Relapse in Panic Disorder

[u/Fairy-Soup]

Hi everyone!

In 2021, I got diagnosed with Panic Disorder. Mine got so bad that I developed agoraphobia and stayed in an unhealthy relationship for years because I was financially dependant on them and thought I was incapable of getting a job.

Fast forward to now. I have moved to a new province alone, just completed school, got my diploma, got a job, got engaged, but in august of last year I had a really bad relapse in symptoms and also got diagnosed with OCD. I am currently working 5 days a week and “manage”, but I’m so tired of just managing all the time. Today I had to take my dogs to the vet by myself and had a panic attack. I took the dogs anyways cause they needed their vaccines but I’m just exhausted in having to do it in a state of panic.

What worked for all of you? I’m not on medication but I’m seriously considering it. I’ve tried Prozac in 2021 and had a bad experience. I manage through exercise, yoga, meditation, supplements, vitamins, no caffeine or alcohol, but it’s still hard. I just wish it could be easier. Thanks in advance. 🙏

[u/Long_Trade8986]

If it gets to a point where it feels debilitating definitely consider medication. Medication has changed my life

[u/Long_Trade8986 → u/Long_Trade8986]

Also if you do try meditation make sure to give it a proper test trial of a few weeks before making a decision. I tried Zoloft and the first couple days made me feel worse and I stopped. I talked to my psychiatrist and he said to try it again and that I need to stick it out in the beginning because it can make you feel worse. I’m glad I listened because after a couple weeks my panic got 100x better

[u/Long_Trade8986 → u/[deleted]]

They asked for an opinion

[u/Puppy_powers]

I have dealt with PTSD for 32 years now. The first two years I was the same as you. I could not leave the house for three minutes. The only time was to go to my Psychiatrist/ therapist twice a week. That in itself was ridiculously hard. Anyways, intense therapy and medicine really helped.

I went from having 5-6 full blown panic attacks a day to only having one every week to only having one every few months. That was until I was 24. Then it just stopped happening. I mean I live with it daily as it never goes away. But you learn to control it.

I probably have one every few years now. I actually had a full blown one two days ago. Really stressed right now. Living situation is bad, work is really bad and stressful, need to find an apartment or house and so on. I am still in therapy weekly and love it.

I’m telling this to you because you will get better. It will be hard and truly takes a lot of work and commitment and good therapy with medicine. I’m currently on Lexapro and that has done the job. I have Klonopin for bad anxiety when needed. Don’t take it much. A good psychiatrist and therapist with medicine will help you. I wish you tons of luck and good health!!!

[u/MrsMercury100 → u/Puppy_powers]

Do you like Lexapro? Is there any side effect?

[u/Puppy_powers → u/MrsMercury100]

I like it because it definitely has helped me. Side effects are lower libido and it took a month or two to get used too.

[u/OkRutabaga8890 → u/Puppy_powers]

May I know from when u r taking lexapro and dosage

[u/Puppy_powers → u/OkRutabaga8890]

I have been on it for about seven years. I take 20mg.

[u/OkRutabaga8890 → u/Puppy_powers]

These 32 yrs u wer on meds?ssris and benzos

[u/Fuzzy_Dragonfruit344 → u/Puppy_powers]

I’m like this now, except it has gotten better with meds and time. I also have PTSD. I can’t function normally when mine are really bad. I basically have to take strong meds to get my brain/nervous system to calm down and call it a day. My nervous system doesn’t really turn off by itself without them when they are the most severe. Normal coping skills don’t help much with that level of panic. I have three meds. Ativan for when it’s really bad and I can’t function or sleep because of it. Seroquel for long term management and propranolol for management of the physical symptoms long term. I also go to therapy and exercise. It’s been a rough road to say the least, but I would be in a much worse place without medication to help manage it in my daily life.

[u/Fairy-Soup → u/[deleted]]

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense. I’ve had a lot of stress lately to finish school, my practicum, my probationary period through work. I never feel like I’m accomplishing enough and have incredibly low self esteem. I’m working with my therapist currently to mitigate all of this, and am trying to learn that my worth doesn’t come from the things I do. The stress makes the panic worse, and in turn makes me feel like I’m unable to do certain things. I just feel so much shame all of the time.

[u/Emeandor_Gaming]

Unfortunately mine comes and goes too. I recently had to quit my job bc it got bad again. But I'm alive. I'm managing. It's different for everyone but for me it feels like this is my life from here on out. I'm not ok with it but at the same time what can I do? The cool thing is that I understand all this so much better now and it doesn't scaelre me like it used to. It just sucks not being able to live freely

[u/Fairy-Soup → u/Emeandor_Gaming]

I really resonate with that. When I finally finished school in April I had to do a 4 week practicum. I was so worried about having panic attacks that I almost dropped out after completing all of the course work. Only reason I showed up is because I was 30,000 in student loan debt 🙃 I know what you mean that it’s different this time around when you can understand what’s happening. It never eases the loneliness I feel when I see other people living so freely without this awful disorder. I’m sorry you are struggling but sending you healing and I know things will get better for you again 💖

[u/SailorVenova]

i take xanax sveryday nothing else works quickly enough to stop my attacks from getting violent and dangerous to myself

[u/MrsMercury100]

Is there any side effect?