MY NEW FOUND PANIC ATTACKS ARE ABOUT TO DRIVE ME OVER THE EDGE

[trent]

I AM 25 YEARS OLD AND ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO I STARTED HAVING PANIC ATTACKS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE.  I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME.  I LIVE IN A REAL RURAL AREA AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IN TO SEE A PSYCHIATRIST.  MY DOCTOR HAS ME ON PAXAL 20mg A DAY, BUT IT DOESNT SEEM TO BE WORKING MUCH. IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS PLEASE LET ME KNOW.  THANKS

[HFHS.MD-AJ]

Trent,

It must be difficult suffering from panic attacks. Panic attacks can be successfully treated with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications (such as Paxil, Zoloft, e.t.c.). It may take up to 8 weeks before you feel the full benefits of Paxil, and you may eventually need higher doses of the Paxil. Please discuss your concerns further with your treating physician, and persist with referral for evaluation by a mental health professional.

[Shawn]

The only thing that helped me was therapy & Zoloft.
I take other medication for another problem which also help with panic attacks.

However, I know where you're coming from for I used to have several panic attacks a day and it drove me bonkers.

Seek a good psychiatrist and make sure that he/she prescribes the correct medication.  Good Luck.

[dave]

I assume you have been taking the Paxil for a week or two right ?
If not, it takes thre to four weeks to help.  I have been on many psch meds including Paxil.
Almost all meds take a while to help, so hang in there.

[sheree]

i am so sorry and believe  you i know what you are trying tooo  deal with,

[april]

Trent-
I went to the doctor 4 days ago because of a problem I've been having with anxiety and panic attacks.(You do not need to see a psychiatrist to get medication for this though I consulted a counselor before talking to my doctor) My doctor has started me on a low does of Paxil (10mg) and over the next four weeks I will be gradually working up to 40mg.  Since I have not been on this medication long enough to really feel the effects yet I can't share much of my own experience. However, my doctor did tell me that THE TARGET DAILY DOSE FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY ATTACKS IS 40MG. Perhpas an increase in your daily dose would help...but be sure to do it gradually!!  Also, (I don't know how long you have been taking Paxil but..) the drug does not take FULL effect for 12-15 weeks...but you should be feeling better within 3-4 weeks at your full target dosage. I don't know if any of this info helps...but it's what I've been told.  Good Luck!!!

[Joyce Goode]

Trent,

  I have severe panic attacks several times a day, I take 200
milligrams of zoloft, 2 1/2 mill. of xanax...I still feel overwhelmed...nobody understands what I experience. I am on
short term disabality for 30 days, but I feel that if I return
to work everyone will judge me...this is a terrible ordeal to
go through...it seems no body cares...sometimes I wish that I had
cancer instead..they would be more sympathic. The only advise I
can give you is to talk to a therapist, try to to something for
YOURSELF everyday, and exercise...I have no idea what the future
holds for me, I just had a seizure a couple of weeks ago, and
almost died...I pray to God for answers, but so far I just stay
in my house...please send me a e-mail...maybe we can help each other...I believe that only people that experience tramuas like
this can truly understand...

take care...

LEANNE

[PETE FOR TRENT AND LEANNE...]

HEY YOU TWO....  SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS.. THEY ARE EASIER FOR ME TO READ ON THE SCREEN..  WELL, GETTING TO THE POINT..  PANIC ATTACKS..  I AM YOUNG ALSO.  AT 29 I BEGAN TO HAVE THESE EPISODES WHERE I COULDN'T BREATHE, SHAKING, FELF LIKE A HEART ATTACK, ETC.  I THOGHT I WAS LOSING MY MIND.  THEY CAME ON AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES, EVEN DURING SLEEP. I WOULD WAKE UP ALL OF THE SUDDEN, WITH A TERRIBLE POUNDING HEART, SHORTH OF BREATH.  I WOULD BE OVERWHELMED WITH THE THOUGHT OF INSTANT DEATH.  I COULDN'T STOP IT AND THE MORE I TRIED, THE WORSE IT GOT.  SOMEHOW, IT WOULD SUDDENLY END, AND I WOULD FEEL EXHAUSTED, DEPRESSED AND TOTALLY WITHDRAWN.. I TOLD NOBODY ABOUT IT.  I AM A STRONG MALE, HEALTHY, THIS KIND OF THING COULD'NT HAPPEN TO ME...  WELL IT DID, AND FOR A YEAR, I DID NOTHING ABOUT IT.. I WAS AFRAID OF LETTING ANYONE KNOW.  FINALLY, IT GOT SO BAD, I HAD TO BE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL,  THEY HAD ME ON EVERY HEART, BRAIN MONITOR THEY COULD FIND..  AFTER TWO HOURS OF COMPLETE TERROR, THINKING I WAS GOING INSANE AND TO THE MENTAL HOSPITAL, THIS YOUNG DOCTOR, YOUNGER THAN ME, WALKED IN AND ASKED ME IF I HAD BEEN UNDER ANY PRESSURE LATELY..  I THOUGHT HE WAS ******* NUTS..

[pete to trent and leanne]

sorry, the box got full.  well getting back to my story.. i was going insane and they send in this little kid doctor to talk with me..  i was really pissed off.  well, enough of this.  the mind is an incredibly, and i mean incredibly powerful thing.  panic attacks are nothing more than adrenaline rushes.  i know it sounds crazy.. but, i have been through all kinds of books, doctors, medicines, etc.  you may not be aware of it, but stress causes the body and mind to react in many different ways...  panic attacks are one of them..  something that may have caused you stress, discomfort, or even extreme excitement, can result in a panic attack, later.  subconsciously, the brain tries to work out or deal with the distress and causes the body to react in this fassion.  it could be minutes, hours, even days later.  the key to overcoming these attacks, is relaxation, understanding what they are, knowing that YOU WILL NOT DIE FROM THEM, and that you can overcome them.  I did.  it took about three discussions with a therapist, only to understand what they were, reading, relaxation tapes, and MOST IMPORTANTLY....  trying to talk to myself, and ask myself what could have caused this attack?  did somebody insult me today, did my wife hurt my feelings? am i worrying about money.  is work getting too difficult?  i learned that during an attack, i would tell myself,  i know i'm not gonna die, so, what could have caused this to happen.. i recall the present days events, and even the previous to try and find out the route of my stress.  and by reasoning with myself, and positively reinforcing myself that this would subside....  i would actually experience the attack going away, the adrenaline decreasing and my cloudy mind clearing up.  it took a while, a lot of terror, and doubt..  but i did overcome them..  i learned what the are, how they start, how to end them, and how to stop one when i feel one coming on...  you two are NOT crazy.. i'm no doctor.  but i have been there, done that, as they say,  and got over it.  You might not digest all of this at once, but,  if any of this sounds credible to you, please recall it during the attack,  positivly compliment yourself,  and know that, when you do learn how to stop one.  you will be the happiest person on earth at that very moment..  believe me, you will.  i did this without medication, but, i am not saying you should or shouldnt.  give it a shot before you go see a shrink..  if you like,  i can be mailed at ***@****.  I WOULD BE HONORED TO HEAR FROM EITHER OF YOU.  and remember, this is not a cure forever...  occasionally i will get one.. but, its not nearly as bad, and it only lasts as long as i let it..  take care you two


with every best wish...
pete, ct

[monica]

I have been suffering from panic attacks for about 2 years now. I am only 28 now.  Does anybody else wonder why this is happening to us at an age where we should be enjoying life and having fun?  I graduated from college with a B.S in Mathematics and since then have not accomplished a darn thing because of these attacks.  I was so used to jumping in my car and going whereever the road my go, such as nascar races in Daytona, Taladega or whereever the races where at.  Now I do good to drive a mile down the road.  I just don't understand why this happens to young adults with their whole life in front of them.  As you can tell I get very discouraged when my panic attacks happen and today is one of those days.  Had to leave work early because of the dizziness and I go from being scared to nervous to just plain angry that this junk has ruined my life.  However, I firmly believe that there is a reason why we are chosen to go thru these life changes.  I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, and God has a reason, and when I figure out what that reason is, it will be a great day, until then, I am holding on that He will lead me down the right path.
I wish you all the best of luck and any emails are more than welcome.