Posted by lepus on October 17, 2005, at 7:00:43
I have a long history of panic disorder (20 years and I am only 30). I haven't had too many problems for years except in the usual places such as Wal*Mart or malls. I have been on so many drugs for this but none have helped. I have taken most of the SSRIs, Effexor XR, some benzodiazepines, a few antipsychotics and the tricyclics. Nothing has really helped to completely clear me of my panic symptoms. The symptoms have been tolerable though with a few life adjustments.
A few weeks ago my anxiety attacks came back with a vengeance. I started having attacks in my home. Then one night I woke up from sleep and was in the midst of an absolutely awful panic attack. I thought I was going to die. My heart rate was so fast I called 911. At the ER it was found that I did have low thyroid function and I was given a prescription to treat it (25 mcg Levoxyl). I went on vacation and had a terrible time with anxiety still. I was a nervous wreck the entire vacation and didn't want to leave my room because to do so provoked anxiety. I had an anxiety attack just walking down to the lake and catching a fish! At the lake house, I awoke again one night to a very rapid heartbeat and another panic attack. I tried to calm myself down for about an hour but it wasn't working. Then I threw up and my parents took me to the ER. There my heart rate was in the 140s-150s but all my cardiac enzymes were fine as were my chest x-rays. They gave me some Xanax and sent me on my way. My regular psychiatrist will not refill the Xanax prescription (I have no history of drug abuse).
I keep having these nocturnal panic attacks and the anxiety is just unrelenting. I seem to have it all day in one form or another. I'm afraid to exercise because of how it elevates my heart rate. I am getting afraid to leave the houe and having panic attacks where I didn't have them before such as the car. I had another nocturnal panic attack last night. My heart raced and my breathing was labored. I've just had an attack and right now my nose is very stuffed up. Even if I don't have a nocturnal panic attack, I have been waking up most mornings feeling like I have been hit by a Mack truck. I feel nervous, I have difficulty breathing (stuffed up nose) and I am very stiff. It takes me a long time to calm down and to feel like I can breathe again. I seem to be having a lot of trouble with natural breathing. I always feel stuffed up.
I am a nervous wreck and I do not know where to go from here. As I stated, I have been on virtually every drug available. Could these nocturnal panic attacks be due to allergies? Should I try taking a Claritin at night before bed? Could the thyroid be causing the increase in anxiety? I have no clue where to go from here. All my doctors seem to just be brushing me off and I am absolutely miserable. I am in CBT and she seems to think I need to work through these attacks without drugs. I don't think I can do it. They are just too strong and too pervasive. I feel like I need help from some medicine but I don't know what to try anymore! Is something else going on? I am so scared. I am so desperate. I feel just like I did when I was a kid and these attacks first began. Only difference is now I feel out of hope because I have tried so many medications. The nocturnal panic attacks are also a symptom I have never experienced before and it is a very disturbing occurrence.
I currently take Klonopin 1 mg 2x a day. My doctor wants to up it to 3 mgs a day. I'm wondering about other options or if I even have any left. I really don't feel increasing the Klonopin will help.
Please help and give me some ideas on where to go. I know you don't know my entire history but I will answer any questions. I feel like I am losing what little life I had. I am so sick of doctors and I am so sick of feeling like this. Any ideas are more than welcome. Thank you.
Sorry if this post is a little disjointed but as I stated, I had another panic attack again tonight so I have been up since 4am and it is now 7am. I have had very little sleep.
poster:lepus
thread:568047
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051017/msgs/568047.html