![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:52:54
Hey all
I did an extremely stupid thing recently
I was currently managing on 75mgs of Nardil, which was doing a reasonable job of controlling my anxiety.Unfortunatly it didn't do a lot for depression & I hated the weight gain so I decided to try reducing my dose-Big Mistake
Panic came back full force, bedbound with it.
Just taken some Bromazepam which calms me down.These attacks come on for no reason, I feel like I want to die when they do, its horrible!
Has anyone survived this?
Benzo's are probably out long term coz I live the in UK :(
Posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2006, at 15:56:15
In reply to Panic! Please Help! Anyone Survive it?, posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:52:54
Tom do you have any connections at the hospital? A doc that could help you out? Sorry about the UK. Love Phillipa
Posted by bassman on November 21, 2006, at 15:59:21
In reply to Panic! Please Help! Anyone Survive it?, posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:52:54
I call panic "Hell". Yes, you do survive, but if you don't get the right meds, you'll be feeling very badly for a long time. My experience has been that benzos help, but really the most effective med is an AD-actually I think you need an AD + benzo for reasonable relief (enough to be consistently functional). It won't go away on it's own; at least that's what I found.
Posted by FredPotter on November 23, 2006, at 21:32:41
In reply to Re: Panic! Please Help! Anyone Survive it?, posted by bassman on November 21, 2006, at 15:59:21
I had a giant attack while in bed 42 years ago. Yes I survived it, but it was a turning point in my life. I felt like nothing could ever be the same again. Now I look back I've had periods of years when it's gone to ground and I've forgotten about it. But it lurks and comes back when I don't expect it or sometimes when I do. I'm now 60 and with medication and CBT tricks I haven't had a full-on panic for years. I take Effexor, a little (150mg) of Wellbutrin and most of all Xanax (liberally as needed). I've found I need at least 2mg of Xanax to stop an attack. Strangely it seems more effective against panic than general anxiety which it doesn't do much for, in my case.
I don't understand the UK's opposition to benzos. Sure they're habit-forming, but anything, *anything*, is better than panic. I wish you luck with this. I'd ask around until I got a DR who'd prescribe a benzo like Xanax. Perhaps the UK attitude will loosen up a bit in time, as in the US and here in New Zealand.
My biggest fear now is that one of my children will get it. Does anyone know the position regarding its heritability?
All the best
Fred
Posted by Phillipa on November 23, 2006, at 23:13:50
In reply to Re: Panic! Please Help! Anyone Survive it? (rant), posted by FredPotter on November 23, 2006, at 21:32:41
Fred my three grown kids have taken benzos and antidepressants and my sister and her daughter and my Mother and Father so I think there is a hereditary link unfortunately. But I'm glad the 2mg of xanax gets rid of a panic attack for you. Love Phillipa
Posted by Paulbwell on November 25, 2006, at 4:56:58
In reply to Re: Panic! Please Help! Anyone Survive it? (rant), posted by FredPotter on November 23, 2006, at 21:32:41
Hi Fred
"Liberal use of Xanax"
I am scripted Xanax too. I wonder what your dosage is.
Cheers
Posted by bassman on November 25, 2006, at 7:44:19
In reply to Re: Panic! Please Help! Anyone Survive it? (rant) » FredPotter, posted by Phillipa on November 23, 2006, at 23:13:50
One of my grown kids has panic, one social anxiety and depression.
Posted by bassman on November 25, 2006, at 7:51:12
In reply to Re: Panic! Please Help! Anyone Survive it? (rant), posted by FredPotter on November 23, 2006, at 21:32:41
I couldn't agree more. it's hard enought to find meds that help-and docs that say, "can't you just reason with yourself?" or "does it always happen under the same circumstances?" show just how little they know. Sure, there is almost a certainty of dependence, but so what? When the perfect drug for panic comes along, providing escape from the clutches of Panic and perfectly dependence and side effect free, we'll all withdraw and live happily ever after. Until then, I'll take low dose benzos and AD's to keep me functional.
Posted by FredPotter on November 27, 2006, at 13:52:00
In reply to Fred Potter?, posted by Paulbwell on November 25, 2006, at 4:56:58
Paul officially up to 2mg twice a day. The half-life of Xanax is very short however and I think this should be 3 times a day. Sometimes I take more than the dose prescribed, sometimes less. Aren't you in NZ too? Are you having difficulty getting a prescription for it?
Fred
Posted by Paulbwell on November 27, 2006, at 16:02:02
In reply to Re: Fred Potter?, posted by FredPotter on November 27, 2006, at 13:52:00
> Paul officially up to 2mg twice a day. The half-life of Xanax is very short however and I think this should be 3 times a day. Sometimes I take more than the dose prescribed, sometimes less. Aren't you in NZ too? Are you having difficulty getting a prescription for it?
> FredHi Fred,
Thanks for your reply, i wasn't sure you would, as i didn't wish you to think i was being insensitive, and like you i have been through the panic disorders which came on suddenly before i turned 18-i had no idea what it was, just thought i was losing it. I put up with it, and had no treatment for years, while i existed in my private torment.
Yes i live in NZ.
Apparently according to an ex UK specialist i was seeing, Xanax is rarely used in NZ, and very rarely back in his country.
I first was given it 4 years ago, at .25mcg 3x day, and .5mcgs had a very strong psychic pain killing/uplifting effect, without the sedation of Diazepam, i took it for a few weeks.
I am not having difficulty getting a script for it ATM, the specialist i saw a couple months ago was open to my suggestions, and he scripted up to 3mgs daily.
It doesn't work as well as it used to, but thats due to the other Benzos i'v taken over the last few years.
Cheers
Posted by Ladrhiana on November 28, 2006, at 18:18:30
In reply to Re: Fred Potter?-Xanax, posted by Paulbwell on November 27, 2006, at 16:02:02
i'm taking ativan. i'm sure, if held up to xanax, it's probably just kid stuff. i have situational and social anxiety and situational panic problems. i've never felt what i'd consider to be an unjustifiable panic. so, on that page, i'm sorry, i can't relate...
i too have great worry that my son will inherit my flaws and instabilities. much of my life has been marred by them.
i don't want him to suffer what i have.
the only thing i can do is watch him for the signs and talk with him about his feelings whenever i see a flag.
i have to be ever watchful for symptoms in him. nobody knew what to look for in me, but my behavior was such that did give people cause to look... i hope my son never gets as bad as i did...i hope you're doing well
L.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.