Aa
Can someone help please
Recently after many years of no symptoms, I have for the last couple of months been getting panic/anxiety attacks, they do not go away or lessen but stay with me 24/7. I have seen my doctor and she thought it was depression (I'm not as sure) but she put me on prozac 20 and valium, with an hour I was so much worse! I understand these take time to kick in but the side effects are worse than ever, I now cannot leave the house, I do try, I cry so much.
I know compared to many people what I go through is not much but to me it really is very bad. I want to be the happy person I was a few short months ago. A year ago I had 3 heart attacks and a stroke within 24hrs, this did not cause the attacks to start, but, a few months ago a few emotional problems caught up with me and maybe this is the cause?
I just cannot continue on these drugs as I've begun to feel like I want to stop living. Can someone help me cope please? Thank you. Ps: I'm 68yrs old.
I know compared to many people what I go through is not much but to me it really is very bad. I want to be the happy person I was a few short months ago. A year ago I had 3 heart attacks and a stroke within 24hrs, this did not cause the attacks to start, but, a few months ago a few emotional problems caught up with me and maybe this is the cause?
I just cannot continue on these drugs as I've begun to feel like I want to stop living. Can someone help me cope please? Thank you. Ps: I'm 68yrs old.
I thought more about my answer and its maybe not that great. On the meds front I would like to suggest a drug called Buspar. Its not addictive and it seems to work in a subtle way where you don't feel vegged out but it does (For some people) do a lot to resolve anxiety. If your having 24:7 anxiety this would be (I think) a better idea that daily Valium. Benzos are (my opinion) a lot better on a take only as needed basis. Daily use builds tolerance and for some people can be addictive.
Your welcome. Anxiety (for me) has a lot to do with getting anxious about anxiety (Sounds silly) And being weirded out about taking pills. In my case this was somewhat PTSD type stuff so it wasn't a life long issue that gradually got worse it was POW (I'm suddenly a mess) I got very anxious about taking meds but when this started I really had to have something to help me do the day to day stuff. I obsess a bit on things (Like OCD) so anyway. I think it would be super rare that an antidepressent would have any effect in the first week. *I'm not an expert) But you could easily stress out about taking a MI drug. Good luck. Hope things get better soon. Anxiety is a rough row to hoe. I still freak out a bit when I take Xanax (As needed) but I've concluded that its far better then the alternative.
May I message you with links to a list of my posts on this site containing assorted anxiety coping tips?
Hi James C, thank you for your advice.I just got worse and worse on the pills that I have now ceased them. I'm trying acupuncture, so far, so good, although today has been a "not too good day", so I have booked another treatment for tomorrow for more acupuncture.
Hopefully this will help as at mybage I feel so embarrassed by these panic attacks!
Will let you guys know what happens. Thank you.
Hopefully this will help as at mybage I feel so embarrassed by these panic attacks!
Will let you guys know what happens. Thank you.
Hi there, I do not have a psychiatrist! My doctor believe she can manage this! I since hae stopped the pills and have been reasonably successful with acupuncture. I have another session tomorrow, will post and let you guys know how it goes.
Thank you for answering.
Thank you for answering.
Thank you for your thoughts. I have been taking 20mg of Prozac and 10mg of Valium for only a week, but, after day 2 I was seriously in trouble, no pills have ever affected me like that before. I was thinking weird thoughts, even about harming myself just to stop the panic. I have now toped both and have opted for acupuncture. So far it's working well but panic is now setting in so I have booked another treatment for tomorrow.
My experience with anti depressants is that they take 4 to 6 weeks to start working *And it was kind of subtle. Anxiety however should be broken up by the Valium. If your having Anxiety Attacks and the prescribed dose is doing zilch you should get in touch with your doctor and ask for a change (Dose, or maybe a different drug) Depression is kind of a slow thing to get dial down but Anxiety attacks are (I'm sure) you immediate problem. If symptoms get worse don't be afraid to go to the er.
Prozac is a more stimulating antidepressant, so if anxiety is your main problem it can make it worse. Doesn't do this to everyone, but it does happen commonly. You might take this up with your psychiatrist.
How long have you been taking prozac?
How long have you been taking valium, and at what doses per day?
How long have you been taking valium, and at what doses per day?
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