Panic attacks reoccuring while on medication?

Question

I have been taking celexa 20mg for 5 years for panic disorder/attacks, and have been panic attack free for all this time. Recently after some medical issues I have begun having mild panic attacks in the morning while at work,mostly accompanied by nausea and a need to flee. Has my body become immune to the medication? Should my dosage be increased, should I switch to something else?

Answer 1

It depends what your medical problems consisted of. Where you on other medications, deprived of sleep? Any changes to your cycle can cause more anxiety. Did they prescribe pain killers? I know that after certain illness or during them, I have anxiety, also after surgeries. Anything that changes the level of serotonin in your brain may increase your attacks. I use to be on paxil, it calmed my attacks, but then they seemed worse. I finally went natural and I"ve been better off. If or when I do get them now, I talk myself down from the attacks (you have to practice each time you get anxious, it doesn't happen overnight, but it will get better). Get this book, natural prescription for healing written by a doctor and chiropractor. The text explains what vitamins to take and how they work in your body in addition to natural herbs and foods, what lifestyle changes you need to make. Since I switched, I've been better,now I've even weaned myself off the vitamins. I will always have anxiety, but now I control it,it doesn't have a hold of me. From medications for it to nothing.

Answer 2

I have had chronic panic attacks off and on for many years. Sometimes I can manage them through self-talk and breathing techniques, but when they get REALLY bad I do take medication. In my experience Klonopin is the best panic med. Please don't let ppl make you feel guillty if you need to take some medication. Panic disorder is a recogized medical condition, just like diabetes - if you need to take Klonopin that is the same as a diabetic person taking insulin. In time you can try other techniques, but if the situation is urgent then get the right meds and get the situation under control. Please put your health and happiness first - nobody who has not had a true, chronic panic attack understands how bad they are or how much they can interfere with day to day living. I have also tried Valium, Xanax and Paxil and much prefer Klonopin. Good luck - things will get better.

Answer 3

If you've been on the same dosage for 5 years and it's been working then it probably has to do with either the medical issues or possibly extra stress at work or both. Of course the best thing to do is to see the person that gave you the celexa or at least some psychiatrist or doctor.

Answer 4

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 5

Okay first off let me say in no way shape or form am i a physician or should this advice be substituted in lieu of a professional consultation....in another life i was a pharmaceutical sales rep selling lexapro (the evolution of celexa) i heard from many specialists that sometimes after several years it was like the drug had a "poop out" effect. Many physicians remarked to me that they were able to switch patients on celexa 20 mg to 10 mg of lexapro with no side effects and improved results.

Answer 6

I would definately consult your doctor, maybe you have become amune to your celexa. I know I suffer from panic disorders as well, and sometimes the meds just stop working. I hope everything works out for you. E-mail me and let me know what happens. Take care.

Answer 7

i been having the same especially in morning and i,m on xanax. It does help eventually throughout the day for me. Yeah and i also have weird feeling going throughout my body i,m at the age for perimenopause that triggers panic atttacks also. Try maybe seeing doctor for some low dose of xanax that might help you. Goodluck

Answer 8

Ask your doctor. I don't know if you build up a resistance to that kind of medicine or not. I would never increase the dosage of medicine like that on my own. Be careful!

Answer 9

You should deal with your repressed emotional issues that cause the behaviour, not take more pills to try and bypass it.

Answer 10

Lisa, i would advice you to check http://panicaway.deals-guide.com/ , they have a cure for you attacks

Hope you will be fine