Yes, I had them on a regular basis when I was drinking. I know how awful that is. And it is a vicious cycle.... drinking to ease them and then they get progressively worse. Bad way to live.

I haven't had an anxiety or panic attack since I got sober. Anxiety? Of course. If I get anxious, it's over a particular situation and not just the free floating kind I had on a regular basis.

It takes effort, but there is hope. At least there was for me. I had to put the drink down first and then change my thinking.

All I can tell you is that alcoholism is progressive. It will only get worse, not better.

All the best.

~Chris

Do you have a shrink? call him

Emergency depts are awful but will give you something....please let them check you

Best

Kuno78,
I hope your able to start feeling better soon.

If it's possible ... I'd try to get a short medical detox.

I hit a point where as long as I was drinking I had to take
Rx meds for the panic attacks ... it truly was a vicious cycle ...
and things continued to get worse until I had to quit drinking.
Good luck & go get some help,
Jack / j

That is just it. I suffered from alcoholism in the past and had debilitating panic attacks as a result of it. Even developed into agoraphobia.

I then quit cold turkey for an entire two years but always just missed alcohol for whatever reason.

I started drinking again perhaps a little over a year ago. I was perfectly fine for the first 8 months or so, then started developing mild anxiety every here and there.

Now, all of a sudden, I can not have a single glass without getting plastered and feeling like hell the next morning. And yes, the panic attacks are back.

I just need to listen to my body and say to hell with alcohol. It is WAY not worth developing panic disorder again.

Mind and Jack- I suffer from OCD, panic disorder, and depression, so I am literally a walking pharmacy.
I plan on taking an extra Klonopin and a Trazodone tonight to help me sleep. Still scared that this panic/sickness is going to continue tomorrow and cause me to miss even more work.

As for the two years I stopped drinking, I didn't have a single attack. The answer is right there. No more drinking, no more panic.

I am right next to you...Bi-Polar. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, borderline something and ADHD or sumethin close

and for the Win! Alcoholic Wet Brain

Just getting ready for my Klonopin


chuckles....AA enjoys this so very much...

Oh my yes!! I had horrible panic attacks at the end of my drinking. I woke up in the middle of the nigh in sweats and scared to death - of what I no longer remember.

Vaguely I recall realizing that my life was passing me by - and that I was going to die a drunk. Now that's scary stuff, imo.

So sorry to learn this. I have never had a panick attack, but my moods certainly were not good when I was drinking. Actually fine while I *was* drinking most times, horrible the day after:(
You should talk to your DR. Be very honest about your drinking and your medications (all of them) and see what he/ she says.

There is something else - alcohol is a depressant - and depression will cause panic. It's a chemical thing - so you can pretty much depend on it happening.

Linda- I never looked at it that way but it certainly makes sense. I'm also pretty sure that the combination of medications and drinking is REALLY messing me up.

BTW- I just called to make an appointment with my doc. I need to be honest with her about this drinking nonsense, as I have been keeping it hidden from her.

Kuno- I also suffer from OCD (among other things such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, hypochondriasis, yada yada). OCD minds are always in overdrive, which has a great deal to do with the reason our types are drawn to substances such as alcohol that decrease the firing of circuits in our brains (termed in the least scientific way imaginable). I *always* got panic attacks when drinking. Always. It was usually after I had fallen asleep (read: passed out) and then I would wake up sweating and in a state of sheer panic/terror. As has been said by others, I still suffer from anxiety but do not get the attacks any longer now that I do not drink.

Good job on being honest with your Doctor. I am very open with my shrink about my drinking history (especially since it plays a role in my hypochondria) as it helps him best determine the course of action for treating the underlying problems which triggered my previous alcoholic lifestyle in the first place.

Jennifer