Hi everyone, my name is Emily and I need some advice. I've been dealing with depression for a long time and about three months ago I started having panic attacks (they started getting really bad when my doc upped my dose of imipramine). I spent a night in the hospital my heart was beating so fast and I was panicking so badly. Since I stopped my medication, the really bad panic attacks have gone away, but I'm so anxious and scared about everything I can barely function. I'm scared to be left alone because I'm afraid I'll get sick or die and no one will be there to help me. I freak out when I'm with groups of people. Sometimes I panic when I'm in stores. It's literally driving me crazy.

I want to talk to my doctor about taking medication again, but I've had serious problems with two of the numerous medications I've taken (Effexor and Imipramine. I tried Prozac and Zoloft but they didn't work). Can anyone recommend a medication that is safe? Thanks. :(

All meds have side affects, its just whether they will affect you or not, they do different things for different people. If you really want to go back on meds then you and your dr need to discuss which ones are best for you.
Are you having therapy or anything?

Hi emily...Xanax is what works for me, taken only as needed.

Hi emily
a med that is safe and helpful for everyone is any benzo, that is any valium type med, very good for anxiety and panic attacks and no nasty side effects

sadly many docs now wont prescribe any, wrongly thinking that they are addictive for everyone, they insist on antidsepressants only for anxiety, every med you mention is an antidepressant and I suggest you waste no more time with your present doc and look for a new doc who will prescribe benzos, there are still some around, most are older and so less likely to have been brainwashed against benzos

ask local pharmacists, look for any local anxiety groups, also phone docs and ask the receptionist if doc has a total ban on benzos

you will need to stress that you arent an illegal drug addict who has run out of drugs, offer to have a drug screening test. dont ask for a benzo by name, especially dont ask for xanax, let doc decide which one

be reassured that anxiety and the panic attacks dont kill people, but it can feel as if you are dying at the time :yawn:

stay with us and read all the posts here :jester:
sometimes being alone can be easier if you and a friend both have mobile phones or if you have a dog with you