Hydroxyzine For Panic Attacks?

Yesterday, I was prescribed hydroxyzine/Atarax, a drug sometimes used as an anticholinergergic (antihistamine) medicine but can also used for fast-acting relief of panic attacks. I am on currently prescribed Klonopin 2mg 3x a day for generalized anxiety and debilitating panic attacks, along with Fetzima, a SNRI that I recently started a week and 3 days ago. Prior to that, I was on Pristiq for 3 months and that did nothing for my depression but make it worse, and before that I was on Effexor XR, which for a decade because it was the only anti-depressant that didn't cause terrible side-effects and weight gain. However, over the last two year, Effexor started making me worse than better in terms of my depression. These meds are prescribed by Psychiatric NP, for major depression and Seasonal Affect Disorder (I live in a climate where winter and darkness starts at the end of October and can last as late as the end of April). Klonopin is a slow-acting bezodiazepine with a longer half-life which helps with my generalized anxiety and and has decreased my # of panic attacks, but if I suddenly suffer a panic attack, which are usually debilitating and terrifying, I have to wait 60 -70 minutes for the Klonopin to kick to experience some relief, and a milder relief at best. Waiting that long for relief can feel like a lifetime when you feel like you're suffering these attacks that feel like heart attacks, hyperventilation, feelings that I am unable to move my arms and legs,and basically left incapacitated.

I contacted my Psychiatric NP because I had taken my MDD already and was suffering from a bad attack yesterday evening. Her advice to me was to take another half a milligram of the Klonopin. Listening to her instructions, I did so and as I expected, no additional relief. I spoke with her again about and hour later and she told me that she refuses to add any additional benzodiazepines to my medication regimen. Now, I can see her point of view because a combination of depressants in your body can cause a decreased in your respiration rate, which in can then cause you to stop stop breathing & die. This is why practitioners will tell you not to drink alcohol when on meds that are considered depressants, such as benzos. You're also at an additional risk of developing an addiction.

Well, now this is why I am on the forum in the first place. Since I am no longer allowed a short-term benzodiazepine, I called my primary doctor and explained my situation. I wasn't trying to go over my NP's head but I had found out yesterda that I have lost my current job position temporarily (long story...) which in turn is putting me in an incredible financial burden. And, as Murphy's Law would have it, of course, on a Friday before a 3 day weekend, (President's Day is Monday), leaving me overthink, and worry for day, on top of which they told me that I may not be able to return to my job and use Sick/Vacation/Personal Leave to make up for the money loss. Well, with this information given to me at work, I was freaking out, so I took my 3 Klonopin all at once, SNRI (which is an ER capsule, which kind of sucks in this particular case, along with my Vitamin D, Fish Oil and vitamin B complex), but even after that, and I'm talking and hour-2 hours later, I was still a basket case. Even with me informing my psychiatrist, I was still a basket case.even though she was aware the situation. So, I called my primary, like I had mentioned and he ended up prescribing hydroxyzine (Ataxia), a non-narcotic is technically an anticholinergic but helps with fast anxiety relief.

Here's my issue, and I apologize for the long message but I took the 5 mg dosage last night around 6:30 pm (18:30). Thirty minutes later, I collapsed in my bed and woke up at 10:30 AM this morning. Regardless of the fact that it as my first dose, I cannot sleep for 15 hours and be a productive member of society. I know Klonopin was in my body too but I also read the hydroxiozine pharmacy pamphlet and the drug is also used to sedate individuals prior to surgery, especially dental or to help them sleep. well learly, it's helping me sleep. I call my primary this morning and he told me to cut it in half, and if need be, cut it into quarters. With that being said, I'm honestly nervous because I don't want to sleep all day again or be a zombie either. I am wondering if you may have any advice, or if any other you are in a similar situation and have some suggestions regarding FDA approved OTC medications for fast relief anxiety or prescribed NON-NARCOTIC anxiety drugs, even if treats panic attacks a an off-label use?

I would also like to apologize for such a long message and if I repeated myself --this Ataxia still has me feeling slightly sedated and loopy/discombobulated. I had a hard time mustering up the energy to even get out of the bed and write this. Thank you again for our help.

P.S. I used to take yoga, exercise daily

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REPORT

Have you ever tried Buspar? It contains the active ingredient Buspirone, it's an anxiolytic, but not habit forming like a benzodiazepine.

Its typical side effects include nausea, dizziness and dry mouth.

It's something you may want to ask your doctor about to see if they feel it is safe for you to try.

Does anyone else have any suggestions or ideas?

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I am on 25 mg a day for anxiety and it has never made me drowsy. Could effect everyone differently.

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