (near the kidneys) when I was at a camping vacation area with my then girlfriend. Another day later, I started feeling like I was going to have a heart-attack, I felt like I was always going to pass out, and was having SEVERE anxiety like I never knew was possible. On the way to the hospital, I had a VERY bad panic attack where I thought I was dying, going crazy, or was in a wide awake nightmare I couldn't wake up from. My lips went numb, my heart was beating SO fast a passenger said they could hear it, my eyes rolled up in my head and I started to convulse.
> Later at the hospital I was diagnosed with a panic attack. When we returned to our local doctor, he said the same. Approximately 1 month later, I had another problem. I was standing outside smoking a cigarette in the hot humid weather, and started feeling dizzy. So I went inside and continued to work when all the sudden I started feeling like I wasn't 'all there' again.
> Needless to say, these started to become more frequent until eventually in 2001 I lost both a great job in my career, and my girlfriend of 3 years who 'just couldnt understand'. It got so bad, I couldn't leave the house. I was convinced I was dying or going crazy, no matter what test results showed by my doctors.
> Doctors tried putting me on Zoloft - which seemed to make the problems worse. I lived off of savings for almost a year - and during that time fought very hard to do daily activities like going out to play golf, with friends or to visit family and even just to shop as anything seemed to trigger SEVERE anxiety that almost always lead to a low level panic attack.
> Eventually the doctor gave me Xanax which is a life saver to SOME degree for me because it helps me through some difficult times. The only trick is catching the anxiety feelings vs stressed moments and taking the xanax in time to curb the panic attacks.
> This takes me to the year 2002 - where I finally got the guts to look for another job. NONE in my field (or anywhere near what I was getting paid) were available so I took a 'survival' job making about 1/4 of my normal pay. I had several occurances where I had to turn around and go home, and call off from work because I almost passed out from panic attacks driving to work, or had to leave work because I SERIOUSLY thought I was going to die or go crazy.
> Eventually, I worked my way to a SOMEWHAT better job line where I was always stressed out and working hard for about 1/3 of what I should be making in my career field. I was still having problems, but not as bad or as frequent. I still wanted to do something about this, especially to curb the serious TOTALLY RANDOM panic attacks I would have, and so I could go on vacations or enjoy 'random' events like doing something on my days off. 'new' things seem to help trigger panic for me for some reason.
> Anyway - about 2 years ago my doctor rx'd Lexapro 10mg - which really seemed to help. For over 1.5 years, I only had one occurance of an anxiety attack...then I was laid off. I was a bit upset at first, then was actually happy because I thought it would give me a chance to start my own business, find a better job, etc at my leisure while milking what I paid into for so many years - however, almost immediately afterwards, I started having anxiety attacks on the way to do things, such as visit friends - family or even to goto the store...AGAIN. At first, I figured it was just the stress of losing a job...then it got worse...MUCH worse. ALl the panic attacks started coming back - so I contacted my doctor who of course immediately tried to resolve the issue by putting me on double my medication (now without insurance costing me 140 per month!) however, this did not help what so ever. The issues were worse than ever, and my current relationship started to struggle as I didn't want to leave the house or have any ambition towards finding a job or doing sideline work that I normally used to do.
> So I figured, why be on lexapro if it isn't helping me. I went off of the lexapro (the withdraw was HORRIBLE and took 3 months) - and eventually started to 'calm' down a BIT. I finally found another job (still outside of my career field making about 1/3 normal) but lately have been back and forth with anxiety, panic, depression etc. I feel it is getting worse and I am at the verge of having another 'breakdown' like I seemingly had the first time I realized I had any issue Long ago when I lost my great job back in 2001.
> I feel so alone in this. Everyone I know says they had similiar problems and just 'told themselves to stop' and it worked. However, when you hear their description of panic or anxiety, it has to do with ALOT of stress hitting them all at once or going on job interviews etc, that have them feeling a bit 'off' and very anxious. I laugh at them as this is how I feel when I feel NORMAL!!!!! LOL. If I could only put people in my shoes for JUST ONE HOUR of ANY day, I think I would get much more understanding from people in my cirlce. I am not asking for sympathy, all I am asking for is understand from people that seem to think that I am doing this to myself.
> I WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY DAY OFF TO GO GOLFING, GO ON VACATION, OR EVEN GO SHOPPING - AND TO BE ABLE TO WORK!!!
> (can you tell I am frustrated?)
> A great example of my issue is like today. I dont start work until 11am, so when I wake up for work - because it is not my normal time..I will start to feel very off, like I am not in my 'routine' and on my way to work I will start to sweat, my heart will palpitate, I will get dizzy and even start to panic until I get to work and take my mind off of things - HOPEFULLY. My days off are Xanax laden and I am sick or being sleepy all day because I end up having to take xanax to keep from having a panic attack because I dont know where the day is going to take me or what is going to happen so I start to freak out.
> When I was on the lexapro - I didnt have these issues. My doctor recently told me to try Wellbutrin but everything I read states that it actually makes anxiety worse! WHAT SHOULD I DO THEN!? If Lexapro stopped working for me, would going back on it be counter-productive, or should I give Wellbutrin a shot. My fear is trying wellbutrin will trigger worse issues, and I will lose my job. I am living paycheck to paycheck now so that is not an option!
> Please help with ANY advice you can give. I am getting VERY depressed over all of this. I am DREADING this weekend because I know I will have to take my girlfriend out and about, have a picnic with family and not have much to keep my mind from wondering and freaking out.
> Fyi - I drink coffee and smoke a pack a day. I am 32, and not overweight at all but not in shape as I get tired very easily from the years of smoking.
> I tried to quit, excercise, laid off of all caffeine etc...and nothing seemed to help (I laid off of everything for over 6 months when this first started happening to me) - since these seem to be the only two things I can enjoy anymore...I do it but am willing to quit again if there is reason to believe I have grown allegic to these substances.
>
> Sorry for the length of this message, I could go on in volumes with other side effects the panic attacks are causing like chest pains that last for days afterwards even with no anxiety or panic present..etc etc..but at this point I am just looking for some serious help as my life is failing horribly. I have an extensive background and knowledge of my career and need to get back to where I was...but can't until I can at least control these issues to the point that I can make it to work EVERY day without fail and deal with stressful situations (which dont seem to bother me as much as the times that I have nothing to do and am not at home..when I am home..for the MOST part..I am fine although recently I have started to freak out at home too)
>
> Ok - I'm finally done. PLEASE HELP ME! :(
>
>
poster:Maxime
thread:502623
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050521/msgs/502729.html