Jace Says:
I have been on this drug for the past 3 years myself. I have been on Xanax,Lorazepam,Paxil, and this drug Clonazepam has been the best thus far... sure it may be addictive and you may feel that you need to run to your bottle and pop a pill every time you have an attack or when you have weened yourself off it for quite some time and suddenly an attack occurs. I felt like a junkie taking so many different drugs trying to control my panic attacks... but I have learned that first, I need this drug to help control the attack and to help regulate my heart rate as well as my blood pressure. Second, I need to find ways that will help me relax myself during an attack with different techniques such as breathing, walking, thinking happy thoughts... Lastly, seeking psychiatric help, I was ashamed to think and know that I would have to seek and endure such therapy because I thought only mentaly unstable people do this. But these are steps that I took to overcome the severe attacks that I once had... now I seldomly have the attacks and when I do, they are not so severe where I felt as if I was dying and having a heart attack. I dont blame the doctors for the side effects that I may have had. Yes, it is their job to inform their patients the risks and side effects and to discuss this with their patients and offerring an alternative. It is also best for the patient to ask as many questions about the prescribed medication with the doctor and to discuss any and all concerns. The doctor wont know exactly how your body reacts to the drug unless you inform him/her. I have a case of generalized anxiety disorder and I have been on medication for 3 years. I dont see myself dependant on the drug, I take it as or when needed. I have had experienced being taken off the drug cold turkey and I had alot of sever side effects from doing that. I have also been admitted in the ER from a severe attack soon after. Having rapid pulpitations, shortness of breath or hypoventilation, very high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and stiffening of my fingers and toes as well as numbness to the mouth... it took alot for the ER staff to calm me down, regulate my breathing and heart rate and to get my bloodpressure to the norm. At 28 years old, I have accepted my condition and the medication... and I thank my doctor for all their support and medical guidance. Its not all about the drug to control your medical condition. For me, diet, exercise, practicing breathing techniques, cutting down on sodium and msg in foods, soda, and sugar, taking my medication when needed, and lastly seeking psychiatric help has helped me tremendously. I have no regrets and accept it for what it does and for what it is.
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