panic attacks

[True]

I  suffered panic attacks and constant anxiety since mid 2001. For about one year, I had panic attacks 2-3 times a day. I am no longer anxious 24/7 but I  suffer massive anxiety at work when it gets busy. Recently I  read that there research linking panic attacks to heart attacks ,in young women too( due to spasms of coronary arteries, hardening of arteries etc). This is throwing me right back to constant anxiety as I cannot stop obsessing over the possibility of heart attack. One of my coping strategies for  calming myself during a panic attack was to reassure myself that I will not suffer from stroke or from heart attack. I am scared to be without this coping strategy.I am 32 year old female. I have had a normal result on an echocardiogram 12 months ago (I had anxiety related palpitations). I  experience tight heart, pains down left arm, chest pains, dizziness, feeling faint... pain is usually sharp). Dr says its anxiety.
My question is, statistically, what are my chances of suffering a heart attack any time soon given my condition (I am a type A personality, not obese, no high blood pressure, I exercise for 30 min per day, my mother,at 53, is similar personality and suffers anxiety and has been a heavy smoker for 30 years , neither of my parents have heart problems but my father's mother has (she is in her seventies and is still alive). I need some answers as I was due to move interstate which will put additional pressure on me. Im thinking maybe I wont move which makes me upset. I am on low dose antidepressant and had counselling for 1.5 years. Desperate...PLEASE HELP.

[Sigleinda]

Hi True,
My husband is a Neuro Rep for a large Pharma company and he calls on psychs and nerologists.  I asked him about Serzone and he said it is quite sedating.  I personally take Paxil and Zanax. You sound like you are in quite a bit of distress.  for someone who has never had a panic attack it is the worst feeling in the world.  You do feel like you are having a cardiac incident and end up in the emergency room.  It is hard to believe that you are having a panic attack and need the reassurance that you are not dying from an MI.  The tests help us to be reassured that we are not having an MI until the next panic attack.  Since the main symptom is heart related this is a good forum to discuss test results.  The best doctors in the world can evaluate and tell us that we have a problem or not.  When you have a panic attack you are sure you have a cardiac problem.

Serzone does have an indication for panic and anxiety but it is also very sedating.  Taking Xanax (Valium) or any benzo with it would probably be even more sedating.  

Paxil or Lexapro along with Xanax is what a psych would put you on with what you have described.  Again, please see a psych and change your Serzone and add Xanax.  You will feel like a new person and keep you out of emergency rooms.  But never hesitate to go to the emergency room if you are overwhelmed with a feeling that you are having an MI.  Better safe than sorry.

Let me know what you think.  Do you see a psych now or your regular physician.  I cannot stress enough the psych advice. My regular physician dabbled around with meds for a year and I suffered oh how I suffered.  I finally went to a psychiatrist who know exactly what you are going through and will give you time to explain your symtoms.  Please change drugs.  Serzone has a bad reputation for sedation.  Too get relief you have to titrate up to a very high dose which will put you to sleep all the time.  

Keep posting, we want to help you,

[Sigleinda]

Hi jkf,
please ignore him.  He's baiting everyone and wants to disturb this thread.  Please help True.  Panic attacks are the worst.  She doesn't need upsetment but support.

Thank you for your help here

[fizzixgal]

Xanax is an anxiolytic but there is apparently a known interaction that increases the half-life and total bioavailability of Xanax. This link might be helpful:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/nefaz_wcp.htm#W

This site recommends halving your Xanax dose if taking Serzone concurrently; as always, best to discuss this with your doctor first.

I don't think the liver toxicity issue has anything to do with drug interactions, it's a rare adverse reaction to Serzone itself. Actually I had thought that the manufacturer had withdrawn the drug from the market, but the only reference to that I can find is in Canada.

[True]

Thanks for the info. Is xanax a sedative? I actually came to the conclusion that I will trial valium before the flight to see if it helps. I felt very optimistic until I read a serzone handout (the antidepressant Im on) which said that Im not to mix serzone with any sedative medication or any medication which makes you sleepy. Serzone has been linked to liver failure and in some instances death (where it was taken along with other medication ...not sure which). So Im now back to square one and I dont know what else to do.

[Mieke]

sorry guys, I thought my first post had been lost! So I wrote it again trying to remember what I said in the first place. My apologies!!

[Mieke]

I visit this site regularly and have not logged in for a few weeks and was shocked when I did today at all the nasty comments being posted.  We all come to this site for advice and comfort and I cannot understand what is wrong with you people who are posting nasty comments.  Pluto has given lots of us advice and comfort and has always said to check with your doctor, surely you are not stupid enough to blindly follow someones advice on a post without a medical opinion?  Pluto has taken the time and trouble to re-search a lot of our problems and given us information we may not have had the time to look up ourselves.  Please keep these comments friendly,we have enough anxiety in our lives without having to put up with nasty people on this site as well.  I will miss you Pluto, take care and all the best if you read this.