Hi, I have been suffering with severe anxiety panic attacks for 6 weeks, it has made me physical sick, my stomach stays upset, cannot sleep, diarhea , can t eat, have night sweats and heart palpitation with heart rate of over 100 beats per minute, also have since February an awful roaring in my brain that will not go away and made me so agitated and nervous and I cannot concentrate and do anything, I also had Rheumatoid Arthritis since 1970 and am in great pain since then. I been under care of an Rheumatologist since . I have seen an Psychiatrist for 8 month, has me on 2 depression pills Britellix and Mirazepam, My depression is not the real problem , my problem is more of the anxiety. He prescribed lorazepam .05 mg one at night and 1 for daytime . I told him it does nothing for my constant anxiety, I get so nervous and so very scared all the time. My anxiety got so bad so I took 1 extra lorazepam and I felt much better. So I told him that and he got furious with me. I asked him to increase the dosage but he refused. He always increases the depression medication to the strongest dose, but will not help me with the anxiety or is not willin to try some other med for severe anxiety. I was on Valium about 40 years ago for anxiety caused by my constant homesickness. I am from Germany and met my husband while he was in the Army stationed in my hometown Oberammergau and then moved to virginia in 1963 when I became so homesick I had a nervous breakdown , was in hospital for a week and put on. Valium 5 mg for a short time. But since then my anxiet stopped. Until just recently. My question is why this doctor won t give me the right meds for anxiety. All he does is treats me for depression which is not really the big problem right now. Yes while in constant severe pain in my back and neck and joints for so long I feel sometimes depressed, whicChatDoctores with RA. When I got depressed sometimes because of severe pain I still coul do things like going to work, raising 2 sons and everyday living. Now with the anxiety I cannot function at all and cannot concentrate on anything. I am 71 years old. My husband of 51 years is very ill for the last 5 years kidney cancer. COPD, on oxygen 24/7 for 4 years, heart failure, insulin dependent . His prognosis is not good, I used to be able to take care of him (he has been in the hospital 11 times in the last 4 years. But since I have this terrible anxiety attacks he is taking care of me instead, which is too much for him and we live alone. There is nobody that can help us.. Sorry to give me my life story . Can you please give me some advise if it s time to get a second opinium about my problem, since my doctor does not want to help me with my anxiety, he seems to ignore it. I am in desperate need for help to overcome the fear everyday. Hope to hear from you soon and please excuse my handwriting mistakes. My English is not that good as it used to be. Please help me and God bless. Hilda
Degree understand your concerns went through your details. I suggest you not to worry much. Panic attacks always happen due to underlying anxiety. Therefore, you must add Chat Doctor.  Please understand anxiety and related problems. Once you understand your anxiety, you will be able to keep yourself away from panic creating situations. Therapy always starts with avoiding such situations along with coping techniques when forced to be in such situations. Start slowly, progress gradually, attain neatly. You should know that these problems are not mental diseases, but are mental disorders. Many researches and researchers confirm that medicines alone cannot cure mental disorders. Exercise, Lifestyle changes, change in thinking pattern, relaxation etc. are as essential as medicines. Psychotherapy can help you to change your lifestyle and thinking patterns. Yoga and meditation help you to streamline your metabolism and neurological balance. Please consult a psychologist for further information. Psychotherapy techniques should suit your requirement. If you require more of my help in this aspect, Please post a direct question to me in this URL. http