Wellsian
31-01-13, 08:17
Hello everyone,
I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for about six years now since going through a stressful period in my life. I have tried CBT and counselling, and also had a course of breathing retraining with a respiratory specialist (my anxiety/panic is centred around my breathing, and I have been diagnosed with hyperventilation syndrome).
Three days ago I started taking cipralex (10mg), after running out of patience with non-medical interventions. Things seemed to be going okay, and I was noticing very few side effects and was looking forward to the beneficial effects of the drug kicking in. However, last night just after I went to bed, I was hit by the mother of all panic attacks - which went on for about two hours.
Usually once I slow down my breathing and manage to take that deep fulfilling breath that hyperventilation syndrome sufferers will be familiar with, the panic subsides and I calm right down. However, this time it didn't - the panic just kept coming, which obviously freaked me out and the vicious circle began.
In the end I was so exhausted that I think my body didn't have the energy to panic any more. But now I'm concerned. Is this what I can expect for the foreseeable future on this drug? Because if it is I don't think I've got the strength to deal with panic attacks like that. It was seriously scary.
Thanks for reading, and I hope someone can share a similar experience and reassure me that this was perhaps a one-off? I don't want to stop taking the pills before they've had a chance to work.
I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for about six years now since going through a stressful period in my life. I have tried CBT and counselling, and also had a course of breathing retraining with a respiratory specialist (my anxiety/panic is centred around my breathing, and I have been diagnosed with hyperventilation syndrome).
Three days ago I started taking cipralex (10mg), after running out of patience with non-medical interventions. Things seemed to be going okay, and I was noticing very few side effects and was looking forward to the beneficial effects of the drug kicking in. However, last night just after I went to bed, I was hit by the mother of all panic attacks - which went on for about two hours.
Usually once I slow down my breathing and manage to take that deep fulfilling breath that hyperventilation syndrome sufferers will be familiar with, the panic subsides and I calm right down. However, this time it didn't - the panic just kept coming, which obviously freaked me out and the vicious circle began.
In the end I was so exhausted that I think my body didn't have the energy to panic any more. But now I'm concerned. Is this what I can expect for the foreseeable future on this drug? Because if it is I don't think I've got the strength to deal with panic attacks like that. It was seriously scary.
Thanks for reading, and I hope someone can share a similar experience and reassure me that this was perhaps a one-off? I don't want to stop taking the pills before they've had a chance to work.