Panic attacks? What drugs will VA give me?

[Yanicosco]

I am trying to get the VA to prescribe me panic attack drugs of some kind. I have been told because I am over 65 they won't. Anyone run into this?

[niyad]

1. Welcome to our DU family. I am sure that some of our Vets will be able to help.

[Yanicosco]

3. thx n/t

[MomInTheCrowd]

2. For immediate calming, try over-the-counter CBD while awaiting other answers.

Unless your workplace prohibits it.

It has helped me through numerous anxiety attacks

[Yanicosco]

4. ok thx n/t

[Lunabell]

5. My navy vet wife gets buspar for ptsd panic attacks.

One doctor gave her ativan which was great and she never abused it. But some other asshole came along and said no scheduled prescriptions. Buspar is ok, but not entirely useful for acute attacks.

They tried all different meds like inderal and vistaril. It depends on the doc and their willingness to prescribe a scheduled drug. Good luck.

[Tetrachloride]

6. Food with B vitamins are what a friend recommended. She was prone to panic attacks

One lazy way is get Chinese noodle takeout and divide it in half. Add more of your fresh Vitamin B set veggies.

So you will get multiple meals and fresh veggies with less preparation than usual.

I use mint tea daily now

[FrankTC]

7. Age Shouldn't Matter

Panic attacks suck, but there are many therapy options. First-line meds for help aren’t exclusively anxiolytics. Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, or tricyclics) are first-line meds too, and for them age isn’t an issue. Panic attacks — like hell flowers that grow in the dark soil of depression — are typically correlated with depression over the life course. So treating the depression can be helpful. Especially since many physicians are reluctant to prescribe benzodiazepines due to their potential for habituation (and abuse). There are other classes of medication also, and psychological therapies can be effective too. They can be challenging (sometimes you are coached into creating panic symptoms in order to learn to master them) but nevertheless effective. Nothing works for everyone but usually something does.

[Yanicosco]

8. Thx---I don't tolerate daily SSRIs well. Hate them.

I just want something I can have and take as needed. I'd rather not need them at all.

[marie999]

9. The VA had me on clonazepam when I was in my 60s.

They also had me working on the triggers that caused my panic attacks. One trigger that I stopped was when I go shopping I write down what I need. I do not write toothpaste, I write down Crest, Pro-Health, 4.6 oz. The list is also broken up into what stores I am going to and in what order I will go to them. I find peer group meetings at the VA help. I find the biggest problem with mental health issues is it is not like being a paraplegic, people don't ask a paraplegic to get up and walk, but they expect us to just get over it. I am also bipolar and take medication for that. When my bipolar came under control my panic attacks lessened considerably. A person who is bipolar may also have an anxiety disorder. Sorry if I rambled, I also have aphasia. I hope this helps. Keep in touch. More important, make sure you and your psychiatrist are working together. If not switch to another doctor.

[Yanicosco]

10. Appreciate it n/t

[denbot]

11. I'm prescribed Propranolol for PTSD and anxiety.

Last edited Wed Apr 27, 2022, 12:39 AM - Edit history (1)

It's fast acting and can help you take things down a notch.