Panic attacks..

[ge0rgette2]

Do you suffer from them?

For years, I never knew what they were, I'd end up at the ER constantly to be given some antacids, just in case the chest pain I was experiencing was heartburn and some Xanax to take the edge off..

Finally, I went to a cardiologist for a workup, thinking it was heart related.. my cardiologist said I believe they are panic attacks, to see your regular doctor, as he didn't find anything related to the heart. The stress test I had showed a rise in my pulse during movement/exercise but nothing to explain the symptoms I was having regularly. Would seem like a hot flush came across me, heart would race, I'd get very very nervous, my mind would say 'OMG I'm having a heart attack." Like I said many many trips to the ER were occuring.

I was given a medication taken nightly to help with these attacks, that was over a year ago. I haven't had ONE in over a year and then today, BOOM.

Was in the party store and my chest hurt, hot flush/flash, nervousness, worrying about falling apart in the store.. Party store? and I get anxiety?

I had to come home, pop a Xanax, only .25 mg, the lowest dose possible and I relaxed on the couch, told me son to be aware I was not feeling well.

With this said, the Xanax made me relax a bit, I went to lay on bed, dozed off for about 1/2 hour and here I am typing

 

[Jennasis]

They are no fun, that's for sure. Frightening and very very real. Been there, done that, and now I just deal with them as they come (which is usually in the middle of the night.) Xanax is my friend! No idea what causes them. I'll wake up and feel like I'm sinking through the bed, heart racing, chest tight. I've had a full cardiac workup and nothing is wrong with me there. I also have asthma (very much under control) but if anything ever happens where I feel like I can't breathe or am suffocating, BAM! Panic attack.

You're not alone. {{{hugs}}}

 

[mickeyboat]

My laid-back DH had one last summer. It scared the poo out of him. He had been battling a virus of some sort for a week or so that was causing some vertigo. He had a vertigo attack while he was working on a roof , and when he got down off the ladder he started feeling nauseated, chest pain, shortness of breath and flushed.

He called me at work and asked me to meet him in the ER. They ran an entire battery of heart and lung tests, and told him he was as healthy as a horse. It was a panic attack.

I hope that never happens again.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We are under a lot stress here and I have had a couple of panic attacks recently (never ever had them) and almost passed out at the dentist the other day after she shot me up with novacaine.

I went to my PCP and I started Celexa and I am on day 4. Wow, what a difference.

With me, I am sure the stress in my life is manifesting itself with "medical issues" and "comes out" that way.

It is going to be a tough yr and I know that thought does not help the situation.

 

[JaneBanks]

I'm a fellow sufferer. They are horrible. I'm glad you are feeling better.

 

[ge0rgette2]

They are just horrible!!! I mean, don't get me wrong, I am glad that I have an idea what they are .. just wish I could figure out why they do what they do and hit when they hit ... I was told peri-Menopausal women experience them regularly... could be me LOL

I guess picking out red plates for a 3rd grade chinese new year buffet was very very stressful LOL

I have been on Lexapro and works wonders for me. I asked in the beginning about Celexa and my doc likes Lexapro better. There is NO generic for this med either, which stinks, but has helped me, or so I thought 100%.
Now here I am having one today...

I don't feel stressed her at home, i actually feel good about myself lately.
I wish I could stick to my diet lmao, maybe I need a pill for that too

My doc doesn't like prescribing Xanax, he always asks me how many I took, when I ask for a new RX. Mine usually expire way before I use them up - he gives me 30. I think I've taken 2 since I refilled it, last May.

I guess it's a good thing - but today, omg, I could have taken the bottle!

Even the lowest dose knocks me down to take a nap. Friend of mine is on 2mg, I don't know how she does it.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one suffering from time to time with these.

They are definitely scary.

 

[Starclassic]

Panic/anxiety attacks run in my family. I get them occasionally. I hate them, they're awful!

 

[Uncle Remus]

You'll feel a lot better Saturday night.

 

[ge0rgette2]

Why Saturday Night? LOL I must have missed something somewhere...

It just amazes me you could be doing nothing - standing inline at the party store and you feel like a heart attack is coming on...

Eeek!

 

[prncess674]

I suffer from panic/anxiety attacks and it took several doctor visits and ER runs to get them under control. Mine manifest in these horrible chest pains that make turn dead white and crawl up in a ball. I have had similar attacks in the past and told my Mom about them. I don't think she fully understood the severity till one day I was home visiting and one came on while I was getting ready for a party. She freaked out and brought me to the emergency room where they did a workup of tests. The attack eventually passed and they sent me home. I too went to a cardiologist who did an exhausitvie set of tests and they couldn't find anything wrong.

Panic attacks suck, but the big thing is learning what it is that helps you cope. Mine could last for hours and now I understand the symptoms. I take an anti-anxiety daily, but if a bad attack comes along I take 3 Advil and go lay in a cold dark room for about 30 minutes. I am sure the Advil does nothing, but it psychologically allows me to calm down.

Panic attacks shouldn't be an area of shame. My friends who I travel with regularly are aware and initially they are freaked out, but they have seen me basically shut down and now know to let me have a few minutes and check on me in about 30 minutes.

 

[ge0rgette2]

No one really understands why I have them. My Mom will question me from time to time, when I would get them regularly she just didn't get it.
My husband was normally the one that would sit with me time and time again at the ER. To be given Xanax, blood tests, ekg's and then sent home - hours later.

Poor guy! Then when we figured out why, i was given Lexapro - taken everyday, I never miss a dose and have felt great.

I, too, get severe chest pains, my mind travels out of control, thinking of my impending doom, as this will be the last time. My breathing is okay, i'm not out of breath, I get back pain, neck pain and just feel flu'ish. My pulse flies off the charts and I start to get flushed.

So, I too, like you, have had those bad chest pains... I always thought i was having a heart attack.
Today, was horrible, having one and no Xanax in site, I had to drive home 15 min from the party store all by myself.

I don't know if the Advil helps you, maybe placebo effect, but if it works it works!!

I know that if I call someone/text someone/ or come online and talk(type), I start to feel better.. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one...

Usually my husband will say, "what did you eat today". He always thinks its heartburn and I ate something off that bothers me. And since I don't have a gallbladder anymore, he truly feels it's indigestion.

Believe me, I had nothing and was standing shopping....

 

[calypso726]

My brother went through this. He thought his heart was coming out of his chest. He went to several doctors and a cardiologist who told him it's probably panic attacks since his heart was fine. He got on one medication and had a number of side effects and I eventually talked him into switching to Lexapro. I used to be a pharmaceutical rep and represented one of the medications available for panic disorder but had to know about all the competitors. For the record, I did NOT represent Lexapro but DID recommend my brother take it when the first med was giving him problems. He eventually was able to gradually wean off it and now keeps some Klonopin on him in case of a sudden attack.

 

[Buckalew11]

I've suffered from them since I was a little girl.

It has been a long time since I have had a full blown attack.

Mine manifests itself in my stomach instead of my heart. Runs in the family. I have cousins who think they are having heart issues and one who can't breath and feels like her throat is closing up. Panic attacks are scary for sure.

It is pretty common having panic attacks at the dentist. Something about the Novocaine can trigger them. I had issues with them at the dentist but not because of that, lol.

 

[mefordis]

Xanax, (like all benzos, some more than others), is highly addictive and I think your dr is trying to save you a horror story like so many you can read about. Just Google "Xanax withdrawl" or "benzo withdrawl".

They are just horrible!!! I mean, don't get me wrong, I am glad that I have an idea what they are .. just wish I could figure out why they do what they do and hit when they hit ... I was told peri-Menopausal women experience them regularly... could be me LOL

I guess picking out red plates for a 3rd grade chinese new year buffet was very very stressful LOL

I have been on Lexapro and works wonders for me. I asked in the beginning about Celexa and my doc likes Lexapro better. There is NO generic for this med either, which stinks, but has helped me, or so I thought 100%.
Now here I am having one today...

I don't feel stressed her at home, i actually feel good about myself lately.
I wish I could stick to my diet lmao, maybe I need a pill for that too

My doc doesn't like prescribing Xanax, he always asks me how many I took, when I ask for a new RX. Mine usually expire way before I use them up - he gives me 30. I think I've taken 2 since I refilled it, last May.

I guess it's a good thing - but today, omg, I could have taken the bottle!

Even the lowest dose knocks me down to take a nap. Friend of mine is on 2mg, I don't know how she does it.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one suffering from time to time with these.

They are definitely scary.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

I suffer from them, too. I take zoloft daily for them, but I still have them from time to time when I'm really stressed out over school and exams, and sometimes they come out of nowhere. I'm glad you're feeling better.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Why Saturday Night? LOL I must have missed something somewhere...

It just amazes me you could be doing nothing - standing inline at the party store and you feel like a heart attack is coming on...

Eeek!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43790796&postcount=239

 

[sookie]

Are you serious, OP?
Because you were just hashing out your very stressful week on this same board about your son and his mooch friend.
Put two and two together....

 

[acejka]

I get them also.

I don't take anything (although I do have a prescription for ativan, I had that before emergency surgery (that happened to be my first surgery) and I was good as gold) I just force myself through them, I knew I was going to be having babies soon and I wouldn't be able to take the medicine while pregnant or nursing.

Since cutting out the caffeine to be pregnant, mine have been much improved!

I will take the ativan should I get a case of the crazies and want to fly somewhere ( I DESPISE flying...)

 

[ge0rgette2]

I suffer from them, too. I take zoloft daily for them, but I still have them from time to time when I'm really stressed out over school and exams, and sometimes they come out of nowhere. I'm glad you're feeling better.

Xanax, (like all benzos, some more than others), is highly addictive and I think your dr is trying to save you a horror story like so many you can read about. Just Google "Xanax withdrawl" or "benzo withdrawl".

Yup, I know they are addictive.. Thank Gosh I had 30 in my refill and only 4 are missing

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43790796&postcount=239

Ahhh, you mean TONIGHT!!! Saturday night I'll be relaxing in NYC watching a Broadway show for my Anniversary.

 

[ge0rgette2]

Are you serious, OP?
Because you were just hashing out your very stressful week on this same board about your son and his mooch friend.
Put two and two together....

I didn't think it was that stressful and I was handling it very well My insides were crying out I guess.

And what threw me off over the other posters post was Saturday night, cause I'M FREE TONIGHT!