Recovering from massive panic attack

I feel so hopeless and scared right now. I’ve been taking lexapro for a little less than 2 weeks now and I’m still adjusting to the side effects (headache, nausea, dizzy, increased anxiety). I also had a migraine yesterday so I took it easy. I took my lexapro around 730/8 and dozed off watching tv around 10:15. I woke up at 11pm having a massive panic attack. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I was sweating, my heart rate peaked at 160 (which has happened with previous panic attacks), I felt sick and dizzy and thought I was actually going to die. I tried calming myself down by positive thoughts, drinking some Gatorade, opening a window and taking my Ativan. Since the attack was so bad I took 2 of my .5mg of Ativan (dr said I can do this during a bad attack). Once the Ativan kicked in I was out like a light and sleep all night! However this morning I have a headache, I’m slightly nauseas and I’m so anxious about having another panic attack.

Sorry for the long post I just really needed to vent and talk about that scary experience. I also don’t know if I should begin taking Prozac instead. My doctor gave me a prescription of Prozac if I was still having negative side effects of lexapro after 2 weeks. Ugh this sucks 😔

Hi RS,

I am sorry for the late response...your post slipped past me somehow...

I too am sorry to hear about your attack...that sounds really miserable! However, the fact that you are having nocturnal attacks rather than when you are awake...could actually be a sign of progress. I had the same experience...going from daily wakeful attacks, to nocturnal ones...then they phased out altogether.

2 weeks for a start up does not sound like enough time to determine whether an Rx is going to ultimately be beneficial for you or not. Often the side effects of increased anxiety can last much longer...but eventually give way to great management with time...

...so I am a bit surprised that your doctor would recommend a change after just two weeks. I am afraid that this might just be too much change too quickly...and possibly set you back further than you feel currently...?

It is of course a personal decision, but just know that many people report having a turnaround after about 6 weeks of their start up...and end up with a med that performs well for them. If you can hang in there, continue to use your coping skills and rescue med...you may find this to be the case for you as well.

With encouragement and in whatever you ultimately decide to do! Keep us updated, so we can keep you in support!

S.C.

RS,

Lol...we don't have each other of ignore do we? (jk, we couldn't see each other's responses at all if we did)

Okay, glad to hear that you have stuck with it for now. I really think that the way to go...and evaluate again in a couple of weeks.

Hopefully your appointment Tues will get you the clarity/encouragement you need on how to proceed. Let us know how it goes, okay?

Until then, use your coping skills and hang in there as best you can.

High fives!

S.C.

Ah, yes...that Cortisol! This used to happen to me as well. Cortisol, a stress hormone allows us to get up and go after hours of inactivity....w/o it we wouldn't have the energy/motivation to get out of bed.

However, those of us with anxiety either produce an excess of it, or are simply sensitive to its stimulating effects, resulting in increased anxiety in the a.m.

The good news is that since it is at its highest concentration first thing in the morning (levels falling after a couple of hours) you can be prepared with coping skills to help manage the anxious feelings...

..and actually just knowing that this is a normal and expected experience for many of us may help in accepting and dealing with it...it did for me.

Peace and progress,

S.C.

RS,

I am sorry to hear about the rough night and the challenges you are dealing with atm.

However, I am not surprised.

An increase can often cause a temporary increase in anxiety just as a start up does, so you have that to deal with...

...but on top of that, many abx can cause anxiety, so you are likely dealing with a double whammy right now.


Hopefully just knowing that this is expected and temporary will go a bit in providing some relief. Hang in there, use your coping skills consistently...and remember this will pass. Great job on the self calming work you did last night...keep up the great work!

Peace and progress!

S.C.

Oh there totally is for a lot of people! Depends on the individual person/sensitivity, type, dose and length of duration of Rx...but there is an undeniable connection for many.

There's no way to get around using an abx if you have an infection, but you may ask your doctor about an alterative *type* of antibiotic if you are really suffering.

S.C.

Yeah! Glad to hear this! Great job on hanging in there!

Be well!

S.C.