My Story

Hi, I've had anxiety attacks and panic attacks for 20 years or more.

I don't know if this will help, but it has for me.

If I think a panic attack is likely, eg if I am confined in a meeting etc,

I take 5mg of diazepam (valium) and two 300mg paracetamol tablets beforehand or at the onset of a panic attack. I carry an extra half tablet 2.5mg of diazepam to
take (chew) if a panic attack still starts.

So far, this has always stopped or prevented a full panic attack.

I can still experience some discomfort, but it never becomes overwhelming.

Obviously, this is dependant upon no interaction with other medicines.

I know some doctors are difficult to get to prescribe diazepam. I've simply said to the doctor this is the only medicine that has helped with panic attacks and tried to insist. I also state that I do NOT take diazepam unless I absolutely have to
ie not on any regular basis (as regular doses can be addictive).

I would have to ask to see another doctor, or see a private doctor if my doctor refused me diazepam, as I simply cannot bear panic attacks.

The other thing is to HAVE TO excuse myself to leave even if temporarily if necessary from any situation causing the onset of a panic attack.

I know I am lucky in that the particular medicine works for me. But there may be other treatments that calm nerves that work for you!

PLEASE DO NOT COMBINE MEDICINES WITHOUT ASKING YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. :)

hi charles i have emailed someone who gave me some real good advice. chrissy

just read your post again charles what is aprivate doctor? chrissy

Same thing here, when I am on zanax which I do not abuse I save for those horrible moments I feel the panic attacks subside. but now the doctor wont let me take them anymore, makes me take clonazapam. which I hate. It puts me to sleep within a half hour and makes me feel like a zombie

clonazapam has the same addiction factors so I cant understand for the life of me why they just wont let me have the drug that seems to work? so instead of one zanax as needed I have to take these clonazapams 4 times a day same dosage and everything..

Again, as said before some doctors just do not understand or really listen to their patients.

hi enrib my doctor has perscribed lots of things but i look up the side effects and i wont take them the last ones are still in my cabinet.chrissy

Hey,
I just read charles' entry...Please read my story its on page 2 of the forum "my story a bit long but please read". I've had panic attacks for nearly 8 years and have always carried at least 10mg of valium in my purse. The idea of leaving the house without it is so scary, i would never let that happen. The idea of valium not being in my life in unbelievable. As soon as i feel the sensations thats it i pop one in. Like you say I dont abuse...i can go days without it. I hate meetings and being confined, i dont take it for meetings now but i do hold it in my hand just in case the feelings start.

I'm about to start exposure/cbt therapy on thursday, its very expensive and i am so scared but the stories people told in this thread really rang bells to me. If its ok I can let you know how the cbt/exposure went. I want to eventually not rely on the valium just being there in my purse for the just in case. But i would gratefully appreciate any comments or whatever about my story...i only had 1 reply, probably because its quite long!

RX25 :)

hi enrib my doctor has perscribed lots of things but i look up the side effects and i wont take them the last ones citalopram are still in my cabinet i took one and felt so rough then i read they take weeks to kick in some people have got the staying power i havent so here i am with just kalms which i forgot to take yesterday shows how good they are for me iread on here how much calmer some people are after taking some form of tablet some days im on cloud nine then back to reality im down again oh this dreaded thing oh to be cured chrissy

Chrissy,

I had the same prob with citalopram, ive got two boxes of the stuff left in the cupboard, i only took one and would rather cope with the symptoms of anxiety than take one of them again. They are a pretty rough drug. I try not to slag it off to much or mention its name to much in my posts because i am a strong believer that what works for some may not work for others. Even if it did'nt work for me i presume (and hope) it has worked for somebody else and i don't want to taint there high!

Bella xx

Hi Bella & Chrissy

I had similar problems with citalopram so I did some research of my own and I found out about a drug called escitalopam.

It's pretty much the same thing as citalopram but it is in the form of an oxalate (don't worry if you don't know what that is, it's a chemical term).

The bottom line is that it's absorbed into your body easier so the doses are lower (5 or 10mg compared to 20mg of citalopram). Therefore, there are fewer side effects.

I did feel sick for about 10 days when I started taking it but that's about the only significant side effect it had and my progress on the drug has been great. Obviously I like to think that it's my state of mind that has helped too, not just the drug and you are right, what works for one person might not work for another, but it might be worth thinking about.

Chris x

hi everyone i have to say rx25 i read your story really feel for you mate.chrissy

Hi Chrissy

Glad to hear you are having a good day. I was impressed to read about your trip to the train station. You are doing really well.

Chris x

thanks chris only down to you and your tips what a website.chrissy

Hi Chrissy

It's good that the site keeps your mind busy but don't let it keep you away from the 'real' world :)

Chris x

oh my god this damn computer keeps logging me out.chrissy

Hi Chrissy

I don't know about logging out, mine always signs in automatically. I always thought it put a cookie on your computer and logged you in automatically as long as it was still there.

Chris x

Hey,
I recommend the herb Valerian Root. It has helped me get through stressful situations that cause panic attacks. I've used it in business to get through meetings and presentations. Also, used it to weaken panic attacks and anxiety going to the airport to take flights. In the U.S., you can buy a ton of it almost anywhere, and it's cheap. But I recommend buying reliable brands. It should generally be taken 30 minutes prior to the time frame you need it, but you can break open the capsules and absorb it into your mouth at a much faster pace. I recommend avoiding that because it tastes terrible. It seems to last for about an hour or two. It's not addictive, and in the U.S. you don't need a doctor to get it. It can make you a little drowsy but usually the hyperactivity you experience at an anxious time counteracts the drowsiness. You also need to take a sufficient dosage at least one gram but probably two grams or more to really feel the calming effect. I've never experienced any ill effects from it or experienced any ill effects taking it with other herbs, but I don't know about this if prescription drugs are involved. Experiment at your own risk. I only take this in stressful situations if absolutely necessary. I try to push through the anxiety without using the back up.