Should I go on Meds?

[BelizeIt]

I've had panic attacks off and on my whole life.  After a pretty traumatic experience I've been having panick attacks and had thoughts running a zillion miles an hour through my head.... usually that I'm going crazy and that I'll end up in a mental institute.  I'm in CBT Therapy but I wonder if I should go on meds.  I feel like I'll do anything to feel better but when I read blogs about the side effects of getting off meds, I wonder if it's just best to deal with it now.  Eventually when you ween yourself off the drugs (because you can't be on them forever) you have some type of side effect and from what I've ready they're usually pretty uncomfortable.  I wonder what's worse?  I'm so torn if I should go on them or not.  I plan on seeing a psychiatrist, but I assume that's the first course of action they'll reccommend.

[ILADVOCATE]

If cognitive behavioral therapy hasn't worked it is worth speaking to a psychiatrist. Many people take medication their whole life and are able to tolerate it and for many people is quite helpful and is taken long term in fact. It depends on the particular medication how it works and what is the side effect profile is. If the psychiatrist you are seeing suggests a specific medication you can ask them for more information about it or go to the medication website itself to find out more if you are concerned before starting it.

[greenlydia]

If the CBT isn't helping, I think you are wise to consider a psychiatrist, especially when you talk about a "traumatic experience." You may be suffering from PTSD and not just "simple" panic attacks........but panic attacks are a definite side effect of PTSD.
People have such differing views about p-docs! Many WILL suggest some form of medication if they believe it will help, but they cannot force you to take it. You can discuss your fears of medication with your doctor. There are, most definitely, pros and cons regarding medication(s) but you and your doctor will talk about those before he writes you a script. If the pros outweigh the cons, if a med is going to help you, then seriously consider it. And yes, SOME w/d will accompy most psychiatric meds, but a w/d schedule can be instituted that will make that taper as comfortable as possible. You are reading all the horror stories and not the successful ones, of which there are millions.
Meds should never be taken lightly and if you decide to try one, do your homework, research it thoroughly and at your next session, present your p-doc with a list of your concerns. IF your p-doc cops an attitude about trust or resents the fact that you are an infomed client, then you're with the wrong doctor. Run away. You want one who respects your opinions............not one who expects you to act like a lemming.

Oh, and about you thinking your going crazy. A "crazy" person will NEVER question their sanity. Sorry to tell you this, your totally sane.
Keep us posted, OK? We're always here.
Peace
Greenlydia    

[BelizeIt]

Thank you so much for your input.  I'm a health tacher and have always been so against medications unless it was a last resort.  I will tell you I don't want to refuse help if help is needed.  Then again if I can get it under control without meds (even if it's painful) I'd rather go that way.

There are a lot of options to way. I think I'l make a dr apt and at least see what they have to say.  Anxiety and panic are all very scary, but then there are days I feel totally fine.  I have to figure out if those bad days are worth taking meds for.  I'll keep you guys posted and thanks again for your insights.

[M4Y0U]

Hello there,

Beside therapy you still have a lot of options.

On top of my list you have physical activity. Physical activity will make you body produces a lot of hormones that are needed daily and regulate you body and mind. You can google on physical activities hormones and see the benefits and get the knowlege by yourself since typing every hormones and descriptions would be too long here on this post.

Second on my list you have healthy diet ( which is closely related to physical activity ). A healthy diet will have a good impact on you hormones as well and you will feel better. A healthy body is a healthy mind.

You can also try luminotherapy ( light therapy )

Luminotherapy means light therapy and usually involves half-hour sessions in front of a bright lamp (10 000 lux), specially adapted to treat seasonal depression. The principle is simple: light exposure slows down melatonin production, fighting sleepiness and depression. The light reaches the brain through the retina of the eye, as nerve impulses, to alter hormone levels, which in turn reset your body clock and boost your immune system. Some doctors and health farms offer luminotherapy as a treatment, but there are also special lamps on the market for home use.

I wish you good success in your fight against anxiety and remember that it's something that is treatable and you can have control over it if you work on it.

If you try everything without success maybe you should talk to your doctor about taking some medications. Sometimes it is just a chemical imbalance in the brain that may be really hard to restore without medication but you have a lot of alternatives as i mentioned above.

Best regards,
M4

[BelizeIt]

Thank you for that information on the light therapy.  I'll look into it.  I'm doing accupunture right now.  I exercise pretty regualry but I had stopped for a while.  I've been trying to get back into it so I hope it will help.  The problem that worries me is when people say "chemical Imbalance".... becasue if that is the case then is it a lifetime thing?  I don't want to be on drugs forever.... especially keeping in mind so many you're not even supposed to use for more than 6 months.

I know I'm rambling but I just wish there was a sure proof way to know what "caused" my anxiety.  Thats what I'm trying to work out in therapy.  Because you're right, sometimes its physical and sometimes its emotional.  I wish I just knew.  Thanks again for your words... they give me hope that there is a way without meds.

[M4Y0U]

Treating ''chemical imbalance'' with medication is the easy way. That's why most people go the easy way. The human being was made to be active and have a good diet from natural source ( including animals ).

It's a bad thing you stopped physical activity. If you really want to treat your anxiety without meds you have to do regular physical activity. Look up on google the hormones related to physical activities and the crucial role they play for you. Here's one hormone, probably the most important of all in your case, that is produced during physical activity.

Endorphins

An endogenous opioid from the pituitary gland that blocks pain, decreases appetite, creates a feeling of euphoria (the exercise high), and reduces tension and anxiety. Blood levels of endorphins increase up to five times resting levels during longer duration (greater than 30 minutes) aerobic exercise at moderate to intense levels and also during interval training. Also, after several months of regular exercise, you develop an increased sensitivity to endorphins (a higher high from the same level of endorphins), and endorphins that are produced tend to stay in your blood for a longer period of time. This makes longer duration exercise easier (you're feeling no pain) and it causes your exercise high to last for a longer period of time after exercise.

And there are so many more benefits. If you are serious about treating your anxiety without meds i suggest a subscription to a gym and daily exercise. The gym cost might be overwhelming but compared to meds it's nothing and it's for a good cause and going to the gym will keep you motivated and this will become a routine that you will need and you will become addicted to it!

Good luck!
M4