Panic Attacks (Newly Diagnosed) Help

[caitilin]

My name is Cathy, I'm 69 and just diagnosed on 6/29/2018. I suspect I have had Parkinson's for at least 2 years. I'm an older single mom of a 17 year old girl. She is my joy. I've been on Carb/Levo, 25-100mg... starting with 1/2 tab every 3 hrs. for the first week. The first dose I took eased all my tremors within 30 min. I thought this was going to be okay. Today is Tuesday and I've taken my meds faithfully. But, this evening I experienced several panic attacks. I took my last dose at 4pm and within 3-4 hours after I took my last dose, sweating, shaking, mild nausea, and extreme fear swept over me twice in about an hours time. Of course I have worries about what's happening to me; and I'm especially trying not to frighten my daughter. My last few days on these meds have been a roller coaster. I feel emtionally okay, and then I'll take sudden dives into despair. Is this the typical experience to expect from this medication?

thank you

[Lucal]

Ciao from Italy. Ive been diagnosed 3 months ago. Panics attacks got me for the First two months. And im taking no medications. I think is beeing human that gives you panic attacks.

[twotutts42]

Hi Cathy

So sorry to hear about your attacks. When I first started sinimet, I found in a very short time my mood change, anxious, depression and anger.I work in mental health so realised it wasn’t me.I called my PD nurse and she changed it to Madapar.What a complete difference , don’t let this go on, get advice , maybe it’s just the wrong type for you.Good Luck Hun x

[MBAnderson]

No, it's not typical. Spend the next few weeks doing research on this forum. You've got your whole life to take drugs.

[park_bear]

Are you taking an immediate release version of C/L? Such are often prescribed by default. IF so, try a controlled release/ extended release version instead.

[caitilin]

Thank you. I will request that option when I call my neurologist. I feel safer today than I did yesterday. I was so fearful last night, that I slept with Parkinson's Movement on my computer screen all night. I was relieved to see responses to my question (Call for help). I know now I'm really not alone.

Thank you again,

cathy

[SFLR in reply to caitilin]

You're not alone x We're all in this together. Thinking of you

[caitilin in reply to SFLR]

Thank you... 🙂

[Hidden]

Hello. Panic overwhelms me at times too. I try to deal with it by having a ritual, a series of things i do to let calm surround me. I keep a fragrance that i love, (usually lavendar, almond or vanilla), music (or the sound of waves or rain), and a cotton blanket handy. I practice breathing slowly and quiet my scary, unwelcome thoughts. A ritual can be anything that calms you. I have an episode of Nero Wolf on a dvd that i have watched about 25 times because i like the music and the colors. The familiarity calms me. I hope you can create a ritual that gives you peace.

[caitilin in reply to Hidden]

This is good advice. I need to make a safe space like that. Thank you.

[bassofspades]

I had high anxiety for years which felt pretty much like one long panic attack. It was resolved when i started on dr Marty Hinz's Amino acid protocol. This includes 5-,htp which is a precursor to serotonin. Dopamine is not the only neurotransmitter that is out of balance in pd. Serotonin, gaba, melatonin, adrenaline and noradrenaline are all out of whack. You could try a little 5-htp and see how it goes. I get mine on Amazon. Deep breathing sometimes is not enough.

[caitilin]

Thank you!

[TheGimba]

Hi, my husband suffered from panic attacks (very unlike him) when he was first diagnosed with PD. Doc gave him Ativan which put him to sleep, at work! He had a sleep disorder as well, so kind of tricky. Eventually they just went away, but I remember how scared he was. Sorry my advice isn't great. The jury is still out on this, but I think anxiety is part of the disease process rather than created by meds. Just my humble opinion.

[Jeansm]

Prozac is helping me greatly (in addition to Sinemet) but I have also been referred to a clinical psychologist for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. First appointment next week.