Panic disorder or ??

I'd discuss it with her doctors. Medications can cause all kinds of side effects, but, I'd also consider a psychiatrist. I know that with one of my LO's who suffers with anxiety, gets all kinds of physical symptoms, aches, pains, nausea, etc. just from the anxiety and depression, even with no medication. It can come and go very quickly. She might claim that she is so sick she can't hold her head up, but, within seconds, eat a large piece of pie, if no one is looking. Or, she might feel very sick and claim she's having a stroke or heart attack, but, once the medical staff check her vitals, EKG, etc. and say she's fine, she then feels okay.

I am assuming they detoxed her off the xanax, because I am APPALLED to see how often they just "stop and switch". Taking one off any benzos off xanax esp. quickly will cause almost a psychosis, so PLEASE tell me that they carefully and slowly titrated her off that medication. Otherwise, and esp with the addition of new meds, it is hard to say what in the world you are looking at. The repurcussions of doing this wrong can be amazing. I say that also to the caregivers, because many are getting medications to deal with all they are dealing with. Ativan seems to be the new fav for doctors. They refuse to give just a bit of valium to take when needed, and instead will give ativan with the advice to take in morning and eve. and then, hey--if that doesn't work--why not take TWO. People are then getting in trouble, stopping suddenly and yikes, what a mess they can be in then. Medications need to be handled with great care. I am of the opinion you could be looking at withdrawal delirium.

Have her take any meds with food in small amounts.

Like 1/2 of a banana with her tea.

Have a few saltine crackers by her bed.

Doesn't sound at all like a 'panic attack' to me...........sounds like heartburn and a bit of nausea. Her REACTION to said heartburn and a bit of nausea may lead her to feel somewhat panicked, so perhaps this is what you are referring to as a 'panic attack'. In reality, a panic attack will make a person feel as though they're having a full fledged heart attack where they call 911 and everything.

I have a friend named Carol. Carol is about 78 years old, experiencing her first ever bout with GERD. She actually went to the emergency room not long ago, telling the doctor she felt 'weird' in her stomach, and she 'knew something was wrong' but couldn't explain it. 100 tests and $100,000 later, all the doctor could come up with was GERD, which I could have told her for FREE (I've had it for 20 years!). Since her diagnosis, she's been back and forth to the hospital for the same 'weird feeling' in her stomach and she leaves every time with the same diagnosis, GERD, and a recommendation to take Prilosec 2x a day, over the counter.

Not to minimize your mother's pain & suffering, but perhaps she needs to learn some relaxation techniques when she feels anxiety coming on. The 4-7-8 breathing technique is an excellent place to start:

To use the 4-7-8 technique, focus on the following breathing pattern: ... breathe in quietly through the nose for 4 seconds. hold the breath for a count of 7 seconds. exhale forcefully through the mouth, pursing the lips and making a "whoosh" sound, for 8 seconds.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Are you sure it's panic attacks? Heartburn and nausea can also indicate heart problems, which are notoriously under-diagnosed in women. I would return to the doctor sooner rather than later.

My mother does the same thing, she has acid reflux and when she feels a little off, she goes into the panic mode. When she gets up in the morning she now gets two Gaviscon, chews them up and she is fine, she calls it her miracle cure.

I would make her a follow up appointment with her doctor and discuss the symptoms and the recent med changes. Could be that the new meds are causing the symptoms or the doctor may want to refer her for further testing.