Hi! Question about my mom.....

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2004
Hi! Question about my mom.....
4
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 12:19am

Well my mom is 55 and she has been on Klonopin for a long time (maybe 7 years?). In the last few months she has been experiencing panic attacks and anxiety, especially while driving. She has had to pull over because it's almost as if she blacks out for a split second. She doesn't have a computer so I told her I would write on here and see what you guys said!
She's really scared about it, we have a history of anxiety in our family, but this is worse than normal for her. She doens't know whether to get off the Klonopin, or get on something else, or get a cat scan to see what's going on in her head. She doesn't even like to drive anymore becuase of this. Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks
Holly



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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 6:54am

(((Holly))) She definitely needs to call her doctor!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 8:38am

Hello, Holly! Welcome to our caring community.


I am sorry to hear about your mom. Is she under added stress or perhaps has gone through a loss or major life change? Sometimes, our anxiety/panic will worsen under the right conditions. ITA with what Sheri Ann has said. Getting treatment now will help your mom to continue driving. It will also decrease the distress she must be feeling. I developed driving fears & couldn't get behind the wheel for 3 years. It was a long, hard road to get my life back.


It's great that you're supporting your mom & getting information for her. I admire you for coming to the board. Anxiety/panic isn't well understood or accepted by people. Many of us don't have a great support system. Kudos to you, gf! Keep in touch. We care & want to see your mom get better. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2004
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 4:47pm
Thanks, ladies for your advice! I will advise her to see her dr. I never thought that maybe her Klonopin just doesn't work anymore. Same thing happened to me w/lexapro. Anyway, I am definitely encouraging her to keep driving, even if only for a short distance and she can pull over if needed. I don't want this to prevent her from driving! Thanks again....
Holly


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 5:55pm

Hi Holly,

I know insomnia and sleep disorders often accompany anxiety/panic disorders and fatigue/sleep deprivation can cause those mini-blackouts too, even if you feel wired by nervousness or anxiety. If your Mom is also having sleep problems, that would be something else to look into.

Hugs,
Dee