panic and anxiety

irisheyes39 · 12-31-2007, 08:23 PM

I am 42 years old and have MS and HBP. Since a family turmoil this Christmas I have been having panic attacks almost daily. At least I think that is what this is. I have been given Ativan and for about 2 week have taken it almost daily, not more than 2mg. Can I keep taking this stuff right on indefinitely?

Also my HBP meds are upped from 50mg Toprol to 75 and 16mg Atacand to 24. When I get the panicky feeling it begins with a sinking feeling like when your suddenly scared. Then I feel the adrenalin rush and it goes through my arms and down my legs. I try to "hold on" in a sense like trying to stop a train or something and then it usually progresses until I can't do anything but lie down and take the ativan. Sometimes I start shaking so bad I cant stop. WHAT is this?

ONe Doc says I have been so emotionally abused that I am now having something like PTSD. I am scared to death every day I will die or have a heart attack because of this constant scared adrenalin feeling. I feel like my heart is quivering sometimes, but after several tests, thallium scan, ekg etc, I am told my heart is fine. However I worry because I have not been tested at the moment I feel the shaking. My BP goes up to 200/110 most times when I present to the ER with this panic. I am trying not to go to the ER anymore and deal with it myself...help me.......does this sound like a normal panic attack?

Lourage · 12-31-2007, 09:46 PM

Sounds like the same thing that happens to me when having a panic attack. Just try to relax and not think too much about it cause that will just jack your heart rate up even more. Try not to worry about dying, i never heard of anyone dying from a panic attack, even though it raises you're heart rate.

About the meds though, i been on a few for anxiety and none have helped. lexapro, paxil then finally xanax. I felt immune to xanax and it didn't help me even when i increased the dosage. I didn't want to take so many milligrams until i felt better so told my doctor it's not working for me. Plus i didn't want to thread the line of taking enough to relax me/ or put me in a coma.

irisheyes39 · 12-31-2007, 10:10 PM

Thank you L! It's so good to have someone who understands. The ativan actually does work for me if I take a 1mg dose at the moment it happens. That will last for 8 or 10 hours and then I feel it start building up to panic again. Like I said, I have never ever had this in my life to this degree untill the last two weeks. Had panic but never like this. I constantly think I have a brain tumor or adrenal tumor or something, because sometimes it feels like a switch is turned on and won't go off...

Lourage · 12-31-2007, 10:24 PM

My panic attacks never last long though. Well depends on the situation! Like once i have one if i don't feel a safe escape it could last for a while. This happens to me in car rides a lot. Especially if i'm driving with other people, and if i have to sit in the middle. I feel "TRAPPED" and just can't take it. Thats good that the ativan helps! Just make sure it's really helping and it's not just making you think it's working. That happened to me at first, just the thought of taking the med calmed me down, the "placebo" effect. Then that added to taking it more, thinking the last dose wasn't strong enough, and thats how addiction starts. I stopped taking it before that point. I should see about trying ativan. Either that or Klonopin. I just hate the thought of trying new meds!