ad

Hi everyone,

I called my shrinks emergency # and he picked up! He validated that the
incredible panic attacks I have had this week are probably due to my
coming menstruation. I had a feeling this was the cause, as I was doing
so much better before. He also told me not to go to the hospital, but to
just stay home and take as much xanax as neccasary. He said to keep track
of how much gets me through the day and night and then we can establish
how much xanax XR I will need to take. He apologized for not returning my
calls said it was office confusion with a secratary not being in and told
me to come in on Monday afternoon. I feel much better as things were
getting so bad I was considering hospitalization. When things become
unrelenting, you just want to die and I would do anything to make the
constant assault stop. I am taking xanax now all day long, but it is the
only way I can function. I fought this all week with deep breathing and
did it rather successfully for awhile, but three hours of it is about all
I can manage and then the attack becomes full blown, and I'm screwed from
there. The doctor said the nervous system has a memory and will just keep
repeating the attacks. I knew this all along, as this has always been the
case with me when I am severe. It's nice to know that this is common and
that menstruation can make it worse. Thanks for all the ladies who
answered my post about that topic. You reinforced my beliefs and made me
feel better.

Alwys,
AD

dkl1952

Hi AD
I am glad you were able to reach your doctor today and not have to wait until
Monday to talk to him.
Its good that he was able to put your mind at ease that your period could be
the cause of your bad panic attacks.
I am glad also that the increase in your xanax is helping you through this. I
usually only require a small dose of xanax to keep mine under control but every
now and then I will have a really bad spell and have the all day and all night
panic and end up taking it every couple of hours. I dont even worry about
increasing it anymore because I know it will pass and I will go back to my
normal dose. We have to do whatever it takes to get through the bad ones.
Glad you are feeling better and hopefully once you get your period you will
feel even better

Deb

..

ad

Hi Deb,

Thanks for your help. I agree with everything you said. When severe
times are upon us, we need to take the proper measures. I was just really
alarmed because I had such a good week before this one. I thought,"yeah
the meds are starting to work!" Then this week happened, and I didn't
know what to think. Everything makes sense to me now, and I am prepared
to take the medication I need. I'll stop taking it when this lovely
womanly crap is over sometimes strength is in acceptance.

Always,
AD

hianxiety2000

AD,

I'm so glad you FINALLY got to speak to your doctor. I think you will find
that if you take the Xanax everyday, a couple of times a day or more, it will
not make you sleepy, it will just even you out. It's when you take it just
once in awhile that it knocks you out like that.

Good luck on the XR. I wish that I could get some, but I'd have to pay for it
out of my own pocket, and I understand it is expensive compared to regular
Xanax.

I am so glad your wait is over. Please let us know how your appointment goes
tomorrow.

Sara

kevin

I'm glad you got things straightened out and your doc is finally giving you what works!


Yes I know how that depression caused by anxiety can take over after
fighting to shake off those PA's everyday the moment you wake up. I
wouldn't wish that on my worse enemy, and sorry you had to go through
it. But you didn't go to the hospital, that's a good sign, I did go many times.


Nothing wrong with taking Xanax if you need it. I suggest taking only
enough to control your anxiety so you can tolerate it and go on with
life. It's not a cure, you know, so try not to over due it thinking it
will fully take it away.


Yes very much so, your body/mind becomes used to having panic, but now
you will train it to do the opposite!

Be sure to let us know how Xanax XR works for you.

Have a good one AD!

ad

Hi Kenvin,
Thanks for the advice. I usually never take the xanax and go days with
panic attacks. I'm so tired of fighting (3 weeks now) that I have decided
to just give in and take it. I only take as much as I need to be
functional. I'm hoping when my period comes these terrible attacks will
subside, as my hormones are probably behind the terrible week I had.
Sorry to bother you with "girl stuff" but that's the truth.
I'm in the process of waiting for my zoloft to kick in, have about 3-5
weeks to go, and then I won't need anything at all, as zoloft takes all my
symptoms away and did so for 6 years. Can't wait to have my life back
again.

Always,
AD

kevin

I understand and see from your other posts that you got Klonopin. Never
took it myself but I've heard from people that do. Basically it's a
longer lasting and takes longer to feel the effect than Xanax , but I
wouldn't say by much. If I were to take Klonopin (assumig it worked for
me) it would be 2 x per day instead of 3. So since Xanax takes 15-60
minutes to take effect on me, I'd guess Klonopin would be 23-90 minutes.
So, maybe you can use your own experience with Xanax and try to figure
out the time thing.

Don't be sory, I've heard about it plenty. I'm used to it ; )


That's good that you know Zoloft works for you. No need to wonder if or
when it'll take effect. You already know.

Take Care AD
Kevin...