EXTREME CONSTANT ANXIETY. help please.

[laurenn292]

I have had anxiety and horrible panic attacks for about 5 years. I was on Zoloft and it didn't help at all and about 3 or 4 years ago my doctor put me on Effexor and it work AMAZINGLY! For the longest time I was perfectly fine. I would have a few minor panic attacks every few months at the most. But other than that I was perfectly fine. Then About a year and a half ago I started getting them when I would drive at night. So I stopped driving at night. Then in the beginning of the year I would get them when I was driving home at night in the dark with my boyfriend. But It wasn't everytime just sometimes. About a week ago I got a HORRIBLE panic attack on the way down to the shore, which is about an hour and a half from my house. So for that time I was freaking out, getting out of the car, and stopping to go to the bathroom. Since I got home from my vacation on Thursday the 20th I just haven't felt like my self. I have been barely eating and getting panic attacks atleast 2 times a day. Sunday and tonight have been the worst yet. On Sunday my family went away for the day and I stayed home in fear of having a panic attack. A couple of hours after they left I got a horrible panic attack i took a xanax it didn't help so called 911. They came helped calm me down then I went over my boyfriends house. On the way there I got another attack and almost went to the hospital. I called my mom and told her I had barely eaten anything in the past few days she said low blood sugar can cause that. I ate some peanut butter and felt a lot better. I fell asleep because I was exhausted from the panic attacks and the xanax. So I was ok for a while I came home and went to bed. I woke up at 3am with a panic attack. I took another xanax and ate some cereal. So basically my panic attacks have been pretty constant the past few days. Im not in therapy right now or anything and Im making an appointment in the morning. I am going to my regular doctor in the morning to see if it could be something more than just anxiety. I am terrified I will never get better again. Im scared to leave the house, espically after what happened on sunday. I also habe food allergies and Im afraid to eat cause Im afraid I'll have an allergic reaction could that be attributing to my anxiety. Any advice? Thanks.

[abby10]

You're going to hit 'tolerance' with Xanax pretty quickly. When that happens you will have increased panic and anxiety. It's not a good medication for the long term.

Do some research on this drug you're taking. Check out the site benzo.org.uk (Ashton Manual).

Good luck,
abby

[greenlydia]

You're doing exactly the right thing by getting to your doctor as soon as possible. Obviously the medication(s) you're using now are no longer working for you, so you and your doctor need to discuss your options.
Sounds like you're having some serious rebound anxiety. Xanax is a very good drug, but it will eventually turn on you. In my humble, non-medical opinion, you need to be on a long term antianxiety med like Klonopin...........but there are others out there. Just make sure your doctor understands that you just can't abruptly stop the Xanax! You MUST taper off it slowly as you slowly add a new med.
(Valium in worthless for severe panic)
You'll feel much better after talking with your doctor, but it may take awhile before any new meds reach therapeutic levels, so don't expect miracles. Just know that there is help and you WILL get better!
As for your food allergies..............you must know by now what it is you're allergic to, so why suddenly so frightened? Eat what you know is safe for you and stop worrying about that. Obsessing about it will definitely create anxiety.
It's good you're also thinking about getting back in therapy. Sounds like you didn't quite figure out what your anxiety stemmed from last time. Dig deeper this go round!
You're going to be fine.
Peace
Greenlydia  

[nursegirl6572]

I couldn't agree with lydia more.  Also, I think you're way "over-thinking" this...which of course...is typical for those of us with panic and anxiety.  While it is upsetting that the panic attacks have resurfaced...you've gone thru this before...so you at least know what it is...and how to fix it.  You've come out on the other side of this before and you will again.  Get back with your doc to figure out what kind of med regimen may benefit you, set up some talk therapy, and be patient with the process.  You'll get there.

Also, while I agree that you can build up a tolerance to the Xanax...also...for now while you're in the throws of some pretty severe panic...don't be afraid to take it when you need it either.  Just keep in mind that it is for short term usage only....to be used "as needed" only.

Hang in there.....you'll get thru this.  Keep reminding yourself that you did before.

[Julie359]

So sorry that your having a rough time of it at the mo, the one thing i have realised in my time of anxiety and panic is if you don't eat properly and drink plenty of fluids it WILL make your anxiety worse.  When your anxious anyway your body is burning off so much energy and you need to replace it, otherwise your blood sugar will def become unstable and you will feel worse and even low blood sugar can mimic the same kinda smytoms as a panic attack...i know cause i've ended up in hospital.  

If your feeling really sick and feel like you can't get anything into yourself try blending and juicing fruit, and drink it, this will give you the much needed energy fix that your body is craving and is full of the vitamins it needs as well.

I agree with the other posts about the meds so thought i would give you another angle to focus on also.  Hope this works.... all the best J

[Julie359]

p.s this may have been the reason why you woke up at 3am in a panic, because of having a low sugar level.... if you felt better after eating you may have your answer.. just a thought.