Anxiety, Panic Attacks and medication helped needed please

[toomuchpanic]

Please be kind as I’m having an awful time.
I started having constant panic attacks 3 weeks ago while I was ill ( possibly Covid) my GP prescribed propanol and then 3 days later when that wasn’t helping and I wasn’t sleeping she prescribed 14 x 2mg diazepam alongside to be taken up to 3 times a day.

On this basis the diazepam would have only lasted 3/4 days if used as prescribed.

GP thinks that the illness has lowered my immune system and the panic is due to 2 years of intense stress including the sudden illness and loss of a family member and many many more issues. I didn’t have chance to deal the grief etc as it happened due to supporting others then next event kept happening and there was no time to process anything.

The Propanol help the physical symptoms but I was struggling to function due to feeling constant panic, the diazepam does help more but as she only gave me 14 tablets with the warning that they are additive etc then I have only been taking them when absolutely necessary 1 tablet a day or 2 at the very most however they did almost reset my panic to a manageable level if that makes sense?

The illness passed and I was managing without the medication for about a week however I now have another illness, (5th in a month - no immunity) the panic is back and I’ve been taking the propanol since Friday. I am really really struggling to settle myself, I’ve been walking around the garden in the early hours as I’m struggling to breathe/focus.

I can’t work, I’m trying to distract myself by doing jobs around the house etc but its only giving me very short term relief.

I still have 6 diazepam left but although I know they will help I am really really worried that once they are gone I can’t have more and in the back of my head I keep thinking what if I have a day that is worse than this and I have already used them

I’m presuming my GP will not prescribe anymore? Is there an alternative I could have that would have a similar effect that the GP would prescribe?

I know I need to call and make another appointment but and help/advice or coping strategies would be very very appreciated

I am usually the most rational person I know but the panic is totally out of control today again

Thank you

I think you need to go back to the GP and see if you can be prescribed something longer term. I’d also see if they will refer you for CBT so you can learn some coping strategies.

@Scutterbug Thank you, I think you may be right, I can’t continue like this, I will call tomorrow and try and get an appointment, my biggest concern about something long term is that it takes a few weeks to work and the idea of feeling like this while it starts working worries me.

Take what you have been prescribed, and detail the issues in an e-consult?