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Thread: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

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    Default Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    Does anyone get them? Until the last two weeks, I'd only ever had three in my life: two from night terrors, and one when I found out I was pregnant when I was 20 and thought I didn't have any options.

    Now I have had what I believe to be three in the past month, but I am not sure. I had my heart checked a month ago because I ended up in the ER thinking I was dying (physician did an EKG etc and said, verbatim "I'm not worried about your heart at all."). I'm not anemic, my hormones are fine; I've had a CBC within the past year. I'm not pregnant, I'm not addicted to drugs or alcohol. So here's my symptoms:

    - Sudden onset of light headed feeling, accompanied by sharp vision and sense of walls "zooming" in on me

    - Racing heart in the 120 - 140 bpm range (my resting is usually 60-75)

    - Visibly shaking uncontrollably, feeling like I'm shaking even inside

    - Hyperventilation

    - Rapid "fight or flight" thought

    - Absolute conviction that I am dying of a heart attack and/or some obscure disease and/or will die very shortly

    - Feelings of desperation, have to "get away", needing to "run way"

    - Feelings of total imminent doom

    After these episodes, which last between 5 and 20 minutes, I feel very tired, almost tearfully exhausted, and cold.

    I am not a fearful person, never have been. I realize I have had a lot of change lately, but it doesn't appear to have bothered me much before. I have recently become estranged from my sister who used to be very dear to me- she chose to maintain contact with our horrifically abusive mother, and I can't have that beast anywhere near me or knowing where I live, what I'm doing, where I work, etc etc. That has affected me more than I like to admit.

    Anyone with experience in panic attacks, lend some words of advice?

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    im sorry to hear babe. unfortunately i dont have much on panic attacks [once when leeches attacked me and another time during a speech; phobias i never even knew i had] to offer advice on.

    what im thinking and it will sound stupid, is that if this matter has been in the back of your mind constantly over a period of time it may try to manifest itself physically. in my experience it had been the case e.g. when a relationship ended with a boy i loved a lot i felt physically ill in my stomach and heart region.

    anyway before i ramble on, what im trying to say is try to free up your subconscious from becoming too overwhelmed and stressed and keep occupied in other ways unless youre prepared to sort out this situation that is bothering you.
    keep away from situations that remind you of your family issues
    [whenever im near water or rain i need to check parts in direct contact with water or moist area for leeches in a ritualistic and ocd matter, but usually i dont have this problem and i dont think about it]

    okay so that was my messed up attempt at trying to come up with something of help
    its probably best to ignore it since i dont articulate well and see a gp / shrink

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    Recent trauma?

    How about the big changes going on in your life right now, your transition, moving to a new place? Do you feel overwhelmed?

    I also get panic attacks if over-indulging in substances, even alcohol.

    My solution is to get thee to a cool, dark room, lie on the ground and elevate your legs. Focus on your breath, use yoga technique if you know it.

    If they continue, you might want to look into a scrip for beta blockers. You can get most for 5 to ten bucks at Walmart. They will slow your heart down but don't have the addictive properties of benzos,...but you already know this.

    Hope you get to feeling better soon, panic attacks suck.

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    Interesting thing about panic attacks and medication. Just filling the Rx and carrying it around with you can stop them. In other words, knowing you have the medicine close at hand can take the edge off, even if you don't take the pill. This was my ex's experience, and I've since heard it from other people.

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    I'm sorry you are having panic attacks--they are so awful=(

    What are you doing to de-stress at the moment? Writing is always beneficial since you can get all of your thoughts on to paper and out of your head. Running/exercise would allow you to just tune out. I feel like stress just builds and builds and sometimes when you don't have an outlet your body's natural response is to have a panic attack.

    I totally agree with KS_Stevia, but wanted to add that listening to music might also help out a little bit when you feel one coming on=) It gives you something to focus on and distracts you from the symptoms of the panic attack.

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    I used to get panic attacks often and had to go to therapy to get them under control. My therapist told me that the symptoms you get from a panic attack are the same as the sensation you get when youre on a scary rollercoaster. So knowing this info helps me to slow down mentally and know i can get through it and that I wasn't dying. I didnt do too well with music because it was too much stimulation and meds didnt work for me. I wish you the best. Try meditation first. If its still not enough then try medications. Get well soon
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    Quote Originally Posted by mediocrity View Post
    Does anyone get them? Until the last two weeks, I'd only ever had three in my life: two from night terrors, and one when I found out I was pregnant when I was 20 and thought I didn't have any options.

    Now I have had what I believe to be three in the past month, but I am not sure. I had my heart checked a month ago because I ended up in the ER thinking I was dying (physician did an EKG etc and said, verbatim "I'm not worried about your heart at all."). I'm not anemic, my hormones are fine; I've had a CBC within the past year. I'm not pregnant, I'm not addicted to drugs or alcohol. So here's my symptoms:

    - Sudden onset of light headed feeling, accompanied by sharp vision and sense of walls "zooming" in on me

    - Racing heart in the 120 - 140 bpm range (my resting is usually 60-75)

    - Visibly shaking uncontrollably, feeling like I'm shaking even inside

    - Hyperventilation

    - Rapid "fight or flight" thought

    - Absolute conviction that I am dying of a heart attack and/or some obscure disease and/or will die very shortly

    - Feelings of desperation, have to "get away", needing to "run way"

    - Feelings of total imminent doom

    After these episodes, which last between 5 and 20 minutes, I feel very tired, almost tearfully exhausted, and cold.

    I am not a fearful person, never have been. I realize I have had a lot of change lately, but it doesn't appear to have bothered me much before. I have recently become estranged from my sister who used to be very dear to me- she chose to maintain contact with our horrifically abusive mother, and I can't have that beast anywhere near me or knowing where I live, what I'm doing, where I work, etc etc. That has affected me more than I like to admit.

    Anyone with experience in panic attacks, lend some words of advice?
    I'm really sorry this is happening Sweetie - it can be a very scary thing, I know, I've had attacks like this myself. In my case it was down to underlying stress from something that had happened between me and my Sister (NOTE..!!) - over 6 years previously. It was eventually resolved with some counselling.

    However, I would suggest seeing your Doctor just to be safe and sure. Have your blood pressure checked out - and maybe a test or two just to rule out any possible medical issues that might be causing the heart racing and body palpitations, which can be very frightening.

    If that's clear - then maybe it's time to deal with the stuff around your last point about your Sister and Mother. It may be having more of an effect than you're aware of.

    In fact.......I'd bet my house on it.....
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    Yuck! I get them... have since I was 13. They tend to come on more if Im stressed. They are also worse for me if Im drinking alcohol regularly (Im more likely to get one after a night of drinking). Loud music also triggers mine, so not real great for working in the club. Mine start with my left hand getting weak and then it goes up my whole arm. Then I get irregular breathing which is really hard to control which freaks me out and then all the other shit symptoms start.

    The biggest thing Ive learned to do is try to get my mind off of it and get my breathing under control. If Im at home I get my husband to distract me with a massage or some sex. If Im at work I'll get a massage off the massage lady or I try to talk to someone to get my mind off of it. I know these suggestions probably sound impossible because at first they are really bad, but over time if you keep getting them, they become less scary and more of an annoyance which makes it easier to try silly suggestions like mine. If Im able to sleep I might also take a half a xanax. Probably not the best solution but in a pinch helps regulate my breathing.

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    I used to have a serious problem with panic attacks, sorry to hear that you've been having them. They're horrible to go through.

    If you feel comfortable having prescription medication to help you, go get some. Like other posters said, just having it with you can make panic attacks stop/become manageable, because medication puts you in control. I was very hesitant to get meds when I started having panic attacks, but after dealing with bouts of them on and off for years, I finally gave in and got Xanax... which was a huuuge relief. I would take half a pill before stressful situations, and always carried some with me in case I started feeling panicked. I rarely took it, but just knowing it was there kept my anxiety down.

    You should also make sure you're getting enough physical activity, eating healthy, and minimizing stress. It's a good idea to do all of the above even if you don't get panic attacks, but it's especially important when you're trying to control anxiety. Working out will probably be the easiest and most helpful thing you can do, because you'll tire your body out and produce mood-lifting endorphins.

    And just take care of yourself in general. Do things you enjoy and be around people your care about. It sounds like you've gone through some rough stuff recently, so do whatever you can to patch that up and improve the situation you're in.

    Sometimes we don't realize how much we're affected by our circumstances until our bodies start reacting like this... that's just your body's way of telling you that something needs to change, so that you can be healthy again.

    If you find yourself in another situation where you're having a panic attack, always remember that you're in control. Your body is freaking out because you're stressed, but it will be over soon, and there is nothing wrong with you physiologically (even a doctor has told you this). Do your best to focus on other things, on happy/funny/calming memories, on objects around you... anything but what your body is doing. And if you need to take a moment to yourself and be alone, go for it. Thinking about how fast your heart is beating or how afraid you are is pointless and will make things worse. Even though it can be hard to believe in the moment, you're completely fine and you're *not* going to die. Heart palpitations aren't going to kill someone young and in otherwise good shape.

    Long post, but I hope that was somewhat helpful. I've been through serious issues with anxiety, so I know a LOT about this subject. Hope you feel better soon! *hugs*

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    I was going to psot the same ting about remembering it is just a temporary thing. I used to get them at the worst times--like when I was driving. It helped me a lot to tell myself, "This is a panic attack--it will be OK--it suck snow but wont last forever--take a deep breath--" and like that. You cna totally talk yourself down from them.

    You can also get soemone yu love to record thier voice in your phone or something teling you how everythihg is ging to be OK. Then try to keep that handy.


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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    I've been having lots of those since I had my miscarriage.





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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    Ugh, I used to get panic attacks. Then I divorced my husband and magically, they disappeared. Seriously, the day I finally moved out it was like they evaporated, and I was getting 2-3 a day at one point. I'd been to counseling for it and was told the same thing everyone else is telling you -- you have something unresolved going on in your life, and this is your body telling you to fix it.

    In the meantime, cut down on coffee or anything else that's going to artificially raise your heart rate, get rest and exercise, all that good stuff. Writing in my diary helped me a lot, just getting it all out where you can see it and deal with it is a good thing. And I do agree that having medication around just in case can really cut them down.

    I'm so sorry this is happening to you. It will get better!

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    She breaks panic attacks down very well. I've found it very helpful after a whole bunch of family turmoil.

    http://www.gettinbetter.com/anxiety.html
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    Thanks everyone. It's actually calming to know I'm not just batshit crazy. It's been slowly getting better. My husband is helping me tie up loose ends with my mother. For example, I panicked one night thinking if I got sick or in a wreck and was unconscious, she would try to come forward and trump my husband's wishes- even though he knows what my wishes would be. So to eradicate that fear, he's helping me draw up a document naming him as the sole power of attorney. This has been making a vast improvement in my mental state.

    I know I have been more vocal about my abuse lately, but that's been for two reasons. One: I have no reason to hide it. I have never felt it was my fault, or been ashamed but hid it because most people are severely uncomfortable with it. Which brings us to reason 2: mother + daughter sexual abuse is just now coming to light. I know there are others out there, and feel like if I come out with it... Other daughters won't have to feel alone like I did.

    I hope that doesn't make me sound like a martyr, because that's not my intention.

    Again- you all have been wonderful. Thanks.

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    Quote Originally Posted by mediocrity View Post
    Does anyone get them? Until the last two weeks, I'd only ever had three in my life: two from night terrors, and one when I found out I was pregnant when I was 20 and thought I didn't have any options.

    Now I have had what I believe to be three in the past month, but I am not sure. I had my heart checked a month ago because I ended up in the ER thinking I was dying (physician did an EKG etc and said, verbatim "I'm not worried about your heart at all."). I'm not anemic, my hormones are fine; I've had a CBC within the past year. I'm not pregnant, I'm not addicted to drugs or alcohol. So here's my symptoms:

    - Sudden onset of light headed feeling, accompanied by sharp vision and sense of walls "zooming" in on me

    - Racing heart in the 120 - 140 bpm range (my resting is usually 60-75)

    - Visibly shaking uncontrollably, feeling like I'm shaking even inside

    - Hyperventilation

    - Rapid "fight or flight" thought

    - Absolute conviction that I am dying of a heart attack and/or some obscure disease and/or will die very shortly

    - Feelings of desperation, have to "get away", needing to "run way"

    - Feelings of total imminent doom

    After these episodes, which last between 5 and 20 minutes, I feel very tired, almost tearfully exhausted, and cold.

    I am not a fearful person, never have been. I realize I have had a lot of change lately, but it doesn't appear to have bothered me much before. I have recently become estranged from my sister who used to be very dear to me- she chose to maintain contact with our horrifically abusive mother, and I can't have that beast anywhere near me or knowing where I live, what I'm doing, where I work, etc etc. That has affected me more than I like to admit.

    Anyone with experience in panic attacks, lend some words of advice?


    i have those exact things happen to me all the time! the first panic attack i ever had i was 16 and i was living with my grandma and all the sudden i had this overwhelming feeling that i was going to die of what i didnt know. i felt like i was dying right then and just laid in bed and sobbed until it was over...
    i often have panic attacks where my heart races and i think im having a heart attack. i have no idea what triggers it... i do have a lot of stress though but it seems to happen at random times ... im sorry for what your going through because i can totally relate
    what helps me is:
    not drinking too much caffeine as it is a stimulant and does make me feel panicky sometimes. i try to stick to two cups a day of coffee.

    talking to my husband... he is very patient with me and explains to me calmly that im not dying and that if he thought i were in any danger hed take me to the hospital he will take my pulse and rub my shoulders and distract me in general

    i know this sounds stupid but it works for me ... my go to thing if noone else is around is to online shop and make lists of things we need or want... its so trivial and not serious that it seems to make me calm down.

    simply reminding myself im having a panic attack. i am fine everything is fine. im not dying and this will go away soon.
    for me its all about distracting myself somehow and knowing when a panic attack is about to set in... when that vague sense of fear starts im usually able to stop it in its tracks by recognizing it.

    i dont know if that helps you at all but i hope you can find the root of it all and not experience it anymore.

    [/url]

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    its really scary I used to get them all the time I thought I was dying didnt think it was a panic attack but I went to the emergency room then finally started to get embarrassed nothing was wrong. so once it gets past a certain point its like a tornado you gotta let it blow over...it sucks though. I take benzos and I dont feel addicted.

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    Default Re: Panic Attacks? Wtf??

    I get them quite often since I have an Anxiety Disorder, so I meditate and my doctor gave me an RX for Zoloft.

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