Anxiety/Panic Disorder??

Question

I have had anxiety problems for a couple months already and this new year I decided to do something about it. So I went to see a pychiatrist and he prescribed me Pexeva. It is an anti-depressant but he said it would also work for anxiety. So I took it for only two days 20 mg and it gave me horrible panic. I had never in my life experienced a panic attack until I took them pills. It was so bad I didn't know what was happening to me I went to the ER and my pulse was 170. I couldn't stop shaking and I couldn't even speak right. So now I am off of Pexeva and now taking Xanax. My question was can a person have mini panic attack while dozing off? Just earlier my husband and I were on our way home and I was sleepy so I dozed off and then a horrible feeling came over me. As if I stopped breathing and I couldn't feel my body. I felt very disoriented and anxious. This has happened a couple times and it is really pissing me off and most of all scaring the crap out of me.

Also if there are any users of Xanax please describe how it has helped or not helped you. Im new to these types of meds. Thanx

Answer 1

Panic Attack?
It has been found that panic attacks can be avoided in part or total when techniques are used to stop them when they first come on.

Two methods may help:
1) Bio*Chakra Light MeditationTM, http://www.biochakra.com (click Hilites, archive), developed by Dr. Bara Loveland in 1979 and taught and used internationally ever since to overcome negative emotions/events while staying positive. It was developed to avoid suffering and create joy and happiness instead.
2) A method given at http://panicportal.com/indexm.htm, which may apply the principle of 1), offering help for panic attacks.

Powerful creators may create powerful panic attacks. If so, they can also create powerful, exuberant states of being!

May you create wonders and happiness.
Cordially, India.Magica

Answer 2

I would recommend against medication as you're not really helping the panic and depression, but merely masking it for the duration of the medication.

I can't take the anti-anxiety medications because they make me too sleepy to function normally. I found this wonderful program put out by the Midwest Center For Anxiety And Depression (I think that they should pay me for advertising - I've mentioned here so many times). I went through the 11-week program at home about 18 months ago and I have never had a panic attack since. I have occasional low-level anxiety, but I can stop it now before it gets out of control. If I were you, I'd look them up online and see what you think. I can only tell you that I was very very skeptical, but the program did do as it promised.

The pills don't really work very well anyway and you can become dependent on them over time. I have been anxious my whole life and the program has made a world of difference in my life. Really, it only costs about $350 and takes only 11 weeks or less. It's an excellent investment as you can go over the CD's and DVD's and workbook as much as you want anytime you want to until you become comfortable.

Good luck and God bless!

Answer 3

I'm fairly certain that you haven't yet been diagnosed with any of those disorders. You shouldn't claim to have them unless you've been diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Self-diagnosing a severe mental disorder is like claiming that you have cancer or HIV before a doctor tells you that you're sick. That said, the way to be diagnosed is to go through multiple visit with a psychiatrist who will take your history and observe your behavior. It will probably take a long time to get an accurate diagnosis because mental illnesses aren't easy to diagnose. Your doctor might be hesitant to slap a Bipolar label on you until she has built up a significant amount of evidence to support the diagnosis. People in some families are genetically predisposed to psychiatric illness, but an individual's environment often plays a somewhat smaller role in whether he or she develops a particular disorder. Also, you would take medications specific to your disorder. Most of these can be treated with anti-depressants and anxiety medication such as SSRIs and benzodiazepines, respectively. If you do have Bipolar, then the doctor will probably stay away from anti-depressants because they can induce rapid cycling and mania. Medication commonly prescribed for the treatment Bipolar Disorder include Lithium, anti-convulsants, anti-psychotics, and benzodiazepines. Just remember that the side-effects of these drugs are often so terrible that a lot of people are medication non-compliant. These aren't drugs that should be taken by anyone who does not seriously need them.

Answer 4

I use to get an anxiety attack while I was falling asleep, or before I woke up. I think it's because I had no control over my body falling asleep, which cause the attack. It use to happen a lot for a month a few years ago. Now it only happens a few times a year. So yes it does happen. It's as if your body is paralyzed, and you can hear your heart beating faster and faster. I use to try so hard to wake my body up, I would pinch myself, and try to scream, or hit my hand against something, just hoping the pain would wake my body up. It's a horrible experience. I'm not sure what made it go away, or what brings it on. I never took medication for it.

But, yes I experience that odd anxiety while falling asleep, or before I wake up.

I think a lot anxiety can be controlled mentally. That's how I control mine. When ever I feel it coming, I do anything to get my mind off it. Sometimes I sing at the top of my lungs, run around like a fool, listen to music sooo loud, call a random phone number, just anything to get my mind of it. It's what works for me.

Good luck in the future, You're not alone on this.

-.-'

Answer 5

My daughter who just had twins, is on an anti depressant for anxiety. Her blood pressure went sky high in 2 days bringing on panic attacks. These pills have bad side effects. You need to report this to doctor as there are many different kinds out there. She got put on something else and now no problems.

Answer 6

Well yes you can have a panic attack while your sleeping, it is from what your dreaming about. If you had to go to the hospital from taking that one medication then you are proably worrying about that happening again, and so your mind is taking that and it is coming out in your sleep, and when you wake up you are in a panic attack.

Answer 7

I am not a doctor, and I take Paxil CR 37.5mg. I feel the same way that you do a lot when I go to sleep. Right before you doze off you have this scary feeling as if you are about to die. That's what happens to me at least. I have learnt to deal with it on my own, but if it comes to unbarable then I would suggest you to go to a doc ASAP and tell them the way that you feel. I hope this helps.

Answer 8

Make sure you don't eat or drink anything with aspartame, the artificial sweetener. That'll cause it or at least make it worse.

Also, be checked for sleep apnea. The reduced rem sleep will cause these problems.

Answer 9

i was on Venlafaxine 75XR on the advice of my psych, later changed to only clonazepam 0.5 mg twice daily and it's working perfectly well with me...

still i wud warn u to consult yor psych n discuss the matter before following any of the well-intended advice here...

everyone has a unique disposition in almost everything...

DIVAS
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