Waves of panic attacks

[Emmarielee]

My gosh. I have been going through this horrible sensation for 2 days now and it just wont stop.

I have panic disorder and have been suffering panic attacks for years. For the past 4 years or so I've been on medication for the panic attacks. I was given clonazepam 1mg 2x per day. All seemed well for a while until I just had my 3rd baby. She is 10 weeks old and has colic and cries a lot. Which of course doesnt seem to help my panic attacks.

Recently my doctor switched me from clonazepam to lorazepam which seemed to be ok the first couple of days but then the panic attacks came back. Mild at first but the last two days they've been worse.

My symptoms usually are mostly physical but then I get terrified over the physical symptoms and then mental ones come on.

Physical symptoms are: dizziness, fatigue, increased heart rate, occasional random body pains, hot flashes and sweating. A new symptom popped up within the past year and it's a feeling like my skin is burning.

Mental symptoms are: that impending doom feeling, feeling of going crazy, worrying that something major is happening with my health.

I'm so tired of this. Today being day 2 of these waves it's just taking a lot out of me. It's so draining. I get enough sleep and help with the kids so rest isnt an issue.

Im just over this. I wish I could feel normal and not experience these things. It makes me feel like I'm not able to be the mom and wife that I want to be bexause this is just getting too overwhelming.

I have a telehealth visit with my doctor today and going to talk about going back to clonazepam because the other one just isnt cutting it. I know he will refer me to a psychiatrist which I'm fine with but it takes so long to get in to see one. 🥺

[LavenderPurple]

I have been managing panic disorder with Hydroxyzine HCL for about 25 years. It is usually prescribed for allergies but it works for panic disorder. I take 25 mg at night and if I have to do something that will cause panic I take 50 mg. before the stressor. It has to be the HCL

[Hidden in reply to LavenderPurple]

Hi LavenderPurple, can i ask is it called Atarax or one of names for it ? I was given that years ago and still use it. To be honest I forgot I had some so may help with my Anxiety at the moment.

It is very good, it helps you sleep, brings on an appetite for food. The next morning I would feel calmer. It takes away all the nerves in the tummy.

[LavenderPurple in reply to Hidden]

Yes the brand name is Atarax

[Hidden in reply to LavenderPurple]

it’s good! helps a lot

[shawshankredemention]

I completely understand. Our second child had colic. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. We have three kids. I have had panic attacks on and off since my early 40's. I believe that our nervous systems are primed to be oversensitive to stimuli that triggers the fight or flight response. I know you said you are getting enough sleep, but I suspect that it is still not enough with 3 kids. The cholic crying is going to unconsciously raise your anxiety levels so it won't take much to push you into a full blown panic attack. You need at least 8 hours of sleep, you might not be getting enough REM sleep. See if your spouse can do night duty so you don't interupt your REM. Meditate every night, try to retrain your muscles so when you hear crying your body doesn't tense, but the muscles relax instead. I know easier said than done with a screaming colic baby. Understand that you are not alone. I went through this and survived. The panic attacks sucked, but I am better now at telling myself, that all panic attacks have a begining, a middle, and an end. When they come on I recognize that I am in the beginning, the middle still has to come, but I do my breathing and remind myself that ALL panic attacks come to an end. and that the fear is worse than actual situation yourself. I know you posted th is 3 months ago. I just saw it. I hope you see it, it helps me to know that I am not the only one who has gone through this.