Panic attacks whenever I am alone at home or travelling in car

Before I tell about my panic attacks, I would like to share what I had gone through before. I used to have digestive problems that I could not root out the cause after doing some upper scope and lower scope. These problems have stopped me from having a normal life, like I could not go out to work like others because I would get bowel symptoms in the morning. Then I would feel the stomach unwell for the whole day. So I quit my job, staying at home. This led to another problem that is financial being unstable. I did some part time jobs at my own pace, managed to live by. Being at home for 5 years, this has made me bounded to the house. I don't dare to go out eating on my own or buying things on my own. I usually do those chores when with my partner around. The fear is slowly becoming greater. I went to see psychiatrist and got prescribed Alprozalam(0.5mg, taken when necessary) and Remeron 15mg, dosage increased to 30mg after one year or so. My relationship with my partner is unstable and unhappy at times, yet he is still sticking around and giving me vague direction of our future. We have been together for 6 years and my age is not young anymore before I should settle down. I thought I felt better one year ago, I reduced the Remeron dosage back to 15mg. I got a full time job last year, working from home, but this job is giving insecurities like staff would get sacked when certain requirements not up to expectations. I have been coping with this job, worrying when will be my turn to get sacked too.
For the past 3 weeks, I had more arguments on and off with my partner. This has affected my emotions on top of the work stress I have. Now it started back the panic attacks episodes which are more intense. I get the chills and short breaths and palpitations like I was about losing self control or having dizzy spells like I might pass out or do something silly. The sensations are really frightening. I would want to escape and run to someone to get help(which I did and find it so embarrassing). I was shaking during the episode and feeling so scared during the attack.

I consulted a GP and she advised to increase my dosage back to 30mg which I did for 3 days now. I would schedule an appointment with my psychiatrist soon. The moment I felt the running mind and chills, I took Alprazolam 0.25mg, but it did not cool down in time as it would need half an hour to be effective. However, I also feel the dosage could not stop the panic anymore now.

I feel very demoralized whenever the attacks hit me. I wonder how can I stop having the panic attacks when I have been on medicines for the past 5 years.

I really hope someone could share your experience or solution if you had gone through similar situations.

Thank you.

PC, I used an all attack to fight my anxiety/panic attacks. There are many non-med techniques that can be employed at once. First is finding a good therapist. My therapist worked with me using CBT. On my own I learned to he more mindful and to live in the moment. I meditate everyday and also meditate when I feel my symptoms coming on. I take walks where I talk (out loud) to myself and remind myself of all the good things in my life and that my mental and physical health WILL get better - whatever you say you must be honest with yourself and believe what you are say - this is just reminding yourself of things you already know. I also run my hands over parts of my body, especially my face and my abdomen ( I have GI issue also). This gives me a sense of the realness of myself and reminds me that my body and mind is very special to me and that I will get well. There are also some breathing techniques. I also reached out to my friends and family for support. You will be surprise the support that you will receive. It is always good to know there is someone you can call in your dark hours.

Yes, finding the right med can be frustrating and even painful but hang in there. There will be one that will work. There are many new drugs for our condition along with the tried and true old ones. After going through many meds and struggling through the side effects, my psychiatrist asked me to try Trazodone, an old med, and so far it has work. Now I am having more "good" days and I have learned to cherish and enjoy each and every one of them. Then when a "bad" comes along I have something to look forward to and I know it will be coming.

Hi Scaredy Cat, 5ZVP,
Thank you for your replies. I have not gone through any therapies as it is costly in my country. My P-doc did guide me on breathing and counting when I felt nervous. However, I could not fight off the panic attack this time. The sensations I got during the episode were so intense than before. Now I woke up next day I have the phobia of getting the attacks again at the same time I still have to carry out my daily duties. :(
I switched to other med before, I could not remember which one as it was taken one week only because the side-effects made me feel very unreal/spaced out. That's why I stick to Remeron until now.
When I told my encountering to people who do not have anxiety/panic disorder, they would not understand how I feel. So I found this forum and hope I get some support here.

Thank you all.

panickycat,

I'm interested to hear what these upper and lower scopes found as I have had more gastrointestinal issues than I care to remember. This is the root of the problem. We need to figure out what is going on with your stomach first. I can relate to a lot of what you said. I'm living as normal a life as I can while realizing I'm going to have some boundaries I need to cope with.

Did you know gastrointestinal issues can cause heart palpitations or what feels like heart palpitations? Are you on antacids or PPIs? How is your diet? Once you answer these questions for me, I can move onto some possible solutions. Have you had blood work done?

I feel if we can get your stomach mess under control, the rest can perhaps fall into place. There is hope. Promise.

-smooth

Scaredy, let me know when there is a response as I'm hit or miss in here.

Hi

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment.

Increasing the dosage can initially cause your symptoms to get worse and it can take upto 4 weeks or more to settle back down so stick with it if you can. I am currently taking Mirtazapine and found it to be a good medication but you need to watch what you eat as it makes you really hungry. I am currently weaning of the Mirtazapine and dropped from 45mg to 30mg.

Increase your self help to help reduce your anxiety.

Hibee

PC,

Are you, or have you been in therapy. ..CBT in particular? I know you mentioned it is costly...but this is your quality of life we are talking about!

Also, did you have a chance to check our Resources for making your own self help program? (we have free online links for therapy in there!)

S.C.

Hi all,

I went to consult my dr as I had another morning panic attack right after I woke up yesterday. Dr never introduced me to CBT. She added another SSRI-Zoloft for me to take during the day, while Remeron is for before sleep. I am wondering how Zoloft would interfere my med for my GI as I am taking Pantoprozale also, I read it might be a concern(http://www.headmeds.org.uk/medications/21-sertraline/warning_and_side_effects). I did not mention this during consultation as she was kinda rushing with plenty of patients waiting.

Anyone had taken Zoloft? Any side effects during initial period? I am worried about getting more negative symptoms as I have had enough of panic attacks these days.

Thank you.

I am feeling so low that I'm getting more side-effects that feeling better after added Zoloft. I get stomach upset and diarrhea. On first day, I took 25mg, then consulted my Dr about such side effects, advised to reduce to 12.5mg. I got more fatigue in the afternoon after I take it in the morning. I got nausea all the time, could not eat much and it is causing GI effect in return.

I feel so difficult to carry on my life now. I am feeling sick all the time. Whenever I feel sick, I worry I might do something silly if I were alone. I really don't know what to tell myself to stay strong anymore.

Please hang in there! What was said above is correct - please call your doctor asap and let him/her know what's going on. They will be able to make adjustments and help. Stay strong, try doing thinks you enjoy or at least that will relax you. Eat an extra dessert. :) Hugs hugs hugs to you!

PC,

Increased anxiety is certainly not unusual. ..but if you are having self harming thoughts, that is a different story.

If 'S' thoughts are happening, you'll need to address that before your doctor returns. Ask to speak to the doctor on call, and get an assessment as soon as possible.

These thoughts are often compulsive...come on suddenly, and are not within our control, or something we would normally be thinking about...they sometimes just happen. Please get into to talk about a good plan of action soon.

With encouragement,

S.C.