For my experiment of one (me), my neurologist had me on lower doses of nortriptyline, which we both increased to a point where my exertion headaches were kept at bay.

Plus as an added benefit, the nortriptyline is also an anti depressant which has helped me weather the frustration of having to wait this "it'll take time to heal" period. I can attest that there have been frustrating times where literally no one around me understands which is why I come here, to learn, to vent, to know I'm not alone.

I've also been prescribed clonozepam for panic/anxiety attacks. Thankfully they work for me. I've tried a couple of other meds but they didn't work for me. A skillful neurologist will work with you to get your doses/meds dialed in for you.

It took me a bit of time to accept taking meds as I've been quite healthy and lucky not having to take any meds in the past, but I accepted this as a path to relaxed and non-stressful healing. I'd rather try to heal my brain in a calm environment rather than it being stressed and anxious.

I, too, understand the frustration.

Mike

PCS Mikey,

Did you take the Klonopin (clonazepam) after the start of the panic attack or daily to prevent the panic attacks?

For me, taking Klonopin daily did not help prevent the worst panic attacks. Taking propanolol ( a blood pressure med) immediately upon the start of a severe panic attack was very effective. If I was expecting a seriously stressful situation that may trigger a panic attack, I took the propanolol or Atenolol ahead of time.

By not medicating for panic attacks, I developed much better habits for avoiding them and limiting their intensity if they did rear their ugly head.

Mark,

I took it only 3 times in about a 12 months timespan. The first time I took it about 30 minutes into a panic attack and it worked wonders, totally eliminated the panic.

The next two times I took it was for my reaction to having several ice pick/stabbing type headaches within a 90 minute timeframe. I had an anxiety attack but the clonazepam didn't work as effectively, actually didn't work at all.

I'm trying to learn to rely on meditative skills to bring the body back to a steady state of calmness, however, during the peak of panic, panic generally trumps meditation!

Mike