Do you have anxiety attacks?

[iggbees]

i ran out of lexapro on saturday night (i'm on 20 mg) and i had pretty severe depression last night before i got my perscription refilled (i tried to get a dr's appt before my perscription ended, but the only one they could give me was on monday and they wanted to see how i was doing on the lexapro before they gave it to me full time). that was pretty scary. i was pretty down yesterday, to the point where i didn't want to have anything to do with my boyfriend. i wanted him to just go away and i was telling him how much he annoyed me. i feel really bad for him that i did that to him.

about a half an hour after i took the pill though, i was back to normal and i profusely apologized to him for being so mean.

 

[my3kids]

How can I wean off of it? I don't need it anymore but find I can't sleep without it. By the way I take two every night, making it .5 I am taking. I tried taking .25 last night and could not fall asleep. I think it is a mental thing for me.

Can you fall asleep on your own at other times, like when watching TV or riding in a car? If so and your physician approves of you stopping then you might try this technique:

Pick the day you want to start...maybe today! Then at bedtime rather than taking the pill put it beside your bed with a glass of water. Lay down for bed and close your eyes. After 5 minutes, go ahead and take the pill since you were not asleep yet. Same thing next night, except you lay down to sleep for 10 minutes before you take the pill. It is always right there beside you and you get to take it eventually so all is okay. Then the 3rd night you have to wait 15 minutes, the next 20 and so on. If you are able to fall asleep at other times then it mught be the mental thing you expect it is. The hope with this plan is you will eventually fall asleep before it time to take your pill. If it is a mental thing, one night without it should be all it takes for you to know YOU can do it on your own.

 

[MsMulan]

Well, I am glad to hear that there are others out there who suffer from panic attacks. Glad in the sense that I am not alone. My issues usually are due to health concerns, I just went to the doctor last week and had some tests run and I have to wait an entire 7 days for the results (potentially life-altering) and I am trying to function as if everything is okay but when I get by myself, the worry monster starts to come out and I panic, cry, think of the worst possible senarios. And like a dummy, I go to look up symptoms of the things that they are testing for and all of a sudden I have most of them. Crazy, I know. I try very hard to stay in tune with my body to notice when I feel anything strange but this week has been over the top. I do not take medication for it. My GP will not prescribe anything for it. Bummer! I try as hard as I can to calm myself or give myself a deversion so I will not have to think about it. Any prayers you guys can send my way would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Only when I read this thread (only kidding)....

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

My dbf has social anxiety disorder. He will only leave the house late at night (does all his grocery shopping after midnight at a 24 hour grocery store) and when he leaves during the day, it's usually just to go to the ATM or to a fast food drive-thru. We've been seeing each other for almost 8 months and have yet to go on an actual date. We've only left my house together a handful of times. When he visits me, it's usually late at night. He's come over a couple of times during the day, but not often. He usually has to take meds just to come see me.

It's very difficult for him to deal with. He is always afraid that I will leave him for someone "normal," as he puts it. I admit that it does put a strain on our relationship at times, since I am practically a social butterfly lol, but I love him to death and will stand by him no matter what. It's a good thing that I have no problem doing things on my own lol.

I think it's pretty easy for me to understand where he's coming from because my sister suffers from a similar disorder.

 

[camreesmom]

Over the years, I've taken Zoloft, Lexapro, Effexor and Wellbutrin. Effexor had the worst withdrawal symptoms in my opinion. It completely threw off my equilibrium. I have the worst anxiety over traffic. I've had it for years. I'd much rather fly somewhere than to have to drive or ride in a car for hours. Then to go and top it off, I had a MAJOR car accident 6 weeks ago. It was a miracle that we all made it out alive. Anyway, I take ativan occasionally, maybe 2 or 3 times a month, usually just if we have to go out of town. It makes it where I don't totally gripe at DH for his driving the entire time. I am still nervous but it makes it at least tolerable. As far as side effects go, Zoloft gave me the runs, Lexapro and Effexor totally killed our sex life. I didn't have any problems with Wellbutrin.

 

[Christine]

Well, I am glad to hear that there are others out there who suffer from panic attacks. Glad in the sense that I am not alone. My issues usually are due to health concerns, I just went to the doctor last week and had some tests run and I have to wait an entire 7 days for the results (potentially life-altering) and I am trying to function as if everything is okay but when I get by myself, the worry monster starts to come out and I panic, cry, think of the worst possible senarios. And like a dummy, I go to look up symptoms of the things that they are testing for and all of a sudden I have most of them. Crazy, I know. I try very hard to stay in tune with my body to notice when I feel anything strange but this week has been over the top. I do not take medication for it. My GP will not prescribe anything for it. Bummer! I try as hard as I can to calm myself or give myself a deversion so I will not have to think about it. Any prayers you guys can send my way would be greatly appreciated.

MsMulan,

I also suffer terribly with health anxiety. It is definitely a "monster" and worse than any other anxiety I've suffered because it has an "obsessive" component to it. I just finished reading a book "Stop Being Your Symptoms" by Barsky and it is one of the better books I've ever read for health anxiety (it just came out). Will it cure me? No. But it was comforting.

Why won't your GP give you any medication. As I said, health anxiety has an obsessive component to it and it can be very much helped by the SSRIs (Xanax doesn't do much for it at all). If you can tolerate them, you would probably find them very helpful. Might be time to get a new doctor?

 

[lsyorke]

As far as the scary Xanax stories, have you read any of the stories about people trying to withdraw from Paxil. My doctor says it is horrendous. The drug companies are very careful about saying the word "addiction" in reference to these SSRIs. The SSRIs are godsend drugs to some people, but they are very addictive whether anyone wants to admit it or not.

As one who has had to get my son off of paxil I can say that it was a nightmare(and talk with thousands who are going through the same process). Luckily today he is fine, but we almost lost him to adverse reactions. Do the research(not on the pharma based websites) before committing to any ssri. They should be a last resort only after all other avenues of treatment are exhausted.

 

[TammiMcMan]

My first panic attack did land me in the ER at 37 years old. Thank god it was only a panic attack, because the stupid doctors didn't even have me hooked up to an EKG machine. I know someone mentioned previously that a racing heartbeat in women can automatically be labelled by some doctors. It was a very surreal time for me, as someone who has always been in complete control, was suddenly not able to get off the couch and go out into public. It got to a point where it was controlling my life, so I was prescribed Klonipin (sp) to take as needed. Again, a common thread to these posts is how many of us cut the pills in half. It did get me through the worst of it and now it more or less comes and goes.

Todays symptons are different than those I first experienced and definitely seemed tied to hormonal issues going on now that I'm in my early 40's. I actually feel like I'm standing in a shower when they hit. I can be perfectly normal one second and then I can feel it starting at my head and "dripping" down over my body. That feeling of panic, doom, palpitations, hot flashes. I am usually pretty good at talking myself down and this works for me almost 90% of the time. This may sound a bit crazy, but what also helps is hopping on the computer and pulling up the DIS. I can get my mind to switch tracks and I ease out of the anxiety fairly quickly. My yearly physicals also include EKG's, echo-cardiogram and a day with the holsten monitor, which alleviates any "health" related anxiety. My nurse practitioner has mentioned beta blockers, which I really haven't researched all that much yet.

I'm going to check out some of the books mentioned by previous posters. It definitely makes me feel better that I'm not alone.

 

[Christine]

Tammi--Also try visiting the website power-surge.com. It is a menopause website with pretty good forums. Lots of good stuff on perimenopause and anxiety. Seems to be very common.

 

[goofy's friends]

Man, I was really starting to think giving Lexipro a try. Now, I 'm scared to do it. Withdrawals? sex life killed? can't sleep without it? Should be last resort?

Where's the good? Is it not something that you take for the rest of your life? If not, why would I start and know I'm going to have to wean off of it?

 

[lsyorke]

Man, I was really starting to think giving Lexipro a try. Now, I 'm scared to do it. Withdrawals? sex life killed? can't sleep without it? Should be last resort?

Where's the good? Is it not something that you take for the rest of your life? If not, why would I start and know I'm going to have to wean off of it?

These drugs have helped some people immensely. Others have had their lives turned upside down due to adverse reactions. The FDA warnings that have come out in the last two years need to be made more public, so that you can make an informed decision on what you are putting into your body. These are mind altering drugs.. not to be taken lightly. "take for the rest of your life" has never been evaluated. Clinical trials never went beyond 12 weeks. I'm talking to alot of long time users(10 years) who are now not getting the same results as when they started. Increasing doses is common.Drug switching is common(from ssri to antipsychotic) Withdrawal is real(studies show approx 67% of users will have some level of withdrawal) and in some cases can take years to recover.
These are not drugs for situation depression/anxiety. Therapy should always be the first treatment source. If medication is indicated get ALL the information about the drug. Know the current FDA warnings and make a completely informed decision.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

Man, I was really starting to think giving Lexipro a try. Now, I 'm scared to do it. Withdrawals? sex life killed? can't sleep without it? Should be last resort?

Where's the good? Is it not something that you take for the rest of your life? If not, why would I start and know I'm going to have to wean off of it?

I have been taking Lexapro for about a year for my anxiety and haven't had any problems with it. I even went off of it for a couple months and there were no withdrawls. I guess it just depends on the person. Some aren't affected and others are. I have seen tremendous results from taking this drug. I am able to do things I just couldn't do before because of my anxiety problem. But you won't know until you try it. If you start to see negative side effects you can go off it or try a different medication. You just have to see what works best for you.

 

[Mouse-n-Mini]

talking to alot of long time users(10 years) who are now not getting the same results as when they started. Increasing doses is common.Drug switching is common(from ssri to antipsychotic) Withdrawal is real(studies show approx 67% of users will have some level of withdrawal) and in some cases can take years to recover.

My mom has always been on anti depressants. She started taking zoloft I believe, then that wasn't enough so she switched to Paxil, again, higher and higher doses were needed just to function normally (we're not talking a happy cheery attitude, just enough so she wouldn't have awful mood swings). Finally, she is now taking a combo of Paxil AND Prozac on a daily basis, and can't sleep without Ambien (she just recently weaned off Restoril). These were all prescribed by the family doctor. Hopefully the effects of the latest combo won't wear off- I don't know what she'll take then!

 

[lsyorke]

Mouse, that is what we see in long term users. Taking Prozac and paxil at the same time is putting her at risk for serotonin syndrome.(an out of control elevation of serotonin levels that can be VERY serious). In my unscientific opinion, these drugs don't work forever. The body will always try to find balance of the neurotransmitters through other chemical processes. There is a term amongst ssri users called "poop out", when no amount of an ssri will work, leaving the patient in withdrawal regardless of dose. We are seeing ALOT of this in long term users.
I have an ssri withdrawal website with message board for support of those coming off ssri's. It is a big problem.
My goal is to inform adults of all of the information out there, and personal experiences that are still not being recognized by the authorities. If, once someone is fully informed, they still choose to take an ssri, that's their choice. BUT they should be, and have the right to be fully informed.

 

[goofy's friends]

Mouse, that is what we see in long term users. Taking Prozac and paxil at the same time is putting her at risk for serotonin syndrome.(an out of control elevation of serotonin levels that can be VERY serious). In my unscientific opinion, these drugs don't work forever. The body will always try to find balance of the neurotransmitters through other chemical processes. There is a term amongst ssri users called "poop out", when no amount of an ssri will work, leaving the patient in withdrawal regardless of dose. We are seeing ALOT of this in long term users.
I have an ssri withdrawal website with message board for support of those coming off ssri's. It is a big problem.
My goal is to inform adults of all of the information out there, and personal experiences that are still not being recognized by the authorities. If, once someone is fully informed, they still choose to take an ssri, that's their choice. BUT they should be, and have the right to be fully informed.

Are you a dr. or pharmacist? Or just from experience? I'm just curious, since I was thinking of taking this, but am now concerned about it.

 

[Donald - my hero]

Well based on my siggy you can figure out what I deal with on a daily basis. I trust my doc to help figure out the best combos. Yes I take a cocktail! If I take an antidepressant I risk a rise in mood that will cause problems. If we don't have me take 2 other kinds then I will be so low that life seems unbearable. NOW add to that whole mixture one med has given me an active gastric ulcer so I need a med for that ... plus others for various health issues. Then I also suffer from GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) it is severe enough that I can no longer drive thru the city without my legs shaking so badly that the car actually jerks down the road. I can't sleep cause I worry that I might never sleep again! I panic if I foget to buy something that is on the grocery list.
When I panic I feel a seense of impending doom arriving, the light seems to disapear from the room, hands & feet go white and face apparently looks like deer caught in headlight. Heart feels it will explode, pulse races, I can't catch my breathe ... I can go on but you all know how I feel.
So what do we do? lots of therapy -- covered by provincal health care system. And Xanax -- I keep some with me at ALL times so i pop 1 if needed. When i feel that crap happening here at home I nip it in the bud -- doc has given me two strengths. WOW i rambled didn't I??

 

[KimRaye]

I just subscribed to this thread. I want to read everyone's experience but, I'm just too tired right now. Obviously, I've had and, still occasionally have, panic/anxiety attacks. Especially recently. I will be reading this later tonight tho. It's ok and, workable tho!

to all who are suffering!

 

[Goobergal99]

I too suffer from OCD and GAD. At times I do have panic attacks, for instance if I call home and my family is not there when I think they should be or at least not answering, I start to think the worse and I do panic. I am extremely paraniod and always think that if I don't do certain things then something will interrupt my life in a negative way.

Some of my obessions include worrying excessively about getting sick, my family being harmed or ill and stuff with work. I am a compulsive cleaner and can't leave the house unless things are totally orderly. It really is pretty bad and it is not easily controlled either.

So yea I definently know what you guys mean

 

[lsyorke]

Are you a dr. or pharmacist? Or just from experience? I'm just curious, since I was thinking of taking this, but am now concerned about it.

I'm a nurse, but it was talking to thousands of people who have taken these drugs for me to get the whole story. The reactions are stunningly similar. Those who are taking these today ARE the long term study. I've been very involved with this subject for years. I've testified in Congress, at FDA hearings etc...
There is reason to be concerned. No drug comes without adverse effects. It's only when you know the possibilities that you can make an informed decision about taking or not taking them. I watched my son go through hell to get off paxil after only 14 months use, prescribed for anxiety. I'm totally against children taking these and fought hard to get the "black box" warnings that now exist for children. But the sad part is that the same reaction is possible in adults. Know the risks vs benefits, and take these with your eyes wide open. They are not the magic pill that they are portayed as in the commercials.