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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by darkling on July 9, 2001, at 12:07:14
i have been having panic attacks for almost three years now. at one point i was having them daily-serious ones-with many symptoms. i took paxil for a while and it helped, but i didnt like the way i felt-i wanted meds that would stop the panic attacks while NOT changing anything else. i want to be myself just without the panic attacks. i want to be able to leave my house again... the problem is im 18 and most doctors wont give me a script w/o me seeing a psych on a continual basis. my familys shrink doesnt feel comfortable prescribing me with a fast acting med that i can take just when i feel one coming on because, for the most part, those medications are addictive. im going to be 19 in a month and im dreading commemorating losing another year of my life to this. any advise is welcome! names of lenient psychs, international pharms, herbal alternatives, meds i might not know about... these are supposed to be the best years of my life, but ill never know because im missing them!
Posted by tina on July 9, 2001, at 14:12:26
In reply to severe panic disorder...desperate, posted by darkling on July 9, 2001, at 12:07:14
What's wrong with seeing a psych on a regular basis? Isn't there some way you can do that? Taking benzodiazepines is the fastest way to get rid of panic but they are addicting if you abuse them. There must be a doc out there that will give you these. Keep trying. If you don't like Paxil, try something else. Don't give up.
> i have been having panic attacks for almost three years now. at one point i was having them daily-serious ones-with many symptoms. i took paxil for a while and it helped, but i didnt like the way i felt-i wanted meds that would stop the panic attacks while NOT changing anything else. i want to be myself just without the panic attacks. i want to be able to leave my house again... the problem is im 18 and most doctors wont give me a script w/o me seeing a psych on a continual basis. my familys shrink doesnt feel comfortable prescribing me with a fast acting med that i can take just when i feel one coming on because, for the most part, those medications are addictive. im going to be 19 in a month and im dreading commemorating losing another year of my life to this. any advise is welcome! names of lenient psychs, international pharms, herbal alternatives, meds i might not know about... these are supposed to be the best years of my life, but ill never know because im missing them!
Posted by Glenn Fagelson on July 9, 2001, at 14:54:25
In reply to severe panic disorder...desperate, posted by darkling on July 9, 2001, at 12:07:14
> i have been having panic attacks for almost three years now. at one point i was having them daily-serious ones-with many symptoms. i took paxil for a while and it helped, but i didnt like the way i felt-i wanted meds that would stop the panic attacks while NOT changing anything else. i want to be myself just without the panic attacks. i want to be able to leave my house again... the problem is im 18 and most doctors wont give me a script w/o me seeing a psych on a continual basis. my familys shrink doesnt feel comfortable prescribing me with a fast acting med that i can take just when i feel one coming on because, for the most part, those medications are addictive. im going to be 19 in a month and im dreading commemorating losing another year of my life to this. any advise is welcome! names of lenient psychs, international pharms, herbal alternatives, meds i might not know about... these are supposed to be the best years of my life, but ill never know because im missing them!
Hi Darkling,
When you say "psych", are you talking about
a psychiatrist or psychologist??It's highly advisable to see a psychiatrist on a regular basis for panic
disorder. Xanax is very good for panic attacks; however, as has been said before, it
is addicting stuff if you take it everyday;
however, if you can take "drug holidays" with
the Xanax, then you will be able to avoid
addiction and drug tolerance. When you see a
psychiatrist, ask him or her about just taking
Xanax on an as needed basis. Do you get panic
attacks everyday?? Also, I suggest that you
learn all you can about proper breathing that will relax you. I believe that
Andrew Weil, M.D. has a videotape out that shows a person how to breathe correctly. Herbal
supplements? Have you tried Kava Kava or
Valerian root? Ask your doc about these
if you are taking other medications because
they can be potent. Some people say that panic
attacks can be the result of underlying conflict in a person's life. If that is part of the case with you, then psychotherapy is in order. Also, biofeedback is another route to go, along with
psychotherapy.
Try to relax, your best years are yet to come.
Glenn
Posted by Waterlily on July 9, 2001, at 20:46:21
In reply to severe panic disorder...desperate, posted by darkling on July 9, 2001, at 12:07:14
I agree with Tina and Glenn. You have to expect an ongoing relationship with a doctor if you want them to treat you. Once the doctor gets to know you, and providing you prove to be a responsible person, perhaps he/she will feel more comfortable giving you potentially addicting drugs.
These years should be good ones, but I must say that my teenage years were some of the worst in my life (and I didn't have panic attacks then either). The best is yet to come.
Posted by judy1 on July 9, 2001, at 20:50:11
In reply to severe panic disorder...desperate, posted by darkling on July 9, 2001, at 12:07:14
You need to see a psychiatrist experienced in panic disorder- klonopin and xanax are the best medications for stopping panic attacks. A true specialist will have no problem in prescribing these medications, they have been successfully used for over 2 decades. I wish you the best- judy
http://www.algy.com/pdi/FAQ/faq.cgi
Posted by ChrisK on July 10, 2001, at 5:30:47
In reply to severe panic disorder...desperate, posted by darkling on July 9, 2001, at 12:07:14
Please don't disregard this suggestion off hand but have you thought about getting involved in something like Chi-Gong or Yoga? They can teach you very relaxing breathing techniques and thought patterns that helped me a lot with my panic attacks. I had terrible panic attacks several years ago and the biggest help was definitely Klonopin but learning Chi-Gong was also very helpful in providing me ways to relax when I could feel the tension starting to build. I was able to fight off many panic attacks this way.
As others have said here, there is definitely a benefit to developing a relationship with your psych that goes beyond just getting the right meds.
Posted by darkling on July 10, 2001, at 10:32:17
In reply to severe panic disorder...desperate, posted by darkling on July 9, 2001, at 12:07:14
thanks all. i know i left some things youd like to know out.
yes-like all people i have underlying problems that seeing a therapist couldnt hurt. my very first panic attack tho was triggered by some pills i was taking containing ephedrine. i stopped taking those immediately.
yes-my panic attacks are multi symptom. i commonly experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, numbness in my hands, and twitchy face. major ones are even worse.
there was a period of close to a year in which i had at least one attack a day. now i more or less just have, i dont know what youd call it, mmm...bi-polar panic attacks...ill be under control for a couple weeks to a month and then ill have a week where the attacks keep on rolling in.really all i know about deep breathing and suggestive thought is just that ... in through nose out through mouth...youre not going to die.
i saw both a therapist and a doctor who can prescribe. they worked in conjunction. they wanted me to sign a contract that said if i drank or "fornicated" or any such thing they would deny me my treatment. what happened was, they thought i had signed it, they threatened me with sudden repeal of my meds, and in the course of explaining to me just how they could do that, they realized i ad never signed-that was when i walked.
my familys therapist, who can prescribe meds, has no problem with talking about "hypothetical patients" when speaking to my mother.
i think that covers all the thngs you asked about. as you can see, ive been hurt by doctors before and dont really look foward to having to rely on one for something so important and potentially life changing. i really appreciate all your feedback-keep it coming.
> i have been having panic attacks for almost three years now. at one point i was having them daily-serious ones-with many symptoms. i took paxil for a while and it helped, but i didnt like the way i felt-i wanted meds that would stop the panic attacks while NOT changing anything else. i want to be myself just without the panic attacks. i want to be able to leave my house again... the problem is im 18 and most doctors wont give me a script w/o me seeing a psych on a continual basis. my familys shrink doesnt feel comfortable prescribing me with a fast acting med that i can take just when i feel one coming on because, for the most part, those medications are addictive. im going to be 19 in a month and im dreading commemorating losing another year of my life to this. any advise is welcome! names of lenient psychs, international pharms, herbal alternatives, meds i might not know about... these are supposed to be the best years of my life, but ill never know because im missing them!
Posted by tina on July 10, 2001, at 11:36:03
In reply to Re: severe panic disorder...desperate, posted by darkling on July 10, 2001, at 10:32:17
>
" > i saw both a therapist and a doctor who can prescribe. they worked in conjunction. they wanted me to sign a contract that said if i drank or "fornicated" or any such thing they would deny me my treatment. what happened was, they thought i had signed it, they threatened me with sudden repeal of my meds, and in the course of explaining to me just how they could do that, they realized i ad never signed-that was when i walked."Are you serious? They actually wanted you to sign something like that?? Geez, psych's are supposed to be supportive, not judgemental like that. You definitely need to find another one. Someone independent, not at all in any way related to your family or their problems. I had to get out from under my family doctor's "umbrella" before I could really feel comfortable talking about my probs to a doc. that kind of distrust and judgemental attitude is NOT what you need right now. Keep looking for what you need from a doctor darkling. There are lots of good ones out there.
hugs
tina> i have been having panic attacks for almost three years now. at one point i was having them daily-serious ones-with many symptoms. i took paxil for a while and it helped, but i didnt like the way i felt-i wanted meds that would stop the panic attacks while NOT changing anything else. i want to be myself just without the panic attacks. i want to be able to leave my house again... the problem is im 18 and most doctors wont give me a script w/o me seeing a psych on a continual basis. my familys shrink doesnt feel comfortable prescribing me with a fast acting med that i can take just when i feel one coming on because, for the most part, those medications are addictive. im going to be 19 in a month and im dreading commemorating losing another year of my life to this. any advise is welcome! names of lenient psychs, international pharms, herbal alternatives, meds i might not know about... these are supposed to be the best years of my life, but ill never know because im missing them!
>
>
Posted by darkling on July 10, 2001, at 13:09:31
In reply to Re: severe panic disorder...desperate, posted by tina on July 10, 2001, at 11:36:03
its nice someone understands. its funny...we have the same name.
> >
> " > i saw both a therapist and a doctor who can prescribe. they worked in conjunction. they wanted me to sign a contract that said if i drank or "fornicated" or any such thing they would deny me my treatment. what happened was, they thought i had signed it, they threatened me with sudden repeal of my meds, and in the course of explaining to me just how they could do that, they realized i ad never signed-that was when i walked."
>
>
>> Are you serious? They actually wanted you to sign something like that?? Geez, psych's are supposed to be supportive, not judgemental like that. You definitely need to find another one. Someone independent, not at all in any way related to your family or their problems. I had to get out from under my family doctor's "umbrella" before I could really feel comfortable talking about my probs to a doc. that kind of distrust and judgemental attitude is NOT what you need right now. Keep looking for what you need from a doctor darkling. There are lots of good ones out there.
> hugs
> tina
Posted by tina on July 10, 2001, at 15:37:32
In reply to Re: severe panic disorder...desperate tina, posted by darkling on July 10, 2001, at 13:09:31
Well then, it's nice to meet you Tina.
I came to this board more than a year ago and I've always felt welcome and supported. I hope you find it the same for you.
Let me know how you're doing.
Keep in touch OK?
hugs
tina> its nice someone understands. its funny...we have the same name.
>
> > >
> > " > i saw both a therapist and a doctor who can prescribe. they worked in conjunction. they wanted me to sign a contract that said if i drank or "fornicated" or any such thing they would deny me my treatment. what happened was, they thought i had signed it, they threatened me with sudden repeal of my meds, and in the course of explaining to me just how they could do that, they realized i ad never signed-that was when i walked."
> >
> >
> >
>
> > Are you serious? They actually wanted you to sign something like that?? Geez, psych's are supposed to be supportive, not judgemental like that. You definitely need to find another one. Someone independent, not at all in any way related to your family or their problems. I had to get out from under my family doctor's "umbrella" before I could really feel comfortable talking about my probs to a doc. that kind of distrust and judgemental attitude is NOT what you need right now. Keep looking for what you need from a doctor darkling. There are lots of good ones out there.
> > hugs
> > tina
>
Posted by Anna Laura on July 11, 2001, at 1:40:07
In reply to severe panic disorder...desperate, posted by darkling on July 9, 2001, at 12:07:14
> i have been having panic attacks for almost three years now. at one point i was having them daily-serious ones-with many symptoms. i took paxil for a while and it helped, but i didnt like the way i felt-i wanted meds that would stop the panic attacks while NOT changing anything else. i want to be myself just without the panic attacks. i want to be able to leave my house again... the problem is im 18 and most doctors wont give me a script w/o me seeing a psych on a continual basis. my familys shrink doesnt feel comfortable prescribing me with a fast acting med that i can take just when i feel one coming on because, for the most part, those medications are addictive. im going to be 19 in a month and im dreading commemorating losing another year of my life to this. any advise is welcome! names of lenient psychs, international pharms, herbal alternatives, meds i might not know about... these are supposed to be the best years of my life, but ill never know because im missing them!
Darkling,
I've been suffering from the worst panic attacks you can imagine, 24 hours a day for months, but i recovered from that: i just wanted to tell you ther's some hope for you : you can defeat the beast, go on try to get some help!!!!
Wishing you the best
Anna Laura
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