reaccurance after so long????

Mental health
1

Hey guys and gals,

Not posted on here for a while but I've come back for, hopefully, more help.

As some of you know I originally came on here suffering with terrible panic attacks, depression and constant anxiety as I suffer with Thanatophobia, then I got put on venlafaxine 150mg and propranolol 80mg, both slow release, it took a couple of weeks for them to settle in and apart from 2 occasions where a close friend was diagnosed with cancer, thankfully she's been given the all clear now, and another close friend, who was only 32, died from cancer. On both occasions I had panic attacks the same days and after her funeral, but I put that down to both occasions specifically relating to my phobia.

I've been on the medication now for over 6 months and things have been better than ever, I'm talking a complete turnaround, sleeping, eating, back at work, relationship going well etc, its been amazing.

The past 3 nights have been different though, I've started getting the same old panicky feelings, and tonight actually panicked and hyperventilated a bit.

I just wondered if anyone could provide an explanation or give some advice???

I know I've been on the medication long enough to stop having side effects, or can I still get some???

I don't know because this is the first time I've taken medication for my phobia and I've had it since I was 15, I'm 24 now.

I'm just scared of having a panic attack or the medication stops working or something negative is going to happen.

I guess these past few nights have just shaken me up a bit.

Anyway, any help would be much appreciated.

Love and peace to you all.

Danielle x

2

hi danielle just reading your message and i hope ull be fine as u says ur prob dreading is it all going to start again but rem u over come it before u can again

3

Hi Danielle

I went on to citrazolam or cipramil 12 years ago for 3 years felt fantastic came off it in 2006 no side affects and up until this year been absolutely panic free Then in Feb this year woke up with palpitations and that awful burning sensation Went to GP and she said probably over stimulation fron 2 glasses of wine and a coffee the night before Anyway all was fine then it happened again Same scenario been out to dinner with husband and friends only had 2 glasses of wine no coffee went to GP again and sent for an ECG and saw a heart specialist nothing wrong! so went to see a psychiatrist who put me back on cipramil after being off it since2006 This time and I am almost 4 weeks into it having heightened anxiety and not feeling good first thing in the morning.

Like you Two good friends passed away recently and my Mum died 2 and a half years ago and still miss her terribly I think the return of the panic has been an accumulation of stress Also I was boasting to friend in January how I had been panic free for years and then got it all back Maybe my self conscious recalled the memories and it resurfaced who knows?

I would recommend seeing a psychologist for cognitive behaviour therapy as this really is a good thing to do as well as medication Talk to your doctor for advice about this. I do feel so sorry for you but stay positive and read about how to cope with anxiety there are lots of good self help books around and knowledge is power . I know you will get well in time and you are only young

take care and hope this helps you 

Vivienne

4

Hi Danielle,

You say you suffer from (Thanatophobia - fear of death) but can I ask, what treatment are you actually getting for it, and what is your actual diagnosis? I'm just a bit perplexed that somebody would prescribe both anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication for a fear rather than direct you towards more productive treatments such as counselling or CBT, maybe EMDR.

5

hi danielle,

firstly well done for getting better on the meds. Secondly, the shock of your friends death probably upset you a lot and brought some of the anxiety back. But keep on going, you seem a lot better.

Richard

6

"firstly well done for getting better on the meds"

Dangerous.