Three weeks ago I was stuck in bed, sent myself to the hospital only to find I was having a panic attack. It didn't go away so the following Monday (this happened on Saturday) I went to my GP. He gave me Xanax and paxil and sent me on my way. 4 days on the paxil I didnt know what day it was,so I called my GP and he told me to stop the paxil and to start on zoloft. That was when I called my gyno(this is a pretty common thing before menopause). I also talked with my sister who is 4 years older than me and she told me she has been on welbutrin for 6 years now and it has helped her a great deal. So I thought whats good for her is good for me. I told the doc and he gave me welbutrin. I started it on Friday and could feel the side effects. I couldnt eat at all, I was so nervous, and didnt sleep that night. With my sisters encouragement I took the pill the next day. That only made things worse. Sunday I did not take it. Had to take a half a zanax because I was so nervous. Today had panic attack took half a zanax and called the gyno. Waiting for a phone call back. This has been going on for three weeks now. I have no solution except that i might try zoloft in a very small dose. I have been off from work for 3 weeks and can hardly do anything around the house. I feel your pain and just wanted to write to say you are not alone.

I've been having a lot of symptoms of peri-menopause since July. I've been doing research and my dh is a physician, so I kind of run stuff by him a lot. Anyway my symptoms started with that weird "out of sorts feeling" like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Then I started having anxiety attacks in the most unlikely places, like the grocery store. I talked to my obgyn about it and they said "we could prescribe an anti-depressant" but I knew I wasn't depressed so I said no. (Hate the side effects). I said what about anti-anxiety medication just in case this happens at work or if I feel really out of control. She said "well, anxiety is not clinically associated with peri-menopause so you will have to ask your internist." But the weird thing is that on every menopause forum (like this one) women talk about anxiety. So at least I didn't feel crazy. I only found one clinical study that associated anxiety with hot flashes. To make a long story short, I went to my internist and asked for Xanax for anxiety. It was hard to do anyway and she wasn't eager to prescribe it so I felt like a jerk. I wanted to say "look lady, I'm not a drug addict." I just wish there was more help for us in this phase of our lives and I'm sorry for all the women on this forum who have to go through it and feel humiliated to boot. So anyway, that was about a month ago and I have taken the Xanax 3 times, at night when feeling anxious to help me sleep. It's been a great blessing. I know it's not a natural remedy, but I tried everything else and it hasn't helped much. I just think the best approach is to tell our docs that we are having anxiety attacks and not blame it on peri-menopause because they don't believe it's related.

I just had both eyes done in June.Piece of cake! I was afraid of having a panic attack too but they gave me a valium before taking me into the surgery area.I was aware of him doing something with my eye but kind of out of it.He had some trouble removing the lense because the cataract was so bad and I could tell he was having a problem but I was calm the whole time.Didn't feel a thing.You will do fine.You should tell him if you are prone to anxiety attacks though so they are aware.I had a little nap before they took me back but after that was aware of what he was doing.Another lady that had her's the same day told me the next day that she was out the whole time and went home and slept till next morning! So I guess the medication affects everyone differently.

About 30+ years ago when I was driving my kids to school, I had my first panic attack. At the time I did not know what it was, but it scared the heck out of me. My heart was racing, my chest felt tight and I felt like I was going to faint. I had never experienced anything like it. I was at a stop sign a block from the school and just froze there. I managed to pull over, catch my breath and then felt ok. I did see a doctor later that day and was told it sounded like a panic attack and that it was no big deal. Well it was!! Because it happened while I was driving I became worried that it would happen again, so each time I drove I became very anxious and continued to get them. I finally found a therapist who helped me control them with self talk, breathing exercises and meditation, but it took several months. Thankfully I have not had one since that time, but I sympathize with those that suffer with them. I can see how it could consume someone's life. I was at a point where I did not want to drive anymore. When I was a kid, my mom would quite often have what she called "dizzy spells", but they were actually panic attacks.