[cool09]

What's the treatment for panic attacks? Had them the last 5 mornings.

[CANDC]

@coo109 welcome to MSF My support forums. I am sorry you are suffering from panic attacks.

One thing to do is have a physical exam and tests to determine if panic attacks may be caused by a physical imbalance. If no physical ailments and these are disrupting your life you may want to consider getting a therapist or psychiatrist to help with anxiety.

If you want to do self help, you could go to youtube and search for

coping with panic attacks and anxiety

and find many videos. I would be inclined to look for ones with some kind of professional credentials.

Hope you find the help you are looking for. @CANDC

[cool09]

getting a therapist or psychiatrist to help with anxiety

I've suffered from acute anxiety for 45 years and taken every medication (mostly benzos which always wear-off). I started Saphris in the hospital last month and my anxiety completely stopped! Incredible! But I'm having these horrible attacks which last over 2 hrs! I shake like crazy and can't speak. Makes it extremely hard to go out, etc. Over 2 yrs of therapy didn't help, deep breathing does nothing. When attacks go away (in the afternoon) I feel decent for once in my life!!!

[CANDC]

@cool09 I find that my own anxiety increases when I have low blood sugar. It triggers the fight or flight response and I start to feel strong emotions. I try to stick to a moderate protein low carb diet where I eat every 3-4 hours. I experimented with this and it helps me stay more stable.

Do you eat breakfast or are you fasting till lunch time?

Do you feel better in afternoon after having a good lunch?

@CANDC

[cool09]

Not sure if diet is the answer, never had a pattern to my anxiety before. Dr. gave me vistaril but that's never helped me. I keep telling myself "don't think about anxiety" but that's all I can think about! It's like the pink elephant in the room!

[steelmagnolia65]

Originally Posted by cool09

Not sure if diet is the answer, never had a pattern to my anxiety before. Dr. gave me vistaril but that's never helped me. I keep telling myself "don't think about anxiety" but that's all I can think about! It's like the pink elephant in the room!

@cool09, have you told your doctor that the vistaril isn't helping?.....If the vistaril is not effective, there are other medication options available for anxiety.

[cool09]

there are other medication options available for anxiety

Not having anxiety, having panic, I've tried every medication for anxiety and not much works. Taken klonopin most of my life (wears off quickly). Vistaril might be working a little for panic. Panic is mostly physical, can't stop shaking.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Next time you have a panic attack go somewhere private and squat for a few minutes

[steelmagnolia65]

Originally Posted by cool09

Not having anxiety, having panic, I've tried every medication for anxiety and not much works. Taken klonopin most of my life (wears off quickly). Vistaril might be working a little for panic. Panic is mostly physical, can't stop shaking.

@cool09, Have you ever tried Xanax for your panic attacks?......It is a benzodiazepine that "kicks in" quicker than Klonopin.

Also, there is a medication called "propranolol" that is sometimes used for panic attacks........Propranolol is a beta blocker medication that is used to relieve the physical effects and signs of panic......This medication can slow a racing heartbeat, and reduce sweating and trembling.

If you feel comfortable, you could ask your doc about propranolol for your panic attacks, and see what doc thinks.

[cool09]

I took xanax yrs ago and didn't really help. I've taken propranolol several times over last 3 yrs and didn't help anxiety. This panic is different than anxiety.

[steelmagnolia65]

Originally Posted by cool09

I took xanax yrs ago and didn't really help. I've taken propranolol several times over last 3 yrs and didn't help anxiety. This panic is different than anxiety.

@cool09, do your panic attacks just happen at random, or do you notice anything that could be triggering them?

Do they happen around the same time of day, or all different times of the day?

You might have heard this before, but I'll mention it just in case......Getting regular exercise can help, and also getting enough sleep is very important....Not getting enough sleep (at least 7-9 hours) can contribute to panic attacks.

Drinking alcohol, smoking, or having too much caffiene can make panic attacks worse.
Do you have a therapist?........A therapist could possibly help you learn some coping skills and techniques to deal with the panic attacks.

[cool09]

Don't have a therapist, therapy didn't work for me. Attacks are in morning, no triggers, just random. Everything I hear, look at, feel or think about makes me panic/anxious during attacks.

[cool09]

Having attack last 2 hrs. It's maybe panic, I don't know. I don't feel consistent-I feel confident one day the next day I don't feel confident like I don't know myself.