Question:
I find some support for my panic attacks? I used zoloft for 10 years
to control panic, and have been off it for 1 year.
(I tapered off very slowly over the course of a year.)
Now panic attacks are returning in full force. I am trying to
control them with gaba, but not having much success.
Answer:
I am in the exact same boat as you. I used zoloft
to treat my panic disorder/ocd for 6 years. It worked perfectly for me.
After 6 years I decided to try to be med free and tapered off very slowly
over 6 months, similarly to you. I was fine for 2 whole months off the
zoloft completely and then I had a full, incompacitating relapse.
Constant panic attacks, loss of sleep,diarehia, inability to eat, loss of
weight...same thing as you. I immediatley went back to the psychiatrist
and restarted the zoloft. It worked pretty well for 2 weeks at 50 mg, my
increase to 100mg week three was hard and the illness was exacerbated. I
was not responding well to the xanax, wasn't strong enough, so I have been
put on Klonopin to steady my nervous system until the zoloft works again.
I have ben told if you are on it for long periods of time and go off, it
takes longer to become fully effective again. I AM SO SORRY THIS HAPPENED
TO YOU LAURA. I know what it is like to want so badly to be med free. I
think it is possible for some people to learn the techniques and live with
panic disorder. At one point in my life, I could do this. As I've gotten
older, though, I find that being under ANY kind of stress brings my
disorder on strongly and interupts my life completely. I decided that I
am going to stay on medication now because I want to enjoy my life fully
and I can't do that and manage this disorder at the same time. If I could
stay home everyday and do nothing but practice coping techniques this
would be an option, but I want to LIVE. I was in the process ofstarting a
small business, going to school, working part-time...and now....I can't do
anything until the disorder is under control again. I sit around watching
tv, reading, and trying to remain positive that my life will be back to
itself soon. Constant panic attacks prevent me from living well, and I
tend to get the attacks in cycles that can last weeks. I've been through
relapses 4 times before, but this one has been the hardest yet.
I admire the fact that you want to be med free, I hope that you find a
way to do this. If you can control the disorder without meds and still
live a full and joyfull life, that would be WONDERFUL! I have no advice
on how this can be accomplished as it is beyond my ability to do, but I
wish you the best. As for me, I'm back on the 'ole medication horse to
stay bacause anything is better than this kind of pain. Above all,
PLEASE GO SEE A PSYCHIATRIST FOR A TEMPORARY BENZODRINE LIKE XANAX. It
sounds like you are in the middle of a full fledged relapse and your
nervous system is not resetting. If you are losing weight, cannot eat,
constant diarhea, you need assistance. You don't have to go back on
medication, but I think you need a TEMPORARY solution to relieve the
attaks so you can function. Once you are stable, then explore your other
treatment options. In the meantime, consult a doctor as you don't want
your situation to spiral too far out of control. Please feel free to
e-mail me off the board. Let me know if you want my e-mail address. I
understand exactly how you feel, your situation has been mine for the
past three weeks.
A rounded teaspoon of the vitamin inositol
seems to work for me in preventing panic
attacks. At times I've taken a couple of tablespoons
full. I maybe mild case so as the saying goes
"your mileage my vary." For me the attacks were
only uncomfortable not unmanageable. When I had my first one,
I knew exact what it was which was a comfort of sorts.
It works by decreasing synaptic receptor serotonin tolerance
as I recall. Whethers or not will depend on
the biochemical basis of your ailment.
Try inositol powder. It is sweet and water soluble.
