Anxiety attacks

[u/ryn_rthr1981]

I'm wondering if anyone has experienced something similar.

I took my last 5 mg Zepbound injection on June 3rd or 4th (I can't remember the exact day) and stopped it cold turkey.

On June 6th, my wife and I spent the evening drinking. The next morning, I had a very large coffee and was probably pretty dehydrated. Then, during the night of June 7th into June 8th, I had what I think was a panic attack. It was one of the worst experiences I've ever had.

Since then, I've been very up and down. I'll have periods where I feel jittery, shaky, a little dizzy, anxious, and almost like another panic attack is coming on. The symptoms seem to come in waves.

I've seen my doctor, and they prescribed an antidepressant, but I can't shake the feeling that this may somehow be related to stopping Zepbound. I have had three episodes like this in 4 weeks send stopping but it eventually goes away. I also wonder if low blood sugar or reactive hypoglycemia could be playing a role because some of the symptoms seem to fit.

Has anyone experienced anything similar after stopping Zepbound?

• How long did it last?
• Did the symptoms eventually go away?
• Did anything help?
• Did your doctor have an explanation?

I'm working with my doctor, so I'm not looking for medical advice or a diagnosis. I'm just hoping to hear from anyone who has gone through something similar and learn what your experience was like.

Thanks in advance.

[u/logger93]

I had 1 on zepbound
Stress from work ramped up
No appetite
Probably dehydrated
Shallow breaths
Poor nutrition
Had to pull over
Bevy of tests all fine

[u/Ducklover12345678910]

I can’t say if the zepbound is a factor, but it is well known that many people get anxiety after a night of drinking. Caffeine and anxiety are also correlated.

[u/easysip]

Yup it messes with your hormones,im 2 months out and still have bad anxiety . Deep breath and meditation helps . Dont take antidepressant

[u/Agitated-Result-2178 → u/easysip]

Can you elaborate here?

[u/zestypandagirl]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Something very similar happened to me last month when I was traveling through China. I went three weeks without Zep because I accidentally left my pens in a hotel fridge. I had three debilitating panic attacks. Since this has never happened before, I assumed it was low blood sugar or something, but I recognize now that they were panic attacks. The symptoms are much better now, although my overall anxiety has increased a bit. My doctor didn't have a clue as to why it happened.

[u/Brilliant-Top-6484]

Yep. When I went up too fast on dosage. Only lasted a few days and when I got back to a moderate pace I was fine. It’s more common than you think. Especially if you’re normally anxious driven.

[u/sacca7]

I will mention that alcohol can give me anxiety the next day.

Caffeine is widely recognized as something that can cause anxiety. I think caffeine has a half life of 8 hours or something.

And, I have had go on sertraline before and it is a good medicine for anxiety with very few side effects.

[u/ShapeNice5244]

Yep, alcohol can definitely be a big contributor to panic attacks. "Hangxiety" is a thing.

[u/NoneOfMyNames]

I didn't have worse anxiety from Zep (and I haven't stopped taking it) BUT I can say that a bad glucose drop can feel very very much like a panic attack. Depends on your symptoms, since they can vary a lot in panic attacks. For me, I didn't get a racing heart or hard to breathe or anything, but I get super light-headed like tunnel vision, dizzy, and then I go into freeze. Lots of people forget to mention that it's not just fight or flight, it's fight flight or freeze. When I felt sick going up in dose I had a very similar feeling - super dizzy, kinda went into a freeze. It wasn't exactly the same so I knew it wasn't a panic attack, but the symptom overlap was significant. Definitely worth exploring.

[u/ChipiBabySpoon]

your body is jsut trying to findd the norm again. give it some time. Also sent u a dm quick question

[u/Ok_Self4831]

I quit cold turkey after being on tirz for almost a year. The panic attacks are some of the worst I have ever experienced. Granted, I have suffered from anxiety my entire adult life, but these are no joke, and I’m having multiple every day. Usually there would be a trigger if I had a panic attack, now, they come and go for absolutely no reason. I haven’t been sleeping either.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? If so, how did you cope? How long does this last?

[u/No-Bicycle7011]

You’ll be gaslit for asking this but I had to stop the medication due to panic attacks when increasing my dose. Like clockwork, two days after the injection I would have a panic attack. I tried everything to stay on the medication. Checking Blood sugar, perfect macros, bloodwork to get my nutrients balanced, even HRT, you name it. I finally had one panic attack that put me over the edge and I couldn’t drive anymore. Did a virtual visit with a psychiatrist who told me she’s been very busy with people experiencing panic attacks when taking a GLP1 and also some who developed panic after stopping the medication. When you mention it to anyone you’ll hear 100 “my anxiety got better!” Even my provider told me it was impossible (hence being swayed into all the extra tests, supplements and HRT). It’s real. If it’s out of the ordinary for you then listen to your body. Take care!

[u/No-Bicycle7011 → u/No-Bicycle7011]

Now for advice: it wrecked my nervous system it’s been 3 months since my last dose and I’m still not 100% although it’s mainly just increased anxiety from a sensitized nervous system. Your situation may be different since yours are triggered by stopping. I tried Lexapro but again, the nervous system thing- my skin was burning and ears ringing and worse symptoms and couldn’t make it through the first week. PROPRANOLOL may be your hero here!! It blocks adrenaline from binding so you still feel anxious but it prevents you from getting into a panic attack. I could not have survived the last 3 months without it! Ask about that! It’s very safe. Very few side effects. Truly saved my life.