[Guest]

Hi,

Thank you for providing this forum. I have a chronic illness mg that is diagnosed and one that isn't. The doctor thinks it may be sjogren's or lupus. I also have GAD. I generally have it under control but I get episodes of slight panic at times when driving. The only description of the feeling I get is kind of like I am about to fall off a cliff, off balance or something. When that happens it sets off a panic attack. I have a psychiatrist for med mngmnt and psychologist I see. The only medicine I have been able to tolerate has been klonipin. He has tried all the anti depressants, some interacted with the mg others bad side effects. At times it is overwhelming with the symptoms I get because the neurologist blames the numbness I have on inflammatory process and the rheumatologist says he can explain the pain but not the numbness. The numbness continues to spread and stay and I worry about permanent damage if they don't fix it soon. Biggest part would be fear of not knowing what it is. With the feeling that I am a human volley ball betweem doctors, constant fatigue, and then the panic attacks which get worse when I am tired I am at a loss of what to do. My psychiatrist says he wants to help me but I am sensitive to medicine. My psychologist and I talk about
events with doctors, results of tests and how to relieve stress..at times it just doesn't work. Do you have any suggestions for treatment and/or ways to relieve stress/anxiety attacks in my situation?

Thank you in advance.
Dreamer

[Guest]

I doubt that I can provide more than physicians who know you.

If you say that you cannot tolerate the antidepressants, maybe other GABA enhancing drugs would help such as neurontin or gabatril. These are not FDA approved for use in anxiety but there are case reports of results. Also, complementary techniques such as excercise might help. Finally, some people would include alternative therapies for anxiety would include Kava, St. John's Wort. These are not without side effects of their own and not is enough is known about their effects in Lupus for me personally to support their use.
[quote] Hi,

Thank you for providing this forum. I have a chronic illness mg that is diagnosed and one that isn't... [/quote]