Posted 10/8/2015 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't been on in awhile..but I am hoping to find some comfort, advice, possibly someone that is going through something similar.
Almost a year ago, I have the sudden onset of panic attacks, relentless, debilitating panic attacks. I was diagnosed with GAD and Panic Disorder and prescribed Prozac. I did not respond to Prozac or increases in the medication.
My attacks were so frequent and so bad, I had to quit school mid-semester. I found a new psychiatrist who tried a few more SSRI's, Effexlor, Zoloft, all with very bad reactions.
Due to the bad reactions and some of the depression symptoms I had along with my panic attacks and anxiety, she put me on Lithium believing I could be experiencing mixed bipolar episodes. After no improvement, I decided to switch doctors.
Currently, we found out that lithium did not help me. My new psychiatrist does not see any bipolar features, feels that diagnosis was incorrect, tapered me off, and I am only on Ativan as of now.
Ativan is not helping me. I feel like I am in a constant panic attack. I feel dizzy, "blurred" vision, feel the urge to use the bathroom, and the choking sensation is almost unbearable. I feel the need to burp or vomit, but nothing is there. My heart does not race. I check my blood pressure which is fairly normal 125/75 pulse usually around 85-90. The worst is the shakiness I feel. I almost feel like I could have a seizure ( as strange as it sounds), I feel almost like my body is going to lose control at any given movement, and I feel so tense. It has yet to happen, but the feeling is so scary that it has a grip on me for long periods of the day.
My new psychiatrist is also doing psycho-therapy with me. He doesn't want me on any more medications until he learns and understands more of my symptoms which i can agree with.
He had me go get a physical today. Bloodwork and urine to rule out anything physical. I've had clear CT scans, clear ultrasounds, normal EKG's.
I just feel at such a total loss. Breathing techniques do not work for me because my breathing is usually normal when i experience the symptoms. I don't find facing my fears gives me any relief. I stay in the grocery store and shop regardless that I feel I will pass out or cant see straight. I don't gain confidence from doing those things. We have adjusted our home to become less stressful and very organized. I have such a hard time grasping that anxiety is doing this to me. Sometimes I feel like I am just spinning and need to hold on to something. I'm so uncomfortable physically that it makes me more anxious.
Can anyone relate to not having luck with ANY medications thus far.
Is there hope. I feel like it is getting so hard to stay positive when I feel no relief.
Thank you for reading this long spilling of my heart and soul. I'm just so frustrated. I hope someone can relate and I am not the only one going through this. I feel like I am.