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Thank you to all for your comments, suggestions, and concern. Thank you, GordonR, Michael (BlueSteel), and Pyschodoc for your recent posts.

I thought I would give you all an update.

After one month we decided to up my meds one tick (from 10mg to 20mg). My panic attacks had become SIGNIFICANTLY more mild, but were still happening. So we're going to try the new dosage to see if that helps.

But I'll tell you this . . . it has already helped considerably. Even in this 'not perfect' state I am SO much better. This is the closest to 'normal' that I've felt in so long I can't remember. No thoughts of suicide. No unexplained tears. No gut wrenching pain in my stomach. No panic attacks that double me over in pain and fear . . . just . . . 'normal'.

So if we can conquer these mild panic attacks I'll be thrilled beyond belief. But they're also mild enough that if this dosage doesn't completely cure them, I can learn to conquer them myself.

Thanks again for the comments. The thoughtfulness of those on this board has really helped a lot, too!

OG,

Check out emofree.com for a technique (EFT) that has been very helpful with panic attacks. It is based on accupressure; perhaps it may seem a little too easy or hokey but I can assure you that many prominent practitioners teach their clients this method of "treatment". I have employed it with clients for cigarette cravings, negative emotions and anxiety - panic attacks; it has worked very well.

It is a bit frightening to start meds, and it's difficult to find the right one, too. I've tried Wellbutrin, Paxil, Celexa, and finally settled with Effexor because the side effects are minimum. But everyone's different.

The most important thing is to continue taking the medicine--even though you feel better. I get into a vicious cycle: I feel lousy, so I get medicine. I take medicine, I feel better, I quit taking meds. Pretty stupid. PLUS it's HORRIBLE to stop taking antidepressants. I stopped cold turkey once and about went crazy. If you decide to stop taking the meds, do so with help from your doctor.

GOOD LUCK!! Keep your chin up!

lots of bad advise about meds. those studies are mostly bogus and disclaimers perpetuated by some pharma to protect itself. thinking on that has swung in recent years. not taking meds is a real problem that leads to deaths. you will have to study for yourself but be ware of naysayers.

Okay I joined the group, read the whole thread. Very positive and helpful so big fat kudos to all!

A new shrink (recommended by my therapist) just upped my dose of Paxil from 20 (for the past 15 years) to 30mg, and added Mirtazapine to the mix at night. I've been on this new "cocktail" for almost a week and, while I'm not having the same tremors, panic attacks, stomach cramps, suicidal ideations, sleepless nights and mind heaves, I am awfully sleepy all day and feel kinda doped up (not in a good way). However it has done wonders for my allergies - haven't sneezed once the whole time!

Anybody else have any experience with Mirtazapine? (aka Remerol)

Yahoo.....finally a group I can really relate to. My story follows (and I'll try to be brief).

Depression and panic attacks "run" in my family. I'm 52 and when I was young I used to think those family members with depression and anxiety were whackos. I felt that they just needed to stop being whiners.

When I hit about 40 I started to have weird thoughts and feelings.....not frequently but on occasion. Over the years they became more frequent and stronger and panic attacks set in. I started to avoid certain places and situations. And I didn't want to appear weak to my kids. Then I began to have a "haze" in my brain, like there was a fog or something inside of my head.

One of my sisters was badgering me for several years to go get some meds (she's older than me and had already been taking meds). I said, no way to the meds. I'm a tough guy, I can control it. And I would have "good" days which only reinforced the tough it out mentality.

Finally, one day about four years ago I had a panic attack while driving and I was fortunate to be able to pull off to the side of the road. I called my wife (now my ex-wife lol) and just had her talk to me for about an hour. We decided that it was time for me to see a doc. So I called my doc and made an appt for several days later. When doc day came I really almost didn't go because I was feeling better. But I did go and he prescribed 10mg of Lexapro. I went to the pharmacy, got the meds and promptly threw them away. No way was I going to become drug dependent.

I called my sister to tell her the story so she could have a good laugh at my expense. Instead she verbally browbeat me until I went to the trash can and retrieved the meds. I reluctantly took the first one. And I have been taking them, happily, ever since.

The meds definitely work for me. I used to say that they gave me a new life. But then I realized that wasn't true. The meds allowed me to have my old self back. I like to say I have the Lexapro glow. And the cool thing is, my kids don't look at me as being weak. They are happy for me.

Sorry to have taken up so much cyberspace. But thanks for "listening".