Question:
Why would the doc want to treat Panic Disorder with Anti Depressants?
I am not depressed. Just exhibit an number of Panic Disorder symptoms, namely 1. palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
3. trembling or shaking
4. sensations shortness of breath or smothering
6. chest pain or discomfort (which is really scary after two cardiac incidents)
8. feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
12. numbness or tingling sensations
I DO NOT have classic depression symptoms...
Fatigue
Depressed mood most of the day (I've been refered to as 'an extremely happy
person')
Diminished interest in most activities (Skiing, Gaming, DDR, Running,
Family - All up and running)
Weight loss or gain (I run 3-5 miles 6-7 times a week)
Sleeping too much or too little
Loss of energy every day
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
Decreased ability to concentrate (except during Panic attack)
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. (I REALLY WANT TO LIVE A HIGH
QUALITY LIFE)
So why treat PD with Anti Depressents?
Answer:
1. antidepressants are also used to treat a number of anxiety spectrum
disorders (Generalized and Social Anxiety, OCD), and in many people, they
will help prevent panic attacks. they certainly do for me. 2. antidepressants are not considered to have as high an abuse/addiction
potential as benzos. this, of course, is debatable.
for me, the ideal way to treat anxiety disorders is to take an AD to
*prevent* attacks, but keep a benzo on hand, just in case.
AD are a good front line for PD. Which one does he want you to try?
Don't know she is going to reccommend. All I know is she suggested putting
me on a AD.
First got to get bloodwork done to rule out everthing else (tyroid, liver,
diabetes, and two other tests)
Also Got an CatScan sceduled for next thursday as well.
What is OCD?
I was on a Beta Blocker after angioplasty at the beginning of 2004 which
really screwed me up.
Off of that for 9 months.
Obsessive complusive disorder. Can you explain more about your panic and anxieity symptooms.
When they happen, what they feel like, etc. Good. How old are you? What else is in your medical history besides the
angioplasty? What happened when you were on the beta blocker?
Why did you stop it? With or without contrast? Honestly, I would skip the CAT and just tell them
you want a MRI if you can get the insurance to pay for it. If you are
looking for general brain problems / tumors, then the MRI is best. If there
is any concern at all of a enblesium (blood clot) you should be in the er
getting a cat scan now. Because depression and anxiety/panic are chemically related
antidepressants are often effective in treating PAD as well. The snag
with ADs is that you should *start low and go slow* because they will
worsen your symptoms in the first few weeks before they will make you
feel better.
The other group of meds used for PD are *benzodiazepine* anxiolytics
("benzos"), that don't need to build up in your system the ways ADs do
but work almost immediately.
Both groups can be combined which is a good idea in many cases.
Apart from medication *Cognitive Behaviopral Therapy* (CBT) is much
recommended, as it's the only therapy (a here-and-now therapy directly
aimed at getting rid of your symptoms) that can rightfully claim very
postitive results with PD. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I must say that I saw no reason to bring
this up in connection to your initial message. Can you be on medication for PD while going through CBT? Or do you need to 'experince' the PD attacks and work through them?
If so I am activley doing this now (kinda called life)
Just worried I might no be as succesful as I might hope to be. I understand it is completly different. I was just asking about his
symptoms and suggestions that there are other possibilties. I manage a group of 20 people including perfomance mangement. Tough having to have one-on-ones knowing that a panic attack can come up at
any moment.
Also mange several projects, it's also alot of fun when dealing with
project managers and simlar types knowing a panic attack can occur.
It is a little dissapointing to hear that medince will not get rid of panic
attacks.
So far I have been able to 'mask' things but don't know how much longer I
can manage this.
Not a whole lot of fun either when it happens.
Starting to try to avoid these situations which makes me much less effective
as a manger.
Been trying to change jobs back to individual contributor but no luck yet.
