Posted by blueberry on February 1, 2006, at 4:26:40
In reply to Panic solution, posted by kavaman on January 31, 2006, at 15:24:38
I sure feel for you. I do not suffer from panic attacks, but I have experienced them in the past when getting off of the herb St Johns Wort. They are horrible and I understand how terrifying and crippling they are.
I have a few suggestions including amino acids, magnesium, tricyclic antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy.
First you could try the simple very inexpensive amino acids. Tops on the list would be taurine. This is a natural amino acid that sometimes in mood disorders our bodies just do not make enough of. What it does is slow down excess activity in the brain. It also controls how various mineral ions get in and out of cells. Long story, but this is all very important. Doses can range from 500mg to 3000mg a day.
Glycine is another one. Like taurine, it is also a calming inhibiting amino acid. At health food stores you can find relaxing calming amino acid combinations that have gaba, glycine, taurine, and inositol all in one.
Magnesium works wonders sometimes for all kinds of mood disorders, especially when calming is needed. Magnesium glycinate or magnesium taurinate or both together would be good ones.
The tricyclic antidepressants might be worth trying. Do just a one week trial each of 2 or 3 of them. There are many choices, but several might be elavil, doxepin, nortiptyline.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can work. You can get it either through a professional therapist or through a self-help program from The MidWest Center (Linda Bassett, you've probably heard their ads). You can actually teach your mind to think and behave differently to both handle panic attacks with confidence and comfort and have them disappear completely.
I might also suggest trying other benzos such as xanax or klonopin, but I know you are fearful of developing rapid tolerance and going through withdrawals. That may or may not happen. They are all different.
Just some ideas. There is plenty of hope.
poster:blueberry
thread:604876
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060129/msgs/605082.html