[Blueberrybook]

OMG, I woke up this morning feeling rather well, walked 7 miles, told my daughter I would take her to the library. I'm driving to the library, and, bam! One of the worst panic attacks I'd ever had hit. We're talking hyperventilation, heart palpitations, dizziness, tingling & numbness, depersonalization. Worse, it lasted about 3 HOURS. I didn't even know panic attacks could last that long, but I looked it up online and it appears they can. On top of that, I'm hypomanic, so I'm forgetting stuff I'm in the middle of doing. (Thank God I was able to drive home from the library OK, and thank goodness the library is close to my house.) Then, I'm trying to cook lunch and hold it together (thankfully everything was microwaveable), but with the hypomania being forgetful in the middle of everything. Ugh! I haven't done anything with my meds (forgotten a dose or double taken a dose); I took them just as prescribed. These are by far the worst panic attacks I've ever had. If I get another one, I'm going to see if they can't bump up my pdoc appt. a couple of weeks.

After lunch, I laid down and did some deep breathing, and finally, it went away, but I feel super exhausted now.

[Scooter9]

Originally Posted by cln1812

After lunch, I laid down and did some deep breathing, and finally, it went away, but I feel super exhausted now.

Yeah, panic attacks can last a long time and make you tired. Glad you were able to get over yours. They just happen sometimes.

[*Laurie*]

Definitely insist on an earlier appointment if you get another panic attack. My pdoc told me something interesting when I saw her yesterday. She said that every pdoc has spaces set aside, every day, for emergency appointments. She told me that the "magic word" is urgent. Tell the receptionist that the situation is urgent and don't allow the receptionist to blow you off.

[Blueberrybook]

If I get another panic attack, I will insist on getting an earlier appointment. I did call my pdoc and let him know the situation. He upped the Buspar from 15 mg twice a day to 30 mg twice a day. We'll see if that makes any difference. He feels I am maxed out on the other meds he's prescribing, and he is probably right; I'm 5'5" tall and weigh 105 lb. with a small build. I'm wondering if there is another med out there to try for the anxiety.

[glennk]

Do you have any "rescue" medications? I have Ativan 1mg for break through panic attacks.

[Blueberrybook]

I don't have any rescue meds. I will bring it up at my next appointment, but as this is a fairly new pdoc for me, I don't want him to think it's drug-seeking behavior since he doesn't know me well. I will try to persist that he talk over my case with my retiring pdoc (I saw her for 10 yr). They are at the same practice; I've signed a medical release for him to talk to her, but she is working less, and I think he is working more, so he hasn't had time to do this yet. Hopefully, he will speak with her before she leaves the practice entirely.

I'm sorry you have been experiencing that. Anxious hypo/mania is so rough. Three hours is particularly rough. I've had more anxious hypo/manias than I can remember, many with anxiety or panic attacks, but maybe not a 3 hour attack. I hope the Buspar helps. If not, a prn can really help some people. I couldn't do without mine. I have 1 mg Ativan, like glennk. It does help. Sometimes I've taken 2 mg at a time. Another prn that helps me is low dose Seroquel. I have supplies of that prn mostly for developing mania, but it helps me with anxiety a bit, too.

[glennk]

Originally Posted by cln1812

I don't have any rescue meds. I will bring it up at my next appointment, but as this is a fairly new pdoc for me, I don't want him to think it's drug-seeking behavior since he doesn't know me well. I will try to persist that he talk over my case with my retiring pdoc (I saw her for 10 yr). They are at the same practice; I've signed a medical release for him to talk to her, but she is working less, and I think he is working more, so he hasn't had time to do this yet. Hopefully, he will speak with her before she leaves the practice entirely.

Lost my Pdoc of 15 years a few months back. My new doctor has reviewed my chart and hasn't questioned me about drug seeking. If you have a good doctor, he/she shouldn't question you either. You have over 10 years of history. You know yourself the best.

[*Laurie*]

Yes, your current pdoc should definitely have gone over your chart from the pdoc you had for 10 years.