A panic attack for me can last up to a few hours. My blood pressure gets to 220/125 with a heart rate of 220bpm. My doctor put me on klonopin 0.5mg and promised me if I only took one a day I wouldn't have withdrawls. I decided to take LESS than that about 3 pills a week. WORST mistake of my life by listening to him. 2 years later I am still tapering on MY OWN taper called a 1% taper since his recommendations only made it worse once again. Im almost through with the taper in about a month and plan on starting prozac. I don't know why he didn't suggest that in the first place. BENZOS ARE HORRIBLE and tho they work wonders in the moment they should only be used for emergencies! Since I use my klonopin for strictly taper and have nothing for emergencies I had to buy xanax from a friend and keep a pill with me wherever I go just in case of an emergency. I just want my life back. I really hope prozac can help me I have no other solution...
I was put on clonozepam also after 1 panic attack. And it sucks!!!!!! The side effects are horrible I feel like crap! I’m tapering as well was only given 0.5 mg and it increases my panic and anxiety so bad!
Agree with you. Benzos are bad news. Was prescribed Klonopin 1.5 mg for 28 years since 1992. Last july 2020 I stopped abruptly after reading about Jordan Peterson's experience with it and leaning they make dementia way over 50% more likely as they damage your brain. Thought I was dying for a long time after with withdrawals, it got less severe for about a month, and has been back full force for last few months. Panic wakes me up with pounding heart, hyperventilation, terror, super tense muscles, headaches, jaw pain every time I fall asleep, even a quick nap since I'm tired all time. My doc doesn't believe benzos are a problem and offered no help. Won't take prescription meds again, don't trust doctors anymore.
I understand that taking medication along with CBT therapy is the best combination for treating panic disorder, but does that mean one has to stay on a SSRI forever? Like you mentioned the relapse rate is very high as it is, I’m wondering if getting off the medication would cause a relapse as well. I suffer from panic disorder and I’ve trued SSRIs in the past (not with CBT) but I found myself to be extremely depressed I’d like to try something natural along with CBT
When you have panic disorder, the initial treatment plan may include an SSRI with CBT. After a year of doing well with this treatment, then the SSRI can be discontinued, and you maintain your recovery by practicing what you learned in CBT. CBT is meant to replace medication treatment over the long term.
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