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Ankylosing Spondylitis, Humira and Severe Panic Attacks

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Posted 1/24/2016 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Humira's side effects....Severe Panic Attacks daily...Anyone else???
I have had Severe Ankylosing Spondylitis for 26 years now.
Been on Humira for almist 4 years now.
Panic attacks started the day I took my first injection and have gotten extremely worse since then.
I have been prescribed Clonazepam 0.5mg 2 times daily....It just keeps needing to be increased.
I stopped the Humira for a month and the panic attacks left...Only problem is my A.S. Arthritis became severe again to the point where I needed to go back on Humira...
I'm lost... sad sad
Posted 1/24/2016 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Crash and welcome.

I am really sorry to hear about your Rx complications. Nothing like trying to treat one issue, just to have a new one as an unwanted s/e show up, right? :/

I have heard of anti inflammatory meds (including steroids) causing anxiety/panic. So even though Humira is in a different class...it's not a surprising to hear of the struggle it's causing you.

Have you explored all if your alternatives? If not in treatment for your A.S., then how about an antihistamine (Vistaril/Hydroxyzine) rather than a benzo to treat the panic? There is less chance of tolerance issues.

We also have coping skill material in our Resources at the top of the main forum page here. These could help you with management of attacks.

I am hoping you find the answers and relief you need soon. Post with us anytime for anxiety support. :)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/24/2016 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Crash - you might be interested in a book called Anatomy of an Illness by Norman Cousins. Not everyone will buy the author's thesis, but you might find the book helpful in addressing your AS. Best wishes.
Posted 1/24/2016 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Crash. So sorry to hear you are suffering both physically and mentally.

I hate having to choose between relief and side effects. I don't know what to say, except you're not alone. I suffer severe anxiety/panic due to my many health issues.

I gave up on the clonazepam, because I knew I would build up a tolerance. I am currently using positive mantras for coping with anxiety.

Maybe trying the coping skills will help you with the panic. If nothing else, we are here for you. Keep posting, and we will listen.
Posted 1/25/2016 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time I thought I had A.S but it turned out I had Scheuerman's Disease which gives me chronic back pain I also have bad Osteoarthritis in my spine.

There are lots of options with medication but your best talking this through with your doctor I would also look into Mindfulness Meditation as this works really well on anxiety/panic and pain.

Hibee
Posted 1/25/2016 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
I would like to thank you all for your replies. They mean the world to me.
I wish you all the very best of health and happiness. I see my Doctor tomorrow. I hope my appointment goes well. I have tried every Anti-inflammatory there is, including opioids, disease reducing drugs...etc...etc.
Ankylosing Spondylitis has completely fused my Sacroilliac Joints, my Neck, half of my Upper and Lower Spine...etc...etc.
What a terrible disease. I am 44 years old and I would have loved to have a child, but because this disease is hereditary, I didn't want my child to suffer his/her whole entire life like me.
Thanfully my girlfriend of over 8 1/2 years has 3 children, and I treat them as my own. They treat me like Dad. My family is my life.
I wish you all a very happy day!!
Take good care today, and always!! :-)!!
Posted 1/25/2016 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
C.,

Well wishes going right back to you! I hope that your appointment tomorrow is productive...and that you can discuss some alternatives in your treatment/management plan that will bring you some benefit.

Do ask about the antihistamine rather than the benzo as a possibility...could be worth a shot?

All the best to you and your family.:)

Post anytime!

S.C.
Posted 1/29/2016 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Scaredy Cat!! Much apprecited!! :-)
My doctor prescribed me another Anti-depressant. The only trouble with these drugs is that I get Severe Anger, and Severe Nausea from them...Very hard to concentrate while using these medications. The new prescription is called Remeron, (Mirtazipine). Anyone heard anything on this med??
The last Anti-depressant I tried landed me in the Emerge...Severe Migraine with extreme vomiting and of course nausea....(Zoloft).
Very frustrating when you take a new med...
I do physiotherapy daily for 2 1/2 hours....It has been keeping my mind off of my panic. :-)
Have to Inject Humira this coming Wednesday...Guess I'll get ready for more panic attacks...I will try the Mirtazipine, but I am always frightened to be on a new medcation, as I am very sensitive to ANY MEDS. :-(
Wishing you all a wonderful day!! :-)
Posted 1/29/2016 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi CrashT,
I have been on Mirtzapine before, initially to help me sleep. It did work for that, but when it was increased I started waking up after about 3 hours sleep with a jolt of anxiety. They psychiatrist kept saying, 'you shouldn't feel like that' which drove me crazy because I DID feel like that. Anyway, it also made be very very tired. I was switched to noritryptiline at one point .. other side effects. Eventually I was put on Zoloft and at the beginning I was almost going to go off because of the anxiety. I decided to stick it out, because like you, I am sensitive to any medication changes. That being said, we are all very different. There are people that are on Remeron and have had great results. I expect they are giving you that because you are sensitive to SSRI's. (I did not have nausea on the Zoloft ...) Anyway, try to give the Remeron some time. You wonder why it has to be so hard eh? CQ
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