Anybody experience "aftermath" panic attacks?

Love of heaven-----

I spent last night in the ER with DH b/c he was having 'heart symptoms'--he was sick all day, vomiting and such, and as I have said, is one awful patient--so I was trying to figure out if he had food poisoning, taken his med on an empty stomach or just had gastroenteritis. He gets supremely panicky when he gets sick and after his heart attacks we were in the ER 4 or 5 times with, you guessed it, panic attacks. They gave him Valium which he really barely used, it was more of a calming measure to know he had it.

Turns out he just had food poisoning or a stomach virus and today is perfectly fine.

I had tried to take him to the ER yesterday about 1 and he refused--but by 8 and after my granddaughter's play and shopping (and yes, I had texted him several times to which he responded he was "fine") I came home to find him near tears and having "palpitations". I was angry/scared at the same time. I didn't HAVE to shop, I didn't HAVE to go to the play---anyhow, we hauled out to the ER and were admitted pronto--when the blood tests for heart issues came back negative...well, I knew he was just sick. His panic went away, they ran 3 bags of fluid into him and some morphine for the pain and some Zofran and we were back home just after midnight and slept like a baby. He just now woke up (2pm) and says he feels just fine and thinks he was probably over the worst when we went to the ER.

{Sigh}

I could NOT go to sleep. I talked to the doc on call for a while. (It was super quiet in the ER) and asked him how long would it be before Dh would stop freaking out when he has any kind of episode--and how long for me. I seriously feel like I stepped back 10 steps, anxiety wise. Dr said what I felt was absolutely normal and probably should be dealing with the anxiety (which I am TRYING to do). He said it just "took time".

I agree 100% that Klonipin has been the best/worst thing to happen to me. It works so well, every single time I take it. I have been on the same dosage for years. I KNOW I have to taper down. (Actually know a woman who is on 10 mgs per day---I'm a lightweight, comparitively)

And for days and days I DO really well, then something happens--like, last night and I am back to square one.

I need to qualify that my pdoc is not the one who is telling me to check myself into the hospital if I run short in a month--it's the nasty MA who screens all incoming phone calls. He knows she's like this and doesn't appreciate her treating patients like nut jobs, but it's impossible to get past her. I'm thinking that although I just saw him, I may call for an "emergency" visit.

I'm on Zoloft and honestly, it could just be pooping out on me. I am SURE there are many other ways I can treat the anxiety. I have tried CBD oil, but the oral kind. I will give the hemp lotion a try.

Honestly? I KNOW that about 50% of the root cause of the anxiety stems from horrific childhood abuse, which I have and am still dealing with, the other 50% just comes from life. I could always stay a step ahead of it until some years ago when I just "hit the wall". 5 kids in 9 years, teeny tiny house--hubby traveled 75% of the time---well, just life.

I appreciate your support. I am well aware of the horrors of getting off Klonipin. I never intended to take it for so long. But then I never intended for life to be so damn hard.

Oh, and I will "run out" 4 or 5 days before the new scrip can be filled. It's not like I am taking 4xs what I am prescribed and most months, do not need to even have it refilled "on schedule".

Didn't help that a few years ago this would auto refill a week before the 30 days was out. I never really paid attention to it--just put 4 in my daily meds box and sometimes took all 4 and sometimes didn't.

Will get some CBD lotion tomorrow. Also will call the doc for a frank talk. I'm probably working myself up over nothing----and I DO need to accept and learn to handle these blips on the radar that are my hubby's health.

Midkid,

I get it! I suffer from GAD as well. I say this with love you need to get off Klonopin it is the strongest most addictive of the Benzo family. You should try an alternative way to treat your anxiety...I know it is easier said than done. Sigh:(

What you experience was a delay-reaction...I think your brain finally had time to process what could of happen with DH and how it really could have effective you and your life.

This happen to me after my dad died. Four weeks after is death I went to my Drs appt and I was find. I ck out at the front desk and got in my jeep and it hit me...my dad is dead...I thought for sure that I was never going to stop crying...never catch my breath...the world was spinning out of control. I was lucky that I could call my BF and he was able to calm me down. I have had other episode like this.

So, I do understand that when your in the middle of a panic attack and you just want it to stop so popping a pill makes it so easy, and I am not against medications just Klonopin!

So here is a few things to try: Xanax which I am not a fan of but if your Dr prescribe 2mg you can cut it into 4 pieces which will take it down to .50mg, in turn "should" make it easier for you to get off meds without a harsh withdrawal. You will still have withdraws. Sigh!

Also have you tried "self-talk"? This is where you tell yourself that you are ok and that things will be find. You continue to talk to yourself about what is going on and how you can deal with the circumstances that are going on. Talk to your Psychiatrist about helping you to learn to do "self-talk"! It works:)

Another idea is CBD tablets or hemp lotion. Do not use CBD oil. I like hemp lotion because you put it on and the hemp release throughout the day. It just makes you feel calm. There is no THC so no high or weird feelings. Less panic attacks:)

Like always talk to your Dr before changing or start taking anything new.

I hope this helps and I pray that DH is getting better. Take care of yourself.

Hugs!!!

https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/home/features/separating-anxiety-from-physical-illness/


((((( hugs)))))

I don't know klonopin but I do know that long term used of benzodiazepines can lead to a kind of rebound dependency and cutting back causes the very symptoms you've been trying to treat - my dad was definitely addicted and my mother said getting off valium was one of the hardest things she ever did. I had many panic episodes in the year or two after my brother died, I think one of the most distressing things about them was that unlike my previous panic attacks they came on without any trigger, sometimes in the middle of the night or when I was just going about my day. No doubt your doc understands very well that suppressed stress can pop out in unexpected ways, the key will be to continue to work with your doctors/therapist to find ways to overcome that.

MI'd, I think your psych doc wants you admitted because there could be something ELSE physical going on that is causing these anxiety attacks. There are rumors that cause surges in adrenaline that make it look and feel like you're having a panic attack. This may not be a psych issue at all.


Please talk to your PCP as soon as you can and get worked up for this. We love you and care about you!