[Jdam00]

So over the last 5 years, my father has been having panic attacks. Panic attacks that have been progressively getting worse. Its getting to the point where he cant fly, calls me twice a week to "talk him down" and is taking 2mg of Xanax a day.

So I'm 24. And they started for me.

- I cant take long car rides. If i do, I NEED a bottle of water, because i constantly feel like I cant swallow.

I was on my way to a job interview the other week, and I had to pull over, full blown attack... I didn't make it to the interview.

I don't leave the house much.

I need to sit facing a window so I can look out.

I honestly have two panic attacks a day.

My Dr. gave me Paxil. My panic attacks have changed, but haven't goten better.

The social anxiety is better, but the Panic attacks are worse then ever, and I'm terrified. My dad started having this at 50. and it keeps getting worse. Mine started at 23, and keep getting worse.

My Dr, Gave me 5 Valume for a flight back home. The Flight was hell. I had to drink, to calm my nerves.

Back home, my dad sent me to his Dr., who gave me 5 Xanax. I took one, and relaxed. I wouldnt say I enjoyed the flight, but I was comfortable.

After that I took the xanax when I had a day when I needed to function. other job interviews, long car rides, etc. I even kept the last one for weeks, in a pill bottle, and just the thought of it being there, just incase I needed it, wqas comforting.

I want to feel normal. i want to sleep ( 845am wednesday) now two nights I haven't slept.

I have never done any illegal drugs. I smoked pot once in college. I understand the risk of addiction to medication like Xanax, but has anyone in here experienced a panic attack? I have two a day now it seems. I'd hate to say it, but at this point, in my moral dellema, Is a risk of addiction, better, or worse, then Finally Feeing Normal....

i just want to be comfortable in my own skin.....

Any thoughts? please, let me know, I really need some help.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by Jdam00

So over the last 5 years, my father has been having panic attacks. Panic attacks that have been progressively getting worse. Its getting to the point where he cant fly, calls me twice a week to "talk him down" and is taking 2mg of Xanax a day.

So I'm 24. And they started for me.

- I cant take long car rides. If i do, I NEED a bottle of water, because i constantly feel like I cant swallow.

I was on my way to a job interview the other week, and I had to pull over, full blown attack... I didn't make it to the interview.

I don't leave the house much.

I need to sit facing a window so I can look out.

I honestly have two panic attacks a day.

My Dr. gave me Paxil. My panic attacks have changed, but haven't goten better.

The social anxiety is better, but the Panic attacks are worse then ever, and I'm terrified. My dad started having this at 50. and it keeps getting worse. Mine started at 23, and keep getting worse.

My Dr, Gave me 5 Valume for a flight back home. The Flight was hell. I had to drink, to calm my nerves.

Back home, my dad sent me to his Dr., who gave me 5 Xanax. I took one, and relaxed. I wouldnt say I enjoyed the flight, but I was comfortable.

After that I took the xanax when I had a day when I needed to function. other job interviews, long car rides, etc. I even kept the last one for weeks, in a pill bottle, and just the thought of it being there, just incase I needed it, wqas comforting.

I want to feel normal. i want to sleep ( 845am wednesday) now two nights I haven't slept.

I have never done any illegal drugs. I smoked pot once in college. I understand the risk of addiction to medication like Xanax, but has anyone in here experienced a panic attack? I have two a day now it seems. I'd hate to say it, but at this point, in my moral dellema, Is a risk of addiction, better, or worse, then Finally Feeing Normal....

i just want to be comfortable in my own skin.....

Any thoughts? please, let me know, I really need some help.

Real panic attacks can be debilitating. They are serious. There can be lots of causes some of which include anxiety and some don't. You mention the drs giving you a few xanax. That is okay for what was happening. But have any drs done any actual tests on your body to make sure this isn't anything physical as well as emotional?

It's pretty obvious that you need to do something soon. I would seek out quality medical attention first. See a dr who specializes in this type of problem. It may very well be that you ARE one of those people who require a tranquilizer of some sort, but perhaps the problem can be addressed in some other manner.

Erin will probably be along soon to reply to your post. She can give you more learned information than I can. This is her area of expertise. Try to relax. I know that's easier said than done. ERIN ... are you out there??? God bless.

[Psyched]

Like Robert pointed out, real anxiety attacks can be quite debilitating. If you go to a psychiatrist, he or she can figure out if it's genarl anxiety (GAD) or situational anxiety (SAD) or it could even be something else. Regardless, working with your doctor, you should be able to find something that will help you that BOTH you and he/she can agree on. Just be honest with him/her and express your feelings and any concerns/worries you have and you should be able to get the help you need. Good luck!

[melinda7.5]

Originally Posted by Jdam00

So over the last 5 years, my father has been having panic attacks. Panic attacks that have been progressively getting worse. Its getting to the point where he cant fly, calls me twice a week to "talk him down" and is taking 2mg of Xanax a day.

So I'm 24. And they started for me.

- I cant take long car rides. If i do, I NEED a bottle of water, because i constantly feel like I cant swallow.

I was on my way to a job interview the other week, and I had to pull over, full blown attack... I didn't make it to the interview.

I don't leave the house much.

I need to sit facing a window so I can look out.

I honestly have two panic attacks a day.

My Dr. gave me Paxil. My panic attacks have changed, but haven't goten better.

The social anxiety is better, but the Panic attacks are worse then ever, and I'm terrified. My dad started having this at 50. and it keeps getting worse. Mine started at 23, and keep getting worse.

My Dr, Gave me 5 Valume for a flight back home. The Flight was hell. I had to drink, to calm my nerves.

Back home, my dad sent me to his Dr., who gave me 5 Xanax. I took one, and relaxed. I wouldnt say I enjoyed the flight, but I was comfortable.

After that I took the xanax when I had a day when I needed to function. other job interviews, long car rides, etc. I even kept the last one for weeks, in a pill bottle, and just the thought of it being there, just incase I needed it, wqas comforting.

I want to feel normal. i want to sleep ( 845am wednesday) now two nights I haven't slept.

I have never done any illegal drugs. I smoked pot once in college. I understand the risk of addiction to medication like Xanax, but has anyone in here experienced a panic attack? I have two a day now it seems. I'd hate to say it, but at this point, in my moral dellema, Is a risk of addiction, better, or worse, then Finally Feeing Normal....

i just want to be comfortable in my own skin.....

Any thoughts? please, let me know, I really need some help.

Hi jdam00
From what I have seen anxiety runs in family's.It just happens to run in mine.
I tried every med under the sun and nothing worked.so I had to take matters into my own hands.first I got my hands on every book i could on panic disorder.then I found out if you face your fears enough times they go away I was agoraphobic and couldn't leave my house.well I didn't like that to much so I started with just opening the door and the next day I would take one step outside and the next day 2 steps out and so on.I took benzo for awhile but they don't work for ever and they leave you worse off than when you started,In my case anyway...when I started to have a panic attack,what ever I was scared of like going to a store I would make myself and just tell my brain to shut up,I was going to do it anyway...
These things might sound silly,But I don't have any panic attacks any more.
try and get some books on it, they will help you understand where they are coming from...
and remember to tell yourself everything will be ok...
Talk to you later, Melinda

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by Jdam00

So over the last 5 years, my father has been having panic attacks. Panic attacks that have been progressively getting worse. Its getting to the point where he cant fly, calls me twice a week to "talk him down" and is taking 2mg of Xanax a day.

So I'm 24. And they started for me.

- I cant take long car rides. If i do, I NEED a bottle of water, because i constantly feel like I cant swallow.

I was on my way to a job interview the other week, and I had to pull over, full blown attack... I didn't make it to the interview.

I don't leave the house much.

I need to sit facing a window so I can look out.

I honestly have two panic attacks a day.

My Dr. gave me Paxil. My panic attacks have changed, but haven't goten better.

The social anxiety is better, but the Panic attacks are worse then ever, and I'm terrified. My dad started having this at 50. and it keeps getting worse. Mine started at 23, and keep getting worse.

My Dr, Gave me 5 Valume for a flight back home. The Flight was hell. I had to drink, to calm my nerves.

Back home, my dad sent me to his Dr., who gave me 5 Xanax. I took one, and relaxed. I wouldnt say I enjoyed the flight, but I was comfortable.

After that I took the xanax when I had a day when I needed to function. other job interviews, long car rides, etc. I even kept the last one for weeks, in a pill bottle, and just the thought of it being there, just incase I needed it, wqas comforting.

I want to feel normal. i want to sleep ( 845am wednesday) now two nights I haven't slept.

I have never done any illegal drugs. I smoked pot once in college. I understand the risk of addiction to medication like Xanax, but has anyone in here experienced a panic attack? I have two a day now it seems. I'd hate to say it, but at this point, in my moral dellema, Is a risk of addiction, better, or worse, then Finally Feeing Normal....

i just want to be comfortable in my own skin.....

Any thoughts? please, let me know, I really need some help.

I know these feelings all to well! I also understand 100% what you are coping with...To say this is not easy is an understatement. I am a 12 year veteran ..But, life does go on and, there are treatment options for you. Paxil is usually very effective for panic however, not all med's affect everyone the same. How long have you been taking the paxil? You said your panic has changed, how so? the paxil making it worse? or about the same? It takes up to 4 weeks for any SSRI to reach its full effect so, if you have not been taking it long you may want to wait a few weeks and see if it helps you...If not, you can try another med. I do highly reccomend the use of xanax for this condition. Yes, it can be addictive, and yes, you can become dependant on it. However, xanax is the fastest acting benzo and the best for panic such as yours...If you stick with taking as little as possible and only as needed then, you should be fine.

I will warn you that it is doubtful that any doctor will prescribe xanax for you without you being on an SSRI/ antidepressant. (In case you are thinking to nix the SSRI) ...In your situation, the main focus is to get the panic under control! You must function. You can get xanax in a sub-lingual waffer that melts under your tongue for faster relief....Some people have trouble swallowing during an attack so, the sub lingual is great for them.

Is your dad taking an antidepressant for his panic? If so, find out what he is on, if it helps him or, if he has ever had relief from a specific med aside from benzo's. If he has had success with a specific med then, you may wish to try the same one. If you want/need to talk please, feel free to do so...I promise, I can relate all to well. Questions?....Peace...Erin

[starsmom]

I took paxil 40 mg for about 2-3 years and had to wean off when i got pregnant with my son about 15 months ago. I had no problems, withdrawl symptoms at all. After my son was born I got very depressed and never sought treatment. Well December 25, 2009 I had my very first run in with high anxiety. Never thought as myself in the past as an axious person. I sat down to eat christmas dinner and got a very wierd feeling throughout my body. I sat around comatose about the whole day worried about what was wrong with me. The next day I drove myself to the ER cuz my doctor was out. They told me I was having an anxiety attack. I'm like WHAT?? Where the heck did that come from. He gave me Xanex and i felt better. So each day after I had the same feeling and each day the sensations were different. I have at one point expierienced them all and still do. So 2 weeks later i wake up in the morning my skin/body tissue felt burning. I was shaking like crazy. I called my friend to take me to the ER. I thought i was having a bad reaction to a new medicine the doctor put me on. I later realized it was a full blown panic attack. I never took them meds again just incase. So finally i got in to see the pshyc. he gave me luvox cr. Made me much worse. I was killing myself or somebody. I even had my cat in a choke hold for meowing at me. he just wouldn't shut up. I realize it takes time for your body to adjust to a new med, but it was too intense. I called the office and the nurse said not to take them again until I hear back. I never heard back but I have an appt. on Feb 2. I am going to suggest to him trying paxil again. It worked very well for the depression and i'm hoping that is what is causing the high anxiety levels and if I can deal with the depression the anxiousness will go away. I can't take another day of it. I have not had a normal day since Dec. 25. I still take about 1-1/2 of a .25 mg xanex (alprazolam) every day when it gets real bad, but really want to get off of that for fear of addiction.

[starsmom]

Oh, I wanted to add my mother has bi-polar disorder and I do not. She does suffer with anxiety and now I do. I believe that it could possibly run in the genes.