Panic Attacks

[bjgrazi]

Has anyone ever suffered from them? I think I had my first one today and I'm not sure why.

I had this feeling I was struggling, a strange feeling going through my body. I can't explain it. It was like I could sense something bad was going to happen.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know there are several here on the DIS, I am sure they will give you some thoughts, Barb.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I've had them. The doom and gloom feeling? That's how I started. My first one was while I was married. I called my husband at work and made him come home...if I remember correctly. Thought I was having a heart attack.

 

[allfordizney]

I have never had a severe one but I do suffer from social anxiety sometimes.

Certain people really make me feel like I am trasparent around them. I get into these moods where I feel like the whole room is looking at me.

When I was 18 I use to love attention. I would wear skimpy clothing to show off my body and now I don't want anyone looking at me except my boyfriend/fiance'

 

[meandtheguys2]

Just wondering if youhave changed any meds or anything? My DH had anxiety attack symtoms when he added ginseng to his vitamin regimen. He also had to stop taking motrin, and we are really careful about decongestants and anti-histamines. He was actually diagnosed by the clinic that he works with as having an anxiety attack.

 

[Beauty]

Yes I have them, have suffered my whole life in some form or the other.

I often feel like I'm having a heart attack or like I am standing in concrete with a 18 wheeler headed towards me.

I can't tell you how many times I have run to the hospital thinking I was dying. It is the most awful feeling in the world.

Its your bodys FIGHT or FLIGHT response.

At the worst my attacks were almost constant on a daily basis. I thank God everyday for a wonderful Dr. who knew what to do for me or I know I would be dead today. Thankfully I have read all I can on the subject and now have a understanding of what is happening in my body and I can usually control an attack when I feel one coming on.

I hope you don't have any more. They are awful!!!!!

 

[MScott1851]

Yes, and they can manifest themselves in different ways each time. I have had probably five or six in my whole life... I get panicky in HUGE crowds, like NYE at Times Square, and I literally can't breathe and will knock you down to get to a high place. I've had one where I burst out crying and pitched a full-on hissy fit after a car dealership pressured me RELENTLESSLY while I was trying to buy my first new car after my dad had to leave me and go to work, because I couldn't cope with the situation anymore. Thank god this hasn't happened again!

More frequently, I get a rocking sensation when I'm sitting still, or lying in bed. My doctor tells me it's anxiety, but I can't for the life of me put my finger on what triggers these...I think it's just continued stress in my everyday life.

They're all different, and they can be as subtle as what you described, or classic like some that the other posters have had. I would recommend relaxation techniques before I ran to the doctor to get on the latest miracle pill, though. I have a prescription for Xanax, but I have found if I take a step back, focus on what is bugging me, and take a time-out, I usually don't have to take one.

 

[bjgrazi]

I take no meds at all. Up untill today, I thought I was a healthy individual.

I guess it's just stress, I feel as if I'm in a hopless situation. I keep telling myself to sit tight that in due time the answer will come to me.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I am sorry this happened with you! I should have said so to begin with. My mom has them and has started taking zyprexa at bedtime. She is thrilled with getting rest instead of thinking all night.

I am glad you've been healthy, but wish you had something easy to blame the discomfort on!

Michelle

 

[JVL1018]

I had one..for no reason, I wasn't stressed, it just came upon me, and it was very scary.
My Dad had them terribly for years-I'm talked 20-30 a day, poor guy. He has been on Atavan<sp?> for years now and is fine 99% of the time now.

 

[Nancy]

My SIl started getting them a few yrs ago. The worst one started at work and theyrushed her to the hospital by ambulance. they thought she developed a blood clot in her lung because she couldn't breath at all.

She just weaned off her meds for the first time in 5 yrs. Her attacks took many different forms, from not breathing to her whole body stiffening like a board. She had to cancel vacations because she froze before she even left the house.

 

[Lachesis00]

Yup, both my sister and I do. I have them more often then she does but I think hers are worse.

Ive been having them at night a lot. Because I am on seizure meds, my doctor will not prescribe me an anti-anxiety drug. I HATE HATE HATE anxiety attacks

I think mine are due to our moving here soon. I totally feel for you.

 

[two4ruff]

I get them on airplanes. Yep, I'm just like the guy on the Twilight Zone movie...

Xanax is my only cure. Never had one anywhere else.

It is a scary feeling, but there is help if they become overwelming.

 

[Micca]

I've had them on planes, and a few times in more normal circumstances. I haven't seen a doc, I just try to take deep breaths, and reason the situation.

 

[Mishetta]

Yep, started a few months ago. Turns out my panic attacks (I could not leave my house) were caused from depression. My doctor put me on zoloft, & strongly urged me to seek counseling & to start exercising & after doing all 3 things Doc suggested, I am about 60% better.

Don't let your attacks get out of hand (like they will), please go seek medical attention. It could just be a temporary thing.

 

[MizlurksaLot]

I've been having them since I was pretty young - I'd say probably under 10. Most of the time, I start hyperventilating, and I'm convinced I'm dying. They usually come on when I get very upset, or angry. Occasionally though, I'll get one for no apparent reason. There's a train that runs about 50 feet behind my house, when it goes by, my bed shakes. One night I was laying in bed, and I could feel myself shaking. It took me about 5 minutes to realize that there was no train - it was just me. It was very scary, it almost felt like I was shaking from the inside out. My heart felt like it was going to break out of my chest, and it hurt when I tried to catch my breath. Panic attacks can be terrifying, if you think you've had one, please talk to your doctor. Sometimes medication can be a big help if it starts happening fairly frequently - I've been on several over the years.

 

[minnie56]

I have suffered from them on and off for a couple of years. They are terrifying..you really feel as if you are going to die.

For me, it was a feeling of everything going quiet inside my head..a pressure in my chest...often an agonizing explosion in my head and a heavy feeling through my arms and legs.I had every test imaginable to rule out stroke and heart problems. In the end..I was prescibed Paxil which though it makes me gain weight helps the awful feelings. I am weaning myself off of Paxil at the moment and am down to a half a pill a day. I take it a day at a time and cannot bear the thought that they could come back...The only diagnosis the Dr's could make was a drop in Seratonin levels and drugs such as Paxil etc help get them back up and stabalized.

I also tried Yoga, Massage Therapy, Pilates and a good excercise routine. All of them helped in one way or another..

Hang in there...you are not alone. Lets hope for you that this was a once only episode.Take a deep breath and take care of you.

 

[summersweeti3889]

Im only 15 years old and ive been having severe panic attacks since i was in the 5th grade. I have a huge fear of getting sick and/or dying and i get so scared my whole body would shake and id sweat. its very scary, espescially when you are so young. Every time i get sick i always think i am going to die and i get so scared. this one phsycologist i went to really helped me. She said when u get anxiety attacks, lay down, get your muscles all tense, then slowly in 10 seconds relax them while your eyes are closed. Anxiety is just in your mind so its not that you are unhealthy you just are worried and stressed. When i was 11, i made a spray bottle and i would make beleive that when i spray it, it would wash away all my fears. things like that actaully help. or just go in the shower and calm yourself down. Just last night my foot got a really bad cramp and i got so scared i havent had an attack in a year or so because im on medication but last night for some reason (bc its all in my head) i thought i would have to be rushed to the hospital and my leg would be amputated... i know its silly but thats what i was thinking. my whole body was shaking and i was having trouble breathing. My mom just sat down with me and helped me talk about other things that have nothing to do with my leg. It helps to get your mind off it. The meds i take are Zoloft and Celexa. If you have another attack, consider visiting a phycologist and they can help you and suggest some medicines. The Celexa works wonders and ive recently been cutting down bc with time you get better. I hope i helped... Think positive thoughts and i hope you feel better!! -Amy

 

[grinningghost]

Oh goodness YES! I've been getting them since high school and I'm now 39. So I know what they are, but they're still scary. BUT... there is help! Don't wait for another one before you seek help from a doctor. Believe me, you will thank yourself later.

I've been on antidepressants since 1991 - they keep the panic attacks at bay for the most part, but I ALWAYS carry Xanax with me, just in case I feel one coming on. You'll be happy to know that Xanax can knock one of those things out like Mike Tyson on Peewee Herman.

Xanax usually takes 20 minutes to really kick in, but when it does, you'll forget why you ever started having a panic attack to start with. A wonderful drug when used responsibly. I only take one when I absolutely have to. But I always know they're there if I need them.

If you need to talk more, PM me. I am VERY experienced in those stupid panic attacks.

And most important - they won't kill you. Honest.

 

[Pop Daddy]

pic of me normal -

pic of mr during panic attack -