Re: Panic attacks - use meds or not?
Its hard to give advice on that one. I am taking seroxat at the moment. At first I took St John's Wort which really helped. Then unfortunately my husband lost his job and we were worried about losing our home. The PAs got worse and I ended up going to the doctor.
My doc was lovely (and in this country luckily for me free) and advised that I could take seroxat. Now I have heard all that stuff in the news about how terrible it is and told her I was concerned. She said that she has other patients who would be unable to leave the house without it and on a small dose it makes a big difference.
It certainly did make a difference to me. This site is the other things which helped, and having counselling through my doctor surgery. I believe the meds helped me stay in control of my emotions a bit more so I was able to listen and take in what my counsellor said. I have practised lots of self help stuff mainly from this site, which my counsellor said sounded like a good place. The breathing exercises where you inhale for a slightly shorter time than you exhale, e.g. breathe in for count of 4, then out for count of 6 (or whatever you can manage) really helps with the physical symptoms and brings your oxygen & adrenaline back in control making you feel less dizzy and panicky. Also I find distracting myself is helpful. If I can't do it myself I involve my husband. He's a big help and seems to understand when I just need to chatter about stuff to keep my brain distracted. When I stop thinking about the panic it eases off, which over time has convinced me that I am in control.
Even though I still get times now when I feel panicky, I believe I can get it back under control. I am in the process of coming off my meds slowly now. But I do believe they helped me in the first instance. You don't have any problems with taking meds for your heart problem or gallbladder, and the panic is just another illness. Its an illness like any other. Meds work for some people and not for others. If you feel they will help you get better, go for it and try not to give yourself a hard time.
When I first suffered with depression and then also with anxiety, I used to blame myself. Letting go of the self-recrimination has really helped my recovery.
Sorry for the long post(!) but I find it easier to explain what I mean. I can't just say yes go for it or whatever without saying why!
I do hope you start to feel better soon.
__________________
Lisa.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.So sail away from the safe harbor. Explore. Dream. Discover.