New Member - Needs Advice and Info Abt Meds!

[foggy]

Hi All,
I just started having panic attacks very recently (about a month ago), but have been having a major one every couple of days. For the first few weeks, I had a very irregular heartbeat (before I started having serious attacks). I now feel perpetually lightheaded/a little dizzy, short of breath, and just really tense overall.

I'm undergoing a great deal of stress right now (death of a close relative, change in jobs, parent's finalizing a divorce, etc) - but I'm 23, have had no major health problems until this point, and lead a very healthy lifestyle.  I'm incredibly scared/confused about this whole disorder, and what I can do about it! I'm getting very depressed and upset about the panic attacks, and am worried that they're starting to affect my ability to function at work and in other areas.

I was just prescribed Adavin (Clonazepam) and Desipramine yesterday. Has anyone had any experience with these medications? I believe that I am very sensitive to drugs in the same family as Adavin/Valium, so that even 1/2 of a .5 mg pill of Adavin knocks me out/makes me woozy. I'm worried, because on the 0278 description of Desipramine, it had a warning for increased anxiety/suicidal thoughts during the first few weeks of Desipramine. (The psychiatrist who prescribed these was horrible - he asked very minimal questions about my symptoms/medical history, and talked about a book he was writing for most of the appt - so I am a little wary!).

I'd REALLY appreciate any advice that any could provide, or any information about their experiences with these medications. I am very confused about my panic attacks/disorder right now, and scared that it may be something more serious.

Thanks so much!
Melissa

[Denni]

Hi Melissa,

With all that is happening in your life right now, it is not surprising that you are suffering from panic attacks and it does NOT mean that it is a sign of a permanent disorder. However, if at all possible, you should try to find a more sympathetic doctor! When you start on meds, you need to be monitored properly--every one is affected differently.

With regard to panic attacks, I only have experience with Valium and, lately,r Xanax. I carry the pills in my pocket, ready to take when needed. If you feel permanently on the edge, it may make sense to take some daily, but the best person to assess what dose is required is yourself. I've stopped the on-set of panic attacks with as little as 1/2 of a 250 microgram pill of Xanax but there have been times (years ago) when I could pop Valium like Smarties and it made little difference. However, these times passed. So even if you may need to take (higher doses of) meds right now, it need not be forever.

[mbabynz]

hi there i take xanax and its working wonders for me i am on 0.25mg and i take them every 4 hours or if  the anxiety symptoms start comming on i take 1 abit earlier.ive jusy stared a course of arapax 1 week now and it made my anxiety worse hopefuly after a few weeks it will all settle down the doc told me it takes that long but with the xanax i am able to control it.good luck and i hope you get your meds sorted out.
chhers
mbabynz

[NorthernRC]

Medication is a wonderful thing but it does need to be closely monitored. The same medicines don't work for everyone. Like me, I was on xoloft for a while. Everyone I know one zoloft had wonderful result, except for me. I'm on effexor now, we'll have to wait and see how that does. If you don't have confidence in this physiologist, fire him/her and find another. I had my primary care physician help me find the one that was right for me. Also you might consider some therapy. I think that's done me more good than anything. Good luck, we're all in this together

[apple]

HI melissa
I have GAD and Panic, I was on the clonazepam and Desipramine myself.
The Desiprimine lest me content and at peace with life. I was no longer anxious or worrywort. The problems I had with it was very little excersise heated me up very quickly!!
I couldnt go for a long walk or nothing without needing to lay down fron heat and dizziness.I was also constipated. 
I didnt use the clonazepam while on the desipramine.

Now, I only use the clonazepam when I cant stand the anxiety anymore or when I have a panic attack...I am not on the desipramine right now, but may ask to go back on.

Hope this helps
Apple

[foggy]

thanks so much for your help! this board is amazing - it makes me feel so much less isolated in the process, and it's nearly impossible to get in touch with doctors opinions about this stuff (especially here in new york). therapy is helpful too (though i wish i could go more than once a week!!).

i started on a beta blocker last week, which has helped a great deal wtih my heart palpitations. i started taking zoloft on tuesday, which will hopefully work with the anxiety disorder. today i feel horribly dizzy (kind of outside of myself? with a tight throat and jaw) and woke up feeling really nauseous in the middle of the night. i've felt like this before unfortunately...but this is a little worse. can it be attributed to my body adjusting to the zoloft? how long do these stupid adjustment periods last (and what else can i expect)?

i had to take a sick day from work today. i was just too tired from waking up in the middle of the night, and too dizzy and out of it. i had only been working there for about a week when this all started happening - i'm afraid they are going to fire me!

stephen, i've tried to avoid taking the clonezapam and the benzos for those reasons. best of luck to your girlfriend! her story is incredible, and sad. how is she doing now?