Posted by PanicAttackGal on January 20, 2004, at 16:12:03
In reply to Re: Effexor XR ~ Any Good Stories? » PanicAttackGal, posted by mattdds on January 20, 2004, at 16:02:09
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the insight! I've taken notes. I'm going to give the effexor a try and see what happens, but I'm going to ask my doctor about the meds you mentioned.
I noticed that all the meds they put me on are really meant for depression and General Anxiety... mine is very pinpointed! lol
It's good to see that the therapy has helped you. I have tried everything *except* psychotherapy (selftalk, hypnosis, reiki, meditation, yoga, changing my diet to cut caffein and meat, etc). With all my experiences, I feel like there's nothing someone could say that I haven't already heard.
But, I finally have an appointment with a psychotherapist so hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised. My attacks come with no reason or no triggers, but the anxiety in anticipation of possible attack might be something I can learn to control better.
Again, thanks for the reply. I will ask my doctor about the benzodiazepines.~Panic~
> Hi there,
>
> I also suffer primarily from panic disorder (though when my panic gets out of control, I have subsequent depression, social anxiety, and the works).
>
> I did not have very much luck with the SSRI's, Effexor or any other antidepressants. This does not mean that you will have the same experience, but I've lurked here for quite a while, and noticed that these are not really the best drugs for primary panic disorder.
>
> The benzodiazepines, despite their reputation, remain the gold standard for panic disorder. This class of medications includes Klonopin, Xanax, Ativan, and Valium.
>
> They pretty much stopped my panic attacks cold, along with the anticipatory anxiety with it.
>
> Another great thing about the benzos is that they do not induce weight gain, and have very few side effects! I take 1.5 mg of Klonopin and have *zero* side effects - seriously!
>
> Also, have you tried cognitive behavior therapy? I reduced my symptoms dramatically, and learned to cope with panic attacks when they do happen. It's rapidly becoming the psychotherapy treatment of choice for panic disorder.
>
> This is not to second guess your doctor, and if Effexor or Paxil works for you, that's wonderful. I just get bothered by some doctors prescribing these drugs as if they were candy - often telling their patients to go off "cold turkey", as was your case. I did the Paxil withdrawal zap-fest too! Not fun. Meanwhile, doctors will tell you that benzos are addictive and other such nonsense.
>
> You can see my biases, but they are the product of a lot of searching and a lot of pain! I hope to save some people the hell I went through.
>
> Best luck,
>
> Matt
poster:PanicAttackGal
thread:303328
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040118/msgs/303359.html