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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety And Panic Attacks
I have been on Paxil 20 mg for approx. 15 years and it was great. Then at the end of May, I had 2 panic attacks and have been dizzy and light-headed ever since. I have had heart checked, CT scans done and more. So I know I am healthy except for excessive anxiety!!!!! After my nurse practitioner told me to go up from 20 to 40 mg of paxil, I was skeptical. So I went up to 25mg most of the summer, some anxiety but still dizzy light-headed. Then last Thursday, I went up to 30 mg and almost had instant extreme anxiety. I have been going crazy for the last week now! I am so scared and afraid I am going to die as I cannot seem to control my anxiety even with a .25 mg xanax. I am a 43 year old male and have been a teacher for the last 18 years. I am 5 10 and weigh about 285 pounds----mostly paxil weight gain. Please help me! I am so scared right now.
Wed, 7 Jan 2015
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
You have been on Paroxetine 20 for last 15 years. As anxiety developed again so you were advised to take 40 mg Paroxetine but you started with 25 mg and then upped the dose to 30 mg. Even after that you developed severe anxiety and panic attacks. As per my opinion on possibility of such severe anxiety is sudden increase in dose of paroxetine but you are taking the drug since last 15 years so this could not be the sole reason. Even on paroxetine you are having severe anxiety. In such case I would advise you to visit your psychiatrist again for evaluation. Medicines like lost dose Benzodiazepines can help you, but you didn't get relief. Other medicines like Propranolol can help in reducing such symptoms. The drug is a beta blocker drug and helps to reduce symptoms of severe panic attacks. You can discuss with your psychiatrist for the prescription of drug.
Apart from that behaviour therapy and relaxation exercises like Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercises, Breathing Exercises help to reduce the frequency of panic attacks.
Persistent panic attacks even on medicines can occur due to some sub clinical hyperthyroidism. High thyroid levels can be the reason for such symptoms. Angina is other possible medical reason. Discuss with your psychiatrist to rule out these conditions.
Thanks, hope this helps you
You have been on Paroxetine 20 for last 15 years. As anxiety developed again so you were advised to take 40 mg Paroxetine but you started with 25 mg and then upped the dose to 30 mg. Even after that you developed severe anxiety and panic attacks. As per my opinion on possibility of such severe anxiety is sudden increase in dose of paroxetine but you are taking the drug since last 15 years so this could not be the sole reason. Even on paroxetine you are having severe anxiety. In such case I would advise you to visit your psychiatrist again for evaluation. Medicines like lost dose Benzodiazepines can help you, but you didn't get relief. Other medicines like Propranolol can help in reducing such symptoms. The drug is a beta blocker drug and helps to reduce symptoms of severe panic attacks. You can discuss with your psychiatrist for the prescription of drug.
Apart from that behaviour therapy and relaxation exercises like Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercises, Breathing Exercises help to reduce the frequency of panic attacks.
Persistent panic attacks even on medicines can occur due to some sub clinical hyperthyroidism. High thyroid levels can be the reason for such symptoms. Angina is other possible medical reason. Discuss with your psychiatrist to rule out these conditions.
Thanks, hope this helps you
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