Posted by yxibow on February 24, 2008, at 7:28:48
In reply to Re: PANIC ATACKS? what now?, posted by sometimesblue on February 14, 2008, at 16:42:12
> my doc is hesitant on prescribing anything that may have a potential of addiction....i had a hard time getng a script for rit. UUggghhhh....you know, i don't get these attacks often, but this last time.....i couldn't even drive, i felt dizzy and panicky....it was awful.
You do realize that Soma (non-scheduled) is potentially habituating, as one of its major metabolites is basically Miltown, a schedule IV substance. So you're already taking something potentially habituating, sometimes equal to low potent barbiturates, sometimes equal to benzodiazepines.In fact, they're contraindicated with any major dose of benzodiazepines, which is why I had to use Robaxin (its distant cousin) instead of Soma, which I admit is really relaxing but over time Soma is probably more habituating than Robaxin.
Now there may be some reason why you are taking Soma, I'm not your doctor obviously but it is fairly potent.
I don't know your diagnosis, there is a lot of stimulating medication going on, although for some people's diagnoses it is calming, I know. My own condition responds to things very unstimulating.I've had panic attacks before -- one time aborted a vacation and I turned home playing a CD over and over and I had this reaction that I had to look forward, I couldn't look to the side.
More recently, with a very different disorder, I did have a panic attack on my last long driving foray and stayed inside where I was visiting, wasting valuable time that I could have spent reminiscing on my old hangout. Xanax sparingly helped but it really wasn't the answer. Getting myself out of the place and doing things would have been the answer and that continues to be an issue today with a much more complex situation that has occurred over time.
Its hard to respond to CBT or even the hesitant use of the word "reverse psychiatry" if the patient isn't willing or is in a state that requires some medication to be more functional in order to do these things. But ultimately by doing things, by punching through the imaginary wall there is light against the tunnel. Its not focusing on the symptoms but instead on what is resonant with yourself, something that drives you. And that is sort of a mix of CBT and other psychological techniques.
I know its hard because I have trouble with "homework" and setbacks do happen with medication unpredictably, it often seems that my caregiver(s) have more hope in me than myself.
This leads astray, but there isn't just a magic chemical to wave away all panic attacks. Yes, clonazepam can be useful in the short run but in the long run depending on the individual, it can be useful for an unknown indefinite time, or shortly habituating.
To feeling better
-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:812569
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080221/msgs/814387.html