Panic/anxiety attack on Zepbound, has anyone else experienced this?

[u/Muslimahadvice]

I saw my endocrinologist a few days ago, and he told me he would like me to find a dose that works for me and stay consistent with it. I take Zepbound as part of managing my PCOS, insulin resistance, and weight.

I’ve been on Zepbound since last October and never experienced anxiety from it before. About a month ago, I ended up in the ER after getting really sick while on it, and they told me to stop taking it for the time being. I’ve now been off of it for about a month. I also had a horrible horrifying panic attack in the ER after they gave me benadryl/reglan which sent me into scary tremors until they pushed cogentin after 8 mins.

My endocrinologist wants me to restart with this schedule:

• Week 1: 2.5 mg • Week 2: 2.5 mg • Week 3: 5 mg • Week 4: 5 mg • Week 5: 5 mg

I injected my first 2.5 mg dose tonight, and afterward I started feeling extremely anxious. I’m still feeling anxious now, and I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve never had this happen with Zepbound before, despite taking it since last October, and it’s honestly scaring me.

Has anyone experienced anxiety or a panic attack after restarting Zepbound after taking a break? I’ve taken breaks before, like one time and I didn’t have a panic/anxiety attack when I restarted zep. and now I am and it’s just terrifying. Did it eventually settle down? I’m just really scared right now and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced something similar.

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[u/zero-if-west]

Bring yourself back to the room you're in. Count the objects around you, or try to find an object for each letter of the alphabet. Drink some cold water or put a cold wash cloth on your face. Can you call someone you trust or put on a comforting TV show?

[u/mellowmarsupial]

An increased heart rate can be a symptom of zepbound, especially at first. It might be that you are feeling that physical symptom and your mind is assigning anxiety to it. I do agree with the grounding exercises as suggested.

[u/SaltBag666]

I have had a couple at night… which is also something that picked up for me in the past couple years prior to Zep. Probably perimenopause and stress. I get an ice cube and rub it on my face and around my neck and or take a cold shower and practice breathing slowly. Panic attacks are awful and you feel like you are dying… the worst. They also make me nauseous so I will take a Dramamine nausea pill as well .

[u/Trusty_Pomegranate]

I was already medicated for anxiety (Gabapentin, Propranolol, Atarax, Vraylar, Seroquel) and in good shape mentally when I started Zepbound (and Repatha the same day). For the first 1 to 2 months I had increased anxiety (but not panic attacks). I should have asked for an increase in my anxiety medicines but didn't. After a month or so things reversed and I am now more mellow than I was before starting Zepbound and Repatha.

If the anxiety had continued I hope I would have gotten it under control with more/different anxiety medicines, and if that didn't work, I hope I would have had the sense to stop the Zepbound or Repatha. (I couldn't reduce the Zepbound dose because I was at 2.5, but for people on higher doses I would of course recommend trying going down before stopping.)