i have been having severe panic attacks, how do i communicate to the dr what drug works best for me?

Question

yesterday i had a panic attack and at one point passed out for 30 seconds due to lack of oxygen. i was actually at the dr office when it happened only an anrp was there so they said go to er. i currently hae no insurance so i didn't. my mothers neidhbor gave me a blue pill called a xanax. after about 45 min i was calmed although my chest was still slightly hurting, i was able to lie down and rest. the week before i had 2 panic attacks and my friend gave me blue klonipins which barely took the edge of the attack off. the last time i had panic attacks was 9 yrs ago when my dad pasted the day before my 20 b-day. Although i didn't realize it then my dr(who was my dr for 10 yrs now retired) gave me white aprolosam(generic for xanaX). I found the bottle he gave me from 97 in 03 almost full &t hru it away b/c it expired. i'm seperated from an abusive husband with 1&2 yr boys. I've been diagnosed with post traumatic syndrome. I see dr today. how do i ask for the xanax that works for me

Answer 1

write down what it is that makes you think this is the correct drug for you and hand the note to him - some people get really tongue tied around doctors, writing it down helps.

Answer 2

Firstly, you seem to be going through a stressful period in your life. You might want to think of seeing a counsellor to talk about the issues you're having, as this may help you decrease the probability of getting a panic attack.

Secondly, when you first get a panic attack, try taking slow and deep breaths.

When you talk to your doctor, tell him about the pills you have been given, and if possible bring in a sample of the pills that work for you. Otherwise, tell your doctor that Xanax has helped in the past and ask if there are different types. Xanac is probably the generic name for a certain type of drug.

Answer 3

The most important thing is to recognize that you are having or about to have a panic attack. It's good that you already know that you have this condition. Make sure you have ruled out any cardiac problems. Unless you have several attacks a week, I do not recommend medication. Panic attacks can cause you to breathe rapidly (hyperventilation) thus causing your heart rate to go up and due to the excess amount of oxygen in your body, can cause your fingers and face to be numb. It can also lead to chest pains due to tightening of the muscles in the chest due to rapid breathing. You become more anxious because of the pains and numbness, so you start breathing even faster to "get more air". My suggestion to you is when you feel an attack coming on, grab a small paper bag , cover your nose and mouth and take deep breaths. You will be rebreathing your own oxygen which will cause you to slow your breathing down and eliminating the numbness and tingling you get from the hyperventilation. YOU are the only one that can slow your breathing down, so you may have to talk to yourself while breathing into the bag. Like I said, if you have several attacks a week, you should seek the advice of a trained psychologist/psychiatrist to help you get at the cause of the anxiety.

Answer 4

Xanax is one of many drugs to treat panic attacks. You might suggest to the doctor that you have a freind that uses this drug and it has worked well for them, but based on the severity and other things, like sleep apnia ect.. there might be a better choice out there, just give the doc all the symptoms you have been having. Might be good to get to the root of what is causing the panic attacks, and talk to a theripist.

Answer 5

Xanax is a miracle drug for panic attacks...just be very careful, because it is one of the most addictive as a result..also, it can lead to terrible seizures when trying to detox from it...but,...it is the best one you can get for panic attacks. My son went to the emergency room more than fifteen times in a two year period till he got the xanax to calm him down when he was experiencing one...just let the doctor know that it is the only thing that works for you, and that you would really appreciate it if he would give you a low version of it ....you should have no problem getting it. I am so sorry for all the things you are goin through..my dad died 10 years ago, and it was investigated as murder, and I had to identify the body..anyway, with God, all things will heal and get better..I wish you luck..

Answer 6

HI,
I've suffered panic attacks years ago.No one understood me and all the doctors told me was that it was stress(I found out they where panic attacks long time after I cured myself).You can actually do it with out taking drugs!First I'll give you a little tip on what to do when you get them:sit down cross your legs and concentrate staring at your foot (this will comfort you).Now the way to cure panic attacks is MENTAL (you have to change your whole way of thinking).Look at the good things you have in life and not the bad.If there is nothing good right now in your life and you have reached bottom.......THE ONLY WAY IS UP!Trust me everything will work out.If you need to e- mail or PM me if you and we can talk more about the it.

Answer 7

Try CHI breathing. Practice taking a deep breath in through the nose, hold it for ten to fifteen seconds, whatever feels comfortable and let it out slowly through the mouth. Practice it in a non threatening environment, over and over again. Then when you are in a "panic situation" you will be able to do CHI breathing and head off the panic at the pass, stop it before it starts.
In my experience it is VERY helpful. Sounds too easy to work right?
Well try it. Then if it doesn't work come back to yahoo answers and ask ,"why does willberb think he knows what hes talking about?"
But really try it first. It works for me.

PS some folks take a class of drugs called BETA Blockers but I never used them. Try CHI breathing.

Answer 8

I'm guessing that you are aware that Xanax is addictive?
It's a "quick fix". Go talk to your Dr. and explain your situation to him. Let him know that the Xanax worked for you a few years ago and being you have 2 kids - you need something to help you.

I do think you should consider counselling to help you learn to deal with the anxiety and stress. Anti-anxiety pills may be something to check into. And take care of yourself! Make sure you're taking vitamins, eating healty, getting sleep. It's not easy - and I know you'll get through it - just hang in there!

If you would like to ask me any questions (I have general anxiety disorder- please feel free to email me: [e-mail]

Answer 9

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 10

Don't see a regular psychian for this go to a psychiatrist to get help. He can figure out why you are having all these problems and give you medications to help you for this. I have panic attacks too and i know how awful that they can really be, and my psychiatrist has me on Xanax too for the problem..go see a shrink it will help you.

Answer 11

Thought Field Therapy is ideal for this sort of condition. It is simple and effective and you can do it yourself. There is lots of information on the web under TFT. The process is a set of finger tapping procedures that hit acupuncture points. This coupled with eye movements and phrases combine into a powerful mind realignment.

There are of course skeptics who rubbish the process but all I can say is that it worked wonders for a friend of mine who was suffering similarly to yourself. Please try this and I wish you well

DWD