Panic Attacks Support Group

After a car accident, I started getting them. I had no idea what they were, just thought maybe I was having a heart attack,going crazy or having a system shut down if that makes sense! I finally got diagnosed after being sent to emergency. So I went to see a reputable therapist who prescribed xanax. Felt like a zombie, was then put on rivotril(clonazepam). I was on that medication for 3 years, and being young and un aware of any side effects or problems of this medication, I was in my early 20's and going out alot. Anytime I would have a few drinks(alcohol) , I'd black out. Now the only thing I knew of blacking out, was that it ws a symptom of alcoholism. So, I thought I was an alcoholic(even though it only took 4 drinks maximum to make me blackout!) and went to see an alcohol and drug counselor. They asked me if I was on any medication, said yes, rivotril for panic attacks. They sent me to a detox center to ween me off the pills where I basically withdrew for over a month from this medication!!! I learned that I wasn't an alcoholic but was date rape drugging myself basically by combining the meds and the alcohol aswell as being informed that I should of only been on rivotril for 8 weeks tops! I was stunned!!

Anyhow, after that horrific experience I was no longer on ,( what they catagorized the rivotril as part of the benzodiazapeen group)(excuse my spelling!) SO I then went to an addictions doctor explaining my panic attacks were back but didn't want to go back on those pills. In my case, breathing techniques didn't seem to work, but was then told that certain anti depressants work and are non addictive,non narcotic. So I was put on Zoloft, made me drowsy, then paxil. I am STILL on them but its frusterating to this day because, I still get little panic attacks, and its exhausting!! I have few questions...does anyone ever find indigestion causes panic attacks? Are there foods I should AND should not eat? And I'm still concerned that after all these years and all these attacks, is it going to make me have a heart attack sooner??

I know I rambled on but if anyone can relate or give me any suggestions, I'd be ever so grateful!

Thankyou!

Post edited by: Sidney73, at: 03/04/2009 21:23

As far as what you should eat or drink, alcohol can cause anxiety, which is unforunate to me because I love the taste of beer, however, I love not being anxious more, so if it takes not drinking to not be anxious than so be it. With foods, caffeine and excessive sugar can cause anxiety as well. So, if you are drinking Coke or coffee, you may want to switch to decaffinated beverages. My other advice would be keep a journal of what you eat everyday, and make some notes about how you felt anxiety wise during the day. See if there is a pattern. If there is, cut out that food as much as possible.

Finally, from everything I have read having panic attacks does not make you more likely to have a heart attack early or anything. The best you can do is go to the doctor and get checked out. They will more than likely tell you that you are fine, and that can be relieving, and if something is wrong, you will at least know and can start working on it.

You know what though, I am working on it, and I will get there. You will too, we can all do it. At the very least, we all have each other to help us through it.

Post edited by: Chanda, at: 03/04/2009 23:19

I think with my past experiences, the one thing that really upset me was that I wasn't informed about side effects, what can happen if you take anything else,or try to go off a medication. If I knew what rivotril does to you when you go off them, I'd never of gone on them to begin with. I was taking the lowest dosage possible at the time, and still I had major withdrawl when I wasn't off them..Didn't sleep properly for 28 days, all my sense were hyper sensative, saw tracers and shadows..it was very frightening. I thought I was never going to feel normal ever again! I was in a detox center to come off them and I was in there with addicts mostly for street drugs and they all felt bad for me when I told them what I was withdrawling from!! Any meds like valium,tranquilizers,diazepam,clonazepam, adavan,etc are all in the same family, have very high addictive components so my advice to anyone whos on them, be careful, especially if you either drink on them or decide to come off them..Have a doctor monitor you and ween yourself off SLOWLY!

Thanks for the heads up.

And I hope u r feeling better today, im here if u ever need me!