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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Regular Smoker. Sudden Shaking, Hard To Breathe, Panic Attacks. Tingling In Hands. Right Medication?

hi, im 27 and have been smoking for 9 years. 2 years ago sudenly started shaking through my whole body and found it hard to breathe, i forgot about it but then i happened agani and again. i went to see my doctor and he sayed that i am having panic attacks and prescribed me beta blockers. i have still experienced the same symptoms but not us often. still even taking the beta blockers every day, when i wake up i have this tingling feeling in my hands and i start to worry if ill get another panic attack(?) so i take another pill .... 2 weeks it happened again even after i had taken a pill...is it panic attacks? am i on the right medication?
Thu, 13 Jun 2013
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Addiction Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hi,

Panic attacks are characterised by bouts of severe anxiety which attain a crescendo over a short duration of time, are characterised by sweating, palpitations, breathlessness, choking, numbness, tremors, nausea, vomiting, fear of death and subside after some time. The entire episode usually lasts less than an hour or so. You may be having panic attacks but a detailed assessment is needed to confirm the diagnosis. In case it is panic attacks that you are suffering from, beta blockers are not the best treatment. They only reduce the symptoms once an attack has started, but cannot stop the attacks from occuring. The best treatment for you would be a drug from the SSRI class, that is, maybe sertraline or escitalopram. In addition, you will benefit from carrying a benzodiazepine tablet like alprazolam or mouth dissolving clonazepam with you all the time, to be used for fast relief if and when an attack occurs.

Panic attacks can be very disabling. So please consult a psychiatrist and get yourself evaluated and treated.

Hope to have been of help. Best wishes!
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Regular Smoker. Sudden Shaking, Hard To Breathe, Panic Attacks. Tingling In Hands. Right Medication?

Hi, Panic attacks are characterised by bouts of severe anxiety which attain a crescendo over a short duration of time, are characterised by sweating, palpitations, breathlessness, choking, numbness, tremors, nausea, vomiting, fear of death and subside after some time. The entire episode usually lasts less than an hour or so. You may be having panic attacks but a detailed assessment is needed to confirm the diagnosis. In case it is panic attacks that you are suffering from, beta blockers are not the best treatment. They only reduce the symptoms once an attack has started, but cannot stop the attacks from occuring. The best treatment for you would be a drug from the SSRI class, that is, maybe sertraline or escitalopram. In addition, you will benefit from carrying a benzodiazepine tablet like alprazolam or mouth dissolving clonazepam with you all the time, to be used for fast relief if and when an attack occurs. Panic attacks can be very disabling. So please consult a psychiatrist and get yourself evaluated and treated. Hope to have been of help. Best wishes!