Panic Attack Break throughs???

TANKG!RL · 06-18-2007, 01:50 AM

Dear Readers,

I am suffering from bad panic attacks. It's to the point now I am afraid to go anywhere because I have a fear of having another one. I hate feeling trapped in a place where if something bad happens I can't leave or I am not close to home or a hospital. However I really have no fears. I am not afraid to be in public... or to be around people. The attacks just happen out of the blue. They'll either happen during the day while I am at rest..just relaxing and watching tv... or when I am sleeping I wake up... like I've been scared awake and I am in an attack.

My attacks last from 1 to 2 hours. After my attacks I feel tired and just plain old pooped out.. like I didn't sleep the night before. My attacks vary in two different ways...

1.)They are vary up and down....I'll be having an attack for 15-30minutes and then I'll get relief and feel like I am fine for a little while...then I'll climb right back up into the highest points of they attacks.

2.)The other way my attacks are, are just straight through from 1 to 2 hours with no down times.

I have been to the doctors a multiple of times and STILL haven't gotten any panic disorder medication. I've had tons of blood work and even an Echocardiogram done. All of which are fine and in great working order.

My doctor did put me of Metoprolol to help keep my heart rate down to 60-70 beats per minute. I am usually at about 90-110 beats per minute. He thought this would stop me from having panic attacks. At first the doctor believed that my heart rate being high and me worrying about it was what was causing me to have the panic attacks. But that's not the case at all.

I go to see a new Doctor on Tuesday and hopefully will be taken off of Metoprolol. I believe it is causing me to lose more hair then I should. I do not see bald spots or thinning spots as of yet...I've been on the meds for 2 months now. My boyfriend (I've been living with for 1 year and 6 months) has never had to clean my hair out of the shower's drain the whole time we've been together...as of lately he has had to every 3 days and it's been quite a bit of hair. I even noticed the increase of hair I was losing while showering.

I also believe I suffer from Depression and have since I was about 14 years old, I am 23 years old as of June 12th. When I was in my teens (about 16-18) I was on Zoloft for depression and that DID works wonders for my depression and I felt very happy.

I want to go back on Zoloft and be taken off of that crap I am on. I have posted about this and read that Zoloft helps greatly with panic/anxiety disorders.

My questions are:

1).Do you have panic attacks while still on Zoloft??

2.)Do you take something else for when it doesn't work and you have break through attacks?

3.)Are they less severe when on Zoloft?

Any help would be appreciated....Panic attacks really scare me and keep me at home or very close to it...I wanna travel and feel ok.

Sorry this was long....Thanks in advance for your help and taking the time to read my post!

~Danielle~

korgiee · 06-18-2007, 09:18 AM

Hi,
I had panic attacks. They are so frightening. I was in my 20's when they first started and I would have to call my parents (i was married) and have them drive 2 hours to sit with me. By the time they got to my house my attack was over and then I felt so bad that I made them come. Once I went on meds back them I never had another panic attack. That was in 1988. Back in March of this year I had some panic again. MY doctor changed my meds to Zolfot and this did not seem to work for me, however I know it works for other people. I am now on Lexapro and I have not had any panic since. I do also have ativan to keep in the house if I have any anxiety. This can be taken with ad. Try the meds. I am sure these will control your panic. I was like you. I spent time worrying about having panic causing more anxiety. The medication does help control the panic.

Kelly5907 · 06-18-2007, 10:31 AM

Hi... I am 28 yrs old I satrted have panic attacks several years ago... I thought I was dying.. The worst feeling in the world.. I went on effexor xr for my panic attacks.. It worked great.. I also take ativan as needed for anxiety.. between them both I havent had a panic attack in 2 years... Medications for panic attacks vary from person to person.. Zoloft didnt help me but it might help you..as long as you can stick through the side effects the first week or so.. Good luck and if you have anymore questions just write..

TANKG!RL · 06-18-2007, 01:23 PM

They you both for your help, this means alot to me!!

Also when I was on Zoloft for depression I didn't have side effects then. What kind of side effects did you have with Zoloft for panic/anxiety disorder??

Kelly5907 · 06-18-2007, 06:24 PM

I had the typical side effects.. nausea, feeling tired, shakey, anxious, headache etc.. But the zoloft did nothing for my panic attacks.. I never suffered from depression.. so my doctor put me on another medication. it had the same side effects but helped with the panic attacks..