panick attack

[granitekonig]

I took my second injection last Thursday and haven't felt much in the way of sides, except very low occaisional headache, a bit foggy-brianed and I kinda feel like not talking much, but want company - does that make sense to anyone? I'm pretty social by nature.

About 15 minutes ago I had a panic attack - I think that's what it was. I felt really down and "doomed" - really crappy feeling. I felt a bit out of control. I think I need to start the AD's asap.

I WAS reading about Hitler's suicide and Hemingway's suicide (don't ask me why; I was bored at work and had some morbid facination surrounding those events for some reason) so maybe that was a bad trigger combined with the Riba.

I feel better now, but damn....never felt that before. I felt like my life was in danger.

[nygirl7]

It took about a month for me to be able to tolerate the ADs (Paxill) they made me REALLY tired for that first month. It takes about that long for them to get working for you as well.  But once they did start to work it was such a lifesaver.  They really enabled me to have the more serious thoughts that would spring into my head sort of roll off my back.  I cared about the problems/thoughts BUT it wasn't all consuming, punch in the gut feeling like it was before.  It really helped get me through those anxiety attacks.

Call your doctor and get started.  They do take a while to work and generally they will start you on half dose and then move you up after a month once your body acclimates.

My doc started me a month before he would let me start treatment.  It really turned out to be quite a blessing even though I thought it was stupid and I had no need for them. I found out otherwise.

Good luck.

[sunqueen]

There are no ADs for panic except that sometimes depression can be combined with panic disorder. Panic attacks generally feel like the worst terror imaginable and contain a sense that one is about to die - from pounding chest pains, hyperventilation, dizziness and even hysteria. People often descibe them as feeling like they can't breathe and are about to have a heart attack. Panic attacks last around 10 minutes.

Anxiety, on the other hand, causes a very worried feeling - excessive  and continued even. It can sometimes be accompanied by irritability and restlessness, difficulty focusing and a feeling of overall "nervousness." It can give you headaches, cause you to feel tired and keep you from sleeping.

These are mostly treated with benzodiazepines - Ativan (lorazepam), Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam) or Klonopin (clonazapam). They're all in the category of tranquilizers and work in similar ways. Some work very quickly once ingested while others work longer.  

Depression can go hand in hand with either panic or anxiety in some people. Other people can have panic OR anxiety issues andd these are treated with benzos and generally cognitive behavior therapy.

[granitekonig]

thanks for everyone's feedback. Yes it wasn't depression, although there was definitely a feeling of bleakness and then all of a sudden, something was wrong or something was going to go very wrong very soon. That's the feeling I got.

Anyway, started Prozac yesterday at 4pm. 20mg - I had the prespriction written out a month ago but never filled it. I guess it takes a kick in the a$$ sometimes....

[geterdone]

I’m not sure but one thing I can tell you it was one less because that’s the day I came out of my denial stage about the meds and reality set in, lol.

jasper

[merryBe]

this would be a great time to ask how many heppers does it take to change a light bulb.....       ; ))))

[geterdone]

True story, I remember my first panic attack at about 14 weeks into TX and probably had more prior to it though but this one really hit home. I was up on a ladder about 20 feet up changing light bulbs in a plaza when I had a bad case of vertigo, fatigue or both and every thing started swaying which triggered a grand- maul anxiety attack. The pole started moving one way and I went the other my heart started pounding and broke out in a cold sweat then while trying to grab the light fixture to catch my balance my weight shifted and the ladder kick out from under me and leaving me hanging on the light post 20 feet off the ground. Coworkers put the ladder back under my feet but I was no good after that and left for the rest of the day. I took until that evening to get my heart to stop racing and calm down. I did not get on a ladder of more than 3 steps until end of treatment but after that episode it did not get that extreme again. Thought about Ad’s but that was about it, was able to get a handle on it, and gave it a wide berth before hitting panic button. Hope your able to get it under control and good luck.

jasper

[bajawoman]

I agree  xanex is a good one 5 mg just to have to take when you feel one coming on now that you know what it feels like
Prozac or the generic is also very good
Panic attacks can be mild or severe coffee dosen't help or any caffiene drinks
good luck
Baja

I have not had any luck with many AD's at worst they can put you out and drooling or they make you feel crazy but
the two above are the least mind altering

for long term use Lexapro seems to work for depression for me

Panic attacks and Depression are two different things

[epiphiny]

I take fluoxetine (Prozac), I recommend it.  They have also had the most research done on them as they were the first of their kind so the pharmacokinetics and safety aspects are well researched and documented.

[desrt]

Consider asking for fluoxetine (generic Prozac).

1) Cheap.
2) Longest halflife of the SSRIs, so easiest to wean off of.
3) Safe. Approved for pediatric use.

You can always upgrade to something stronger.

[lalapple]

normal, i started having those around 3-4 wks into tx.  mine happens when i go shopping and suddenly, i get blurry vision and shortness of breath and just have to sit and drink a lot of water.  but after 2 months into tx, i learned to control that without taking any AD.  i know when it's about to happen and it doesn't happen anymore.  also, it helps to take anti-dizziness pills or benadryl but those make me go to sleep.

[Trinity4]

Forgot to say the side effects of AD's are horrible for me as well.  I would sleep around the clock if I had to be on them.  Even the more mild ones have a terrible effect on me.  I could never benefit from them but they have saved other lives so there is an upside to everything.
Trin

[Trinity4]

None of the above ever happened to me.  I felt very very bad physically the first 3 months and at times things were bleak but I'm like you meakea, I rode the wave.  I don't think I had time to think about it for too long with working and responsibilites at home.  I don't know why some people are not troubled with dark episodes and depression and some are.  
Trinity

[meakea]

I call those episodes "riding the wave."  Thank goodness they pass.  

I am not on ADs but I have Xanax for occasional use.  I tried two different kinds of ADs (Celexa and Zoloft) but the side effects are horrible for me (physically and mentally).

[sunshine585]

What you're feeling is not uncommon. I initially got on this site as I thought I was going to lose control, nobody understood. Just know, you'll be ok you won't go crazy, I didn't, but I am on AD's Take care of yourself.

[Marcia2202]

I think that it is good you are listening to your body and the signs carefully. I think you might be on the right track with having to start AD's now. For me it happened also in the second week. I didn't get a panic attack, but I never ever ever ever ever in my life want to feel again the way I felt then. I got citalopram 10mg and was normal again after 6 days.

If I was in your situation, I would call my doctor immediately to write the script for the AD's.

[fretboard]

Yes, I agree with you about starting an AD.  I've never been on an AD before, but I could feel my whole brain chemistry change along with my personality and I didn't feel safe.  I started one on my second week and after about a week I felt alot better.  good luck