[SJ6820]

Hey all,

About six months ago I went to the hospital with what I thought was a heart attack. I'm only 24 and I've never had any serious health problems. At the time, I was a few months away from mairrage and a surgery which had been stressing me a bit, but not overwhelmingly. Anyway, I came home from work one day and felt terrible. Then...out of nowhere...my heart let off several massive beats and a feeling of numbness and dizziness swept over me...kind of like I was in a completely different state. Not ever having experienced this, I panicked and went to the ER....by the time I got in the ambulance my limbs were numb and i had a terrible pain in my upper abdominals...I went through a series of tests at the hospital and everything came back normal except that my pottasium was low. This made sense becuase I had worked 12 hours that day and was surely dehydrated and pourly nourished. I believe the final diagnosis was indeed a panic attack. In the days following...the feeling returned....although never that intense. But it would sort of build up during the day and then a few times I would snap into "panic mode"...which if you haven't had it, is like someone flipping a switch and then all of the sudden you're in an awful, indescribable state. To shorten this up I'll get to the point. Eventually I went to a psychiatrist who seemed overwhelmingly convinced that I did infact have panice disorder. My current state is this. I take xanx every day and when I'm on it, I never have symptoms. When it leaves my system after about 10 or 12 hours, I begin to feel dizzy and as time goes on, it seems like my cognitive abilities go more and more downhill, until I get to the point where i feel like I could have an attack. Now ordinarily, this discomfort compells me to take another xanx, and then 20 minutes later, i'm fine again. My concern is that there is never a time when the xanax wheres off and I feel normal. Whether I'm thinking about it or not...when that chemical leaves my system, the symptoms start in. There was one time that I left my prescription out of town and didn't have access to it for 48 hours. By the time I got it, I was in a ridiculously pathetic state. I don't know what would happen if I just stopped taking it, but with work and now grad school, I haven't had the luxury of testing that out. Has anyone else had similar experiences? I would appreciate any and all thoughts on the matter.

Thanks All

[Empathy]

I've had similar experiences with Lexapro, but not to that extent - I can usually go about 2 weeks before "needing" it again. I can tell I'm having problems b/c I suddenly feel really out of control.

Sometimes sanity takes vacation time on me...

[caseyrayls]

You are what is known as a "dope head" and are hooked on Xanex. It's that simple Charlie Brown.

[SJ6820]

quote:Originally posted by caseyrayls

You are what is known as a "dope head" and are hooked on Xanex. It's that simple Charlie Brown.

Well I appreciate you clearing that up for me Linus. Sounds like something I would have said to someone before I started experiencing panic attacks. I went untreated for my symptoms about a month before I started taking Xanax. The dizziness/terror that occurs after the drug has been out of my system for some time is exactly that which I experienced before I ever took a Xanax. To be quite honest though, I'd like your "dope head" diagnosis to be true. If thats all this was, I wouldn't really have a problem. You see, I'm not stupid, I'm not a flake, and I'm not depressed. I don't have emotional baggage or addictive tendencies. I'm a 25 year-old guy who just got married. My career is going well and I'm currently working on a Master's degree. I work hard, complain little, and I'm certainly not one to place myself at the "center of it all". I'm a normal guy trying to solve a problem that is very real and nearly unexplainable to those who have never experienced it. I use the word panic to describe what I feel only for lack of a better word. It bears no resemblance to the panic and stress we all experience from time to time. I assure you that if you were able to experience what I'm talking about for even 5 seconds, you would be brought to your knees. All the same, thanks for your words of wisdom. I'll keep them in the back of my mind while I'm seeking a second opinion.

[deb5046us]

Hi SJ,

I can sympathize with what you are going through. I went through the same thing. My only comfort came was when I completely got off the drug xanax. And that took a while. I had to be hospitalized.
I would take one and it seemed like it didn't do any good, and then I would pop another. This went on for about 4 months. I got to the place I was so paranoid, I couldn't even ride in a car. I would stay in bed all day wondering what was happening to me. My son finally told me I needed to get off xanax. They took to the hospital and that was when I was in for the ride of my life. I am not trying to scare you but I'm not going to lie to you either. Before I went to the hospital, I was running to the ER all the time, I was in constant panic. Horrible, I had never felt like that in my life. It was all xanax. After I got over the withdrawal, I was fine. No more panic attacks. And I also had severe depression with it. Nobody knows unless they go through it theirselves. NOBODY.

[Jassy]

Hiya.....

My husband is currently in the process of weaning off Xanax...he was taking about 6 - 8mg a day...(for over 3 years) hes now down to 2 mg a day...Its been the most awful rollercoaster of withdrawl symptoms for him and still is daily....Its really a viscious cycle with this drug....It's not meant to be used as a long term solution for panic attacks....but many doctors dont tell you that!!!!!

Please take care and get professional help if and when you decide to come off them!!!!


Jassy.....

[Laughmachine]

Maybe xanax isn't the chose for you. I'm going to google the difference betweeen anti d's and xanax before I make give any real advice. ( Thats if I can for you) How long have you been giving xanax a try? So your problem is It works when your on it, but when your not on it...it doesn't.

Thats how It's supposed to be isn't it?

Sorry for your panick attacks, I dont get those but I get hot flashes and can feel your pain

[lbb]

What you are asking is serious and should not be taken lightly as in one of the earlier postings.
I am no medical professional but I experienced almost the same thing. It sounds like you need to be on some type of anti-depressant that would stabilize your panic receptors. That would decrease the amount of Xanax that you feel you need.
Anyway, it worked for me.

[irisheyes]

HI! WE have similar stories. I was admitted to the hospital with what I tought were heart attack/chest infection symptoms. Uncomfortableness in chest, hard time breathing. After all the test they said it was anxiety. I thought they were nuts. I was comvinced it was something more tangible- I knew nothing of anxiety. I was out on Ativan (Lorazepam) for a bit. I also have a sleep disorder and am currently on Imovane (zopiclone) now. Just wanted to say good luck to you and I understand your story.

[fadedhorizon]

You have developed a mental dependency on Xanax. It is quite common. Xanax IS an addictive drug, no matter if you have addictive tendencies. People who suffer from anxiety attacks usually have an underlying problem that is causing their anxiety. It doesn't come out of nowhere, but that doesn't mean you're not normal, it's okay to have faults once in a while. Take it from someone who's been suffering from anxiety for 2 years and is slowly recovering (without the use of a benzo). Usually anxiety stems from depression that has not been dealt with properly. I suggest either seeing a therapist or finding out for yourself where this anxiety is stemming from (it seems like you'd prefer the latter, as do i).

Xanax is a bad habit and is intended for short term use only. Try looking up breathing exersizes and use those instead of taking a xanax, if you absolutely cannot relax then and you still feel as if you're going to go into full panic mode, it's fine. You won't die.

Allow yourself to go through a panic attack, it will free you from the anxiety of actually having one.

Good luck.

[genhow]

Hi,
Are you taking the xanax as prescribed or are you taking them as you think you need them? You need to speak with the Dr. who prescribed them for you and until then you should take them as prescribed so that hopefully you can avoid the attacks. You should not stop the medication without medical supervision and that means that the Dr. will wean you off them by lowering the dose slowly and during this time you should be able to communicate with him so that he will allow you to be comfortable. You are not a "dope head" as some juvenile person alleged but this is very normal for this particular drug. Dr's and pharmacist are negligent when it comes to telling patients the important information about medication but it is our responsibility to read the info. sheets with our prescriptions. Look up xanax on line or you may have already.

You should let your Dr. know about this and if you aren't seeing him, you should still be seeing someone. I bet this is not going to last but stress does many things to us and you are normal and should not worry that you still need medication but it would help you, I think, if you had some understanding of what is possibly causing some of this stress.

I hope you you that you will seek the proper help and that you will soon be better.

genhow

[diva1sheils]

Hi everyone my name is Sheila. I am an x-Xanax taker. I have been taking xanax 4 3yrs. I was on 5 1mg a day
perscribed by my doc. I loved my blue footballs (thats what we called them on the streets)Anyway you need to know they r very addictive. I relied on them for everything they were my life. I had to make a choice Xanax or my life. Xanax controlled me i didnt have control of it. I would get 150 a month prescibed by my doc. It wasnt enough. I found them on the streets that would hold me over until my refill. I would take them for anything when i got nervous,when i was going out, driving and just because. I was taking them so i would not get any attacks. I thought if i just keep taking them those evil attacks wouldnt come. My Doc. would not help me get off of them He just wanted my money and for me to keep coming. I really wanted help. It got to the point where my six yr. old would look at me and say mom why do you look look like that. He was talking about my eyes they always looked like i was high. I was so upset that i had to do something. My doc would not help me so i went to my dad and he was willing to help me. I gave him my pills to him and he started braking them down and eventually was down to a 16th of a pill.(that was nothing)and just stopped taking them. I found me another doc. and she was so worried that i have been taking that much and was surprised that my doc. still had a job. She put me on paxil and i feel so much better my moods and anxiety are controlled by me. I dont have those attacks anymore. So to all the people who are on xanax please try to find something non-addictive there are some out there(prozac,paxil)So here I am 25yrs. old and bright eyed. living healthy and my son couldnt be happier.Oh ya Ive been off xanax for 3 months. and dont even want them.

[elizabethmaria]

Dear Diva1,
Please get off Paxil/any antidepressants IMMEDIATELY, those ssri's are DEADLY, they are not addictive in the same sense that other drugs are in that you want more and more, but your neural serotonin receptors become so damaged by them that you can't stop taking them without HORRIBLE withdrawals depending on your metabolism of drugs... that's if you are a lucky one not to have the horrible side effects prior to withdrawal,.. please read the Lexapro Withdrawal forum under Featured Conditions on this website.. there are over 17,000 posts of people having terrible problems with these drugs, and it is a gold mine of valuable information and links and contacts to get the help you need.. You cannot go cold turkey at this point, you need to taper taper taper slowly to get off... but do it right away... then, you need to not take any mind altering drugs for at least 1 year (yes, that;s at least how long it takes for your neurons/receptors in you to recover) THEN if you have any anxiety, other difficulties, go to talk counselling, meditation, prayer (best) to get to the root of the problem..
There are no 'chemical imbalances' normally that cause regular depression/anxiety, but ssri's (paxil, prozac, etc.) WILL give you a chemical imbalance with use... I know, I am suffering 5-6 seizures a day due to those drugs, having taken only a very short time, and discontinued 5 months ago,.. and was given them just for some sleep aid... (now with nothing sleep like a baby ..
I hope you look well into this, also check out www.antidepressantsfacts.com website (spelling correct) for more info on these drugs and how they actually are working..
take care, you're in my prayers,
Elizabethmarie

[Lillygirl]

You have got lots of good info. Hang in there....

Have you thought about Lexapro that can help with Anxiety Panic OCD... ? Or some other anti depressent

Sounds like its making you real dependent on it?

Have you tried therapy?

I have anxiety but I was advised to only take Xanax when the attack was severe because its in its class of drugs like Valium... probably making you a zombie... and becoming adictive.

[R2J]

dear Elizabeth how can I get in contqct with you? im having severe side effects from ssris and im really near death at the moment. thanks in advance. pray for me.

Originally Posted by elizabethmaria

Dear Diva1,
Please get off Paxil/any antidepressants IMMEDIATELY, those ssri's are DEADLY, they are not addictive in the same sense that other drugs are in that you want more and more, but your neural serotonin receptors become so damaged by them that you can't stop taking them without HORRIBLE withdrawals depending on your metabolism of drugs... that's if you are a lucky one not to have the horrible side effects prior to withdrawal,.. please read the Lexapro Withdrawal forum under Featured Conditions on this website.. there are over 17,000 posts of people having terrible problems with these drugs, and it is a gold mine of valuable information and links and contacts to get the help you need.. You cannot go cold turkey at this point, you need to taper taper taper slowly to get off... but do it right away... then, you need to not take any mind altering drugs for at least 1 year (yes, that;s at least how long it takes for your neurons/receptors in you to recover) THEN if you have any anxiety, other difficulties, go to talk counselling, meditation, prayer (best) to get to the root of the problem..
There are no 'chemical imbalances' normally that cause regular depression/anxiety, but ssri's (paxil, prozac, etc.) WILL give you a chemical imbalance with use... I know, I am suffering 5-6 seizures a day due to those drugs, having taken only a very short time, and discontinued 5 months ago,.. and was given them just for some sleep aid... (now with nothing sleep like a baby ..
I hope you look well into this, also check out www.antidepressantsfacts.com website (spelling correct) for more info on these drugs and how they actually are working..
take care, you're in my prayers,
Elizabethmarie

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by R2J

dear Elizabeth how can I get in contqct with you? im having severe side effects from ssris and im really near death at the moment. thanks in advance. pray for me.

You should really try one of the several antidepressant threads if you need help. The person you are trying to reach made that post almost 1 1/2 years ago. I seriously doubt you have any luck there.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by R2J

dear Elizabeth how can I get in contqct with you? im having severe side effects from ssris and im really near death at the moment. thanks in advance. pray for me.

Elizabethmaria has posted primarily to the lexapro withdrawal board however, she very rarely post's these days. If you are having problems with any anti-deppresant med's....especially SSRI's, I think I can help. I have been on most of them at one time or another and have done ton's of re-search in this area. So, if you have questions please, feel free to ask and I will be more than happy to answer them or direct you to someone else if I cannot help...Peace...Erin

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by erinkj

Elizabethmaria has posted primarily to the lexapro withdrawal board however, she very rarely post's these days. If you are having problems with any anti-deppresant med's....especially SSRI's, I think I can help. I have been on most of them at one time or another and have done ton's of re-search in this area. So, if you have questions please, feel free to ask and I will be more than happy to answer them or direct you to someone else if I cannot help...Peace...Erin

ERIN RULES THE ANTI-DEPRESSANT FORUMS. Hi Erin. Hope all is going well for you and your family. Haven't talked in a while. Take care.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by Robert_325

ERIN RULES THE ANTI-DEPRESSANT FORUMS. Hi Erin. Hope all is going well for you and your family. Haven't talked in a while. Take care.

Back at ya buddy.......Thanks for the compliment! We will talk soon, hectic life these days but, I do want to tell you about what has been going on with my stepsons....ERGH...Love them...Would love to strangle them to...you get the idea. I will catch up with you soon....Peace and hug's to you...God Bless..Erin

[R2J]

Erin how can I can i file an action class lawsuit and to whom. the pediatricians who ignored I had any neuro damage from ssris or the physciastrist who gave them to me?

Originally Posted by erinkj

Elizabethmaria has posted primarily to the lexapro withdrawal board however, she very rarely post's these days. If you are having problems with any anti-deppresant med's....especially SSRI's, I think I can help. I have been on most of them at one time or another and have done ton's of re-search in this area. So, if you have questions please, feel free to ask and I will be more than happy to answer them or direct you to someone else if I cannot help...Peace...Erin

[R2J]

Erin you said you would answer any question I had. why havent i gotten a reply?

[ilovejesus]

hi i found last year I had anxiety. Never before but been a little depressed back years ao . Tried zoloft and thought i would go crazy and urned mean.I have valium that I was prescribed last year 2 a day 5 mg. Never taken that many but for the last 2 days I take half in the morning and half at night sometimes half in the afternoon. So im really on a small dose but afraid of addiction. I have never been addicted to anything and never did drugs. I am a smoker and 54 years old. I tried buspirone but had bad hot flashes 2 /3 times a night. Valium seems to work ok but still afraid. People tell me I should do what the dr says and take the full 2 a day. Anything I take ,antibiotics vitamins anything tends to make me sick at my stomach so I would really appreciate your opinion. I have this thing about my blood pressure, check it and if its a little high I go straight into panic. I do jnow how to talk my bp down and to breathe when I have anxiety so I have learned some things. Please if you can understand this please respond. Thank you and have a blessed day^^sorry for such a long post

[ilovejesus]

Originally Posted by SJ6820

Hey all,

About six months ago I went to the hospital with what I thought was a heart attack. I'm only 24 and I've never had any serious health problems. At the time, I was a few months away from mairrage and a surgery which had been stressing me a bit, but not overwhelmingly. Anyway, I came home from work one day and felt terrible. Then...out of nowhere...my heart let off several massive beats and a feeling of numbness and dizziness swept over me...kind of like I was in a completely different state. Not ever having experienced this, I panicked and went to the ER....by the time I got in the ambulance my limbs were numb and i had a terrible pain in my upper abdominals...I went through a series of tests at the hospital and everything came back normal except that my pottasium was low. This made sense becuase I had worked 12 hours that day and was surely dehydrated and pourly nourished. I believe the final diagnosis was indeed a panic attack. In the days following...the feeling returned....although never that intense. But it would sort of build up during the day and then a few times I would snap into "panic mode"...which if you haven't had it, is like someone flipping a switch and then all of the sudden you're in an awful, indescribable state. To shorten this up I'll get to the point. Eventually I went to a psychiatrist who seemed overwhelmingly convinced that I did infact have panice disorder. My current state is this. I take xanx every day and when I'm on it, I never have symptoms. When it leaves my system after about 10 or 12 hours, I begin to feel dizzy and as time goes on, it seems like my cognitive abilities go more and more downhill, until I get to the point where i feel like I could have an attack. Now ordinarily, this discomfort compells me to take another xanx, and then 20 minutes later, i'm fine again. My concern is that there is never a time when the xanax wheres off and I feel normal. Whether I'm thinking about it or not...when that chemical leaves my system, the symptoms start in. There was one time that I left my prescription out of town and didn't have access to it for 48 hours. By the time I got it, I was in a ridiculously pathetic state. I don't know what would happen if I just stopped taking it, but with work and now grad school, I haven't had the luxury of testing that out. Has anyone else had similar experiences? I would appreciate any and all thoughts on the matter.

Thanks All

I started having mine a year ago and boy was it tuff. Experiencing a feeling I never had.Ifelt I was dying then came the palpitations and i even smelled ammonia. Was hyperventilating. I would not wish this on my worst enemy. I take valium which I would love to stop taking and have talked to my brother-in-law that is going thru the same thing. It is really a mind game but feels so real especially when you have an attack. I am going thru a 15 step program and its been a year and only on 4. Its really a long drawn out thing to be completely able to control this thing. Sorry to say Im not there yet but have learned more from brotherinlaw than my own dr. I dont have a fax but would love for you to see the first 4 lessons. It really makes a lot of sense. My personal e-mail in titansmvc@bellsouth.net and maybe I could find a fax or send a copy to you. Would be glad to help in any way and also would appreciate any help others have had with anxiety. Thank you and have a Blessed Day^^^