Anyone else ever suffered with panic attacks?

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

I've been having a problem recently with my breathing. It feels like i can't take a deep satisfying breath and fill my lungs. Then I do eventually and the whole cycle starts again. I saw the nurse today and she checked me over and all was ok. She asked if I had been stressed recently.. (where do I start.. a resounding yes) and she has suggested it's long a panic attack. And the more I think about taking a breath the worse it is. The worst of it is it seems to be like it all the time just lately. She has given me some relaxation technics to try but I'm to go back if it gets no better.

Anyone else ever experienced anything like this?

[DavidMn]

Thats quite frightening. Derek, my partner is subject to that once in awhile and its not fun to deal with. Good luck to you!

[ontheEdgeof17]

I have had panic attacks since high school. In the car. In class. Watching TV. At the movie theatre. They are not fun and very scary. You do feel like you are dying.

When I first started having them, I drank water continuously during the attack. A symptom of panic attacks is feeling like your throat is closing off. So, to prevent that from happening, I thought drinking during the attack would "cure" me from not breathing and dying. My whole body would go numb. I would insanely cry. No one seemed to understand, and everytime I was driven to the ER, they would just say it was a panic attack and send me home. Eventually, I was put on Xanax to prevent the attacks. I never have realized what triggered/triggers them, but I just popped a Xanax when I felt like one was coming on.

Since around 21 (I'm 24 now0, my panic attacks have decreased and I'm off Xanax. When I feel one coming on, I just have to go outside and get some fresh air. I can kinda psych my body out nowadays and tell it that nothing is physically wrong. I have, however, have had some bad ones since this summer. I dunno. I might need to go back on some type of antianxiety. I don't want to.....but it seems that one who has had a history of attacks can never fully get rid of them.

[mikeschmike]

My best friend gets them occasionally and like Curtis said, she can usually psych herself out of them. She has had some bad episodes in the past, and it is really hard to watch someone go through that. I wish you the best!

[DavidMn]

I'm curious, how often do panic attacks lead to something more serious. For example, you have a panic attack and it doesnt get better and basically you and up having a heart attack or something like that. That ever happen?

[ontheEdgeof17]

I'm curious, how often do panic attacks lead to something more serious. For example, you have a panic attack and it doesnt get better and basically you and up having a heart attack or something like that. That ever happen?

Well, I dont see why it can't, especially with someone who already has a preexisting heart condition. I know my heart rate's been abovr 180 (60-100 beats per minute is normal)......that's not healthy. I'm sure my blood pressure has been at stroke level, too. It's all about calming yourself down.....it's not healthy being at those levels for an extended period of time. Sometimes it's so hard to calm down, though....so hard....

[gypsyangels]

i have suffered from panic attacks all my life
and have found that medication and therapy have helped me cope with it.

at around twenty years of age they became out of control, so i sought help and have been treating it since then.

i am biologicley prone to panic attacks, it is just the way my body is made up and i am hyperactive which has been a huge contributing factor

with people i know who suffer from them i always say that they should find out what is the trigger-ususally stress
and find a coping strategy for it, whether it be meditation,therapy or medication.

the fear of having a panic attack is ususally worse than the actual attack as it is a horrible experience, once you have had one

there are some books available on coping stategies, which i have found quite useful.

twenty years ago, one in twenty people suffered from panic attacks now it is about one in five, so always remember you are not alone, you just have to find the best coping mechanism for you

take care and i hope this helps

gypsy xo

[gypsyangels]

untreated panic attacks can lead to the follow mental illness:

depression
ocd
irrational thoughts
claustiphobia
withdrawl from society
unable to cope with day to day activities
loss of concentration
nervous breakdowns

i have suffered from all of these at one point in my life
and have been addicted to valium at one stage

i have found that the medication efexor has been a great help as it is a treatment for depression and anxiety and for the last four years i have been able to cope.

my motto is: "if i get up in the morning and go to bed at night and have coped, then it has been a good day"

[Rickypt]

I've been getting them for the past 5 years. They started when I was grieving and now just happen once in a while when I'm especially stressed or upset. I keep a bottle of ativan with me at all times and usually .5 mg will do the trick.

It helps just to remain focused on the fact that it's just a panic attack, it will go away, and you will breathe easy again soon.

Good luck. :angel:

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Thanks everyone. It's good to know I'm not alone. Maybe this is a sign that I need to try to rid myself of some of the stress in my life

[ELIUD]

I have a friend who started having panic attacks in his mid thirties. After he began experiencing a lot of unexplained weight loss, he found out his panic attacks were due to a thyroid problem which he must take medicaiton for to keep under control. You should get that checked out.

[Mad4stevie]

I had two very severe panic attacks in 2002 - after I lost my job. I had never experienced anything like that in my life. It does feel like you are having a heart attack. In fact, the next day my chest muscles were actually sore from all the tightness from the attack. I literally could not control my body; the stress had taken over completely at that point.

And I think the fear of the next attack coming on can be worse than the attack itself. Because it can strike without warning, and you are afraid to go anywhere or do anything in the event one occures.

I went on Zoloft for anxiety and had ativan for short term use. That ativan was difficult to stop taking - I had problems sleeping when I stopped using it. Since that time, therapy has helped and I have not had any attacks since, even after stopping the Zoloft.

[JazmenFlowers]

panic attack city, table for one. right here. :wavey:

I agree with everything Curty said. it is the strangest feeling. I remember being at a friend's house watching a movie on a Saturday night...not a trouble in the world and all of a sudden I started to panic. about what I'm not sure. but I couldn't calm down. I had this urge to start balancing my checkbook and checking to see if all my bills were paid and all my schoolwork was done. then I started carrying a calendar everywhere. I had one at work, one in my backpack, one in the car...and constantly putting post its everywhere to remind me of things. that was it for me. I got on Paxil and it worked, for a while, but I was a zombie. I got off Paxil and still have panic attacks/anxiety attacks. funny you mention this now as I've considered getting on something b/c I feel like I'm getting back into the Imaypost-itmyselftodeath syndrome.

funny thing is I don't have the slightest bit of stage fright or speaking in front of people or crowds or any of that...it's just an OCD thing I think with me.

the trouble breathing is the worst. I "sigh" a LOT. I mean, a LOT. it gets on people's nerves, but I can't help it, it's the only thing that seems to calm me.

hope you get better. :xoxo:

[DavidMn]

panic attack city, table for one. right here. :wavey:

I agree with everything Curty said. it is the strangest feeling. I remember being at a friend's house watching a movie on a Saturday night...not a trouble in the world and all of a sudden I started to panic. about what I'm not sure. but I couldn't calm down. I had this urge to start balancing my checkbook and checking to see if all my bills were paid and all my schoolwork was done. then I started carrying a calendar everywhere. I had one at work, one in my backpack, one in the car...and constantly putting post its everywhere to remind me of things. that was it for me. I got on Paxil and it worked, for a while, but I was a zombie. I got off Paxil and still have panic attacks/anxiety attacks. funny you mention this now as I've considered getting on something b/c I feel like I'm getting back into the Imaypost-itmyselftodeath syndrome.

funny thing is I don't have the slightest bit of stage fright or speaking in front of people or crowds or any of that...it's just an OCD thing I think with me.

the trouble breathing is the worst. I "sigh" a LOT. I mean, a LOT. it gets on people's nerves, but I can't help it, it's the only thing that seems to calm me.

hope you get better. :xoxo:My friend, you dont have to apologize for something that helps you calm down.:xoxo: If people dont understand that, then thats their problem, not yours.

[SteveMacD]

I wouldn't say I "suffered" with panic attacks. I've actually grown to enjoy them. But then, I have an oddball, sick sense of humor anyway.

[SuzeQuze]

Thanks everyone. It's good to know I'm not alone. Maybe this is a sign that I need to try to rid myself of some of the stress in my life

Right on! I think in this modern age we are always thinking, "If only I could do more." but that is not a healthy way to think. We really have to strategize for doing less and being just as effective.

I had panic attacks during a short period in my life when I was trying to end an unhealthy relationship. For me it was about abandonment issues and also commitment issues. They were butting heads and it was awful. Breathing exercises are the best non drug way to beat them. If you google "the relaxation response" you'll probably find alot of information. It is physiologically impossible to have an attack when in a state of relaxation.

My lifelong problem though was chronic anxiety. I was basically anxious at all times. This due to a biological predisposition and being brought up in a way that encouraged panic. I know that sounds odd but it's true. I've overcome it alot through medication and talk therapy. I got so bad that talking alone didn't help, I needed medication. I often think now how wonderful it is to be anxiety free. What a blessing. Not that I never have it but it is no longer debilitating.

Cognitive therapy is a great way to beat this because you basically talk yourself into becoming relaxed. "I'm not dying. The world is not ending." Etc. Also working on the emotional and lifestyle issues that are setting you up for them helps a great deal.

Anxiety is more prevalent in this modern age and that is due to our fast-paced lifestyle and being cut off from our social ties. So increasing your healthy social network helps alot. I am still working on this and it is very difficult when, in my family, everyone is so anxious! Then of course you are attracted to people like your family without even realizing it so my friends also have issues with anxiety. At this point I'm realizing that I can't be friends with people that have these huge issues and do nothing about them. You can be someone's friend or their therapist but not both.

Here are some suggested lifestyle changes from drweil.com:

Suggested Lifestyle Changes

*Breathing exercises are one of the best single anti-anxiety measures. Many people experiencing anxiety tend to hold their breath or hyperventilate without being conscious of their actions. Controlling breathing and breath work can offer an immediate lessening of anxiety and a sense of empowerment. The yogic relaxing breath is perhaps the best tool to use in addressing GAD, and the exercise I recommend as the cornerstone of any relaxation program.

*Meditation can help lessen the effect of GAD by training one to focus on the present moment, thus keeping minds off fears. Meditating on a regular basis can result in significant, long-term reduction of anxiety.
Eliminating all sources of caffeine and stimulants from the diet can markedly reduce symptoms, and is especially helpful in those who are stimulant sensitive.

*Cognitive behavioral therapy can help those with GAD to recognize distorted patterns of thinking and adopt healthy coping skills.

*Journaling anxious thoughts, worries and symptoms can help reduce stress, identify unfounded fears and monitor progress.

*Regular daily exercise is another excellent way to combat anxiety. Exercises such as brisk walking and moderate strength training can reduce stress and anxiety, and offer a healthy distraction from negative thoughts.

*Taking a "media break" (by eliminating TV news bulletins, the Internet, and newspapers and new magazines) can help anyone with anxiety. A week without "negative" news can teach someone they have choices in how much information they are exposed to, as well as how they process news.

There is alot more good information about anxiety on his site. It tends to be the sister of depression.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART00695

[skcin]

I had this urge to start balancing my checkbook and checking to see if all my bills were paid and all my schoolwork was done. then I started carrying a calendar everywhere. I had one at work, one in my backpack, one in the car...and constantly putting post its everywhere to remind me of things. that was it for me.

Just sounds like you're extremely organized to me. :shrug: OK, maybe a bit OCD.

Pip - I don't have panic attacks per se, but I have had the breathing thing happen. The more you feel that you can't take in a deep satisfying full breath, the more you try to breathe. You still can't get a good breath and you're really conscious of it, so you keep trying. You actually start to think about your breathing, which you shouldn't have to do, and it's a neverending cycle. I literally have to tell myself to relax & not think about it so much, and that it will pass as it always does.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Just sounds like you're extremely organized to me. :shrug: OK, maybe a bit OCD.

Pip - I don't have panic attacks per se, but I have had the breathing thing happen. The more you feel that you can't take in a deep satisfying full breath, the more you try to breathe. You still can't get a good breath and you're really conscious of it, so you keep trying. You actually start to think about your breathing, which you shouldn't have to do, and it's a neverending cycle. I literally have to tell myself to relax & not think about it so much, and that it will pass as it always does.
This is exactly how it has been. But it was just getting worse and starting to be like it all the time.. from the minute I got up until I went to bed. I've been to a friends wedding over the last couple of days, which was lovely. The company of some great friends. When distracted I didn't even think about it. But even at times with all those lovely people around me the breathing thing was there again.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

.

when I was trying to end an unhealthy relationship.

This is my problem at the moment :(

I'll def check out the link. Thanks :)

[SuzeQuze]

This is my problem at the moment :(

I'll def check out the link. Thanks :)

Sorry to hear about your relationship. :( Hang in there because it does get better.

Dr Weil has a tape for breathing exercises that you might want to try. It's amazing that we can forget how to breathe but it happens! One thing, we tend to suck in our stomachs, don't do that and it will help. Also, push the breath out and then relax and let the air come in on its own without forcing it. You can push it out but bringing it in is more passive.

http://www.amazon.com/Breathing-Master-Key-Self-Healing/dp/156455726X/sr=8-1/qid=1163261700/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-0368151-8916101?ie=UTF8&s=books

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Sorry to hear about your relationship. :( Hang in there because it does get better.

Dr Weil has a tape for breathing exercises that you might want to try. It's amazing that we can forget how to breathe but it happens! One thing, we tend to suck in our stomachs, don't do that and it will help. Also, push the breath out and then relax and let the air come in on its own without forcing it. You can push it out but bringing it in is more passive.

http://www.amazon.com/Breathing-Master-Key-Self-Healing/dp/156455726X/sr=8-1/qid=1163261700/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-0368151-8916101?ie=UTF8&s=books

Thanks.. I'll check it out

[JazmenFlowers]

Just sounds like you're extremely organized to me. :shrug: OK, maybe a bit OCD.
yeah, that's what I'd say too if it weren't for the racing heartbeat and trouble breathing.