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.
|
Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5316 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 62
Thanked:27
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.
|
CarolDiane
Supporter
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2218 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:121
online
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!
|
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?
|
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...
|
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.
|
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.
The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made.
Schizophreniahealth
This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
