Do you have anxiety attacks?

[Mouse-n-Mini]

I have always been an anxious person but it has been really bad lately. I get anxiety attacks every day. My heart beats quickly I think of things going terribly wrong with my health and I get a burning sensation down the back of my neck. I just can't sit still. Do you get anxiety? What are your symptoms and how do you deal with it? Thanks

 

[Dancin Desert]

Panic attacks have been happening for me, recently too. Mine is partially due to relationship "issues". My pulse quickens, and my heart either feels like it's going to burst or start coming up my throat. I also find myself just staring out in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately, my physician prescribed some Xanax (sp?) which I take about twice per week (though only once this week).

Best of luck Mouse-n-Mini

 

[PrincessPatty]

My Dsis was diagnosed with Anxiey and Panic Disorder. She had a really hard time with it, and avoided telling anyone for a while until it got so bad she couldnt leave the house, I mean even walk out the front door to the yard!

She has what she calls 'heart things', they are feelings of palpatations, and of course would lead to her worrying about her health.

She went to see her doctor and he prescribed Paxil, and Xanax for occasionally use as they are very addictive. She only used them a handful of times, and even cut them in half. He also recommended therapy as anxiety comes from an underlying stressor. She has being seing her counselor for a few months now.

Everything all together has really helped, and she is functioning much better now, she can leave the house and drive on her own for short periods of time, she has decided that she wont be going on our Disney trip with us, even after much reassurance that we would get her a GAC, and take her out of a situation at the moment she started to feel anxious. We will miss her, but she still doesnt feel comfortable being around that many people.

Hopefully you get some comfort from knowing that other people have anxiety and that you are not 'weird' as my sister thought, it is VERY normal. Here's to feeling better, and knowing that your not alone

 

[iggbees]

are you on bcp? i had a serious panic attack on them back in october of last year. my dr gave me a prescription for lexapro and i'm pretty much not anxious anymore. when i get anxious about something it's usually just for a minute or two then i seem to forget about it, unlike before i went on it, i would think about it for hours and days even. it's so much nicer not being anxious all the time, my life is so much fuller! (i also take b-complex, which is supposed to combat the crazies on bcps, according to the dr i see).

 

[PrincessPatty]

A counselor would also be able to give you some relaxation and deep breathing excersizes......

 

[JoyG]

I come from a looonnnnggg line of anxious women. I definitely runs in my family. Usually stressful life events set off a few months of extreme anxiety over everything.

I had a really hard time with it last summer when my son was having open heart surgery. I ended up seeing a counselor and they prescribed a low dose (10mg) of Lexapro...that really took the edge off.

I'm not on it anymore but even this summer, I was stressed over my kid's school placement for this coming year and then one of my son's got some unexplained bumps on his head with some swollen lymph nodes and those two things combined really through me for a loop.

All of a sudden I was convinced he was dying of cancer (he isn't of course) but that's where the anxiety takes me. Anyway, when I'm not on the Lexapro, I try to manage it by meditating on my favorite Bible verses like, "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7...the sound mind part...that's very important to me!

 

[Christine]

I have had anxiety for years. Predominantly health anxiety. Back in 1998, I started with panic attacks and jitters. They come and go--meaning I can go for months and be fine and then I will flare up for months. Lately, they have been worse and I never know why. I think a lof of it for me is having a personality/chemical make up that is predisposed to anxiety and then not having a thyroid gland and using synthetic thyroid hormone. Totally makes it worse.

Anway, I am having a very bad flare these days. I took a few days off to do some stuff with my kids and I got very tired. This is BAAAADDDD for me. On one of the days, we decided to go to the beach for the day. As I was driving over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, I had a panic attack. Not a full out bad one, but enough that my heart was probably at 160 bpm and I was starting to hyperventilate. Then when I got the beach I got a massive headache. Came home and didn't really feel that work. Went to work and had a panic attack at work and had to go home early. Things seemed to have calmed down for now.

I have been to a psychiatrist for this (who uses meds) and all the Paxil, Prozac stuff seems to heighten my panic and make it worse. I have been in cognitive-behavioral therapy since March and, honestly, it's nice to talk with someone but it isn't working.

 

[SillyMe]

My mother and I both have anxiety. I get chest pains and palpitations. I start to shake, become short of breath. If it's real bad, I get weak and lightheaded and start to sweat. My mind is constantly thinking and worrying about things, imagining the worst in every scenario...even in my sleep. It's an awful thing to deal with on a daily basis. Last year I went through a separation and my mother had breast cancer...both came to light in the same week. My anxiety hit it's peak. My doctor gave me Xanax, which I took 3x/day for about 3 months. It took the edge off and was very helpful through all that stress, but I was really afraid of becoming addicted, so I weaned myself off of it. I struggle all the time with my anxiety.

 

[barkley]

i've had them to the extent that they've mocked a heart attack (chest pain/pressure, nauseau, vomiting, sweating, left arm pain...) dh called the paramedics and they opted to administer nitro tabs and take me to the e/r. i have the type you describe, but the ones that realy impact my life are when driving i feel like the lanes of traffic are closing in (i don't visualize it, but honestly it's a very claustrophibic feeling). as a result i realy limit my driving to roads that i am totaly familiar with and more often than not are less traveled on by others.

my anxiety has been diagnosed along with other diagnosis-and while i have meds i can take it's realy more an issue of knowing what the contributing factors are and how to deal with/address them. unfortunatly the major contributing factor with mine are a couple of traumatic events that the psychiatric experts i've worked with have determined i tend to 'relive' in trying to discuss/resolve (post traumatic stress disorder) and since my major anxiety attacks tend to evolve into migranes which have resulted in 2 stokes-they and my med team are not keen on taking any chances of further endangering my health. so i know what can kick my stress into overload (spec. situations where i am called upon to 'help' and i want to, but i have no real control over) and try to avoid those situations (it's too a point where we've told family members not to call and 'vent' to me-i internalize it and get sick, so i'm better off being 'out of the loop' on allot of issues).

so my advise is-try to find out what your contributing factors are, if they can be resolved do so, if not-try to avoid them in any way possible. let your treating pysicians know of any odd symptoms or feelings-they may be anixiety issues you are'nt yet aware of (i developed a terrible fear of driving accross bridges-later we realized it was because i crossed a bridge every day right before i arrived at work where my traumatic events occured). if the doctor reccommends taking the meds even when you don't feel stressed-DO SO, stress can managed in the same way other medical conditions can by taking meds to prevent a full blown attack. AND it does'nt have to be a 'forever' thing-anxiety and stress can be the mind's way of telling you that something is going on that's having an unreasonable impact on you-once resolved or addressed, attacks can become a distant memory.

 

[NikiM20]

. Anyway, when I'm not on the Lexapro, I try to manage it by meditating on my favorite Bible verses like, "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7...the sound mind part...that's very important to me!

Thank you for sharing that!! I have SEVERE anxiety issues which has led to my high blood pressure (I will be 27 Tues). The day I was supposed to have my wisdom teeth pulled is when I found out I had it. I had 5 panic attacks in one day. I couldn't breathe, my heart was racing, my whole body was shaking..I seriously thought I was going to die, I told DH to call 911 as i thought I was having a heart attack.

I am now on Effexor XR and i have valium to help me through the rough times. I feel better but I still have some anxiety issues but havent had a full blown attack lately

Seek help for your attacks, it can quickly get to the point where it controls your life, you are too afraid to do anything or go anywhere

 

[MoniqueU]

I get them nearly everyday.When I have to pay bills is the worst even though the money is there I just kind of freak out. Crowded stores or noisy places get me upset too. I also worry about my family and what others think of me.
I am on a few meds but the ativan helps the most. I dont know why my Dr doresnt give me xanax as I heard that is better.

Xome of my anxiety is tied to my middle child who can be a handful sometimes. Though lately she has been an angel. So I can't say tht is making it worse. I just don't like having to make decisions or go places like wal mart or the grocerystore that has the lower prices but also the crwods I true and
make most of my shopping either online or middle of the week.\\

Aldo ii HAVE THIS DANG eye diseseas and Ithink that makes my problems eorse sense I cant always see whats around me and run into things and people and no matter how mamy times i say Iamsorry for bumping domeoner most peoplelook at you with total disgust and disdsin.

 

[Christine]

(i developed a terrible fear of driving accross bridges-later we realized it was because i crossed a bridge every day right before i arrived at work where my traumatic events occured). if the doctor reccommends taking the meds even when you don't feel stressed-DO SO, stress can managed in the same way other medical conditions can by taking meds to prevent a full blown attack. AND it does'nt have to be a 'forever' thing-anxiety and stress can be the mind's way of telling you that something is going on that's having an unreasonable impact on you-once resolved or addressed, attacks can become a distant memory.

barkley,

Interesting about the bridges. I'm still trying to figure out what has triggered my bridge problem. Every year that I have been driving (I'm 42), I have gone to the beach and driven over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge which is very long and very high. It has never given me a problem. About 8 years ago, I was making my usual trek to the beach and about 1/3 of the way onto the bridge, I felt like I was going to go over the side. I had this "wild" feeling that I was going to lose control of my car. It was torture getting across the bridge. This happened to me the following year. Then I stopped going to the beach for awhile (not because of the bridge). Last week I decided to go for a day trip. You know, I didn't even THINK about that darn bridge. I paid the toll, started driving and WHAM it hit me again. This time I got a POUNDING heart rate, very fast, and I couldn't breathe normally. I was gripping the wheel like you wouldn't believe. As I got closer to the end of the bridge, the panic eased. Now, I can drive over all sorts of smaller bridges and, in fact, do so daily.

So, I wonder what's going on with this?

 

[anewvance]

I've been suffering from panic attacks lately. I was put on xanax for awhile but been trying to go without them. My attacks come out of no where. I'll be laying in bed thinking about something and then all of a sudden realize i'm not breathing and take a deep breath which scares the heck outta me and then my pulse rate rises and I get short of breath and my head starts to feel full of pressure. It's a freaky thing!!! Starts out of no where, yes i've had stress lately... but i'll be thinking happy thoughts and it happens.

 

[Christine]

I've been suffering from panic attacks lately. I was put on xanax for awhile but been trying to go without them. My attacks come out of no where. I'll be laying in bed thinking about something and then all of a sudden realize i'm not breathing and take a deep breath which scares the heck outta me and then my pulse rate rises and I get short of breath and my head starts to feel full of pressure. It's a freaky thing!!! Starts out of no where, yes i've had stress lately... but i'll be thinking happy thoughts and it happens.

Private school costs??

 

[minkydog]

I have generalized anxiety, with an occasional panic attack. I've been treated for depression for years, but my doctor finally realized that it was anxiety and not depression that was causing my symptoms. So I'm on Lexapro and I love it! I don't worry about stuff so much(I used to perseverate for days on end). When I really get going I take a half a Xanax.

My anxiety is usually triggered by my oldest child(DS20), my DH illness, DS11's seizures, or dental work. If I could get the rest of them in line, I'd be just fine

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

I've suffered from Anxiety attacks since college (I'm now 39). I will have palpitations, shaking, chest pain, an overwhelming sense of doom. Several years ago I had an episode of my heart rate suddenly going to over 200 and I came close to passing out. I thought I was going to die right then and there. I was having lots of PAC's and my anxiety quadrupled. I had always been able to "talk myself down" from an attack. After the heart thing, the anxiety tended to center more around my health...I was honestly afraid I would die. There have been nights when I've had an attack and was terrified to go to sleep because I knew I would not wake up the next day. My doctor tried several different meds and I ended up on Effexor and it has done wonders. I still have an occasional small attack but it has made life livable again.
Good luck at finding something to help you.

 

[Sparx]

This thread has been really informative.

My best friend was diagnosed with social anxeity disorder and gets really bad anxiety attacks. This thread really helped me understand them more.

 

[barkley]

barkley,

Interesting about the bridges. I'm still trying to figure out what has triggered my bridge problem. Every year that I have been driving (I'm 42), I have gone to the beach and driven over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge which is very long and very high. It has never given me a problem. About 8 years ago, I was making my usual trek to the beach and about 1/3 of the way onto the bridge, I felt like I was going to go over the side. I had this "wild" feeling that I was going to lose control of my car. It was torture getting across the bridge. This happened to me the following year. Then I stopped going to the beach for awhile (not because of the bridge). Last week I decided to go for a day trip. You know, I didn't even THINK about that darn bridge. I paid the toll, started driving and WHAM it hit me again. This time I got a POUNDING heart rate, very fast, and I couldn't breathe normally. I was gripping the wheel like you wouldn't believe. As I got closer to the end of the bridge, the panic eased. Now, I can drive over all sorts of smaller bridges and, in fact, do so daily.

that's exactly the way i was feeling-and you have this intense desire to pull over but you CAN'T! it's terrifying. i'm o.k with most bridges now-but if i get stressed when driving anywhere (esp. a place i'm unfamiliar with) it feels like the lanes have narrowed and my car has swelled to the size of a hummer!

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Sparx, the best way I can describe the feeling, is like sitting at your dining room table enjoying the macaroni and cheese and looking up to see a semi truck heading straight for you. You never know when or where it will happen and its almost irrational, but the fear and fright are so very real. Good luck to your friend.

 

[barkley]

I get them nearly everyday.When I have to pay bills is the worst even though the money is there I just kind of freak out. Crowded stores or noisy places get me upset too. I also worry about my family and what others think of me.
I am on a few meds but the ativan helps the most. I dont know why my Dr doresnt give me xanax as I heard that is better.

Xome of my anxiety is tied to my middle child who can be a handful sometimes. Though lately she has been an angel. So I can't say tht is making it worse. I just don't like having to make decisions or go places like wal mart or the grocerystore that has the lower prices but also the crwods I true and
make most of my shopping either online or middle of the week.\\

Aldo ii HAVE THIS DANG eye diseseas and Ithink that makes my problems eorse sense I cant always see whats around me and run into things and people and no matter how mamy times i say Iamsorry for bumping domeoner most peoplelook at you with total disgust and disdsin.

i def. think the eye issue can be a contributing factor-i lost the peripheral vision in my right eye due a stroke so i hate shopping (those dang things that stick out into the aisles-like the rounders with snacks or cards on them-i bump into them and gash up my arms). that combined with noise that can increase suddenly (a kid screaming behind me can shock the dickens out of me) just makes it very unpleasant situation. i tend to try and shop during non peak hours and stick to a store where i know the layout so i don't have to spend any more time there than necessary.