Panic Attack? What is causing throat tightness? Posted: 09-21-06 12:39pm
i am an active 23 yr old who would work
out everyday. in the past two weeks i v
noticed shortness of breath or being
smothered. i have no history of asthma and
was previously healthy. the onset was
quick and coicided with my reduction in
paxil dosage. it became severe so i went
to ER and they said all of my blood ox
levels our norm and they also ran what
they call rainbow test. my pulse ox upon
arrival was 99. they chlaked it up to a
panic acute anxiety disorder and
recontinued my paxil anlong with activan.
my symptoms of throat tightness however
still linger even though i have been on
both pills for 4 days.
thank you,Heahter
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Answer A1558 Posted: 10-05-06 09:36am
Given the symptoms you report (shortness
of breath, being smothered, tachycardia,
throat tightness…),the normal results of
the medical tests in the ER, a
pre-existing condition (anxiety disorder)
and reduction of the Paxil.... you might
be experiencing a type of anxiety
disorder, probably a panic disorder. Panic
disorder often manifests with
neuron-vegetative symptoms like those that
you describe. Panic disorder can be
treated with psychotherapy and medication,
if required. You are already using one of
the selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (paroxetine). SSRI are
antidepressants and the first choice among
modern medicines for panic disorder
because of their efficiency and the fewer
side effects documented. Anxiolitics
(diazepam and other benzodiazepines) are
used for fast symptom relief while
antidepressants are used for long term
treatment. SSRI require a few months
before they begin to act on the body. You
shouldn’t change the dose without first
consultating your GP or psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy is also very important and
includes cognitive-behavioral methods. You
may ask for expert help from a
psychologist, psychiatrist or another
mental health professional.
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