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Thoughts after my first visit to PDoc

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 12/28/2016 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all!
I hope you are all doing fine and having a great day. Yesterday I had my first appointment with the P-Doc. I was very very nervous to talk to her since this is all so new to me and this was the first time that I had to see a P-Doc. She was very courteous with me, I explained all the problems that I had since since June that lead to my first panic attack. I cried when I talked to her since I was extremely emotional due to all this. This has been hard to admit and I still struggle with the fact that I have anxiety and that I have to work with it. I know I will get better but is difficult to accept it since like I said, is all new and foreign to me. Anyways, she diagnosed me with GAD and panic attacks. She prescribed Klonopin 0.5mg to take before going to bed for only 10 days, and for my underlying depression, she prescribed 50mg of Lacmital/lamotrigine that I have to take to for the next 30 days. Take Vistaril as needed but not continuously. She will see me again on January the 12th. I never had to take a benzo in my life so needless to say, I'm scared but she told me that she has to lower my anxiety from the high state that it is and she recommended to take this small dose for now.
I took both (1 liltle pill of 25mg of Lacmital and the K-pin) for the first time last night and I think the Lacmital caused some insomnia since I slept but it was a very light state of sleep and I'm super tired today. Also, I noticed that after taking my morning dose of Lacmital this morning, after two hours in my system I was super sad. I will call the doctor to check if this is a common side effect and I will also ask her if I can take the Lacmital in the morning and at noon so my sleep isn't affected. I was kind of surprised that she started me with 50mg since I have read that everybody starts with 25mg and then go up. I read great reviews of this medicine and how it helps with depression so that's a plus. She made me stop the Lexapro which was prescribed by my GP doc. She said that I should try this combo first and then go to a SSRI if needed. At this point, I guess I have to let the Lacmital work and be patient. Any input would be greatly appreciated smile

Post Edited (tupuedes) : 12/28/2016 11:39:04 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/28/2016 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
T.,

I am so glad to hear that your first appointment was a comfortable one, and that this P-doc seems like a good fit. smile That is so important!

Since this type of specialist is an expert on matters of mental health and Rx's for treatment/management thereof. ..

...you can feel confident that she will help you to find the right regimen.

Good job on calling in to ask the questions you need answers to! Being proactive in this way....as well as being patient with your med to become leveled and therapeutic will help you you to feel your best ASAP.smile

Keep us posted on your progress, so we can keep you in support!

S.C
Posted 12/28/2016 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad you have someone to work with, concerning your meds. That is what it is, a partnership. You have a responsibility to open up and let her know how your meds are doing. She is there for your benefit.


I have been on Lamictal for a couple of years. It does wonders for me, it works really well with my other meds. If i forget it for a couple of days, I can really tell. I try to never forget it.

Let us know how things are going. smile
Posted 12/28/2016 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you're off to a great start by seeing your Pdoc...I say this because it seems she is being very thorough and taking charge of the next 10 days, then 30, etc...

I think this was very likely because of how prepared, open and honest you were in the appointment.

Keep letting us know how things are going!
Posted 12/29/2016 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Keep it up.. sounds like it may be just what you needed.
x
Posted 1/2/2017 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all your super valuable input I really appreciated it!!

I have one question. I have been taking the K-pin 0.5g pill, for five days in a row and I think it was working since My anxiety subsided a bit, not all. But on New Years eve, I was awoken with a panic attack while sleeping. This never happened to me before and it was really scary!! But why? I was awoken by sudden jerk movements of my legs and then I felt the panic. This never happened in the previous 4 days. After this I stopped the K-pin and I was able to sleep last night without having a panic attack. Ugh. I didn't have imsomnia before taking the K-pin. It doesn't help that I'm extremely benzo-phobic. I will call the doctor tomorrow (office is closed today) to see what else can I take for anxiety with the Lamictal. Maybe Buspar? Today for the morning anxiety I took a 25mg of the good ole Vistaril while wait to talk to the p-doc. Of course being my anxious self doesn't help.

Also, for coping with anxiety I'm doing this: I'm introducing to my daily routines 20 minutes of meditation by using the App Omvana and walking 2 miles per day. I will begin Yoga this week as well. I also started reading the famous book The Anxiety and Phobia workbook to understand all this.

On the other hand I think the Lamictal is working well for me and I'm tolerating it pretty well if I don't think about the super rare side effect of the rash. There's always something right?

Thanks for reading and as usual thanks for your valuable input smile
Posted 1/2/2017 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Aw tup,
It may not have been the med that caused the nocturnal panic attack.. But i am not a professional but i remember reading last week that it can occir if the anxiety you had been suffering was over a couple of weeks and the body/mind reacts at night..... Not sure how true that is.

I had only read up on it because i had a couple of nights where i woke up in a panic.... but followed a tip on the site i read it on... breathe 1234 breathe 1234 breathe 1234 etc you breathe the numbés not count them out.. to the degree of the panic.

It's worked a treat also no stimmuli 30mins before bed... I usually do a meditation before sleep which relaxes me or read the two nights i watched tv was the two nights my brain was playing silly devils.

Good luck with getting the answers you ask your Doc..
Stay strong xx
Posted 1/2/2017 4:36 PM (GMT 0)

gilly2 said...
Aw tup,
It may not have been the med that caused the nocturnal panic attack.. But i am not a professional but i remember reading last week that it can occir if the anxiety you had been suffering was over a couple of weeks and the body/mind reacts at night..... Not sure how true that is.

I had only read up on it because i had a couple of nights where i woke up in a panic.... but followed a tip on the site i read it on... breathe 1234 breathe 1234 breathe 1234 etc you breathe the numbés not count them out.. to the degree of the panic.

It's worked a treat also no stimmuli 30mins before bed... I usually do a meditation before sleep which relaxes me or read the two nights i watched tv was the two nights my brain was playing silly devils.

Good luck with getting the answers you ask your Doc..
Stay strong xx

Hi Gilly2! Thanks for your input. I'll try the breathe 1234 technique if I have another panic attack while sleeping.
Yesterday, my mind was playing tricks on me since I thought that the k-pin lowered by breathing to the point of hyperventilating, ugh so that's why I woke up panicky. I really need to put this imagination to rest since isn't helping. I should start writing fiction books of some sort, lol. I only took 0.5g in the previous 5 days and I weight 160 pounds and I'm 5'8, so I'm not small.

Post Edited (tupuedes) : 1/2/2017 9:49:14 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/2/2017 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
T.,

I am sorry to hear about your nocturnal panic attack...those are miserable! sad

I personally doubt that it was the benzodiazepine that caused this to happen...but that is not the point. The point is if YOU are not comfortable with taking them...then they are going to be a hindrance, rather than a help for you.

I would ask your doctor about Vistaril (hydroxyzine) as an alternative. This antihistamine, taken 'off label' for anxiety may be a good match for you. smile

Keep up the great work with your coping skills...well done with all of your efforts!!! You are going to find your perfect management plan and do really well.smile

Keep us updated,

S.C.
Posted 1/2/2017 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Tup
Imagination does run riot when you have anxiety... Unfortunatley it part and parcel ...
You only have to read the threads to know you are not alone with this.
So just be kind and patient with your self and know that will get better.
Good luck and let us know how you go on xx
Posted 1/3/2017 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
keep on taking the medication I'm sure you will be fine soon...I believe some people when they 1st take the meds..medication fights your body for days before you actually feel okay ..

I'm also going to the P.doc next week

Will post the outcome..

GODBLESS
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