I have been struggling with panic attacks since I was 5 years old. I have had virtually every treatment under the sun. I am in cognitive behavioral therapy and it is helping, but one thing has not changed – any time I become anxious about something or have a panic attack, my stomach goes on revolt against me. I have severe bouts of intestinal cramping and diarrhea, as well as nausea and vomiting, whenever I have a panic attack. I have tried Xanax but while it does decrease my overall anxiety, it does very little for my distressing GI symptoms.

I was prescribed Levsin to help with the intestinal cramping and diarrhea (doctors believe I have IBS), and I was also given a script for Zofran, an anti-emetic usually used in chemo or radiation patients. They said the anti-nausea effects of the medication and the serotonin-influencing properties of the drug might help with my panic attack related stomach problems

Does anyone have any experience with using Zofran to treat anxiety-related gastrointestinal issues? This has been going on for me for years and I’m really at the end of my rope right about now! Any suggestions you can give are welcome and highly appreciated. Thank you!

i am calling tomorrow to make an appointment with a new doctor that has been recommended to me more than once. i struggle with anxiety attacks on a daily basis, and i have major trouble falling asleep, and staying asleep at night. i am just wondering if any of you have had similar issues, and i know when it comes to medications, you have to go through the trial and error process before you get it just right, but if any of you out there can suggest the best medications to help with my problems, i would greatly appreciate that so i can discuss medications with my doctor. i have tried xanax and ambien, xanax worked good. ambien got me to sleep quick but i would wake up periodically throughout the night and have to take another. i just tried trazadone for the first time so we’ll see how that works…. but i guess my main question is…. what would you recommend i ask my doctor to prescribe me for the anxiety and insomnia???? i need some good stuff that works, because these issues are starting to interfere with my daily activities and they are depressing the relationships i have with friends and family. i want to get better, not worse, and i damn sure dont want to end up in a hospital. any suggestions are appreciated.

I currently take 50 mg of Paxil daily and use Xanax as a backup, I am not a recreational drug user, but wonder if anyone has tried marijuana to ease the symptoms of panic disorder and what the results were?

I am suffereing from severe panic attacks since my son was born in March. I am going to the Dr. this week but am terrified that I am going to have to choose between my sanity and breastfeeding my son. Does anyone know of an anti-anxiety medication that is as effective as Xanax that is safe for a nursing mother? I have heard anti-depressants are used to treat panic/anxiety disorder, too, but I am not depressed – and am afraid of becoming dependant on the medication. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

On going for about a yr. & getting worse. Not getting straight answers. What is the difference from anxiety attack & hypoglycemic attack? today got home from work, felt cold, off balance, nervouse, nauseaded, felt like almost gonna pass out, I get this all the time. Last wk end rushed to hoptial sugar was 50, got glucose iv. I’ve know to have hypoglycemic but my dr. keeps treating me for anxiety. Not on any pills except for xanax which I only take if these episodes happen. 2nite it last 4 hrs. sick to my stomach, off balance, sick stomach. I ate chicken, noodles & baked beans, put some sugar in some apple juice, but also took 0.25 xanax. Which could it be? driving me crazy can’t go on like this, ate every 3 hrs. today at work. Someone please help me! Use to be on zoloft, lexapro, wellbutrin throughout 3 years & didnt’ like them & gained weight……..who can I go see? Saw family dr. yesterday & just gave me strattera for add, (i am 42 yrs. old) to concentrate.

I recently had a "breakdown". I had a lot of negative stuff hit me all at once. My husband took me to the e.r. and they monitored me for about 9 hours and released me advising me to seek mental health. I contacted my local mental health board the following work day and spent a few days in a wellness center (not a mental health hospital). I was medicated with Lexapro but it is costly. I don’t have an appt with mental health again for some time and even then it will just be an intake interview. My delimma for the time is are there any effective "home remedies" for panic attacks. I suffer from tightness in my chest, heart beating fast and nervousness. I had a panic attack yesterday an took a 0.5 xanax but I would prefer not to take something like that. I recently lost my job (another major stressor) and don’t have the money to see my family physician at this time. I just need a few pointer to help with the panic attacks until I can see someone at mental health to hep with medication…

I have effexor and xanax for chronic depression and panic attacks but it is not enough. Adding marijuana also works best; would I be a candidate for medicinal marijuana?

I have been having really bad panic attacks lately and I don’t know if any of you have them but it feels as if I am going crazy and the panic attacks are horrible. I have visited my doctor and was prescribed xanax and I have took it but my prescription is now gone. Any help would be appreciated. This has been going on for about two weeks and when I think about how I have been feeling lately it makes me want to cry. What can I do to get rid of the panic attacks? Please help. It would be appreciated.

My original doctor passed away and i am seeing his replacement and he tells me how awful xanax is to your body. I have been on Xanax for over 4 years and i am worried about having panic attacks or serious withdrawal. Does Klonopin work almost the same? I know it is longer acting and hopefully it will work and i can eventually get off of all medication. Any help is greatly appreciated!

For several years now, I have been battling severe panic attacks related to social anxiety disorder/agoraphobia. It isn’t just "shyness", it’s a full-blown panic attack – sweating, chills, rapid pulse, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, hyperventilating, and the overwhelming need to get out of the situation immediately.

I am on daily Zoloft to curb the anxiety, and Xanax as-needed for panic attacks. The Zoloft works alright, the Xanax works better, but neither is 100% and I have several very stressful weeks coming up and I need some kind of remedy or trick, preferably something all-natural, to help me cope with the panic attacks.

All ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated. =)

I have these crazy panic attacks that come out of nowhere where I feel like I’m going out of my mind…which in turn is even scarier because I think that if I do really go out of my mind I’ll be locked up in a mental institution. Is there anything that is better (more mild) that xanax? I don’t wanna keep taking the hard stuff and end up getting addicted. More so is there a natural remedy or herbs (mixture of herbs) that can help?

when I was 19 I had an anxiety attack .I was prescribed xanax . I was on them for awhile but not for long. As life went bye I began having constant nausea and stomach pain. I went through every stomach pill imaginable. Nothing worked and I was in er 4 days out of a week. Finally the doctors took the right path and started treating me for anxiety and depression. After about two weeks evrything was almost great . I had no nausea or stomach pain. I am still doing ok while taking 200mg of zoloft daily. The only trouble is I still have those sudden anxiety attacks . I will be sick for two days until it passes. I have tried everything for the anxiety but nothing works. I want to try xanax again occasionally when I have these attacks but my doctor will not prescribe it . I can never sleep either due to worrying and anxiety and think that xanax might help.

I already went through two panic attacks recently during which I had to be taken into hospital. Whenever I am experiencing those panic attacks I feel like I am going insane there is fear inside me that makes me tremble and makes my whole body cold. i hyperventilate and experience pains in some areas of my bodies, chest especially. My heart so fast that it feels like it is goign to rip a hole through my chest.

I need to know if there are any available "home made" treatments. And what is there to prevent them.. as well as what can I when I get a sudden panick attack.

I am taking Ativan and Paxil. I was taking Xanax but it does not work on me any longer.

Let me brifely describe what I think causes my panic attacks
I am in BAD finanical situation which creates lots of stress. I am working in a stressful evnironment. Recently, I am expriencing anxiety and I do not want to deal with many people and just want to be left alone.

Help, please.

Every time someone hears about my attacks, I get useless and banal "advice" on overcoming them. People with no real psychological education other than reading self help books and watching Dr. Phil. My favorite is "suck it up" and "be a man." So anyone out there with panic disorder get this often or notice this? Does it bug you? How do you cope? It’s bad enough to have an illness that has you by the throat, but to endure constant ignorance is just salt in the wound.
10 years with panic disorder (agoraphobia on and off) Have been on Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, Effexor, Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, etc.

Tested for bi-polar and manic depression..hade neither, but was given Depikote "just in case" and it reacted badly.

8 years for constant therapy, psychotherapy, CBT, meditation and relaxation techniques, feedback related techniques and very little progress with most. CBT is still current and on going.

and have been being treated for them for the past 6 years and out of the blue you get a really bad anxiety/panic attack? Let me add this info might help with answering my question. I have been taking xanax 1mg a day ( i split them in half and take one in the am other ..pm) Well I decided after getting all worked up to go to the nearest prima care type place, which is only about 5 minutes from where I live. I have just moved to Georgia about 1 month ago, and my new doctor cannot see me until the 26th. Didn’t really feel like I could drive to the Hospital…he ended telling me he would and cannot give me xanax….took the 105.00 fee and handed me a referral. Is this normal??? What should I do…shouldI go to the ER? I thought you cannot stop taking this medication without consulating your doctor? I asked him before lewaving, what do I do if this happens again..he said you can deal with it. Advice needed please. There is more to the story, but running out of room.

I am on Zoloft. its been almost 3 months. My panic attacks are still the same and so is my anxiety. Is there something for my panic attacks and how to I talk to my doctor about it. Ive heard about Xanax? Thanks for the help.

I’ve been thinking about taking Xanax to help with my anxiety attacks. (i’ll go to the doc for this)
But before I do so, I was just curious about somethings..

Side effects:
Such as weight gain?? It that true?

Does it really work for anxiety? scale 1-10 of how well it works?

How does it make you feel? (i’m do not of drugs that make you feel weird and not in control of you body)

Will it eventually make you not have anxiety? How?

Will I be able to still do daily activites like gym?

My view of Xanax is it makes you real relaxed and tired..so i’m worried i’ll be lazy and druged up everyday!

I really want to treat my anxiety because it is hold me back on a lot of things. I have anxiety about having axniety! which is difficult to ignore and try to not let it hold me back. It’s a fear..and i hate it.

I’m currently on Effexor XR 150mg, Vistiril 50mg 3 times a day and Xanax ER 2mg. Is this a common mixture of Meds to treat Panic attacks? I feel better than I did before the treatment but I still have attacks from time to time. Is there a better combo of scrips to consider?

It all started when my Dr. changed my thyroid medication dose. I couldnt go no where, my blood pressure would go sky high. Now I can go places but I have to dose up on the xanax before I go. I need someone to help me. The Dr. wont and I have no insurance. Help Please!

I have heard everything from you are born with it to because you have sinned too much to its from processed foods to its from the hormones in the milk! Why is it so common! If you are going to tell me that it isnt a real disorder, I will beg to differ with you! If you have some helpful info, then I would be greatly appreciative. Has anyone here suffered extreme dibilitating panic, been on meds, and successing found a way to come off? I’m sorry there are sooo many unanswered Q’s here.
Nicole,
Yes I am suffering from panic attacks. Its been close to 4 yrs since the first debilitating one, and they still sneak up quite often. I take 12.5 mg Paxil daily, and am considering Xanax for those debilitating attacks. I believe that my attacks surfaced due to the amount of stress I was under. I was 20 y/o, married w/ a stepson, and just gave birth to my second son, (3 sons total- at that time). My baby was very ill, and was deaf. We were getting ready for him to have cranial surgery. I was very weak from a traumatic birth,(he was born in the car during a thunder storm), and was having to travel 300 miles to the childrens hospital frequently. I lost my pregnancy weight in about 3 weeks. Then the attacks hit me hard. It was a nightmare! I deal with them very well now, but the trembling is unbearable! Thank all of you who have taken the time to leave an answer.

I have recently begun treatment with a new psychiatrist for depression and anxiety. I’ve been on wellbutrin for years but quit when i got pregnant. i ended up having a miscarriage and was feeling alright until around 5-6 months later. My old psychiatrist retired ( who i hadn’t seen in years) so i’ve started with a new one. We resumed the wellbutrin and short term treatment with xanax since i had used it previously with my other doctor for a few months. What i didn’t realize was the start dose he put me on was very low. .25-.5 mg three times a day. This hadn"t been effective when i last used it so i ended up taking one extra pill daily. ( at night for sleep problems). well i ran out obviosly early and tried to call in the refill thinking there wouldn’t be a problem only asking for half the prescription because i had a upcoming check up with her. The pharmacist refused and it was over the week-end. I had a full blown panic attack. this scares me. I called the doctor on call and felt like an idiot but explained exactly what i’d been taking. I will call monday but I’m concerned that the reaction I had means I addicted even though it’s only been 2 weeks on the meds. Any advice? I am scared and am still experiencing a hard time breathing. Please, what would you do?

I have been have severe panic attacks lately and I don’t know if anyone else has them but they are horrible. I started having them about two weeks ago and it is really interferring with my life and I have been very sad lately. I visited the doctor and was prescribed xanax and I plan to visit another doctor tomorrow. How long will this last? Will I ever get better? Also let me know of any advice if you have any.

What is the best treatment for anxiety and panic disorder?
I am taking a beta blocker 25mg and the Dr gave me Xanax too. But everyone keeps telling me how wrong Xanax is and so addictive. But I keep having the panic attacks. Is anyone else taking an SSRI or something else for the anxiety and panic attack treatment? What are alternatives other than Xanax?
Anyone taking it combined with a beta blocker?

I know this is probably a question only Drs would know but I can’t find anything on it. My dad went to the Dr with anxiety attack symptoms (fast heartbeat, worrying something terrible is wrong) and the nurse rushed him for blood work to check his white blood count and the Dr said if the Xanax didn’t work they’d run more tests. This worried me a little because I have no idea what it would be if it wasn’t anxiety/panic attacks. If anyone has any ideas…thanks

I am 36 years old and have suffered with anxiety attacks for the last 15 years. I have been on numerous anti-anxiety drugs and have had several therapists to help me with this. Currently I am off all the meds. except for Xanax which I only take when needed. It seems like I have most of my attacks at night when I am trying to sleep. During the day when I feel an attack coming on I can usually get my mind off of it because I am busy at work or doing other things. But, at night is when the attacks are uncontrollable. They wake me up out of a sound sleep. My heart is racing , I have trouble swallowing and the heaviness and pressure in my chest is just awful. As of now, I am up due to another attack and have to get up in less than 5 hrs. to go to work. I have tried special breathing exercises to control this (which is what all the therapists tried teaching me) they don’t work at all. I have read self help books but nothing, absolutely nothing helps. The chest discomfort and trouble swalling is the most uncomfortable symptoms out of all the other anxiety attack symptoms I have to deal with. Does anyone have this same problem and how do you deal with it? I will not go back on any of the drugs. The Xanax does cause some relief but, I don’t like to take it. My mind just races with all of these "silly" worries and concerns that I don’t have any control over. I just don’t understand why it wakes me up out of a sound sleep at night. Any advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated!