Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello guys. It’s comforting to know that I am not going to die after reading a few of these posts. I am a 26 year-old male that was pretty recently diagnosed with panic disorder. The last couple weeks have been very unbearable. A few months ago I started having a hard time sitting in class (I’m a student at a local college for Electrical Engineering) and was very anxious. I had had a panic attack before..actually well over a year or so before, but, this seemed very strange as there really wasn’t anything I was truly "upset" about. Of course, I always exaggerate everything in my life and make it into more than what it really is in my head, but, that usually was a good thing. Well those attacks started getting more frequent and harder to handle to the point where I ended up having to drop class by class until I will not drive anywhere beyond maybe down the street. I started Xanax just this afternoon. I was having headaches and tension in my upper back and neck most of the time anyway, but there is definately a headache as a result of the Xanax..plus a dry mouth. I have totally given up my love of coffee (as well as Diet Coke) as I cannot handle the effects of caffeine anymore. I like to smoke maybe 2 or 3 cigarettes a day and have had a really hard time with that as well. Can anyone share their experiences with the drug that may be going through the same problems as I have. I am becoming a recluse and I don’t like it at all. Think I’ll go try to sleep. Wish me luck! Dan
Hi Dan, You sound a bit like me. My degree was in physics and I later started having panic attacks in my late 20s (back in 1991). I used to enjoy up to a pot of coffee a day without any trouble, but since my panic attacks began I’ve been much more sensitive to caffeine. I still smoke. Like you, there was nothing unusually upsetting to me when my attacks started; but a somewhat stressful lifestyle may have contributed (or not, hard to tell). I take Xanax PRN (as needed). I had tried the SSRI med Paxil (up to 30-mg daily) but eventually had an adverse reaction to it after two years. Since my panic attacks are rapid onset events of up to several hours, I find Xanax works better for me and haven’t associated any side effects with it. I do get dry mouth at times, but I had that before medication and consider it anxiety related in my case. Welcome to ASAP. I hope some of us can help you find some answers. Best Wishes, Arthur
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:Thanks for the kind words everyone. Believe it or not, the headaches have :subsided I think. I am having a little trouble with my jaw hurting quite a :bit…it’s very sore. It’s the kind of pain that starts in the jaw and works :it’s way up to the lower temple. I have a bad habit of clenching my jaw :together at times and I have been told I have been gritting my teeth in my :sleep since I was very young. Has anyone else had experience with this? If :so, what would be the best route to getting rid of that pain. It’s very :distracting to say the least and I am starting to believe it may be the main :source of my panic attacks Grinding your teeth is called "bruxism" and can cause a lot of problems. Get yourself to a dentist as soon as possible. This can be treated with a mouth guard or bite plate. : I guess my question would be if it is normal to get those really :energized and manic feelings right at the end of a pills duration? When you say you are feeling manic or energized, is it possible that you are really feeling wound up or anxious? Discuss this with your doctor, he would know best what is really going on. :How much :Advil/aspirin would be considered ok to take throughout a normal day? Follow your doctors instructions or the directions on the bottle if you have taken advil or aspirin before. : I’m :not sure what Xanax does to the body in general (i.e. how it works) but this :jaw-to-temple pain is nearly unbearable at times. It is important you get that bruxism and jaw clenching treated. What is happening is a vicious cycle of pain causing anxiety and then the increased anxiety exacerbating the pain. Getting this pain and anxiety under control will make a big difference. Take care and feel better soon! Jackie ~*~A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam. And for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world, but then it flies on again. And though we wish it would have stayed, We feel so lucky to have seen it~*~
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Dan, You need to see your family doctor about this. Tell the doc that you’ve been having panic attacks and how it’s affected your life. The doc will have to check out your general health to rule out physical problems that can lead to anxiety and panic attacks. If you check out OK, then you need to see a psychiatrist to determine if medication can help you get back to your life. You can also try working with a psychologist who can teach you tools to deal with panic attacks. Don’t hesitate to see a doc. Get this taken care of as it tends to lead to agoraphobia if it isn’t nipped in the bud. Keep posting here. We all have panic disorder here. Tony PS: I’ve been taking Zoloft and Clonazepam for about 5 years and have been able to live without panic attacks. The meds help to keep my body from overreacting when my anxiety flares up. My will and determination has enabled me to get out of the house and continue with my life.
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Hi Dan, …
Sorry for the repeated posts. I had a slow connection and clicked the button a few too many times. My apologies. Best Wishes, Arthur
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Thanks for the kind words everyone. Believe it or not, the headaches have subsided I think. I am having a little trouble with my jaw hurting quite a bit…it’s very sore. It’s the kind of pain that starts in the jaw and works it’s way up to the lower temple. I have a bad habit of clenching my jaw together at times and I have been told I have been gritting my teeth in my sleep since I was very young. Has anyone else had experience with this? If so, what would be the best route to getting rid of that pain. It’s very distracting to say the least and I am starting to believe it may be the main source of my panic attacks (at least what triggered the latest feelings of "doom" that really got me going). I’m only taking Xanax in .25mg doses as needed which looks like about twice a day (every 8 hours of being awake). I woke up today and managed about 2 hours without feeling something coming on and then took a pill. I then drove with my girlfriend (Thank God for her) to her parents for a late evening dinner and mingled with no real problems and actually tried avoiding taking the pill that I thought may be due an hour ago. That didn’t seem to work though. I ended up taking it only a few minutes ago because I suddenly was getting a very energized feeling in my body and mind that I knew wasn’t good considering I was drowsy a few hours ago. I guess my question would be if it is normal to get those really energized and manic feelings right at the end of a pills duration? How much Advil/aspirin would be considered ok to take throughout a normal day? I’m not sure what Xanax does to the body in general (i.e. how it works) but this jaw-to-temple pain is nearly unbearable at times. As a side-note, going to bed last night was a little difficult at first. I find myself tossing and turning a little before I settle down. I usually sleep on my back (and always wake up on my back) but I find myself starting off on my side as I feel I can breathe better….not sure what that is all about. I appreciate all the support and look forward to supporting others in the future. Thanks. Dan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello guys. It’s comforting to know that I am not going to die after reading a few of these posts. I am a 26 year-old male that was pretty recently diagnosed with panic disorder. The last couple weeks have been very unbearable. A few months ago I started having a hard time sitting in class (I’m a student at a local college for Electrical Engineering) and was very anxious. I had had a panic attack before..actually well over a year or so before, but, this seemed very strange as there really wasn’t anything I was truly "upset" about. Of course, I always exaggerate everything in my life and make it into more than what it really is in my head, but, that usually was a good thing. Well those attacks started getting more frequent and harder to handle to the point where I ended up having to drop class by class until I will not drive anywhere beyond maybe down the street. I started Xanax just this afternoon. I was having headaches and tension in my upper back and neck most of the time anyway, but there is definately a headache as a result of the Xanax..plus a dry mouth. I have totally given up my love of coffee (as well as Diet Coke) as I cannot handle the effects of caffeine anymore. I like to smoke maybe 2 or 3 cigarettes a day and have had a really hard time with that as well. Can anyone share their experiences with the drug that may be going through the same problems as I have. I am becoming a recluse and I don’t like it at all. Think I’ll go try to sleep. Wish me luck! Dan
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello guys. It’s comforting to know that I am not going to die after reading a few of these posts. I am a 26 year-old male that was pretty recently diagnosed with panic disorder. The last couple weeks have been very unbearable. A few months ago I started having a hard time sitting in class (I’m a student at a local college for Electrical Engineering) and was very anxious. I had had a panic attack before..actually well over a year or so before, but, this seemed very strange as there really wasn’t anything I was truly "upset" about. Of course, I always exaggerate everything in my life and make it into more than what it really is in my head, but, that usually was a good thing. Well those attacks started getting more frequent and harder to handle to the point where I ended up having to drop class by class until I will not drive anywhere beyond maybe down the street. I started Xanax just this afternoon. I was having headaches and tension in my upper back and neck most of the time anyway, but there is definately a headache as a result of the Xanax..plus a dry mouth. I have totally given up my love of coffee (as well as Diet Coke) as I cannot handle the effects of caffeine anymore. I like to smoke maybe 2 or 3 cigarettes a day and have had a really hard time with that as well. Can anyone share their experiences with the drug that may be going through the same problems as I have. I am becoming a recluse and I don’t like it at all. Think I’ll go try to sleep. Wish me luck! Dan
Hi Dan, Welcome to ASAP! I certainly know the relief of realizing you aren’t going to die! I had no idea other people felt like I did until I found this newsgroup. I feel you will find loads of information and advice here. I know I have and it is very comforting to know you are not alone. When I started having panic attacks I was working and it was unbearable. I still don’t know how I got through the day many times. I also had a doctor who wasn’t understanding about xanax and wouldn’t give me anything to help me through them. The constant unending feelings can be so overwhelming you wonder if you will make it. But you will!!! Take your Xanax as directed by your doctor. It’s amazing how much it helps. I also understand all too well about the neck and shoulder tension. I do hope you feel better soon, Dan. Keep us updated. Vicki
Response:
Hello guys. It’s comforting to know that I am not going to die after reading a few of these posts. I am a 26 year-old male that was pretty recently diagnosed with panic disorder. The last couple weeks have been very unbearable. A few months ago I started having a hard time sitting in class (I’m a student at a local college for Electrical Engineering) and was very anxious. I had had a panic attack before..actually well over a year or so before, but, this seemed very strange as there really wasn’t anything I was truly "upset" about. Of course, I always exaggerate everything in my life and make it into more than what it really is in my head, but, that usually was a good thing. Well those attacks started getting more frequent and harder to handle to the point where I ended up having to drop class by class until I will not drive anywhere beyond maybe down the street. I started Xanax just this afternoon. I was having headaches and tension in my upper back and neck most of the time anyway, but there is definately a headache as a result of the Xanax..plus a dry mouth. I have totally given up my love of coffee (as well as Diet Coke) as I cannot handle the effects of caffeine anymore. I like to smoke maybe 2 or 3 cigarettes a day and have had a really hard time with that as well. Can anyone share their experiences with the drug that may be going through the same problems as I have. I am becoming a recluse and I don’t like it at all. Think I’ll go try to sleep. Wish me luck! Dan
Response:
Hello guys. It’s comforting to know that I am not going to die after reading a few of these posts.
Hello Dan,this are the best openingwords on this NG I ever read 
I am a 26 year-old male that was pretty – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – recently diagnosed with panic disorder. The last couple weeks have been very unbearable. A few months ago I started having a hard time sitting in class (I’m a student at a local college for Electrical Engineering) and was very anxious. I had had a panic attack before..actually well over a year or so before, but, this seemed very strange as there really wasn’t anything I was truly "upset" about. Of course, I always exaggerate everything in my life and make it into more than what it really is in my head, but, that usually was a good thing. Well those attacks started getting more frequent and harder to handle to the point where I ended up having to drop class by class until I will not drive anywhere beyond maybe down the street. I started Xanax just this afternoon. I was having headaches and tension in my upper back and neck most of the time anyway, but there is definately a headache as a result of the Xanax..plus a dry mouth. I have totally given up my love of coffee (as well as Diet Coke) as I cannot handle the effects of caffeine anymore. I like to smoke maybe 2 or 3 cigarettes a day and have had a really hard time with that as well. Can anyone share their experiences with the drug that may be going through the same problems as I have. I am becoming a recluse and I don’t like it at all. Think I’ll go try to sleep. Wish me luck! Dan
I never used xanax but others in this group can tell you more about it. It is a well-known benzo in case of PAD. I am really sorry you have PAD up to the point where you are now ! becoming a reclusive is a hard thing. Most of us share more or less the same experiences. The good news is that PAD is treatable. Mostly with the right medication and the right therapy you can overcome a lot of the symptoms. Anyway as a good friend here allways says "you are not alone" Take care from Anna
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Hi Dan Yes it is always a great feeling when you realize that you arent going to die from panic disorder. Sure does feel like that when it first starts doesnt it. I know what you mean about having an attack when you arent upset about anything. Sometimes an attack seems to just come out of nowhere when you least expect it. I do take xanax for my panic disorder but have never had any side affects from it other than when I first started taking it I would get a little drowsy but I dont even do that anymore. I have never had headaches or dry mouth from it but everyone reacts differently to meds. HOpefully since you just started taking it the side affects will go away once your body adjusts to the medicine. When my anxiety is high or I have a panic attack I have tension and achiness in my shoulders neck back and chest. I think its from tensing the muscles so badly. I am so sorry you had to give up your classes. I hope that you will be able to continue them real soon. I also became a recluse when I first developed panic disorder but with the help of therapy and the xanax I was able to overcome it and lead a pretty normal life again. Hope this helps you a little and I hope you start to feel better very soon. Take care Deb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello guys. It’s comforting to know that I am not going to die after reading a few of these posts. I am a 26 year-old male that was pretty recently diagnosed with panic disorder. The last couple weeks have been very unbearable. A few months ago I started having a hard time sitting in class (I’m a student at a local college for Electrical Engineering) and was very anxious. I had had a panic attack before..actually well over a year or so before, but, this seemed very strange as there really wasn’t anything I was truly "upset" about. Of course, I always exaggerate everything in my life and make it into more than what it really is in my head, but, that usually was a good thing. Well those attacks started getting more frequent and harder to handle to the point where I ended up having to drop class by class until I will not drive anywhere beyond maybe down the street. I started Xanax just this afternoon. I was having headaches and tension in my upper back and neck most of the time anyway, but there is definately a headache as a result of the Xanax..plus a dry mouth. I have totally given up my love of coffee (as well as Diet Coke) as I cannot handle the effects of caffeine anymore. I like to smoke maybe 2 or 3 cigarettes a day and have had a really hard time with that as well. Can anyone share their experiences with the drug that may be going through the same problems as I have. I am becoming a recluse and I don’t like it at all. Think I’ll go try to sleep. Wish me luck! Dan
Response:
:Hello guys. It’s comforting to know that I am not going to die after reading :a few of these posts. I am a 26 year-old male that was pretty recently :diagnosed with panic disorder. The last couple weeks have been very :unbearable. A few months ago I started having a hard time sitting in class 
I’m a student at a local college for Electrical Engineering) and was very :anxious. I had had a panic attack before..actually well over a year or so :before, but, this seemed very strange as there really wasn’t anything I was :truly "upset" about. Of course, I always exaggerate everything in my life :and make it into more than what it really is in my head, but, that usually :was a good thing. Well those attacks started getting more frequent and :harder to handle to the point where I ended up having to drop class by class :until I will not drive anywhere beyond maybe down the street. I started :Xanax just this afternoon. I was having headaches and tension in my upper :back and neck most of the time anyway, but there is definately a headache as :a result of the Xanax..plus a dry mouth. I have totally given up my love of :coffee (as well as Diet Coke) as I cannot handle the effects of caffeine :anymore. I like to smoke maybe 2 or 3 cigarettes a day and have had a really :hard time with that as well. Can anyone share their experiences with the :drug that may be going through the same problems as I have. I am becoming a :recluse and I don’t like it at all. Think I’ll go try to sleep. Wish me :luck! Dear Dan, Welcome to ASAP! I have been battling panic disorder with agoraphobia since 1981 and can relate to much of what you wrote. Had to stop working, stopped driving, stopped going to many places because I feared having more and more panic attacks and would avoid "any" place or situation where I might have one. This is called "avoidance behaviour" and can lead to agoraphobia. It can get to the point where you can`t leave your house, that happened to me. It seems you are avoiding things, you dropped your classes and your "safe" zone is shrinking more and more. Xanax can be a great medication to help you get back on your feet. I urge you to get into cognitive behavioral therapy to address your avoidance behaviour before it gets worse. Here is a link to a very informative site on anxiety disorders. Check out the panic disorder and agoraphobia links. You can also find information on cognitive behavioral therapy at the "therapy" link. http://panicdisorder.about.com/mbody.htm I understand how scary it is when you start becoming reclusive because of panic attacks and anxiety. The good news is that this is a treatable disorder and you can get to a much better place with effective meds and therapy. There is much hope, you have to believe that Jackie ~*~A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam. And for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world, but then it flies on again. And though we wish it would have stayed, We feel so lucky to have seen it~*~
Response:
Well those attacks started getting more frequent and harder to handle to the point where I ended up having to drop class by class until I will not drive anywhere beyond maybe down the street. The same happened to me when my panic attacks started a year ago. A friendly suggestion: Don’t go to long without driving. I did this and developed a driving phobia, but after 6 weeks forcing myself back into it, it was fine and still is today…. I started Xanax just this afternoon. I was having headaches and tension in my upper back and neck most of the time anyway, but there is definately a headache as a result of the Xanax..plus a dry mouth. I have totally given up my love of coffee (as well as Diet Coke) as I cannot handle the effects of caffeine anymore. I like to smoke maybe 2 or 3 cigarettes a day and have had a really hard time with that as well. Can anyone share their experiences with the drug that may be going through the same problems as I have. I’ve been on Xanax almost year and only doubled by dose once and on 1.5mg per day now. Seems to be the right dose. I felt very drowsy when starting up on it, but went away after a few days. The only other side effect I find is that I feel a little more dizzy right after I take it, but only last 10 minutes or so. I also gave up caffeine and has helped quite a bit. Since you’ve had headaches anyway, maybe it’s a little withdrawal from stopping your caffeine intake or anxiety (I get tension headaches due to anxiety) but just a guess. I smoke 1 1/2 packs a day and I know the stimulant increases my anxiety but I’m not quite ready to give it up yet, but will one day. Hopefully ; ) Well how did you sleep? You might not see it now but it does get better. Take Care Dan, Kevin…
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