Do you have anxiety attacks?

[twojo21]

i used to have panic attacks all the time, ever since i was little. i now use deep breathing, yoga & happy thoughts to calm myself. i still have them rarely but i just take control now. i also have anxiety with certain people, i try to avoid those situations.

 

[goofy's friends]

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.

Thank you. For the info. and fighting for the warnings on the box. I beleive you did a great thing. I had heard about the reactions in children, but didn't know they applied to adults. This is why I don't understand why they use the same med. for treating depression as anxiety. They are opposite, aren;t they? Wouldn't there be a risk of exacerbating your condition instead of helping it.

 

[Christine]

Thank you. For the info. and fighting for the warnings on the box. I beleive you did a great thing. I had heard about the reactions in children, but didn't know they applied to adults. This is why I don't understand why they use the same med. for treating depression as anxiety. They are opposite, aren;t they? Wouldn't there be a risk of exacerbating your condition instead of helping it.

goofy's friends--this is the problem for me. I have strictly a case of anxiety. When I try the SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, and on and on and on), I get EXTREME exacerbation of my anxiety. To the point where I am panicking almost all day. I cannot handle this so I have never been able to continue these meds. The doctors tell me this will "go away with time." Well, I don't have 6 weeks of my life to devote to being crazy.

But the meds do help some anxiety sufferers. Many times, anxiety is a byproduct or symptom of a depression. So, if you can treat the depression you can get rid of the anxiety.

 

[goofy's friends]

goofy's friends--this is the problem for me. I have strictly a case of anxiety. When I try the SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, and on and on and on), I get EXTREME exacerbation of my anxiety. To the point where I am panicking almost all day. I cannot handle this so I have never been able to continue these meds. The doctors tell me this will "go away with time." Well, I don't have 6 weeks of my life to devote to being crazy.

But the meds do help some anxiety sufferers. Many times, anxiety is a byproduct or symptom of a depression. So, if you can treat the depression you can get rid of the anxiety.

See, I don't think I have depression at all. But, the more I research anxiety, I believe it may be an issue. Woke up at 4 this morning and couldn't quit gloom and doom thoughts. I think during the day, I can turn that off, but other symptoms show up. How long did you try it? How long til you could tell it wasn't for you? Then, did it hurt you to quit?

 

[Christine]

See, I don't think I have depression at all. But, the more I research anxiety, I believe it may be an issue. Woke up at 4 this morning and couldn't quit gloom and doom thoughts. I think during the day, I can turn that off, but other symptoms show up. How long did you try it? How long til you could tell it wasn't for you? Then, did it hurt you to quit?

The most I could ever go on these was 5-6 days.

When I quit Buspar (which is not an SSRI but one targeted just for anxiety), I had a MAJOR panic attack while at work. I could not drive myself home and had to have a coworker drive me 30 miles to my house (and leave my car at work). I really should have gone to the ER as I was having SEVERE physical symptoms that went on for 2 hours until I could pump enough Xanax into me.

I don't mean to scare you either. My psychiatrist, who is VERY experienced with these meds, tells me that I am a "sensitive" case. I am one of his most sensitive patients when it comes to medications. He always starts me out on the pediatric doses. I still gives me troubles but not like it would if I went on the full adult dose.

My Buspar "attack" actually occurred when my GP prescribed me the drug and gave it to me at the recommended adult dosage. WAAAAAAYYYYYY to much for me.

 

[dcentity2000]

Whilst drugs can help and are not to be feared, they are not to be taken lightly.

There are many types of drugs one can take and many different drugs per type. Each type has a typical side effect profile and therapeutic up-side and each drug belonging to each type has its own little profile.

For a detailed overview of the medications available, you'd best talk to a psychiatrist as opposed to a general practitioner.

I've written up general information for a LOT of drugs and have all that information posted on the website indicated in my sig. The site is not yet complete but should help.

Do note that I'm not a doctor; however, I am a student of the subject and I have gone through this. I hope that what I can offer helps.



Rich::