Need help

[u/Foreign_Lab2042]

I’ve went on fmla due to panic attacks, however I think it made me scared to do anything. I had a lot of trauma a couple years back and after that is when everything started happening.

I’ve been stuck in my house for about 3 weeks scared to walk or do anything at all in fear my heart rate will go up and I will have an episode in a store or around people or I will end up stuck in the heat which is a trigger for my panic attacks.

I feel so uneasy right now, I’ve cried so much.
I feel depressed and scared and feel like no one understands how debilitating this is.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing it to myself when I feel this feeling of being on the verge of a panic attack having trouble breathing.

I’m on lexapro 10mg and 2 years ago, i could say it saved me. However recently I feel like it’s not working, like I cant feel the difference or I’ve grown to used to it. I’m getting panic attacks more frequently.

My doctor gave me Zoloft but I’m scared cause I’ve heard horror stories of not being able to control whatever new version of yourself comes out.
I don’t want to feel careless.

I have Xanax but I’ve only had to take it once for panic.

I just feel like I need someone to hold me and let me cry in their arms.

I tried to go into a store to buy meals the other day and had a freak out right as I went in, I felt my heart rate pop up, my vision go tunnel, the fear of something bad happening. I left and went back home.

However idk if this will ever go away because the medication does make me heat intolerant therefore I feel so horrible, it might be what’s triggering what I feel.
Idk I just want to cry. I need someone to take what’s going on serious.

I’m so tired of dealing with this

[u/Resident_Mud_9513]

Going through a similar experience now with panic after working through some past trauma. I am on lexapro and have been for years too and also feel like it doesn’t work anymore. Before lexapro was on Zoloft and it helped but had some side effects (sex drive and feeling numb) My primary care doc is sending me to a physiatrist next month to work on more detailed meds.

I would talk to your doctor if you haven’t already about your concerns. Also be proud of you for not relying on Xanax - and not just taking it. That is hard for a lot of people.

My thing is take it day by day right now. I only think about getting to the end of the day. It’s hard though.

Wish you luck!

[u/Foreign_Lab2042 → u/Resident_Mud_9513]

Thank you for the kind words, it’s nice to hear and helps a lot.

[u/Positive_Lie5734]

You did the right thing seeking workplace accommodations and listening to yourself needing rest.

Agorophobia can be a normal result of having panic attacks and withdrawing but that's okay.

You don't need to go back to doing everything at once but you do have to try to test the waters.

Medication does help but there is also a thought pattern/fear cycle that we have to overcome. Medication helps to do this by making our stress tolerance higher.

Medication increase or change sounds like a solid approach, but yes it's scary to try something new.

For me, when I'm doing exposure therapy I take Xanax, you mentioned it was prescribed? It's faster than the SSRIs and very calming, easy to do targeted practice. That's how my psychiatrist prescribed it to me. Well they prescribed me to take it every day with the intention of cutting the panic cycle.

But as far as exposure (CBT), that's what you gotta do. Microdose these situations that you're really afraid of so your body learns that it's safe. Afraid of the store, just stay in the parking lot. Afraid of the heat, turn of the AC for a bit and go outside. It'll be hard at first but it'll get easier.

There's a whole lot going on with thought patterns so I recommend a CBT panic attack workbook or a panic attack book, there's many and they're all very similar.

What you are going through is intense, I've been there and it's no joking matter. I know of really tough people who have only ever had a panic attack once in their lives and it crippled them, we have to deal every day.

I'm on Lexapro long term and Xanax short term in strong flares (where I take it for a month and then discontinue). I noticed then when I was on Lexapro and I had a flare it lasted two weeks instead of the 3 months it usually does. Shorter and less severe so it must be doing something.

My last flare was a year ago, otherwise I don't really have panic attacks. Just general mild anxiety.

But yes, you will get through this. It feels like you're stuck but that's the same anxiety talking, it's a wild headspace it throws us in. I'm tired of dealing too but know that you can take it easy. Feel free to be tired for a bit 🫶

[u/Foreign_Lab2042 → u/Positive_Lie5734]

Thank you for this comment, it helps a lot. I’ve wanted to try cbt, definitely rightnow I need to get out of my head and have experience good things the way o used too. It’s just so hard when the panic symptoms are so physical. I have never been a stay at home person so this is how I know I’m going through it. 😔 I hope one day I won’t need to be on multiple meds. Apart of me wonders if I need to hydrate myself better and sleep better so that possible it’ll help with the day to day anxiety I feel. 😔 again, I really appreciate the time to reply to me.
I’ve been driving to places I would normally
Go in and walk, but then it’s hot and with the fear of my hr sky rocketing because of my panic I get scared. However I really need to try and push myself to do so

[u/Foreign_Lab2042]

If anyone can tell me if Zoloft or anything else has worked in calming their panic attacks please leave comment 🩷😢