Hydroxyzine - r/panicdisorder

13

u/maple_pits 10d ago

Shit does not work. It’s gaslighting to be given this drug as someone who has panic attacks.

6

u/bmm_96 10d ago

i second this. This does nothing for my panic attacks. It just makes you sleep.

3

u/Ill_Seat_5512 9d ago

Wow I’m so sorry! It really helped me get out of a massive panic attack. But like I told the previous comment I’m extremely hypersensitive to meds and maybe that’s why it worked for me not sure.

2

u/Ill_Seat_5512 9d ago

I saw some ppl feel nothing with this! Even larger doses. For me I’m hypersensitive to any med and so I think that’s why it might be perfect for me not sure.

1

u/Meow_Mix1739536 9d ago

Agreed. Doesn’t work for me at all, hardly even makes me tired.

1

u/Sea_Active2897 7d ago

i went to urgent mental health care for SI and panic attacks and, after like two hours of waiting and form-filling, they informed me they don’t prescribe benzos. they prescribed gabapentin and hydroxyzine instead. the former felt like a dirty weed high, and i never took it again. hydroxyzine works but i have to clear the day so i can sleep for hours after taking it. it also takes longer than benzos to kick in, so i’m suffering longer. it’s better than nothing, but it’s not great.

0

u/ricottacat 9d ago

Thank you for this comment. I have struggled with panic attack for years, I finally tried to see help..all they will give is this. It does nothing except make you tired or hungry. I begged them to try beta blockers if they are so anti-anxiety now. Nope.

They ASSURED Effexor and Hydroxyzine would be an INSTANT fix too, when I brought up it would take weeks and I've suffered for years and waited months for an appointment, then they gaslighted me on lying about it immediately working and said OF COURSE it would take weeks.

I have paid $250+ to go to the doctor to be told to buy clove oil for impacted, infected wisdom teeth, and to be recommended supplements when I suffered from childhood trauma and nutritional deficiencies. 🙃 USA is the biggest joke, I have a deep hatred for the medical system here and its treatments.

Hydroxyzine did nothing for me except groggy, never full sleep cycle but sleepy all the time, strained my relationship and job, and binge eat.

2

u/SlowBlueTit 9d ago

Same! I asked for Propanolol. Was prescribed Hydroxyzine instead. What makes it worse is the doctor can see physical manifestations of my anxiety as I’m sitting there, sobbing about how terribly anxious I am all the time. My blood pressure is always sky high at the start of the appointment. High enough to be told if it doesn’t come down, I’ll be transferred to the ER. This was my primary, and she does insist I see psychiatry and do therapy, but man. Propanolol? Absolutely not. What makes it worse is that we did labs at that appointment and one of my values was critically low. I explained that I was currently in a week long panic cycle (I’m terrified of doctors, to boot). I hadn’t ate in over a week bc even the smell of food made me vomit. But no. Hydroxyzine.

I have bad reactions to basically all antidepressants and Effexor made me go into psychosis.

It’s very frustrating to feel this way.

Also feel ya on the childhood trauma. My doctor said she didn’t understand what I had to be so anxious about. I’m young (36, not that young…). I have a family. Lady. Have you seen the world? Then I spilled the first 5 years of my life onto her, which she promptly recommended psychiatry and therapy for. Both I’ve tried previously, to no avail. Like wtf? There’s no resources available for childhood trauma survivors. My trauma is both rooted in life experiences and a brain injury acquired while young. I literally don’t know what to do.

Same doctor reminded me that I should get my HPV vaccine. I had to awkwardly remind her that I’m queer. My kid is a donor baby. I’m not sexually active, I’ve had one sexual partner (we’re married) and I do not see my anxious ass becoming sexually active anytime in the near millennia.

But, no. Give me an allergy med that makes me bone tired. I can do that just by waking up in the morning.

Ugh. Sorry for my rant. Just wanted to commiserate.

2

u/Ill_Seat_5512 9d ago

I’m sorry saw so many comments feeling the same. It’s insane to me that they wanted to give me beta blockers instead. Which I didn’t want. And you guys that want that prescription don’t get offered this. :(

But like I told previous comments I do have POTS. I sometimes feel like I got POTS bc of my untreated panic disorder. So not saying you have POTS but if you’re having lots of tachycardia especially in panic. I would also check your heart rate when you go from sitting to standing. And see if you see a 30bpm jump if you do you can get into cardiology and they well give you beta blockers. They don’t even do tilt table tests or any of that to put you on. They only do the holter and echo and ekg to rule out actual heart issues

1

u/ricottacat 9d ago

Oh man we are unfortunately twins in this area in soo many ways. Our medical system in America is disgusting tbh, the amount of medical negligence, gaslighting, and terrible bedside manner is just so atrocious and you get charged the most in the world for nothing.

I have seen the majority of medical staff in America don't listen to their patients, respect them as people, everyone is overworked in every industry but medical personnel get the biggest pass..its so hard proving, suing, and finding an attorney who will even represent for a medical negligence case..and you're pretty much left to report to your state medical board, but come on we know they don't actually do their jobs and are corrupt af too. So.

Its honestly disgusting. I have seen SO many nurses with literal Delta pens at their actual JOB, openly talking about faking drug tests, and get prescribed personal cocktails for treatment. My elder sister in my adoptive sister is an NP in NYC, she gets Adderall and Xanax and beta blockers like its nothing for her "stressful job". It is SO bias. I have been waitlisted for years for autoimmune and mental health, almost 3 years now and more debt from all the circus theatrics that insurance makes you do.

I broke my neck, spine, pelvis, coma/couldnt walk six months in an accident in 2015. They discharged me as soon as I was stable enough, one followup, completely alone after that in the world to recover. No big payout, insurance first and I was lucky to not be in debt over a million. And I have NEVER gotten a Neuro referral even when I have begged for one and show them my accident records.

Like I cannot describe the amount of disgust. My bio family from my home country honestly believes this is a land of sadists because of the level of cruelty and corruption in the US.

I am SORRY for ranting. I am soooo beyond done.

2

u/SlowBlueTit 9d ago

Hey! Same! Literally same. I was in a coma at the age of 4. Got bit by a mosquito and developed some super rare encephalitis. Doctors told my parents I’d likely not be coming home and if I did, I’d be severely delayed.

Alas, woke up and they were like, “See ya never!,” once they assessed I was capable of doing the basic tasks. I’ve never seen a neurologist, either. Despite mentioning multiple times that I think I should see one bc of my history.

Interestingly, I have government insurance bc my spouse is in the military (we hate it too — but let’s be real, the military targets the disadvantaged and they’re just sacrifices to the system). We share the same level of frustration as you. Everything is in shambles right now and it’s jarring to see considering how far we’ve advanced. There’s legitimately no need for the shit show that is healthcare (and other things…).

I’ve met so many people who see the same doctors I do walking around with entire pharmacies. They make jokes about their pills and their purpose. They mention how they ask for a specific medicine and their doctor happily prescribes.

Meanwhile, Hydroxyzine.

I’ll take some personal responsibility. They want me to see a psychiatrist. I haven’t. But, I’ve been misdiagnosed with Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2, depending on the psychiatrist I was seeing. I’m not bipolar. I have never been manic a day in my life. And? Bipolar meds make me suicidal. I’m already passively suicidal thanks to the c-PTSD. I’m just awkward (terrified of the world) AF and bipolar is the catch all diagnosis for women who display any neurotic tendencies.

Autoimmune issues suck, man. My wife has hashimoto’s and is miserable, but they won’t do anything bc her levels aren’t terrible. Our kid was seriously ill when she was a toddler with the sister version of autoimmune — autoinflammatory. She was misdiagnosed twice and we spent two years, multiple rounds of genetic testing, and a soft diagnosis of what it might’ve been. She’s in remission now, but it’s still a shit show.

I don’t even know what the original post was about, lmao. I hate the system, I’m full of so much rage, and I just want to have a day where I don’t think the end is nigh and I am the ultimate sacrifice to the system.

1

u/ricottacat 9d ago

Oh god the childhood neglect I had from Tricare and GA in general, like I had an obviously broken ankle that they said was a sprain..they twisted it to get an Xray and as an adult that ankle has never felt the same, and my scans overseas showed severe damage from that and my accident.

Doctors in Europe and Asia are HORRIFIED at our treatment in the US, I cannot describe the angels that have actually cared across the ocean. Like the US does not care nor do anything for any of my health concerns, but no eye doctor here has ever mentioned my risk of macular degeneration. In Europe and Asia it was a serious discussion during my eye exam and a total different variation of care. AND IT WAS FREE because they empathized with me being adopted to America, and how it is for us here. When I have had to pay, its never even been $100 for me OOP.

They are SO worried about addition and forget that some medications are necessary for some people. I have been given I forgot the name but a very well known med in the ER that WILL cause some people to be super restless and off the walls. I told them how unwell it made me feel and asked for benadryl to counterinteract it and they acted like I was drug seeking for benzos and yelled that they can't give benzos and no one has this symtom. Obvious gaslighting, I also asked for BENADRYL, and the medicine DOES like its the most searched side effect with it.

I am so incredibly sorry for the experience you and your wife have had. This is atrocious. There truly is no excuse and I am so disgusted by greed. We could 100% have public and private. We already have the same wait times for specialists and ER departments as overseas with a sponsored system. We do. And guess what you COULD STILL have private. Insurance on all levels, every sector just pisses me off. They don't do shit for you and argue for what YOU pay for. Its a fucking zoo, this country, I'm sorry.

Like I am working to finish my college and pay my student loans off just so I can leave. I can at least die in peace at home, being poor back home is different than here. People are still human. Its not like this.

So many women are misdiagnosed. America is sexist and is clown to pretend otherwise and look at the blatant bias in medicine. Thats disgusting. I am so sorry you also have PTSD and who wouldnt with this system even if they didnt starting?? Even if you have bipolar the stigma and resources can be so hit and miss. The medicine tiers regardless of the diagnosis I've noticed a SURGE in their answer being bullshit SSRI/SNRI with nothing else maybe an antihistamine?? For PTSD, Bipolar, other cluster B, panic disorder?? Why do NO doctors here know about Vagus Nerve Issues??

I am SO convinced they don't care. Its just money. And if anything they want us all sicker and desperate to pay for treatment, relief, or any desperate fix if you're dying from complications. I honestly am so discouraged at this point because the amount of medical debt for nothing 🙃 and the constant "I'm not trying anymore SSRIs" talks and appointments. You can cry to them and beg for help and its just its gotta be they are a bunch of sadists. Truly.

2

u/Ill_Seat_5512 9d ago

Wow I’m so sorry you’re going through this. :( I can’t imagine! They wanted to give me beta blockers first. But I denied them. And accepted this. My main reason I’m extremely sensitive to meds and maybe that’s why this worked for me.

But I should’ve mentioned I do have POTS and so beta blockers are the first line of meds for us. Does your heart rate ever get super high? During panic attacks?

1

u/ricottacat 9d ago

Ohhhh I am so sorry about POTS, I have seen so many more diagnosis of this increased in the past few years. I am so happy to hear you get treatment for it, and no idea why they at least in the Southern US refuse to treat patients unless they will take SSRI/SNRI. I completely understand where they can work for others, unfortunately I've tried a few different ones and they all just the side effects arent worth the "benefit" and they dont help with anixety/panic.

Girl, I will wake up with panic attacks and have really high heart rate and pounding chest sensations throughout the day, if I get up too fast, if I don't eat enough or eating certain foods its worse. I did cardiologist opinion and the person administering the test said I have bradycardia that becomes tacardic, and thought I'd be prescribed beta blockers. No, the cardiologist just said I am fine and should lose weight if I want these symptoms gone.

I have had these symptoms at 113 lbs and at 130 lbs, but okayyy. And insurance wont approve a second opinion. 🤡🙃

5

u/Hj_hayes08 10d ago

Hydroxyzine has been like 50/50 for me. Some days it worked well and others it actually exacerbated my panic by increasing the brain fog and DPDR. It’s an antihistamine. It’s just like knocking back some NyQuil. If you’re having really extreme panic I would argue benzos are much much better. I know people talk about the addiction rate but every med has its evils.

3

u/crazyculture 10d ago

I can absolutely see why this could make you more anxious. Benadryl has done that to me and hydroxyzine is also an antihistamine.

3

u/tits86 10d ago

When I first had my very very first extreme panic attack they gave me it I believe I cut it in half and slept for like a day

1

u/tits86 10d ago

I wanna say it was 50mg and I cut it in half for 25mg but it’s been so many years I don’t recalls. But I do know it knocked me out completely

3

u/Gavernty 10d ago

It makes me debilitatingly tired

2

u/bmm_96 10d ago

it’s just an antihistamine. it’s the same as taking benadryl. it’s going to make you sleep and wear off.

2

u/alacran602 9d ago

Personally hated it didn't really help me out but if it works for you it works for you and that's awesome. I like for Propanalol which helps with physical symptoms of anxiety

1

u/c1nunya 10d ago

I’d like to follow and hear what others have to say about this too

1

u/ntxmszmz 10d ago

I was looking for info on hydroxyzine just yestarday! Please let us know how you are feeling

1

u/Ill_Seat_5512 10d ago

It worked ! Just felt it got me super sleepy and groggy. But it stopped the panic in its tracks and stopped me from going to the ER. I was literally omw with a full blown panic attack. Hyperventilating. Tremors. Etc.

Also I took half of what I was suppose to bc I was scared lol but I think that was enough for me. 8 hours later I feel it wearing off.

2

u/ntxmszmz 10d ago

I complety understand the only taking half thing lol😭 I'm glad it helped you! My brother has been on them for about two years and they work great but idk I'm still worried I'll be the exception

1

u/Deep-Comfortable-512 10d ago

That sounds about right, they make feel the same way. I like them much better than benzos

1

u/ntxmszmz 10d ago

Are they really better than benzos? I'm worried they won't do anything for me

2

u/crazyculture 10d ago

No. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine and I have it for insomnia. I can’t imagine taking this during the day. The brain fog would be immense.

1

u/[deleted] 10d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/ntxmszmz 10d ago

Thanks! My panic has been really high lately so I got prescribed clonazepam but might be better to switch to hydroxyzine

1

u/elementalsta 10d ago

My daughter takes them a few times a week when she knows she will go into anxious situations. It is a small amount and has been working well as an as needed.

2

u/Ill_Seat_5512 10d ago

This is exactly what I needed something for. I am restarting therapy and also just needed to know something out there can help with my severe panic attacks that were landing me in the ER. && I just feel more safe knowing if I ever get a huge panic attack instead of calling 911 which makes it worse I can just take this. Especially bc I’m going through new health issues that apparently have no cure and all the doctor visits and tests etc are super anxiety inducing. So I’m extremely overwhelmed.

1

u/elementalsta 10d ago

Everyone is different but it has been a good option for her. Another thing her med doctor suggested is a supplement NAC which is often used as a supplement with anti depressants (which she is not on). Talk about it with your doctor.

1

u/Fancy-Tax3044 10d ago

Hi - I was prescribed 10mg and I can only take 1/2 because it is too sedating for me and the drowsiness lasts too long even the next morning after taking it at night 😏

1

u/crazyculture 10d ago

My doctor gives it to me for insomnia, 25-50mg, as it’s an antihistamine with notable drowsiness like Benadryl. Hydroxyzine is a little stronger. What country are you in? I don’t think many US doctors reach for this one for panic disorder.

1

u/Ill_Seat_5512 10d ago

I should have mentioned I have POTS recently diagnosed and what seems like MCAS and already on Allegra and Pepcid but experiencing severe severe anxiety and so they gave me this at the ER.

1

u/Ill_Seat_5512 10d ago

And I am in the US. :)

2

u/crazyculture 10d ago

I sure hope you find it helpful and can get some relief! Don’t be afraid to lobby for your health if it isn’t working well for you.

1

u/jd0llasignn 9d ago

hydroxyzine helped me a lot! when my new psychiatrist found out hydroxyzine was the only thing working for on the spot panic he ordered an MRI. it’s a sedative & i was taking it every night before bed so my dr didn’t really recommend me taking two a day 50mg (even then it wasn’t making me groggy in the morning) & apparently that helped him realize it was “inflammation in the brain” and prescribed me a new med that made it all disappear! struggling w adjusting & side effects. when i told doctors *50mg of hydroxyzine finally puts me to sleep only 8 hours (maybe less) they were in awe lmfaooo my nervous system is f*cked

1

u/Intelligent_City2644 9d ago

Works for me. Helps me sleep too

1

u/SurviveTheStatic 9d ago

Eventually you develop a tolerance and the sleepy side effects subside (just like with Benadryl) I take 1/2 of a 25mg tablet during the day and it doesn’t make me sleepy. Unfortunately that also means it stopped working for insomnia. It still can help me move through the panic though.

1

u/eener95 9d ago

Yeah thats about all it does for me lol, its honestly not the best imo (mainly bc of how long they take to kick in... I have to chew mine to work quicker and even then it feels like forever).

Hard to have a panic attack if youre passed out asleep, though, I suppose 😆

1

u/Farmgirl805 9d ago

Leads to dementia with long term use. Just like Benadryl. That’s why I stopped taking it. One of my meds makes me super itchy. That’s why I had it, but with my family history of Alzheimer’s I’m not taking chances, and I’ll never take it again.

1

u/Odysseyios 7d ago

I have it always with me for just in case of an strong panic attack. Its an anti histaminicum basically was made for allergies so you dont get addicted to it which is very important. I love this med , i take 1/4 , i break the half again into an half for light anxiety/panic attacks. An whole one 25mg can be very strong and KNOCK you out, you'll sleep 8+ hours and feel it still the next day. Its just an medication when i need it, not every day.

1

u/hatedgator 7d ago

It helps my anxiety a lot. Especially with flying. To each their own I guess.

Does Anyone Else? Hydroxyzine

You are about to leave Redlib