panic disorder has anyone been through this?

Question

I have been suffering with panic disorder for years. The panic attacks started after a cycling accedent, and I was not wearing a helmit, " now I will not get on a bicycle with out one ". The panic attacks are now controlled by klonpin, and this medication has changed my life, and made it better. Now the Doctors are taking everyone off this medication, why it works so well?

I want to thank everyone who answered this question so quickly. I have been taking Klonpin for 6 years now and as long as it works I will continue to take it. I also take Remeron for depression, it has an unusual side effect, it motivates me, I went back to school and have made good grades. The point I wanted to make with my question, was, this if something works why fix it?

Answer 1

You should be withdrawn from Klonopin, it is in the family of benzodiazepams (similar to Valium). Many doctors are trying to pull away from using this category of drugs, as they can be addictive, and can cause severe withdrawals and seizures if you are not withdrawn safely! Do not simply QUIT taking this medication! If your doctor wants to withdraw you from this, then ask for a safe medical detox! Depending on the amount of your dosage you may be in medical danger if you simply quit.

Many doctors are being urged by the FDA to put their patients on SSRI category of drugs for OCD, Panic and PTSD type problems. Unfortunately the SSRI drugs come with their own set of unique problems. The alter the brain chemistry, they are in a group called SSRI (Seritonin Re-uptake Inhibitors), and because each person has a unique brain chemistry many people do not react the same way to this type of drug therapy. If there is a chance that you may have some organic brain damage you should see a Psychiatrist and let them know about this affliction, if you are insured or even if you aren't ask for tests, Organic brain damage and SSRIs do not always mix well. The Psychiatrist may choose to continue your therapy on the Klonopin, do not abuse this medication or mix it with alcohol! EVER! Please.

If your doctor should try to put you on an SSRI drug be very careful, and if you begin to feel violent or very depressed when taking it, seek medical attention as quickly as you CAN! DO NOT ACT ON THESE FEELINGS, PLEASE...

I don't like to come to this section because I have been working with mental health for my career for more than 20 years now. For some people SSRI drugs do well. However for others, they are quite dangerous and can cause feelings of either suicide or intense feelings of violence! Unfortunately some MD who do not work with the mentally ill may be offered "kick backs" to give out samples of these "potential time bombs" for their patients w/mental disorders. See a specialist even if you have to do so through a teaching hospital! You may actually need to see a person who specializes in treating people with orgainic brain damage, and the resultant mental health problems. I am not trying to tell you how to spend your money but because you have described an incident that may involve brain damage (and it does not take a lot to cause an organic problem with the actual brain) I am trying to give you some good "professional" advice. All of the people who claim that SSRIs work well for them, may mean well, but they may not be the RIGHT drug for you. Take care, I am getting out of this category now before so I can go out of my venue to answer "fun" questions. I just saw this question and thought you should be WARNED! Please take care, and a Psychiatrist can keep you on the Klonopin if it is helpful to you, and you are comfortable with it.

The SSRI category of drugs do NOT work well for everyone, and the side effects can really cause serious problems for SOME select individuals who may have an organic brain injury! Please see a mental health professional! Be healthy and DO NOT SIMPLY QUIT TAKING ANY MEDICATION LIKE KLONOPIN! You may need to be weaned off of it, if you must quit!

Good luck, I do not understand why doctors want to alter medications that are helpful to patients. Your health and well-being should be FIRST with any healthcare professional, if you want to continue the Klonopin, see a perscribing psychiatrist! Stay well!

Answer 2

You need to understand the mechanics of this. I had them and got cured thru homeopathic remedies. But I also had a therapist who was a specialist in this and got educated. the key is usually in the very first panic attack. Which sounds in your case that it came from the arm tingling which scared you. Agoraphobia is a misnomer in that people who get panic attacks then get afraid of panic attacks - so then you don't want to go out ( agoraphobia) what if??? I have another one. The body records all the senses very strong with a panic attack and those memories are coded differently- they store up a lot around the amygdala- a peanut size part of the brain which is the emotional brain and the controller of fight or flight takeover. So you get "wired" up so to speak, so that similar sounds, feelings etc go off on automatic- the blood flow to the front brain is reduced and you lose control while adrenaline floods your body. This is all meant to keep you alive. Weakness in the arm and tingling are nerve issues which can be generated from tight neck nerves- which can be from stress, sleeping wrong. having repetitive motion of the neck looking down at the keyboard ( wrong height) reading in bed and so on. It seems that somehow this perhaps scared you enough to think some quick thought- like I might be dying or whatever- and then the panic attack goes off to protect you. So now this tingling is recorded in you as a threat and will set them off. You have to understand and tell yourself over and over- tingling is not a problem- it will let you stay in the front brain and not have a full on attack. Gradually you won't even have anxiety.Go to get a shiatsu or acupressure massage- see the mayo clinic on these. They work your spine- you wear clothes. They boost the immune system up - get rid of blocks, tension and get you very strongly back in the body- they will unkink the neck arm thing and it may only take one session. ( I have sent many relatives to the shiatsu for tingling, spine pain, all nerve stuff and it is the fastest, cheapest way to fix this. Then you need to pay attention to what you are doing- sleep on your back- best position, use a pillow under the knees- it lets the spine- neck reset itself. When people don't know what something is- they can get a panic attack- the ER is full of people having panic attacks, due to acid reflux, or rapid hearbeat, or feeling out there due to fear. You can handle this with just a prescription for xanax to take when one is coming on- There is nothing wrong here really except you had one and then did not know why you had more of them bc of how the body is set up.

Answer 3

I used to suffer from panic disorder and took Paxil. Mabe there is some bad side effects to that medication that you are on and thats why doctors are taking you off. There are many great meds to help with Panic disorder and I'm sure your doctor will put you on another good one. I overcame my panic disorder by leaning to breathe properly,relax(weekly massages or spa treatments help) and exercise which helps release more 'feel good' hormones. Also stay away from Caffeine!!! Good luck and remember that nothing is going to happen to you,panic disorder is VERY common,you're not alone. :)

Answer 4

I can't understant why all of the doctors are taking everyone off of Klonapin it really does work well on Panic Attacks. Most doctors here in Michigan would rather you be on Klonapin than on Xanax or Valium. I have found that Xanax works better for me but I was on Klonapin for years and then all of a sudden it just stopped working so I had to be put on Xanax and it is a high dosage of Xanax too. Talk to your doctor and find out why they are pulling everyone off Klonapin.

Answer 5

Paxil works for me. And yeah, those panic attacks are terrible. It really ticks me off when someone says "Well, everybody has butterflies in their stomach from time to time.".

Anyway, if you switch to an SSRI drug, it does take a few weeks for it to become effective. You'll probably start with a low dosage and "ramp up" to something stronger.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Klonapin (clonazopam) is addictive and affects the CNS central nervous system. It id extremely difficult to detox from. The withdrawal signs may not start for weeks. It can begin to cause the very thing that it stops..anxiety...if used for too long. It is the same drug as Valium, Zannex, etc. benzo's ...all just different time release.

Answer 7

I take Paxil CR for mine. I used to get them while driving, and I would wake up in the middle of the night with them. I felt like I was dying. Its the worst feeling, and I cannot possibly describe to anyone who has never gone through it. Paxil works for me, plus I was told to limit my sugar intake, and that has helped as well. I don't have them anymore.

Answer 8

If it is working for you the doctor should not take you off of it. Especially since you are also taking an antidepressant which helps decrease anxiety.

Answer 9

I dont but keep your head up! u ll be alright