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Avatar universal

BAD DAY

Yesterday was one of the worst yet.4 full blown panic attacks in the course of an hour.This all happen between 2-3pm,first the hot flash,then my heart started racing like a freight train,home alone with my 2 yr old who was napping,all I could do was pace around the house with the phone in my hand,and even though I know it's a panic attack I can't convince myself it will be alright.The things going through my mind 100mph,heart attack,is it the ativan and am I going to have a seizure,did I take too many pain meds.etc.And I don't know whats causing them so I blame everything,I took an ativan and that was all for the rest of the day and night,I wouldn't take anymore pain meds,so it was a horrible night,got some sleep,only to wake up at 4am in pain,sneezing,anxious,finally talked myself into a couple of percocets,and I feel a little better,but now of course I'm paranoid about every little feeling,flicker of my heart,it's like I'm a prisoner and it has to stop.I can't get a grip on whats causing them.Ive only taken the Ativan for 2-3 weeks and only 1-1mg at bedtime.Does my body need the during the day now too,have I been on pain meds too long,do I have something wrong physically,so many things go through my mind.
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Avatar universal
Huh,A beta blocker,I have a similar med called lopressor for high blood pressure,but since being on the pain meds and the ativan I haven't had to use it.I would be afraid to drop my heart rate any slower.And Ive tried those stupid breathing exercises to,but honestly when I'm in the middle of a panic attack my thoughts are on will I be able to call 911 if something happens.Panic attacks are a nightmare,I see the shrink today and I have got to stress the need to get rid of these things,they are really starting to take over my life.
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Avatar universal
I know it's hard to convince yourself, that you are not going to die, especially when you are having chest pains, sweating, and rapid heart rate, sometimes you can make it worse, by thinking you are going to die. Another thing that works, (so they say... honestly I cant do it durring an attac, but it was suggested by my dr,) take a deep breath and hold it for 10 seconds, and blow it out, keep doing it until the pain goes away... It hasn't really worked for me, because I sometimes hyperventilate... ;)
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Avatar universal
You know, I have bipolar, depression, and anxiety, and have for years. I usually take xanex Extended Release 2 mg On top of other meds. One day, (last Saturday) I went to my psychiatrist , honestly thought I was having a heart attact, I had ALL the symptoms. My Dr. said my heart rate was 130!!! It should be about 75.. He gave me, Propranolol 20 mg, and it worked wonderfully!!! Ask your doctor about it!
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Avatar universal
I take Buspar in conjunction with Paxil.  I find it helps with my anxiety symptoms...the shaking, nausea, etc.  However, it needs to be taken WITH an SSRI or else it has very little effect.
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Avatar universal
The pain meds are for back problems deg.discs,a couple of bulging discs,infectious bursitis,and osteo arthritis.I get the pain meds from my PCP and the others from my psychiatrist,they both know what I'm on,I always make it a point to ask if they will clash.As far as the Ativan goes I just don't want to be dependent on anything else,I have a cabinet full of Valium I wont even take because of that.He gave me something called Buspar that I haven't tried yet,I want to get some more info on it first.Thank you both for your reply.
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272729 tn?1194276957
I am familiar with your situation since we both frequent one of the other forums.  My suggestion is to take an Ativan (or half of one) in the afternoon.   When it comes to pain or anxiety, it is best to treat it pre-emptively, in anticipation of it--- instead of trying to "chase it" once the cycle of pain or anxiety begin.  Thinkin' of ya,  Lisa
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Avatar universal
If you don't mind my asking, why are you on pain meds?  I probably missed it somewhere in the posts.  It seems like you are on a lot of meds, and sometimes it can cause adverse effects and do the opposite of what they are supposed to do.  Is it one doctor that prescribes all the meds or different doctors?  If so, do they know what the other one is prescribing?  If you are not sure of the interactions, I would suggest to go and speak to your pharmacist.  They seems to know much more about drug interactions than the doctors.  Also, speak to your doctor if you feel that you are on too many medications and see what can be done to lessen them.  Sometimes they can give you one medication that can do two things ( pain and anxiety in one) just a suggestion.  Hope you are feeling better today.
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Arlington, VA
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Arlington, WA
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