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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Longtime Panic Attack Sufferer
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Longtime Panic Attack Sufferer
by mjlafond, Sep 22, 2003 12:00AM
I started having panic attacks 11 years ago the first 3 years were spent seeing all kinds of Doctors until finalling being correctly diagnosed. I have been on Paxil 150 mg ever since and doing fine (No Panic Attacks). About 9 months ago my spouse decided she was no longer willing to put up with the lack of a sex drive (wanting sex less than once ever couple of weeks). Because of this I started the journey of trying to find a new med. First my Doctor decided to try just lowering my dos of Paxil to 75 mg no panic but still no sex drive. Second tried Efexor no panic but also no sex drive was on for about six months. Next was Wellbutrin I now have a sex drive but panic attacks have returned daily or more I have the feeling I can't breathe well and the panic begins.
After all that my questions are:
1. Is there a drug that will work as well for panic attacks as Paxil did with less sexual disfunction?
2. Will this feeling of not being able to breathe on Wellbutrin go away in time (Have been taking it for 2 months) never had this feeling before.
3. Is there any other type of treatment for someone who has panic attacks for no reason (They just happen out of the blue not brought on by any activity, etc.)
4. Should I go back to the Paxil which made life livable for me and look into something else to stimulate the sex drive.
5. Through my med plan I need to be reffered to any Doctor other than my General Doctor. If I want to request someone more closelt tied to helping with panic attacks what type od DOctor should I ask for.
Thanks ahead for your answers.
After all that my questions are:
1. Is there a drug that will work as well for panic attacks as Paxil did with less sexual disfunction?
2. Will this feeling of not being able to breathe on Wellbutrin go away in time (Have been taking it for 2 months) never had this feeling before.
3. Is there any other type of treatment for someone who has panic attacks for no reason (They just happen out of the blue not brought on by any activity, etc.)
4. Should I go back to the Paxil which made life livable for me and look into something else to stimulate the sex drive.
5. Through my med plan I need to be reffered to any Doctor other than my General Doctor. If I want to request someone more closelt tied to helping with panic attacks what type od DOctor should I ask for.
Thanks ahead for your answers.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Sep 22, 2003 12:00AM
, Sep 22, 2003 12:00AM
Side effects of paxil are dose related. I have found 20-30mg to be effective for panic attacks, and sexual dysfunction at that dose was not a problem after initial adjustment to the medicine. You report taking a very high dose of paxil. Have you experimented to see what minimum dose of paxil is effective for your anxiety?
You might also consider taking viagra or similar sexual enhancement med. Check with your doctor for conflicts.