SEVERE panic and anxiety

[tuggy]

=All I have been reading on panic/anxiety attacks seem to give a structured timeframe for their duration. I have been hit out of the blue with the more horrific and debillitating level 10 panic/anxiety that has left me almost incapacitated.
My whole body "burns" and tingles, I feel as though I am going to die any second. I cannot reason objectively. It is as though my emotions have taken on physical pain. Thsi have been going on for the last week, sometmes a little better. But it comes in waves.I can't catch my breath, and have to yawn a lot. No amount of deep breathing, relaxation exercises help. Heart muscle appears to be finel No evidence of a heart attack. Stress test results available in a couple of days. My Dr. has taken me off of Wellbutrin and put me on zoloft, with xanax as needed. Yet, it is still worsel in the morning, upon rising. I guess I was not prepared for the duration of the intensity of these feelings. Please tell me these symptoms can be taken away, I don't see any way to live feeling like this all the time Susan Reed

[kcdem]

yes i have had experience just recenty with the psychiatrist route. beware they love to combine and experiment and use there STANDARD for treatmet approach, one size fits all.watch out or you will be talking to nurse ratchet.

You may have a chemical imbalance, you may be too med sensitive for ssris, ryan thinks they are much worse than the 60's drugs for depression which he says have less side effects. It seems simple the drug you are on makes you feel anxious and jittery and you took it NOT to feel that way,,,,bingo.

Therapy is great, and only YOU know if it works, you can spend a lot of money and time talking to some dillweeds, not much help.

find a good DR and or therapist and keep at it. i have had an impending sense of doom and situational panick that after many years i have had to address with an anti depressant, but i will go off of it and start elavil if needed asap. the ssris suck if you feel worse it is that simple. Read john bradshaw...that is the best therapy i ever had, you know "the inner child stuff" you can hide the book from friends, i know the inner child thing sounds stupid but for me PRoFOUND it was. actually napped for a couple hours sleeping much better. going to sleep now.

to clarify, i slep fine with my breif wellbutrion stint i was jittery anxious and appetite suppresed upon rising...good luck


kevin


kcdem

[xanweaner]

There is no question that psychotherapy with a good psychologist can be very effective. Is it the answer to quieting all anxiety or soothing all depressions? No, I don't think so.

I think it all depends upon the individual and the diagnosis and the environment, situation, support system, etc.

From my personal experience, both worked when I utilized them in tandem. But, there are questions as to what caused my initial illness, and I'm still searching for the answer.

I hope you're feeling better and getting some relief. Did you discontinue your Wellbutrin?

[tuggy]

Some of the drugs mentioned in the various posts are not ones with which I am familar. Klonopin is a sleep aid? Luckily, I have no trouble sleeping. It's when I wake up that things get jittery and sweaty! I am alos lucky in that I have a very sensitive system to drugs, and even small doses can make a real difference. I think the hardest part of this is trying to understand why my boday/brain has suddenly gone haywire.  Have you had any experience with the psychiatric route? Is this all purely physiological. or can therapy help?Glad you are getting sleep-tuggy

[kcdem]

read my posts about my zoloft struggle. wellbutrin and zoloft have made me agitated, wellbutrin was very bad and made me jittery, be cautious with the zoloft. you may not be able to tolerate the ssris which is common. zoloft may be more sedative for you. zoloft has seemed to have done well with my anxiety though and i am happy to report that i slept great last night FINALLY with no Klonopin help, i hope it continues. I like what you have to say about compassion and i agree. the world could use alot more of it. i am glad you have a tiger for a dr you are fortunate, glad you are feeling better.


kcdem

[tuggy]

I guess what has surprised me is the amount of people, even in my own working and social circles, that are/have struggled with these panic issues. If I'm lucky, mine may be the result of the Wellbutrin I had been taking. I am feeling better, on the whole,  but there is still an undercurrent that comes and goes. What it has reminded me of, however, is to have compassion for my fellow man/woman. That we are all suffering at onr time or another, often silently. This forum is lifeline,especially for those who have no idea what is going on. I am lucky to have a great doctor I have been with for 15 yrs., and she's a tiger when it comes to solving problems. May we all find peace, and soon!!-tuggy

[xanweaner]

I wish I could offer you some insight on the SSRI's, but I can't tolerate any of them - they make me aggitated, nervous, jittery...I know that I suffer more from anxiety than anything else. I guess that's why I respond to Remeron and also, have to take xanax. But, the xanax is getting weaned down right now.

I can't reiterate the importance of sleep, esp. at crisis times. I'm a big proponent of sleep aids, used only temporarily, until the situation improves, either from meds, therapy, life changes, etc.

Again, the best to you and your family. These health disasters definitely take their toll on your family.

Best,
-xan-

[kcdem]

I was already feeling sorry for myself. my story is not so bad, i still have my job and wife...at least for now.... no your right it is sad. I am looking forward to the solid sleep dont know if i can wait out the insomnia and night sweats or not. i am waiting on a response from ryan. the prozac worked great until the traumatic events, since i am taking action now exercising going to aa, i think maybe i will wean from the zoloft and go back on 40 mgs of prozac, what do you think? i do see that zoloft is better for anxiety but it has BAD sexual and sleep side effects. i love the energy but not the second wind at midnight. if they are temporary low sex drive numb noodle, insomnia i will wait it out. thank you for your kind words, all the best to you as well.


Kevin

[xanweaner]

I'm happy that you seem to be getting better, and once you get some solid sleep, things will also improve. Good luck with everything...your story is very sad....

Again, all my best,
-xan-

[kcdem]

thanx xan, i have some lunesta samples from my doc if it continues maybe i will try that. thank you again for the advice.

[xanweaner]

Is it possible to take something for sleep on a temporary basis, like Ambien? It's been very effective for me, and after the meds get stabilized, you can wean off of it. I get great sleep on it.

I hope you feel better soon,
xan

[kcdem]

i felt the same way, i could see no end in sight. everyone told me that the severe panic would end but after three weeks of it i did not beleive them I myself ended up going to the ER and went to the pshych ward for several days. i had some bad things happen ther (old quack doc) but at least the three week panic attack stopped. if you are taking xanax at night it would make sense that when you wake up you woulf feel anxiety. at least you can sleep! are you taking the xanax when you have an attack?

i am also just starting zoloft and you could be reacting to that. if you are feeling suicidal you should go to the ER right away. i hope you feel better soon and keep us posted.


kcdem

[cj29]

Anxiety and panic is definately a vicious cycle.  When I suffered from my first panic attack three years ago I was sent in a downward spiral and lost my identity.  I could not believe how strong the sensations and how much fear it can give someone.  I did not see a light at the end of the tunnel and did not know what was going on.  BUT there is DEFINATELY hope and with time and patience (I know patience is the last thing on your mind right  now), you can and will become a more well rounded person for this experience.

I was in a constant state of panic and anxeity like you.  Let me just first say you have started down the right track by talking with your doctor.  I was on Zoloft which helped me tremendously, although it can actually make you feel more agitated for awhile while your body gets used to it, but this is only half the battle in my opinion.  There is no 'magic pill' to 'cure' you of this, BUT combined with talk therapy it is a very powerful combination.  Have you made an appointment to talk to someone about it?

I know it seems very desperate right now, but you can and will get MUCH better; I, and so many others in this forum, are living proof of this!  We as humans, learn more about life and ourselves in times of despair than when things are going along just fine; it does not seem fair to go through it at the time, but I have become more well rounded, patient, enjoy the simple things in life, and it has definately made me a better husband.

I applaud the fact that you are not shirking away from this.  You have started to confront it, and although it is frightening, you are doing the right thing!  Please do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you like and keep us posted!