![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 4:10:37
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! :(
Posted by woolav on May 25, 2005, at 8:01:40
In reply to Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 4:10:37
wow, Im sorry for your struggles, believe me i have my own too. But, i had panic disorder for years and years, still do i guess. I took xanax for a long time. It helped, but like you said, you have to take it when you start feeling panic attacks coming on and that makes it not so great. Just wanted to say try klonopin. Its been great for panic disorder for me. Really diff. than xanax. I take 3mg a day, split up 1mg morning, noon and night and havent had the panic attacks. Its a wonder drug. It does cause depression though, so ask your doc about adding a diff. kind of anti-depression. Like prozac or something that wont cause the nervousness...
Good Luck
S
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! :(
>
>
Posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 15:21:04
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.. » hypersloth, posted by Maxime on May 25, 2005, at 12:40:03
I sleep pretty good. When I was on Lexapro - the slightest change in my day would set me to insomnia unless it was physical activity.
I made it to work fine now, but it's funny you mention something physical because constantly I keep thinking there is something wrong.Long ago in a land far far away - I used to get excited about doing something new or entertaining..such as going on a weekend vacation to a cabin or a 'real' vacation - or going to play a sport in the upcoming days that I enjoyed. I would also get nervous for serious upcoming events like a job interview, meeting a new client that was important etc etc.
Now I do NOT get these things anymore. I do not get excited to do something - even when the panic attacks were somewhat subsided in my life - nor do I get nervous..I just get anxious and start to panic even.
Something tells me there is something wrong - both mentally because of this, and I DID notice that prior to my panic attacks..I would get a food high when I was hungry and ate something. I would even break into a minor sweat. Many said that had to do with thyroid but the hospitals/doctors said that was tested.I 'appear' to be a healthy caucassian male of my age and have been told I am attractive etc etc yada yada that 'seems' to be in shape and intelligent. Inside however I feel like an 80 year old health wise and have the mental capacity of someone that should be or is one step from entering a rubber room. Sigh. (please excuse my poor spelling and grammar..I'm more math oriented)
So do you think a I should forgoe the statements of the doctors to look into this further?
Btw - I thought of some things that are 'time tested' triggers to anxiety an panic for me..maybe someone can see a pattern..
-Heat/Humidity & even Hot showers
-Hunger
-Driving to somewhere I HAVE to be (not somewhere that I don't have to and can just turn around like shopping)
-Loss of control (being stuck somewhere like: an airplane ECK, work, someone else driving, at a resturant with a client etc etc)I still feel stress and anxiety (a bit) when it comes to things most people experience like: money issues (which I have often), family stress, job stress etc...but nothing out of the ordinary.
Most if not all of my panic issues seem to stem from the above factors. Long ago heart palpitations, excessive exhaustion, things like that set things off - but I've at least controlled things to the point that I know these things aren't problems and don't get myself worked up abotu these things anymore..*Just try to think of something else* (the most common phrase heard from friends and family). I'm sure you all know how impossible that is when you are NOT thinking of having an axiety attack or panic attack..and ARE thinking very strongly about something or just trying to relax and watch tv then BAM all the sudden things start. This is why I truly believed before that there was something physically wrong with me..
Does anyone know anything about MOLD poisioning also? I lived in an old house long ago that was constantly damp in the basement and someone mentioend that maybe that was the cause. Reading up on this, this stuff can make you much more sick than even lead poisoning. Is there a way to test to see if you were affected by this?
Thanks for the replies guys - I REALLY need to find a way to control the issues, if for anything..to be able to function at work and to enjoy my days/times when I am with friends & family instead of hiding inside my house :( I can not tell you how depressing and frustrating this is..I feel soooooo helpless and hopeless.
Thanks again for any replies!
S
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2005, at 18:49:08
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 15:21:04
I'm so sorry. I started my panic attacks the same way. I also used to drink beer for relief. Then they found my thyroid was hypo. So synthroid for that. The anxiety got a little better. Then I crashed again. Now haven't worked in 8years. I've always called it agoraphobia and panic disorder. I took xanax which helped for years. Then it stopped working. Many AD's none worked. Now I feel like my adrenaline is all gone because I don't have any reaction to panic when I would have before. I don't know what meds will help. You have to be able to concentrate to do CBT. Can you? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 21:17:11
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.. » hypersloth, posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2005, at 18:49:08
I dont understand - you've haven't worked for 8 years but you are saying that your panic is almost nill now because you have no more adreniline left...
Also - how do you support yourself? I mean, everyone in the world can claim they are 'disabled' and can't work - but I SERIOUSLY could have really used some monetary help from the government but because panic and anxiety disorders are somewhat speculative - it's hard to receive anything.
I don't want a hand out either. I have the ability to make much $$ and would probably thrive in a place that would allow me to do my work from home (which I could)..Now you have me a bit scared - my biggest fear herein is that it is just going to get worse and worse until I am a vegetable on life support. :( I know it sounds probably silly to many, but I am NOT getting better and it has been many years.
Is it possible to 'grow' out of this eventually? What are all of these drugs for anyway then? Everywhere I read, I read about people that eventually become 'immune' to the drugs they are taking or are on some sort of expensive health wrecking drug cocktail that most uncaring doctors are more than willing to prescribe.
What do other countries say about these panic issues?These are the question I have and they are seemingly endless.
Btw - Philip did you take xanax everyday? Im sure at that point it would evntually not work. I only take xanax when I need and on a regular basis (1/2 a tablet of .5mg) when I have a streak of issues which has been as of recent.
Is there any hope for me? I dont want to be someone taking 2 or 3 different meds Plus xanax on high doses just to make it through the day..
ARGH!
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2005, at 21:51:43
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 21:17:11
Well your Babblemail is not on so I can't Babble you in private. No, we're all different. Just because something doesn't work for one person doesn't mean it can't work for another. I'm also a postmenopausal woman. A lot of the acute panic I was having was before menopause. Body chemistry changes. For whatever reason my pdoc got me on disability. I also have chronic lymes disease, and a lot of other issues. They don't even review me when the time is up. I too have a career. I hold a still active RN license. Because of the life and death discription of an RN in the hospital I don't feel I should be taking care of pts. Now I know many other medical professionals that are on all sorts of psych meds. But I don't want to be one of them. How do I know they take them? They told me when we worked together. About half of the people I worked with were on something. We lost a nurse manager, nursing instructor and others to illegal medication use and loss of license. You never would have known they were impaired. I am now trying to get the courage up to apply for a position [as needed] to see how I function in psych nursing which is my specialty. And yes I took xanax on a regular basis and passed all the drug testing. As long as you have a valid RX they can't discriminate against you. Please try and calm down. Did you say you were new to the Board? If you are many of the posters are resistant to medications. Just make sure you have a good pdoc who can work closely with you. I want you to do well. I'm sure you will. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by 4WD on May 26, 2005, at 16:09:20
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 21:17:11
Hi. I don't have any answers for you but I can offer sympathy. I'm sort of in the same boat. Mine isn't panic *attacks* it's an *almost* panic attack most of the day. From the time I get up until late in the afternoon or sometimes til 8 or even 11 at night, I feel like a phobic person confronted with the source of their phobia. Except there's nothing I'm scared of. It's just FEAR! Sometimes it's TERROR!
It happened the first time when I tried to switch from Effexor to Paxil. Again when switching from Effexor to Cymbalta. BAck to Effexor again but it didn't help this time. So now I'm on Celexa and still SCARED!
The horrible thing (probably for you too) is that you don't know what's happening to you. I don't understand this. It's been constant since October. I, too, feel it has to be something physical. It's not attached to anything; it just strikes out of nowhere and grabs me and ruins my life. The endocrinologist thinks my highly elevated cortisol levels are due to the anxiety. The psychiatrist doesn't have an effing clue except to say it "sounds like major depression." Except I don't feel very depressed except the despair that comes when the terror peaks.
The one thing that keeps me going is that is usually goes away at night. Does yours get better at night? Have you tried going (I know this is actually laughable) to the gym, getting on the treadmill and going as hard and fast as you can for 40-45 minutes? That gives me a couple of hours of relief.
God, why can't they figure out what is WRONG with us? And you know they (the pdocs) don't sit and try to figure it out. The minute you're gone, you're out of their head.
I've heard of suicidal depression. This is my first experience with suicidal anxiety.
Marsha
> I dont understand - you've haven't worked for 8 years but you are saying that your panic is almost nill now because you have no more adreniline left...
> Also - how do you support yourself? I mean, everyone in the world can claim they are 'disabled' and can't work - but I SERIOUSLY could have really used some monetary help from the government but because panic and anxiety disorders are somewhat speculative - it's hard to receive anything.
> I don't want a hand out either. I have the ability to make much $$ and would probably thrive in a place that would allow me to do my work from home (which I could)..
>
> Now you have me a bit scared - my biggest fear herein is that it is just going to get worse and worse until I am a vegetable on life support. :( I know it sounds probably silly to many, but I am NOT getting better and it has been many years.
> Is it possible to 'grow' out of this eventually? What are all of these drugs for anyway then? Everywhere I read, I read about people that eventually become 'immune' to the drugs they are taking or are on some sort of expensive health wrecking drug cocktail that most uncaring doctors are more than willing to prescribe.
> What do other countries say about these panic issues?
>
> These are the question I have and they are seemingly endless.
>
> Btw - Philip did you take xanax everyday? Im sure at that point it would evntually not work. I only take xanax when I need and on a regular basis (1/2 a tablet of .5mg) when I have a streak of issues which has been as of recent.
>
> Is there any hope for me? I dont want to be someone taking 2 or 3 different meds Plus xanax on high doses just to make it through the day..
>
> ARGH!
>
Posted by Maxime on May 26, 2005, at 17:46:17
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 15:21:04
Hi. Well thyroid levels ect. can change so you should get retested. I would still get your cortisol levels tested as well.
I am surprised you are able to sleep considering how you feel during the day. How do you calm youself down?
You could do a search re. the mold thing. Now you have me curious because I lived in a basement with black mold that I had to wipe down every morning and spray with Lysol etc. I was sick all the time with the flu and then eventually I had viral meningistis. Maybe I will do a search on it!
I can't think of what other physical causes there could be ....
But yes, I think you need to investigate further and don't let anyone tell you that it's all in your head!!!
Maxime
> I sleep pretty good. When I was on Lexapro - the slightest change in my day would set me to insomnia unless it was physical activity.
> I made it to work fine now, but it's funny you mention something physical because constantly I keep thinking there is something wrong.
>
> Long ago in a land far far away - I used to get excited about doing something new or entertaining..such as going on a weekend vacation to a cabin or a 'real' vacation - or going to play a sport in the upcoming days that I enjoyed. I would also get nervous for serious upcoming events like a job interview, meeting a new client that was important etc etc.
> Now I do NOT get these things anymore. I do not get excited to do something - even when the panic attacks were somewhat subsided in my life - nor do I get nervous..I just get anxious and start to panic even.
> Something tells me there is something wrong - both mentally because of this, and I DID notice that prior to my panic attacks..I would get a food high when I was hungry and ate something. I would even break into a minor sweat. Many said that had to do with thyroid but the hospitals/doctors said that was tested.
>
> I 'appear' to be a healthy caucassian male of my age and have been told I am attractive etc etc yada yada that 'seems' to be in shape and intelligent. Inside however I feel like an 80 year old health wise and have the mental capacity of someone that should be or is one step from entering a rubber room. Sigh. (please excuse my poor spelling and grammar..I'm more math oriented)
>
> So do you think a I should forgoe the statements of the doctors to look into this further?
>
> Btw - I thought of some things that are 'time tested' triggers to anxiety an panic for me..maybe someone can see a pattern..
>
> -Heat/Humidity & even Hot showers
> -Hunger
> -Driving to somewhere I HAVE to be (not somewhere that I don't have to and can just turn around like shopping)
> -Loss of control (being stuck somewhere like: an airplane ECK, work, someone else driving, at a resturant with a client etc etc)
>
> I still feel stress and anxiety (a bit) when it comes to things most people experience like: money issues (which I have often), family stress, job stress etc...but nothing out of the ordinary.
> Most if not all of my panic issues seem to stem from the above factors. Long ago heart palpitations, excessive exhaustion, things like that set things off - but I've at least controlled things to the point that I know these things aren't problems and don't get myself worked up abotu these things anymore..
>
> *Just try to think of something else* (the most common phrase heard from friends and family). I'm sure you all know how impossible that is when you are NOT thinking of having an axiety attack or panic attack..and ARE thinking very strongly about something or just trying to relax and watch tv then BAM all the sudden things start. This is why I truly believed before that there was something physically wrong with me..
>
> Does anyone know anything about MOLD poisioning also? I lived in an old house long ago that was constantly damp in the basement and someone mentioend that maybe that was the cause. Reading up on this, this stuff can make you much more sick than even lead poisoning. Is there a way to test to see if you were affected by this?
>
> Thanks for the replies guys - I REALLY need to find a way to control the issues, if for anything..to be able to function at work and to enjoy my days/times when I am with friends & family instead of hiding inside my house :( I can not tell you how depressing and frustrating this is..I feel soooooo helpless and hopeless.
>
> Thanks again for any replies!
>
> S
Posted by FredPotter on May 26, 2005, at 18:34:15
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.. » hypersloth, posted by Maxime on May 26, 2005, at 17:46:17
Hypersloth why isn't the Dr giving you Xanax or Klonopin?
Posted by hypersloth on May 26, 2005, at 22:17:25
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.. » hypersloth, posted by 4WD on May 26, 2005, at 16:09:20
Marsha - I wish I had an answer, and ask this...sometimes outloud several times each month of my life. I am nowhere near as bad as you, but yes I do have anxiety all day. I was on the way to work today , and because it was sunny out I started to wig out. So I called someone on my cell to take my mind off of things, but still felt VERY anxious like I was going to faint.
When I have panic - it feels like everything is WRONG. EVERYTHING annoys me VERY badly, and I feel like I am going to die or go crazy..and I almost hit another attack today but luckily just had a major anxiety attack.
My anxiety lasted throughout most of the day, and I just bounce my leg behind my desk while I try to juggle 50 things at one time. Probably the thing I need the most. I was busy all day until about 10pm and am tired now, drinking coffee and smoking some cigs before I goto bed.
Yes I sleep pretty good...my girlfriend would say otherwise but I can fall asleep just about anywhere at any time. (look at my name..hypersloth) I feel always anxious or tired..
The panic comes when I feel Tired and anxious, or worse..when I am FULLY rested ...I get really anxious and have to mellow out by taking Xanax.
I keep the meds to a minimum that will allow me to function to a minimum. Once I am at work I seem fine, but when they occur outside of the house all I want to do is do whatever I think will make them go away...like leaving for home etc. The unfortunate part is , last weekend I started to have one at home so I immediately left to make it worse..yes I purposely made them worse till Ialmost fainted driving then turned around and when I got home they were fine..no more panic..the xanax finally kicked in, and instead of starting my day at 10am like I wanted to, I finally got to where I wanted to go at 2:30pm. :(
Medical Journals state that panic attacks (the fight or flight feeling) can only last 20 minutes for a person before they 'crash'. Bullsh*t. This is not true and they can last much longer. So I believe you when you say you have them almost all day. Many days I have anxiety that is so bad that I feel 'wrong' or 'off' all day - plus the extreme anxiety like I am afraid of something but there is nothing going on. I think that is the part that REALLY messes with my tiny brain, the fact that I should have something causing this..know there is nothing causing this...and yet - am having this problem!
Maybe we are all dreaming and will wake up and talk about this HORRIBLE dream we had. I can muster up some crazy, horrible dreams...and my real life is worse. I am at my wits end. I am going to see a headshrink in a couple of weeks...and it's $160 for 30 minutes! Does this sounds right?
I've tried excercise 4WD - and it doesn't work. Yes if I am anxious and do something it helps, but it doesn't stop the panic attacks from coming..and if I over do it, I feel like I can't catch my breath and then start to freak out and have to calm myself down and immediately get my hands into something like cleaning or working on something on the computer to keep it from turning into a panic attack :(
Maxine - if you find out anything please post it here. The only thing I find on the net seems to be garbage lately..Fred - Yes I take .5mg of Xanax on a daily basis lately, and for a year and a half while on lexapro I didn't have to take more than 1 or 2 pills during that WHOLE time! Prior to that I was jumping back and forth with different meds and off meds - and of course taking xanax 'as needed' which of couse we all know..isn't needed once it finally kicks in and the panic is over - but at least it keeps the 'repeat' attacks from occuring as I do have those also.
Does anyone know if there is an injection form of something that you can get that will act RIGHT away when a panic attack occurs. SERIOUSLY if someone told me if I chopped my finger off, it would stop...I would! I even go as far as to dig my keys into my leg or something equally perverse to create pain so that the panic will stop or at least subside enough for my brain to regain control of itself eventually instead of leading into a breakdown that results in me calling 911 or having someone take me to the hospital..
There is something in our foods or environment causing this, and I believe there is a great deal of cover-up occuring. If I find out that this is true and people knew this was a possibility but didnt care because they wanted to make $$$..I swear I will track them down if I am still young enough when the 'truth' comes out - or if I haven't already gone completely nuts. :( I've even asked doctors if that is possible and they say NO..but I seem to be sliding into a much worse situation and need serious help.
I used to think I was the most level headed, intelligent person in most crowds, but now feel like a big freak, loser, gimp. :(
Posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2005, at 22:30:53
In reply to Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 25, 2005, at 4:10:37
Our whole homes are loaded with toxic chemicals in the cleaning products we use, insecticides, laundry products, even the lotions we put on our skin, At least i've eliminated those from my enviornment. I've also been told being in a controlled enviornment helps as the work place. Babble me if you want to discuss these issues. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by FredPotter on May 26, 2005, at 22:44:51
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 26, 2005, at 22:17:25
they say dissolving Xanax under the tongue is the quickest way. I wouldn't hesitate taking 2g of Xanax if I needed it. Anything is better than PA, but that's just me
Posted by ed_uk on May 27, 2005, at 14:15:31
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 26, 2005, at 22:17:25
Hi,
>Does anyone know if there is an injection form of something that you can get that will act RIGHT away when a panic attack occurs.
Personally, I find that (oral) diazepam (Valium) has a rapid onset of action. Injectable benzos are available but I very much doubt that you're doctor would prescribe one lol!!! Midazolam (Versed) has a rapid onset of action when injected. It's used in hospitals but not in outpatients. Diazepam emulsion IV injection (Diazemuls) acts extremely rapidly. AFAIK, it is not available in the US, I'm not sure about that though. It is widely used in the UK as an emergency treatment for epileptic seizures. Valium injection (diazepam in an organic solvent) is best avoided- it is very irritant to the vein. In contrast, Diazemuls rarely causes irritation. Unsurprisingly, Diazemuls is only ever used in hospital.
Diazepam rectal solution (Diazepam Rectubes®, Stesolid®) is available in some countries eg. the UK. I have no idea whether it is available in the US... having said that, I don't know where you live. Most people on p-babble seem to live the the US! Diazepam rectal solution has a rapid onset of action. Clearly, it is not particularly convenient to administer! You'd have to go to the bathroom! Diazepam rectal solution is not the same as diazepam suppositories- it acts more rapidly. Diazepam rectal solution is occasionally used in outpatients as an acute treatment for severe panic attacks.
>Prevention of panic attacks. Drugs you could consider..........
An increased dose of escitalopram (Lexapro)
A different SSRI eg. paroxetine (Paxil)
A long-acting benzodiazepine eg. clonazepam (Klonopin). Alprazolam (Xanax) has a short duration of action. Regular use of Xanax can be particularly problematic because anxiety tends to occur between doses. Xanax XR is now available in the US, I am told that it is very expensive.
A tricyclic eg. imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor) or clomipramine (Anafranil)
An MAOI eg. phenelzine (Nardil)
Kind regards,
Ed.PS. Cut down on the caffeine!
PPS. Could you see a psychologist?
Posted by Phillipa on May 27, 2005, at 16:39:10
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.. » hypersloth, posted by ed_uk on May 27, 2005, at 14:15:31
Well, when I had the acute panic attack [which was caused by my TSH being 22] the pdoc I worked with gave me 2mg of Ativan IM. At the time it worked very well. I felt normal for a while. As far as the long acting xanax, my daughter-in-law and my old pdoc said people still need regular xanax inbetween. She said it didn't release the way it's supposed to. Never took the long acting myself. I'd love to have IV versed but that's not possible. Oh well. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by 4WD on May 27, 2005, at 20:42:43
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.., posted by hypersloth on May 26, 2005, at 22:17:25
Hypersloth,
You're not a loser. Or weak. It's not like you chose this and it's not like you can make it "go away." So don't be hard on yourself.
It's funny. Yours sounds worse to me. At least I can go where I want and I only have to leave places (because of fear) occasionally. And mine does go away at some point during the day where yours can strike at any time. (Although mine does occasionally come back at night.) I do a lot of crying in public places but I've gotten used to that and it doesn't bother me too much anymore.
The $160 sounds typical. I don't have a lot of faith in my pdoc. In fact I'm firing him. I can get Celexa and Klonopin from my family doctor (plus a lot more compassion). I've been working on learning about supplements (from this board --see the "Alternative" board here). I've also been in therapy. I've been trying to train myself to catch it when I feel the terror starting to build and not let it go there. (Good luck with that - I've been working on it for months). And I go get on the treadmill 3-4 days a week. But it does all seem to help a bit.
I think I'm actually getting better. I haven't had an episode of crawling around in the floor screaming and crying terror for a week and a half now. And the morning fear has stayed at the level of fear, not FEAR, for almost a week now.
At the very least the pdoc can tell you if there are other drugs you can try. Effexor worked great for me for anxiety for years. However, I would never, ever recommend it for anyone with anxiety just because I suspect my symptoms are related to having been on it for years and having been completely chilled out by it all that time. Now I'm off it and every bit of anxiety I didn't feel during those years is hitting me now. I don't know this for sure, it's just a theory and it makes me feel better because then I can think that eventually it will be over.
Sending calming thoughts,
Marsha
Posted by Phillipa on May 27, 2005, at 21:10:11
In reply to Re: Please Help - Very Frustrated with Panic.. » hypersloth, posted by 4WD on May 27, 2005, at 20:42:43
Marsha! You sound great! Please Babblemail me your alternative tx's you're on and what you've learned. If I try and find all your posts on that Board I'll be there forever. I'm not trying to be lazy just time. Thanks, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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