Morning Panic

I'm new to this forum and am usually on the UC forum because of my issues with that disease.  But due to all of the illness and stress I have been dealing with, I have developed panic attacks and I don't know how to deal with them.  The worst time is in the morning, when I wake up terrified of some nameless fear that grips me and makes me feel like I can't even get out of bed. My stomach churns and I feel nauseous from it.  I am taking Prozac the past few weeks, and also Xanax, but am afraid to get addicted to the Xanax, but it does seem to help.  Does anyone else have this horrible morning anxiety? And can a person get addicted to a couple of Xanax a day in a short period of time?  And how long does it take to feel any benefit from Prozac? 

Post Edited (ep49) : 7/2/2010 1:11:48 PM (GMT-6)

As usual, Kitt has given some excellent advice! I also had bad morning anxiety. Being on ADs (antidepressants) has helped a great deal and hopefully the prozac will begin to help you soon. I used to take xanax and for me it was a godsend! But I managed to take myself off of it when I realized I didn't need it any longer. I still have some stashed away in case I need it. People that worry about getting addicted to xanax usually don't. If your anxiety is bad in the mornings but you do okay pretty much the rst of the day, just take it when you get up. If prozac ends up working for you (sometimes ADs are a trial and error kind of thing-if one doesn't work, they will try you on another), you'll probably begin to feel less anxious and find that you donn't need the xanax as much. Doctors are usually pretty careful these days about prescribing benzos like xanax. Your doctor must feel it is okay to give it to you for now.
BTW, how much are you on right now?
jl

Thanks for your replies. I'm taking a half of a .5 miligram tablet of Xanax 3 or 4 times a day and 20mg of Prozac for the past 3 1/2 weeks. I'm praying to feel better soon and will be sure to stay in touch for support. Thanks again.

i have morning anxiety too. i take my blood pressure most mornings and my pulse is usually high. i think it's because i am rushing around to get ready in the morning. :P i know where you are coming from. i have xanax too but try not to take it and deal with it. i take benadryl some which seems to help.

I get terrible, terrible, morning anxiety lately :( I know how you must feel, it just makes you want to stay in bed and try to sleep for awhile.

The Prozac may not kick in til another few weeks. Everyone is different, you may feel the effects sooner or later. As long as you aren't feeling worse, that's important too that the medication isn't worsening it. I'm grappling with the same issue of taking Xanax every day. I rarely have had to take it over the past couple of years since I've been on my Lexapro which as done a lot for my anxiety and depression. However, my anxiety/panic has flared very badly these past couple of weeks and my doctor is out of town (the most perfect timing!) so I have no choice but to take Xanax when I need it (which has been almost every day, small doses of .25mg or half of .25mg even). My Xanax is prescribed as needed, so I think this is one of the times that is needed!

Give your doctor a call and I'm sure it won't be a problem taking it as needed until you start feeling relief from another medication, even if it is for a bit. As long as you aren't constantly going up on your doses and taking it excessively when it's not needed, I don't see the issue in taking it more frequently with your doctor's supervision.

I know you probably have no appetite from all the anxiety, but try to make yourself eat, even if it's small things. It will help. You don't want your blood sugar dropping, which can add to your anxiety and mood. I've been making myself eat things like oatmeal, bread, all natural snack bars, things that won't be too hard on your stomach. If you have the energy, try to focus on other things like watching a movie, talking to a friend, doing mindless things that will help take some of the focus off your anxiety. I find that to an extent it is helping relieve some of it.


Good luck<3