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...
I have had panic attacks most of my life, even as a child. They tend to get really bad around times of hormonal shifts - the most horrific time was after I had my son.
I didn't take meds for a long time, because at the time I had my son, they didn't have the medications they have now. I started on klonopin around 15 years ago (yes, 15 years!) and found that it knocked out my panic attacks completely. I have been on a high dose (2 mg. 3x/day) all these years.
Now, for about two months or so, I have been feeling some "break-through" panic feelings, which I haven't felt for so long. I talked to my shrink about it, and he said that perhaps the klonopin was finally losing its effectiveness, and I was developing a tolerance to it.
I want to add here that I am going through menopausal stuff, and have been feeling heat around my face, so it could very well be hormonally-related.
What I want to ask is: has anyone found that after many years of an anti-panic medication working, suddenly it seems to lose effectiveness? My MD is being kind of vague about the subject, and I need to hear from people who have actually gone through it.
Thanks, Janet
I didn't take meds for a long time, because at the time I had my son, they didn't have the medications they have now. I started on klonopin around 15 years ago (yes, 15 years!) and found that it knocked out my panic attacks completely. I have been on a high dose (2 mg. 3x/day) all these years.
Now, for about two months or so, I have been feeling some "break-through" panic feelings, which I haven't felt for so long. I talked to my shrink about it, and he said that perhaps the klonopin was finally losing its effectiveness, and I was developing a tolerance to it.
I want to add here that I am going through menopausal stuff, and have been feeling heat around my face, so it could very well be hormonally-related.
What I want to ask is: has anyone found that after many years of an anti-panic medication working, suddenly it seems to lose effectiveness? My MD is being kind of vague about the subject, and I need to hear from people who have actually gone through it.
Thanks, Janet
I think my plan will be to stay on the Klonopin, but speak to my MD about changing SSRIs to one that seems to be more helpful for panic than Pristiq.
And thank you, "Sharethel", for writing about CBT. Years ago, I read a bit about this, but maybe it's time to re-read the material. It's always helpful to have another "tool" to use against panic attacks besides medication. I have found prayer and meditation to be invaluable, also -