My panic attacks are back

[Gretel]

I cant remember the last time I had an attack and then I went off my meds thinking I can handle this! That was two months ago and this week they came back with full force.

I have a Dr appt tomorrow, till I get them back under control I took a leave of absence from my job.

Has anyone else had this problem? I could really use some encouragment!
I dont want my kids to see me out of control.......................

 

[nativetxn]

I've never experienced a panic attack. Sorry to hear that they are back. I hope you can get them under control soon.

{{{HUGS}}} sweetie.

Katholyn

 

[dizneenut]

I have never had a panic attack, but I'm sorry to hear yours are back. Sending PD your way. I hope you can get them under control soon.

 

[Mskanga]

I have never had one and I hope I never do but I know Beauty does suffer with that too , maybe she can help you out with this. I wish I could help but I have no experience with this. I'm here to talk to though if you feel like doing it. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}

 

[helenabear]

I've had the feeling of minor ones while I was under a lot of stress, so I can sort of relate. I just wanted to wish you all the best. I hope your doctor can help you get them under control. {{{hugs}}}

 

[Beauty]

Hi Gretal,

I just sent you a pm

 

[Teejay32]

More than I care to remember. Doing very well now though, I'd have to say they aren't a problem anymore. PM if I can help any.

 

[MidwestPiglet]

You are not alone!

Try the Midwest Center for Anxiety.
Here's a link to their bulletin board:
http://bbs.stresscenter.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi

I've had many years of anxiety and anxiety attacks. Hang in there -- do you know any relaxation exercises?

 

[WillyJ]

It's been quite a few years since the last one, but I have had panic attacks and they are awful. .

It's hard to explain what they are like to anyone who hasn't had one. . if feels like you are dying but you know you're not is the closest I can come to decribing one. .


I'll say this in all seriousness since you asked- I found that having some flavored brandy on hand helped me deal with them; one shot almost instantaneously stopped them for me. . .

But if the meds prevented them then it sounds like you need to get back on them. . much luck and {{{{hugs}}} Gretal; I'll say a prayer you figure out the best way to stop them for good. .

 

[grinningghost]

Oh Gretel, I totally know what you're going through. It's been several months since my last one - my meds are definitely working. Don't feel bad if you need to go back on meds - there's nothing to be ashamed of. Whatever you need to do to keep your life from being miserable, do it. Some of us are just "wired" a little weird and this is how we need to cope. If you ever want some advice, just PM me. I've been through it all, and I'm living breathing proof that it can be overcome.

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by WillyJ
It's hard to explain what they are like to anyone who hasn't had one. . if feels like you are dying but you know you're not is the closest I can come to decribing one. .

Very good description Willy, of the subsequent attacks. The first one you have you just KNOW you're dying. Right? Heart pounding out of your chest, shortness of breath, dizziness and, even more panic if you can't get it under control.

I used to medicate daily but, now it's based on the situation, if I feel it might happen, i.e. flying in an airplane. If I absolutely must do something that used to trigger them, I'll pre-medicate to calm my nerves.

Stress, for me, was the leading cause.

Breathing techniques help me, too.

Best Wishes Gretel. You already know they're manageable.

PM anytime.

 

[BWVDenise]

I'm sorry to hear this for 2 reasons: 1. I'm sorry for you, and 2. I just stopped taking mine on Feb. 1st after more than 2 yrs of meds. I am doing really great and thought I was in the clear since it's been a month. I hated the feeling of being dependant on meds and I really hope I can pull this off!
Best wishes to you, you are not alone! I guess you just weren't ready to be off of it. Your brain must still need it.

 

[luv2nascar]

my DH went off his without telling me for 2 months
needless to say all the old problems surfaced rather quickly
and were getting worse by the day
It took me a while to catch on
I thought maybe they weren't working anymore
In addition to the panic attacks he is very out of control without the meds
we had been fighting like crazy
I woke up last Saturday morning to him hugging me and telling me he loved me after one of the worst fights ever the prior night
he then confessed about the meds and starting taking them again
1 wk later things are not back to normal but 100% better
wishing you good luck

 

[iluvdisneys sis]

i just went thru my 1st panic attack since my heart attack-and let me tell ya-this was worse than the heart attack!! my sister, mary, was here after her cruise and-- thank god!--she helped me thru it--we all thought it was a heart attack again- because my arm went numb and then the panic happened- i could not breathe-my heart racing-i went pale--( you know the drill )--well, after the 911 call and trip to E.R.--it turns out-it was a pinched nerve and full blown panic attack-so after some muscle relaxers, pain pills- i am now taking my zanax everyday!! i don't want to go thru that again!! my thoughts and prayers are with you---practice breathing like you are in labor for a baby--that has helped alot of people--go on your meds and try taking a break in a few months again--i was off for 10 years til this-so-it might come back to haunt you--but knowing there are others who understand--is a great help---hugs and prayers,jackie

 

[DiznEeyore]

I'm sorry your panic attacks have reasserted themselves. I know exactly what you're facing, as I've had them for about 13 years. It took several doctors and a couple of trips to the ER (and a very understanding dh!) to convince me to go on a low-dosage of Tofranil. I've been on it for 6 years now and have come to the conclusion that although it's inconvenient, I'll stay on them for the rest of my days if I have to. I've tried cutting back, but it doesn't seem to work for me. And I am glad I have something that works for me with a minimum of side effects. It's totally renewed my quality of life. Heck, I'd never have made it to WDW as an adult if it wasn't for them!

I will say that my dr. thinks the root of my anxiety/depression is hormonal -- in fact, around TOM (sorry, guys!) I often have to take a Xanax to keep me "on keel". My TOM is every 17-21 days, so I guess I'm perpetually in a state of hormonal flux!! LOL

Too much information probably, but I just wanted to let you know that there are several of us who understand and empathize with what you're going through. Hang in there, and if you need to talk, feel free to PM!!

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

Anxiety and panic attacks are much more common than people think.

A guy here at work said that his wife just started having them ... just out of the blue. Things are starting to get a little better (they have sought treatment), but you have to take it one day at a time.

My DH suffers from anxiety and has only had one real panic attack that we know of. Last year, however, when he was having back problems he broke down many times and was real concerned about this behavior in front of the kids (then 16 & 17) ... I told him not to be, that they needed to know that sometimes even the strongest person needed help at times. Fortunately my DH's anxiety where he needed meds seems to be triggered when he has physical health issues and/or unusual work stress.

My father is fighting cancer and last summer they had him on Prozac ... he was breaking down all the time, not sleeping, needed my mom with him constantly, etc. He has a heart condition and has almost died before so we knew that this was not normal behavior for him in the face of possible death. We finally got the doctor to take him off Prozac and give him something else. Once that had a chance to leave his system, things were much better.

There are a lot of medications out there and they are not all right for each person. If you have a medication which helps you, don't be ashamed to have to take it. It is something that a lot of people struggle with but don't always announce at coffee-break at work.

I don't know how old your children are, but they need to be given some information pertinent to their age. Otherwise, they begin to imagine all sorts of things. If you and your husband can be upfront with them, they will be more comfortable with the situation and can actually be a big help to you as you struggle with this.

Hang in there, get back on your meds ... be happy.

 

[2disneywego]

I'm sorry to hear the attacks are back. They are frightening!
I've only had a few after I was in 3 car accidents in 8 months. I can only offer hugs for you and please take all the support for you that is out there.

 

[Gretel]

Hi Everyone!

thanks for the encouragment! It does help to know there are people out there who understand.

I did see my doctor last week, and I am back on Paxil. I think I
may go to a therapy group also. He recommended this when I first started seeing him over two years ago, and I thought oh I don't need therapy! But I have decided if it helps I am all for it.
I do not wish the anxiety/panic attacks on anyone, they are so unexplainable to someone who has never had them.

I am feeling a little more in control these days and to all who suffer from panic attacks I understand!

Lisa
aka gretel

 

[grinningghost]

For Gretel - so glad the Paxil is helping. I'd be lost without my Celexa.

For Amy - I have ALWAYS thought my panic attacks and anxiety were caused by those creepy female hormones. My MAN doctor says no way. I think he's in denial. Unfortunately, I'm deep in the throes of perimenopause (night sweats, mood swings), and my hormones are never stable, so I keep my Xanax in my purse at all times. You never know when you're going to need it.

To all of us with these stupid panic attacks - do you ever wonder if people back in, say, the early 1900's, had them? Seems it's only been in the last decade of so that we've really been hearing about lots of people suffering from them. Is it what we're eating? Is it pollution? What's causing so many people to have them? Just makes me wonder.

 

[BWVDenise]

YES, I do wonder that!