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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 12/18/2015 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I do not know if you can say I am 100% diagnosed with anxiety/panic attacks. A couple of months ago I went to the emergency room because I was having a really bad anxiety attack (didn't know what it was at the time) and they told me I was suffering from anxiety so they gave me Xanex. I have never been more thankful for medication in my entire life. I took one pill and all my symptoms just suddenly stopped. My usual symptoms are my hands become sweaty and numb sometimes that happens to my mouth area, my heart races and I feel so nauseous that I try to make myself throw up. It have had episodes like this before but this was the first time I was diagnosed with having anxiety and prescribed something to help rid the symptoms. I have had more attacks recently but the Xanex really seems to help though now I have experienced intense shaking that wakes me at night. I have trouble with my sleep and it seems the attacks only happen at night. Its scary because it seems like no one understands what I am going through. Does anyone have any tips on how to get a good nights rest? My primary doctor okayed me to take a Xanex 2x a week to get a good nights rest but I want a good nights rest every night. Haven't seen a therapist or psychiatrist yet but have a appointment soon! Just wondering if there are any suggestions.



Also, has anyone every experienced an anxiety attack after taking Nyquil? Just wondering if it was only me.
Posted 12/18/2015 9:19 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, whiteflower!

I'm glad the Xanax is helping you — isn't it amazing to find relief when you are riddled with fear?

I can tell you a few different options that I've tried for a good night's rest, but I'm not a doctor so please take my input only as suggestions to discuss with your psychiatrist when you have your appointment.

Beta blockers can help remove the physical symptoms of anxiety by blocking the adrenaline rush and maintaining a normal heart rate. I used to shake really badly at night which would wake me up, and my heart would be beating super fast. It's a pretty scary thing! A long-acting beta blocker (I take Propranolol) helps stop that.

There is another prescription medication called Hydroxyzine which is an anti-histamine and an anti-anxiety medicine. It is known to make people very drowsy so it is often recommended for anxiety sufferers who have trouble sleeping. I tried this med but it didn't work for me — it actually gave me insomnia rather than helping me sleep. But it works for a lot of people, so I thought I would mention it.

I haven't experienced an anxiety attack after taking Nyquil but I have had problems taking it while also taking Xanax... they seem to fight with each other, or cancel each other out.

Good luck with your appointment and keep us posted!

-Cat
Posted 12/18/2015 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear you have been dealing with anxiety have a look at our resources thread fro some useful links to self help guides which you will be able to find on the web.

I like to use Valerian Root to help me sleep you can buy it in most pharmacies.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 12/18/2015 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi whiteflower - I'm sorry to hear about your anxiety attacks. Coming from someone who had them daily for months, I know how horrible and debilitating they are.

The prescription BlueCat mentioned above, hydroxine (vistaril), is something that I was prescribed to help me sleep + it helps with anxiety in general. I do take it at night, but it doesn't make me unbearably sleepy like it does to some people. My doctor told me it's really a hopped up benadryl, but they give that out a lot more now because it's non-addictive, like a Xanax or any other benzo. It's worth asking about if you want to go that route!

Hoping you find some relief soon!
Posted 12/18/2015 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi W.F. and welcome!

I am sorry to hear about you anxiety struggles...but great job on reaching out and getting the help that you need!

With therapy, use of your Rx as needed, self help/coping skills...and support...you are building a great management plan for yourself.:)

Do check out our Resource Guide at the top of the main forum page. It is filled with great material that is really beneficial if practiced regularly.

Keep posting with us as well. We understand, care and are here to listen anytime!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/18/2015 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your kind words and advice! I will definitely be talking to my therapist and psychiatrist about options that would help with my sleep. As for now I am trying not to take any meds because of the fear I have that they can cause a panic attack. I currently have the cold and I am so paranoid about taking any medications. I know it is not normal to have a fear of meds but after having bad experiences with Nyquil, Theraflu and others I have become a afraid.
Posted 12/18/2015 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
NyQuil makes me absolutely bonkers! I'll be up all night feeling like I'm going to crawl out of my skin if I take it. It's actually really, really common!
Posted 12/19/2015 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Me too. NyQuil and Benadryl actually have the reverse effect on me than what is supposed to happen. If I take any I feel like I'm on 10 energy drinks, btw which is something else I avoid.
Posted 12/19/2015 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
That's interesting about beta blockers. I have been on 25 milligrams for years and they seemed to really help, as well as my low dose of Xanax. But recently, during this most recent and horrible bout of anxiety/panic, it doesn't seem to be working at all....I have those constant adrenaline rushes which impact my sleep and especially when waking. I'm starting with a new (and I hope better) psychiatrist soon so in going to see if she wants to adjust/up my meds. She'll probably like me to start on an anti-depressant also which makes me very nervous but at this point I would try anything to feel better. I don't know if the beta blocker just needs to be a higher dose or changed completely. Have any of you had any experience with Toprol? And my dose of Xanax is very low .25 twice a day and even though it's still making me sleepy, it doesn't seem to be helping as much with the anxiety, at least it doesn't last very long. I was prescribed 2.5 mg Xanax pills a day but I've never taken that much. I too am always afraid of meds. It's really hard to know what is the best since different meds work differently for different people . I am also going to request a blood test for fibroid since I've never had one and I have all 10 symptoms they list on their website!
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