Panic attacks?

[CathrynRose]

First and foremost - dont try and handle this on your own. Panic Attacks suck. Theyre horrible, and I lived with mine for WAYYYYY too long.

I had had two panic attacks, in my life, before my mom died suddenly in 2006. I was already a self diagnosed hypochondriac to begin with. And her passing spiraled me into an absolute mess.

My panic always surrounds death. So worse case scenario wouldnt work for me. "Whats the worst that could happen? I COULD DROP DEAD!!!!!!!"

Someone mentioned the breathing... good, but your OUT breath should be longer than your IN breath ( 7 seconds in / 10 seconds out ) It forces your body to relax.

BUT - just go see your psychiatrist. Get yourself an anti-anxeity rescue (Xanax or the like) No one should have to live like that. It's terrible.

Side note.... have they checked your gallbladder? My g/f got the 'gotta go' after eating, and after treating "IBS" to no avail, really - she had a full blown gallbladder attack. Ever since she had that removed, no more 'gotta go'.

 

[carter_amy]

You must be my long lost twin because that was me!!!! I would always have to stop. I could not go anywhere that there was not a bathroom in sight. I would try to stay at the restaurant a little longer, but as soon as I hit the seat in the car---wham!!! My husband was alway patient and willing to stop (even along the road) but it got to the point that I had to drive everywhere we went and then I was acutally starting to turn down little rides to the farmer's market or to do something fun with my family. I am only 35 and my girls are 5 and 8 and I knew something had to change. I would worry about a vacation drive or trip for days or months prior!!!

Finally I said this has to stop and went to my family doctor. He started me on Zoloft and it has changed my life!!!! It took a couple of weeks and then I started to notice that I was having no trouble going places. That was 2 1/2 years ago and I cannot believe it took me so long to figure it out. I have not had an "incident" since I started. I wish someone would have clued me in sooner. This may not be the fix-it for you, but maybe it is. My life has improved so much and now I am always up for a drive and I am in the passenger seat. I hope this helps because I know how difficult it was.!!!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

You must be my long lost twin because that was me!!!! I would always have to stop. I could not go anywhere that there was not a bathroom in sight. I would try to stay at the restaurant a little longer, but as soon as I hit the seat in the car---wham!!! My husband was alway patient and willing to stop (even along the road) but it got to the point that I had to drive everywhere we went and then I was acutally starting to turn down little rides to the farmer's market or to do something fun with my family. I am only 35 and my girls are 5 and 8 and I knew something had to change. I would worry about a vacation drive or trip for days or months prior!!!

Finally I said this has to stop and went to my family doctor. He started me on Zoloft and it has changed my life!!!! It took a couple of weeks and then I started to notice that I was having no trouble going places. That was 2 1/2 years ago and I cannot believe it took me so long to figure it out. I have not had an "incident" since I started. I wish someone would have clued me in sooner. This may not be the fix-it for you, but maybe it is. My life has improved so much and now I am always up for a drive and I am in the passenger seat. I hope this helps because I know how difficult it was.!!!

Me too! I am on Zoloft and it works great! I still have panic attacks and I have come to belive that I will have them forever but I am learning how to control them before they get out of control. Its very hard but once you do it, it becomes a routine and gets easier. It sounds stupid but I yell at myself (in my head of course, not out loud). I basically say. Toni this is stupid. You do this all the time. Nothing ever happens to you so just stop. It works! Sounds dumb but you have to find ways to stop it.

I never had IBS until I started having panic attacks bad. That is what is causing the IBS for me. I have to make sure I know where bathrooms are and if I don't know that makes me nervous. I also agree with PP when they say, if you go to a restaurant, stick around and wait a bit before you leave and use the restroom. When I take Immodium it works great and I have no problems. I take immodium every day that I am in Disney.

 

[Nik's Mom]

What medication are you on? I've been to urgent care, and I'm getting a workup done by the cardiologist, because of what I suspect are very frequent panic attacks (small ones with racing palpatations, to full blown with dizzyness, sweating, and shaking). My once normal blood pressure is super high, and I hate leaving the house. I also suffer from IBS, but I don't think that's the cause (my life is pretty stressful).

I don't suffer from IBS, but my panic attacks started because dh and I were trying to decide to move out of state. I have 2 autistic ds's and it was such a hard thing to decide. I just started to get the panic attacks one day and my blood pressure sky-rocketed. The doctor put me on a blood pressure medication that also helped control anxiety. It is called Metoprolol. I think it's a generic drug though. The name brand would be Toprol.

I did have a few weeks of hell with that medication though. I had dizzy spells and almost fainted at work. Once the doctor reduced my medication, I was fine.