Panic during exercise

[Panic_Again]

Hello All,

My panic attacks have returned stronger and more frequent.  This after no attacks and being off meds for almost two years.  Last time my attacks were infrequent and rarely strong.  I was treated with Xanax .25mg 1x daily (2x if needed) 10mg Paxil and .25mg Respidal.  That worked for me and along with counseling I thought I had my anxiety beat.  I had weened off of everything and all was well.   Then my panic attacks started to return.  I went back on the previous medication without result.  My Dr. switched me to Klonapin .50 3x daily and Wellbutin 150mg 1x daily.  After reaching steady state this seem to control my attacks.  Now during both anaerobic and aerobic exercises I can trigger an attack.  This does not happen every time but more frequent then I would like.  I have been checked and my heart is fine.  The attacks come and go in waves so it's stereotypical panic attacks.  Why during exercise when this is suppose to relieve the stress that causes panic?  Also, why the attacks through the medication?  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.  I'm at my wits end.  Sorry for the long post.

[Paxiled]

Don't really have an answer, but wellbutrin is for depression, not usually for anxiety.  Causes it in many people.  If you suffer from anxiety, wellbutrin can make you hyper since it's intended to charge up depressed people.  Again, it seems to be working for you, but it might be an explanation.  Also, although exercise is good for the body, some people do feel anxious especially with cardio because the heart speeds up and can feel like anxiety does.  That used to happen to my sister.  I don't have any problem during cardio, but sometimes afterward I feel depleted and therefore more anxious, but that's only since I had a bad reaction to a medication, not before then.  But then, I'm anxious all the time now.  Anyway, just a thought or two.

[Panic_Again]

cj29,

Thanks for the reply.  Yes, I just had my yearly physical and EKG was fine.  I have also had a stress test and a 64 slice CT angiogram, which the latter is suppose to be the latest and greatest test.  My doctor said the result could not have been better.  I also have a long family history of heart problems, with several realitives dying suddenly at a young age.  So you could say it's never out of my mind.

How did I beat it last time.  Good question-different circumstances going on and I think the counseling did the most good.  I have restarted that, so we see.

[cj29]

First of all, don't beat yourself up because your anxiety has returned.  I know it is VERY frustrating when it does, but it happens to all of us, to include myself.  But the nice thing this time around, is you have the knowledge to deal with it and confront it in a constructive mannner.  

I do cardio six times a week and when I was going through anxiety again, I actually did not look foward to it, because this is when I would worry the most.  My original source of my anxiety dealt with heart health issues, so naturally when we are stressing it (even though it is a good stress) during exercise, it can set us off on another tangent of thinking and get us stuck in the panic/anxiety cycle.  BUT you have gotten the all clear from the doctor, so you know physically you are good to go.

How did you beat this the first time? Remember to use what you know and please keep us posted!