Panic Attacks

MMcEvoy · 04-03-2004, 10:21 AM

Hey ladies! I just need some reassurance today. I've been having panic attacks for over a year now...have been on meds for about 3 months, and going to counseling once a week and it's helped- very much....BUT it's like the meds help w/ the normal everyday anxiety but they don't stop the panic attacks..I don't get it...just when I think I'm okay- I'm getting better it happens again...will I suffer with this my whole life? Will it never completely go away? I'm sure my husband is getting pretty sick of it by now...I know I'm doing better, much better, but it still happens...anyone else out there have bad panic attacks? It's so scary!!!

MMcEvoy · 04-04-2004, 04:21 PM

10 LOOKS AND NO REPLIES?!!? SO MUCH FOR SUPPORT HUH?

KitKat · 04-04-2004, 04:56 PM

I don't know to much about the whole meds and panic attacks, because I don't take meds. I also have attacks all day every day, (I can't leave the house) but I have heard that meds don't always stop the attacks but I think that is why some people take the meds with Xananx(sp?). I know how damn frustrating it is to post and not get a single reply, but I am sure in time someone who feels/is going through it to.... will post(it always happens). Hope you are having a better day

~Kate

lots_of_dots · 04-04-2004, 05:30 PM

MMcEvoy,

You are new here so you may not know this. It is pretty slow here on the weekends so many threads that are started on the weekends go unanswered. Be patient. Maybe those 10 people thought they might be of some help but when they read your post they didn't know what to say. If you would like more answers, bump this post tomorrow morning and you will get many more replies.

As far as your panic attacks go, I've learned that as long as they are better than they were then you've made some progress and you should be happy about that. I started with panic attacks 5 years ago and even though they are better I still get them. I am just happy that they are better and not what they once were. I went to a support group a few years ago and the therapist running it told us not to concentrate on being "cured" because we may never be what we once were but instead concentrate on getting better than you were. Since then, as long as I'm not as bad as I once was, I feel it's a good day.

Good Luck to you. I hope you feel better

.

Sara Louise · 04-05-2004, 01:18 AM

Hello. I had my first panic attack about 2 years ago while I was driving. I was "normal" before that day, but ever since then I've suffered with anxiety and panic attacks. It's like I now question everything that happens in my life, like why I haven't been able to get pregnant for the past year, while it seems like everyone that I know is effortlessly getting pregnant, sometimes I wonder if there's a reason why it's not happening, like maybe I was never meant to have babies. My biggest problem since that day of my 1st panic attack, is that I no longer drive, I have to depend on my husband and my parents to drive me everywhere. I take Wellbutrin, but I really don't think that it helps. Today I went to my first hynotherapy session. I read about hypnotherapy on the internet, and how it can sometimes help with anxiety and panic attacks. I really didn't do too much at my session since today was my first day, so I really can't tell you too much about it yet. But, maybe hynotherapy would help you, you should look it up. I know that I mostly talked about myself, but hopefully something in my letter helps you. Feel free to write me back if you would like.

Good luck with everything (I know exactly what you've been going through)

Sara Louise

lizziebelle · 04-05-2004, 01:23 AM

MMcEvoy- I have panic attacks as does my son. The only meds that I have found that help at least for me is Zoloft. My son's pediatrician put him on it also. I never knew he was having them until we were in the car one day and he could not breathe. He said it happens a lot even at school. We went to the Dr. and what do you know? Austin has panic attacks too. My whole family has either depression, anxiety/panic attacks, ADHD etc. so it should have been no surprise. Anyway, getting back to the subject, Zoloft helped me and Austin. I do not know if this helps you at all, just wanted to share with you. Welcome to Soul Cysters. Good luck! Niki

MMcEvoy · 04-05-2004, 10:05 AM

THANKS SO MUCH CYSTERS! I'M SORRY I GOT DISCOURAGED WHEN NO ONE REPLIED...I JUST FEEL LIKE NO ONE UNDERSTANDS. MY HUSBAND TRIES HE REALLY DOES- BUT HE DOESN'T GET IT. HE LIKE WANTS AN ANSWER FOR WHAT HAPPENED- AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. I'VE BEEN TAKING LEXAPRO FOR IT- AND IT'S HELPED TREMENDOUSLY, BUT NOT ENOUGH. I JUST FEEL LIKE ONCE I GET BACK TO "NORMAL" AND I FEEL GOOD, THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN WHICH BRINGS ME BACK TO SQUARE 1- BACK TO FEARING EVERYTHING, THINKING I'M CRAZY,ECT. I JUST WANT IT TO BE OVER...THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT...NO ONE IN MY FAMILY HAS EVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS...SO NO ONE REALLY UNDERSTANDS. THANKS AGAIN!

Jenny Gabrenas · 04-05-2004, 10:44 AM

oh, boy. i so hear you! i was awake last night with the 'how can i live when he dies' worry. hubby is only 35! why am i worried about his dying?-- except i had a child die 5 years ago. i am going to the doctor on the 13th and will ask her to give me anything to help me with this. it is getting in the way of my life. i try to hide it as much as i can, but i cant go to new places alone, cant drive without that overwhelming sence of panic. its not a happy thing to live with!

i hope we get the help we need SOON! good luck in your journey to emotional health and healing.

jenny

emilymegan · 04-05-2004, 11:27 AM

I'm just wondering what your symptoms are?

I'm wondering if you can classify what I have as 'panic attacks'?

I'll be fine, maybe working away or driving, or watching tv and then all of a sudden, I can't breathe. It feels like I cannot get a deep breath. I gasp and gasp and it feels like a weight is on my chest.

I've had all the usual tests done on my heart, lung exrays, and a pulminary function test (I wasn't having the symptoms when I had any of the tests done). They found nothing.

Can you describe your symptons for me?
Tracy

MMcEvoy · 04-05-2004, 11:42 AM

EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS, THE MOST COMMON ONES ARE:
HEART POUNDING OR PALPITATIONS.
SWEATING.
FEELING LIKE YOU ARE HAVING A HEART ATTACK OR YOUR GOING TO DIE.
FEELING A SENSE OF UNREALITY OR FEELING DETACHED FROM ONESELF.
NOT BEING ABLE TO BREATHE.
USUALLY IF IT'S A PANIC ATTACK, THE WORRY OF ANOTHER ONE (BEING THAT IT'S EXTREMELY SCARY!) CAN BRING ON MORE ATTACKS...WHICH IS THE WORST PART...YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN'T BE ALONE, YOU CAN'T BE IN PUBLIC OR AT WORK, ECT...
I MYSELF FEEL LIKE THIS FEELING COME OVER ME, AND MY BODY GETS REALLY HOT, YET I'M FREEZING, MY HEART POUNDS, AND I FEEL LIKE I'M LOSING MY MIND...I CAN'T FUNCTION. I GET REALLY SENSITIVE TO SOUND, I NEED IT COMPLETELY QUIET.
IT'S TERRIBLE AND I HATE IT!! YOU MAY BE HAVING THEM, BUT THERE AREN'T AS SEVERE, MENTION IT TO YOUR DOC AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY.

justred · 04-12-2004, 10:45 PM

I feel like I can't get that deep breath. And nothing seems to help except mentally trying to calm myself down or my husband holding me and talking to me. It seems like it's worse in the summer and I think it may be the heat. I am on Wellbutrin xr and it seems to have helped quite a bit, but they aren't gone, they are just not as often. Sometimes it gets so bad I tell my husband I need to go to the hospital cause I really feel like I can't breath, I get diarreah and the shakes. He just puts a cold wash cloth on the back of my neck and talks me down, but I'm sick until the next morning feeling like I had the flu or something.

I have had a few anxiety attacks while driving but not really feeling like I can't breath but feeling like the lanes are too small for my car and I have to get away from the other cars. For years I wouldn't drive on the freeway cause I was so scared.

I have exercise induced asthma also and I have used my inhaler, with doctors permission when I've had panic attacks and it has helped.

CWeis · 04-13-2004, 03:19 PM

I had panic attacks for 3 years and then was panic free for about 5 years.

The thing that helped me more than anything was a book I read by Susan Jeffers called "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway." Looking back on it I only got over the panic because I did things that were very unpleasant. We were trying to adopt a child, and I was scared to death. I put a halt to the procedure a couple of times because the thought of being on an airplane for 15 hours was unthinkable. But then I read Suan Jeffers book and talked to a woman who specialized in helping people get over their fear of flying. She said that often it takes something really big, like a flight to China, to help people get over it. It was true. Coming back from China after having been there for 2 weeks (me a person who was at one time almost agoraphobic) I felt I could do anything.

Lately I have been having a few anxiety problems. I took on too much and got run down. But I know I can't give into the feeling. I know it's awful but the more of my life I give it, the more it takes.

Cathy

Aussie · 04-17-2004, 09:03 PM

MMcEvoy - you are not alone! And after finding your post now I know that I am not either, so thank-you for that.

I have always suffered mild anxiety/panic attacks, unable to cope with crowds of people or attracting attention to myself. As I got closer to 30 I seemed to gain greater control over my life, especially after the birth of my first child when my attention was centred on him and not my own fears. But after being forced into a second c-section with my second miracle baby (had been told I would never have children previously), I was pushed back over the edge by the experience. I was very traumatised by my first c-section and definitely did not want to be there again, and I tried to tell all the docs and all the family I wasn't ready that day, and things were bad but the docs could have delayed for a few more days, which is worse knowing that now. So even on the operating table I was crying b/c I wanted them to stop and I was so disappointed to never give birth to my children. After this experience (which was only 10days ago), the panic attacks came back far stronger than ever before. I feel so out of control, I will be ok one minute and then all of a sudden I can't breathe, my head feels like it is imploding and I can't hear properly, my heartbeat dominates my body and then I think I am going to pass out or throw up. It is very similar to the mild stroke I experienced during my first pg that took part of my vision from me, so I was terrified as I thought this was what was happening.

I am doing a little better each day, but in addition to my own sense of loss and what the docs think could be post-traumatic stress disorder (bloody great!), my darling newborn boy, Daniel, hsa a cleft lip and palate and will be assessed tomorrow by the Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, to organise the first of 3 or 4 surgeries he will undergo this year, this one being in 3wks time!

I am sorry to post such a long story, but I was looking for somewhere to put my story that people would understand when I found this thread, and it is really hard to write with this lump in my throat. Someone tell me it gets easier, b/c throwing in speciality feeding equipment for my special baby and the normal sleep deprivation of a newborn and I am starting to wonder how long I can last, I mean if I have lost the plot so badly in such a short amount of time, when I have always considered myself a strong person.

Anyway, sending you lots of hugs and mutual understanding, write to me anytime, if I haven't scared everyone away with my drama story - lol!

Luv,
Tracey!

MMcEvoy · 04-18-2004, 09:08 AM

Tracy-
I am so sorry to hear about your c-section. I totally understand. I, myself haven't had any children ( I have a step-daughter), but I know the pain your feeling from the panic attacks. They are the worse, you feel so helpless. I'm doing better this week, as last week I about had a nervous breakdown. I had to take a few days off of work and go the psych (again). He switched my meds and I've been in couseling for a few months, going once a week and that's starting to help. I know how hard it is...everyone tells me "your too young to be going through this" but my heart is twice my age from being broken so many times. Everytime this happens I feel as if I'm starting all over again....it's terrible. I've always always been the strong one- for my entire family- now I can barely shower by myself. I certainly understand!! BUT, here's the good news: you and I both will get through this- just like we always have. I keep telling myself this: Everytime I go through this, I feel like it's never going to end, like I'll never get my life back- but that's not true...I do, and so will you. We have to remember that this is temporary and we will get through it- and we will move on, ect. I'm sorry to hear about your son's clept lip and palate, my uncle has that- but you can hardly tell anymore...he's had several surgeries and although it's hard to go through at the time, he's fine now- and very handsome might I add!! Anytime you want to chat, let me know- and feel free to email me at mamcevoy_11@yahoo.com. I'll pray for ya hun- and don't worry- everything will be okay.
Melissa

Messh Hair · 04-19-2004, 01:43 PM

I feel for you all so much - anxiety, panic, fear and all that stuff is hideous to live with.

I had mys first panic attack about the age of 17 (I'm 31 now) and I am still getting them. They went away for a while but then came back big time this year. Mine tend to hit in whenever now but I have noticed a pattern of them being worse if I don't eat right, sleep enough or de-stress properly.

It's interesting that a lot fo people are saying they have attacks when driving. That's when I get mine the worst - makes me wonder if it's to do with feeling trapped? I know I suddenly feel a huge responsibility to drive safely and then I panic in case my history of attacks mean I should not really drive.

Someone said it was like the lanes are too small for the cars and they just want to get away from the other cars on the free way. That's how I feel too. If I am driving and someone joins the motorway next to me, I get freaked, or if I have to over take and I am suddenly in the middle/outside lane, I think I am going to crash.

I have so much in common with what I have read (the worrying about my partner dying , me dying, my little boy dying, intruders breaking in and killing us, crashing the car from a panic attack, all sorts of crap but it will not shift!).

I know that sometimes the symptoms of iron deficiency can mimic panic - can't take a proper breath, weepy, exhausted, fuzzy-headed, blurred vision. Also, relfux acid can cause really bad chest pain, which sets my attacks off.

It's always worth eliminating/treating possible simple causes that might undermine your attempts to rid yourself of the darn attacks.

I now take iron, vit C, lanzoprazole (for reflux), flaxseed oil(for everything!) and chromium (for insulin problems). I am looking into Insulin Resistance as my next step.

Well, didn't intend to talk as much as that - guess my panics are more of a problem than I realised again. I do miss driving properly though - really hope I can get back to a normal life one day soon!

Take care and stay cool,

Sarah