Panic Attacks Support Group

A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...

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Ambrosia6 03/04/2010

I'd never had more than a sip of wine at the holidays and said 'yuck'. That's my experience with alcohol.

Today I wanted to try, see if it would help my anxiety. I got a 4 pack of 6 oz bottles of wine and drank one before I went to bed at 7. Woke up 2 hours later. Affects of the alcohol had pretty much worn off, and I started to feel a panic attack coming on.

I know we're 'not supposed to' drink alcohol when on most of the anti-anxiety meds. But, I wanted to try, see if it would help. And apparently it only did for 2 hours.

Does anyone here use alcohol to help with their anxiety? When do you drink it and how much?

harry3333 03/04/2010

many rely on it and finish uo as alcaholics, some cant drive until legally drunk

deleted_user 03/04/2010

I asked my doctor about drinking while on meds, everyone pretty much does it she says, you just have to be careful because it will get you drunk faster and it can damage your liver faster but besides that you can have a couple drinks. For me drinking will make my panics or anxiety sometimes worse. As it dehydrates you and makes you feel like crap so you panic once the you aren't drunk anymore. Sometimes when I would get drunk I would panic too, sometimes I wouldn't it was a gamble I guess. I hope that helps. :)

deleted_user 03/05/2010

After I would drink. The next day my panic attacks were horrible. I'm on a lot of meds. I'm not to drink while on these meds. I'm on a med for ADHD. It causes panic attacks the next day after you drink. If I do drink, I drink in moderation. I barely drink anymore. Good luck to you! Be careful with the alcohol.

deleted_user 03/05/2010

I noticed alcohol makes my panic attacks much worse. Its gotten so bad that I thought I was going to pass out, not from the alcohol... from my rapid heart beat. Definitely try to avoid alcohol as much as you can and you'll feel better. Don't mix meds with it.

deleted_user 03/06/2010

Don't drink your going to set yourself in to a downward spiral of panic attcks. I am sure if you ask your doctor he will tell you not to drink on meds.

Dixy 03/06/2010

i have awful panic attacks after alcohol. Its fine when im drinking but its after ive slept its the problem. The whole next day with a hangover i feel dreadful and my heart rate is up. drinking in moderation is the key. You can have a glass of wine or a beer, just dont go overboard. Oh and check you can drink with the meds. Im not sure you can

deleted_user 03/07/2010

Hi everyone!
I have said this before in this group! I'm a sober alkie for 15 years now. I started drinking whe I was 21 to get over the panic attacks. Little did I know I was going to go through hell. Yeh at frist it helped me get over panic attacks and agaraphobia. But then it made them worst. PLEASE Don't tak e that toad!!!!

deleted_user 03/07/2010

PLeas don't take that road!

deleted_user 03/08/2010

I tried having a glass of wine once in a while to help me get to sleep. It helped but I ALWAYS woke up a couple of hours later with my heart pounding. I take Lisinopril for high blood pressure and Metoprolol for anxiety. The wine may have messed with my meds. I don't drink at all anymore, not worth it. I'm kind of glad; drinking can easily get out of control. Good luck to you!

Ambrosia6 03/09/2010

I have found that I will wake up 2 hours later if I drink one glass before bed. Sometimes with anxiety, but no worse than the anxiety I normally wake up with.

I think what I'm really looking for is something to clear my head - not numb me. Alcohol isn't going to help with clearer thinking that's for sure! Any recommendations for clearing your head?

deleted_user 03/09/2010

it may just be your choice of brands,i dont know much about wine but i doupht any of the good ones come in 4 packs of 6oz bottles,the right one in moderation could have powerful relaxation and also anti inflamatory effects,personaly the moderation part poses a problem for me since alchahaulism runs in my family but yes it does help me as long as the buzz last and thats probaly why i keep drinking to extend that "2 hour" feeling,and they dont advise that,they advise a minimum of two drinks a night?so i guess, if your an alchaholic 1 is 2 many-hope that helps

deleted_user 03/11/2010

Alcohol has almost ruined my life, i used it and then began to abuse it. All this to alleviate myself from my panic disorder. It is very dangerous; meds or not to drink when in a mood. Alcohol is the wrong choice. try aromatherapy, light a candle, meditate. If your looking to stop thinking there is no off button and once you become a pickle you can never be a cucumber again.

keep truggin' along you'll be okay without the drink.

deleted_user 03/12/2010

Alcohol will only make your panic attacks 100% worse! I had to quit drinking..

harry3333 03/12/2010

alcahol helps some with their anxiety but hurts others, alcahol made my panics and anxiety worse

deleted_user 03/13/2010

drinking makes me alot more anxious. If I drink alot I am pretty much guaranteed a day of panic the next day - this is why I gave up drinking many years ago. not worth it.

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