Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Parkinson's Disease Support Group

anxiety/panic attacks

PSullivan
PSullivan
Hi all, I was just wondering if any of you (since you started PD meds) have become anxious and/or experienced panic attacks. I have been on the meds since 2009 but in the last month i feel like my nerves are constantly exposed. I had 3 full blown panic attacks where I thought I couldn't breath and was hyperventilating. He put me on zoloft about 4 months ago for depression and I'm thinking maybe that is doing it. Or does it happen when the PD meds get increased to a certain point, or is it just part of PD?????? whatever it is i'm not liking it... if anyone has experienced this and would like to share i'd appreciate it!!!
paula
gonnafly
gonnafly
Paula,
I have been getting more and more panic attacks. I am currently on a three pills every four hour for PK. The panic attacks seem to ease up between hour 2& 3. But by the time I am ready to take my next batch of pills they are back as well as the rest of my symptoms. So I get two hours of relief out of every four. Not Bad. Keep up the good fight.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Paula....I used to get panic attacks years ago before I was any meds at all. I finally realized it was due to a lot of stress at a job. The only way I found to overcome them was through prayer and a lot of self talk and deny them. Not give in when it starts up. I know that antidepressants can turn on a person.....I have tried many different kinds and the only one that worked was citalapram...I also realize I am very sensitive to drugs so have to take half the dose of whatever the dr pushes at me. Maybe one of your drugs is too strong for you.

As of now I get so high strung going to a dr ANY doctor. So many drs that are mean,don't listen and don't care because the pay to them is the same if they help a person or not. Sorry but panic attacks IMO happen for a lot of reasons.....hugs to you!
gonnafly
gonnafly
Hi Group,

I run a business where stress is an everyday event. I handled it with out any problem. In over 20 years running this business I never had a panic attack, broke out into sweats nothing. Then about 2 years after being diagnosed with PD everything puts me on the edge. The simplest decision or controversy seems to be the end of the world. I take three pills every four hours, the first 45 minutes after I take the pills and the last hour before its time to take the next batch is the worse.
hope4acurenow
hope4acurenow
Yes i too have experience higher levels of anxiety. It is difficult to perdict but when I become anxious my face is red and that also gives me anxiety. I don't like the fact that you can visually see that I am anxious.