Medication Benefits

markslater88 · Post by **markslater88** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:19 am

I've been suffering from very severe debilitating panic attacks since I turned 20. I'm having a very difficult time trying to overcome them. The most concerning symptom to me are the very fast heart rates that come with a panic attack. I've tried different methods to dealing with them from biofeedback to exposure therapy, but have had very little progress. I am very against taking medications as I've heard about so many awful things that come with psychiatric medications. I'm not able to function normally right now, and I'm pretty sure that having Panic attacks on a daily basis can't possibly be good for your body. So I'm thinking about giving just giving it a try. Being able to function in life is a priority for me. I have to be able to overcome this eventually. My cardiologist suggested that I take a very low dose of Atenolol to help with the anxiety attacks since my main complaint is my fast heart rates. Is this a wise choice for anxiety, or is there another medication or method to help me get better?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:31 am

Mark,
You don't mention your present age - and you're on a forum dedicated to CPAP treatment of sleep apnea - so I'm really not sure what brings you here with a question about medication to treat panic attacks.

Sleep apnea is simply that - repeated incidents of choking when you sleep.
However as long as you're here, it may interest you to know that many of us has found that with proper treatment, of the nightly physical choking, anxiety, panic, and depression have receded. Have you ever run into the term, "sleep apnea"? Have you ever had a sleep study?

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Dis ... Signs.html

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Major Signs and Symptoms
One of the most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea is loud and chronic (ongoing) snoring. Pauses may occur in the snoring. Choking or gasping may follow the pauses.

The snoring usually is loudest when you sleep on your back; it may be less noisy when you turn on your side. Snoring may not happen every night. Over time, the snoring may happen more often and get louder.

You're asleep when the snoring or gasping occurs. You will likely not know that you're having problems breathing or be able to judge how severe the problem is. Your family members or bed partner will often notice these problems before you do.

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.

Another common sign of sleep apnea is fighting sleepiness during the day, at work, or while driving. You may find yourself rapidly falling asleep during the quiet moments of the day when you're not active.

Other Signs and Symptoms
Others signs and symptoms of sleep apnea may include:

Morning headaches
Memory or learning problems and not being able to concentrate
Feeling irritable, depressed, or having mood swings or personality changes
Urination at night
A dry throat when you wake up
In children, sleep apnea can cause hyperactivity, poor school performance, and aggressiveness. Children who have sleep apnea also may have unusual sleeping positions, bedwetting, and may breathe through their mouths instead of their noses during the day.

O.

Robespierre · Post by **Robespierre** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:36 pm

There are people who are, for some reason I cannot fathom, so dead set against psychiatric meds that they give out nightmarish warnings about the awful side effects. I have had panic disorder and know firsthand how terrible panic attacks feel when they happen. I was treated with Klonopin (a minor tranquilizer) and a couple of different SSRIs (antidepressants). On that combination of meds, my panic attacks were controlled and I was eventually able to stop taking the Klonopin. Even after 22 years I still take an antidepressant, but I haven't had a panic attack for a long time. I have had no ill effects from the meds. Rather, they have helped enormously.

joestalin88 · Post by **joestalin88** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:45 am

Before I respond to your question about your panic attacks, I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about your treatment history. How long were you in biofeedback and exposure therapy? And as far as the panic attacks are concerned: how often do you experience them? Are you aware of any particular event or situation that precedes them?
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Medication Benefits

Medication Benefits

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