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PanicMan

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Mar 2008
Posts: 3
options for panic attack treatment
Posted: 03-09-08 20:04pm

I had my first panic attack when I was 20, it was a pretty bad one and they ended up taking me to the ER (I was in the Army doing "high stress" training.) I really didn't know what happened and it went away for 3 years. It came back during my senoir year of college. I found I could not sit through class, the background noises or something were making me panic and I just had to leave. I was still working and continued to for another 3 years while trying every anti-deppressent that the Dr.s would throw at me, none of them helped. My Dr. has me on 3mg of Clonzapam a day and 30mg of Remeron. Things have gotten worse and I lost my job about 6 months ago and I"m now at the point where I can barely go to the grocercy store with out panicking. At first I thought the Remeron was helping but now I'm not so sure, I spend all day feeling weird and that just fuels the panic. I also have had chronic diareha for about 6 months, after cancer was ruled out for that they have just put me on a large dose of prilosec and while that helps with naseua it does not help with diareha. I only mention the diareha because I always have a panic attack and have it followed by that. So now i'm 28 and jobless and don't know what else I should be doing. I'm trying to do CBT but I keep having panic attacks w/ the therapist and its not going so well, I use a book to try to work through it. So after reading all that I would love to hear any suggestions that anyone might have. Thank you.
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Georgia59

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Joined: 11 Apr 2007
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Posted: 03-18-08 12:14pm

You might have panic attacks while you're doing cbt, but really that's part of the process. The more you have panic attacks and make it through them, safe and sound, the less likely they are to happen. Really, your therapist should have told you that and should be helping you through it. If you feel it's not working, maybe a switch in therapists is in order? Finding someone with experience with/specialist in anxiety is best.
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CarolDiane

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Joined: 23 Sep 2007
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Posted: 04-12-08 13:40pm

I agree 100% with Georgia. Looks like the medication your on is a good cocktail and should work. Find a new theropist!
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johnR

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 230

Posted: 04-23-08 12:13pm

Cbt is what got rid of my panic attacks along with my anxiety and depression. Having them while you are going through cbt is not unusual as you having them and using the cbt tools while you are in the midst of them can sometimes speed the process but I am surprised your therapist is not guiding you more. Are you sure your therapist is a cbt specialist?
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6254

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 2
panic attacks
Posted: 05-02-08 01:36am

I too suffer of Agoraphobia, panic attacks for many years. I tried everything, therapy, medications and more medications. I got tired of the meds. One day I was listening on the tv about the midwest center for stress and anxiety, so I decided to send for the program. It has been the best help I've gotten. Its a little pricey, but so worthy. I was house bound, not driving ever. Living in misery. I am still not totally recovered, but I have come such a long way of what I was before. Lucinda Bassett, she is the creator of this program, has a book called From Panic to Power. Its worth buying and rereading...good luck to all. any questions please contact me...
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johnR

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 230

Posted: 05-05-08 17:32pm

I believe Bassett's program is based on cbt and there are plenty of books and on-line resources that teach cbt for next to nothing and since cbt requires you to do the exercises on your own to get better anyway there is no need to pay for an expensive program imho.
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r53

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 May 2008
Posts: 5
Panicman
Posted: 05-27-08 15:07pm

You sound exactly like me, I lived like that for 30 years or more, I remember panicking anytime I had to go anywhere, the only place I felt safe was at home, but then I was depressed. Xanax and such did help and allow me to function to a degree, but the fear never leaves. The anxiety of having an attack is always there.
About 2 years ago a Doc had me try cymbalta because I had been on xanax too long. The change was subtle, but within a month I was a different person. I can go anywhere, do anything, and I don't even think about having an attack. H-ll I can even go to baseball games now. I'm not saying specifically that cymbalta will work for You. But I lead a very normal life now, doing things I never thought possible a few short years ago.
I tried the CBT also but the fear of not having xanax or whatever was too overwhelming for me. It is good therapy for some but isn't the answer for all of us. Feel free to contact me with any questions or help You might need. I know your pain Pal but it can be easily overcome.
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