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DocMac

(1,628 posts)

44. I have had so many panic attacks

Mon Feb 13, 2012, 09:03 PM

Feb 2012

that I could explain one from beginning to end. The panic is when you get the "fight or flight" feeling, caught between wanting to run or hide. Then the struggle to do something to get your mind off of it, trying to do something on purpose but too confused to handle anything. Then you go full panic when you realize you are no longer in control and you can't control your breathing.

I've had more than a dozen trips by ambulance to the ER in the last twenty years. I well understand the Agoraphobia as well. You start to develop more fears as the years go by. You will never be cured and it gets worse as one gets older.

Doctors try to prescribe depression meds for this to avoid the Benzos, but one who really understands anxiety/panic attacks knows that Alprazolam (xanax) is the best med for it. Klonopin is good for people with milder cases and Diazepam (valium) is really just a good muscle relaxer.

I know about the memory loss, but i'm willing to accept that for quality of life.

I know just what some of you have been through.

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Highlight:

Xanax and the Rabbit Hole [View all] Kwarg Feb 2012 OP

this has got to be one of the most dangerous drugs I have seen lovuian Feb 2012 #1

xanax has always been a controlled substance Seedersandleechers Feb 2012 #3

I could be wrong, but I think it wasn't classified as a controlled substances until the 1970's. blue neen Feb 2012 #35

That may be. It came out in the 1970's as well as Nixon's controlled substance act. Seedersandleechers Feb 2012 #65

nothing new here SCantiGOP Feb 2012 #4

I was prescribed Xanax for panic attacks and it changed my whole life. EFerrari Feb 2012 #14

Antivan and Valium are used for seizures and Xanax lovuian Feb 2012 #20

I don't know why, but Valium didn't help the panic attacks at all. EFerrari Feb 2012 #23

Valium was the only thing that worked on mine LadyHawkAZ Feb 2012 #46

Yup. My brother has been given Ativan for 10 years adigal Feb 2012 #74

Ativan is similar Aerows Feb 2012 #2

How much were you taking? Union Scribe Feb 2012 #7

I honestly don't remember Aerows Feb 2012 #10

Hi Kwarg Feb 2012 #13

Thanks to you and Aerows. I think this thread highlights Union Scribe Feb 2012 #18

Ativan, xanax, valium, etc., they are all benzodiazepines Seedersandleechers Feb 2012 #8

They can have my Ativan when they pry it for my cold dead crazy hands REP Feb 2012 #85

I'm so sorry you've had to go through this. polly7 Feb 2012 #5

that is the problem lovuian Feb 2012 #11

Or, they do ... polly7 Feb 2012 #15

Oh Kwarg, thank you so much for this post! riderinthestorm Feb 2012 #6

That's a common sharp_stick Feb 2012 #9

Oh yeh I took valium a few times Kwarg Feb 2012 #16

Actually, there's a ton of things that can be done for anxiety. EFerrari Feb 2012 #19

You're right sharp_stick Feb 2012 #34

My doctor won't prescribe xanax for anything. leftyladyfrommo Feb 2012 #12

Xanax made me sleepy, too, when I first started it but that goes away. EFerrari Feb 2012 #21

Excellent post malaise Feb 2012 #17

My experience with Xanax helped to change my life. rubberducky Feb 2012 #22

I've lived with anxiety most of my life (63 years) and it sucks madokie Feb 2012 #24

Klonopin is nowhere near as powerful as Xanax nt Kwarg Feb 2012 #28

I developed panic disorder with agoraphobia in late 2003 The Genealogist Feb 2012 #30

I'm glad it helped you Kwarg Feb 2012 #31

Aren't Klonopin and Xanax based on the same drug? Taverner Feb 2012 #33

They are related medications, in that they are both benzodiazapines. blue neen Feb 2012 #36

Benzodiazapines. That's the word I was looking for Taverner Feb 2012 #38

Yes. Valium has a longer half-life. blue neen Feb 2012 #49

I have panic disorder samplegirl Feb 2012 #56

Good going. EFerrari Feb 2012 #40

What I say to people is if you haven't had a panic attack then you have no idea what madokie Feb 2012 #48

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Feb 2012 #25

But DO anxiety/panic attacks come out of nowhere? rocktivity Feb 2012 #26

After reading this thread, I guess I'm lucky that I have no idea what a panic attack even is alcibiades_mystery Feb 2012 #27

Thats the big question Kwarg Feb 2012 #29

Yes, the symptoms are physical and terrifying. polly7 Feb 2012 #41

I have had so many panic attacks DocMac Feb 2012 #44

One of these days, come on over to the Mental Health forum. EFerrari Feb 2012 #52

I'll do that. DocMac Feb 2012 #68

Sorry, it's here: EFerrari Feb 2012 #81

I disagree with you about the developing of more fears as we age april come she will Feb 2012 #77

It's probably a bad idea to prescribe for other people unless you are a doctor EFerrari Feb 2012 #82

I wouldn't take diazepam. DocMac Feb 2012 #87

After thinking about this for the last 25 years EFerrari Feb 2012 #37

Makes perfect sense! countryjake Feb 2012 #39

Oh, my pleasure. EFerrari Feb 2012 #42

And the smarter you are DocMac Feb 2012 #45

Yep. You really can't outthink your DNA. EFerrari Feb 2012 #50

JohnnyRingo Feb 2012 #54

they can come out of nowhere fizzgig Feb 2012 #79

Well, if PERFORMING was Whitney's "trigger" rocktivity Feb 2012 #86

"...elaxation and an unending sense of contentness" - sounds exactly like Morphine Taverner Feb 2012 #32

Had to read the whole thread... CanSocDem Feb 2012 #78

Xanax helped me through a debilitating case of postpartum depression. Inspired Feb 2012 #43

25 years ago I watched a good friend try to kick Valium... bhikkhu Feb 2012 #47

25 years ago, they didn't know how to detox people. EFerrari Feb 2012 #59

For a while, I took it for panic attacks "as needed" Nikia Feb 2012 #51

There are better options out there for most people, including therapy maximusveritas Feb 2012 #53

I think that's wrong. EFerrari Feb 2012 #58

I didn't say that. Meds have a place, in combination with therapy maximusveritas Feb 2012 #60

Without meds, there's a lot of people who don't have a shot at therapy. EFerrari Feb 2012 #64

And trying to navigate a dysfunctional medical system, too. countryjake Feb 2012 #83

Omg. How terrible. EFerrari Feb 2012 #84

And if my GAD is so severe that I can't drive to a therapy appointment BeHereNow Feb 2012 #66

I say whatever works, I've had GAD + more most of my life Voice for Peace Feb 2012 #73

when my mom died, i couldn't think straight..i couldn't figure out how to get an airline ticket xiamiam Feb 2012 #63

Medication is often necessary at first Nikia Feb 2012 #69

i have spent a significant amount of time in therapy in my life fizzgig Feb 2012 #80

It works well if used properly and not abused. LisaL Feb 2012 #55

Bingo!!! DocMac Feb 2012 #88

I have had panic forever... samplegirl Feb 2012 #57

It has a very large rebound effect JonLP24 Feb 2012 #61

I've had Xanax twice in my life. I didn't like the feeling either time. phleshdef Feb 2012 #62

Can I introduce some science into anxiety disorder? BeHereNow Feb 2012 #67

I have anxiety disorders, too. leftyladyfrommo Feb 2012 #70

good for you for getting through it Voice for Peace Feb 2012 #71

Which is why legalizing all drugs makes no sense LynneSin Feb 2012 #72

What an awesome post! Thanks for this! april come she will Feb 2012 #75

Too true. Xanax MAY help some, and that's good. But for years I have discouraged everyone txwhitedove Feb 2012 #76