Anxiety and Panic attacks

[Alison]

I have suffered with chronic anxiety for the last 2 years with panic attacks.
I was wondering what has worked for other people. Treatments, courses, or natural supplements. I sure could use some tips. Yes I have gone to the Dr.
Right now I'm seeing a naturalpath.
Thanks.:)

[Sarah]

I am the biggest ball of anxiety in the world. Everybody always thinks I'm so relaxed all the time or whatever because I'm like.. laid back, but it's really just because I'm so physically worn out from the emotional hell I put myself through. I guess that's why it's never really mattered that much to me about what other people think about how I am, the things I say, or the things that I do.

I've been prescribed everything under the sun. None of that **** works except for valium sometimes, and talking about it with a dr. only makes me feel 100,000 times worse. I guess it's that whole feeling broken thing, and I don't like to open up anyway. I mean, I'll tell anybody that I'm crazy, just not why.

On really bad days, I write journal/essay entries. That helps then.. but otherwise, I guess it's just something to suffer through. Nod and smile.

Are there certain triggers.. like driving.. that cause your panic attacks, or is it just anything? I fall into the anything category. There's no one particular thing that stresses me out.. it's just the combination of everything.

[Alison]

Hi Sarah. Thanks for sharing. Nothing seems to trigger my attacks. The strange thing is, most of them happen out of a deep sleep. Like an hour after I have fallen to sleep. Right now I'm taking L-Theanine and natural progesterone that my naturalpathic Dr. has given me. It is to early to tell if they are working yet.
My heart goes out to you.
Alison

[gypsyangels]

Hi Alison,
I share your burden
I have suffered from this mental illness all my life and have had 3 break downs
I was always hyperactive as a child and back then the normal thing to say was "they grow out of it",
unfortunately I didnt and was formally diagnise when I was
20.
I went and had an assessment and started therapy, which helped, but I was still struggling to cope, so my doctor suggested medication and I found that the medication and therapy has given me quality of life
I also sought a natropath, and that too worked but I found the therapy helped in re educating my mind to deal with the attacks
Tests have also shown that my illness is biological and genetic-its just the way my body is made so I do my best to cope. My motto is "if I go to bed at night and ive coped , then it has been a good day"
It is one of the cruelest mental illness in this day and age and it is a terrible frightening experience that I wouldnt wish on anyone.
It may take a little while to work out what medication suits you best-I have tried many and have found a balance with what Im taking now.
The important thing is to stay on your medication, even if you are feeling good-to treat the attacks properly they suggest a 12 month period. Many people start taking their medication and after a while start to feel better so they stop and the attacks return-I also have done that too with terrible consequences
This illness can be successfully treated, so please dont despair, just make sure you have a great doctor who knows what they are on about and have a support system around you-I didnt and it was a lot harder.
Please contact me if you have any more questions or just need to talk-it makes it easier to deal with if you can talk about [email protected]
Take care,
Gypsy xo

[Sorcerer386]

Ah, the wonderful world of panic attacks. I remember it all too well. Here are some things to at least think about:

Medication CAN be your friend. People with anxiety, for some reason, do not like taking medication. When I was going through my initial breakdown, I was scared to death to take the medication. After all, I had already tried Celexa and it drove me crazy. I still hold today that it made my anxiety ten times worse, and it's what sparked my breakdown. However, after seeing a psychiatrist, I was placed on Serzone which has seemingly worked wonders for me, along with Xanax. The thing is, you do have to find the right medication for you. I was lucky enough to get the right medication on my second try, while some people test many more before they find the right one. And, while other people have successfully overcome anxiety without medication, sometimes it's just necessary to be on for a while until you can get control of the anxiety. I wish the medication wouldn't make me so tired, but I would much rather be a little zonked out than deal with those panic attacks.

As for therapy, honestly, I would find somebody who has gone through the same thing and has overcome it, or at least is in a position where they understand what you are going through. I began seeing a therapy group that is actually run by a friend of my mother's. Sidebar and inspirational story: she suffered with anxiety for 20 some years and was at the point where she couldn't leave her house. Every day, though, she pushed herself to get out of the house and walk down the street. For a while she would walk to the second house down the street then walk back. Then she would VERY slowly increase the distance. And each time she would record the positivity of doing this simple task, because it wasn't simple for her. In order to overcome anxiety, it is imperative that you change your thought patterns. However, and not to be pessimistic...

It is going to take a LONG time to even get into a position of control over the attacks. I remember thinking to myself, "I'm changing my thoughts. When I have negative thoughts, I am stopping them and replacing them. When I feel an attack coming on, I tell myself it is just anxiety, it's uncomfortable, but it's not dangerous. Why isn't it working?" It wasn't working because although you make a conscious effort to change those thoughts, it can take years for your brain to be trained to unconsciously replace them. You mentioned that most of yours come in your sleep. Well, after I started this group and was able to consciously change my thoughts, I still had attacks, and ALWAYS while sleeping. Mine would occur almost exactly two hours after falling asleep...every single one, two hours after on the nose. But, the reason, I think, is because of what I've said. When you are asleep, you are unconscious, so your brain is still having those bad thoughts because it just isn't trained yet. I really think it takes years before it is properly trained to unconsciously stop thinking negative thoughts.

The main thing is changing the way you think about things, and sometimes medication helps you through that period. It's been five years for me, five years actually on April 8th, and I have just now reached the point where I was able to go off of one Xanax pill. So instead of taking one in the afternoon and one at night, I only take the one at night, and that's just so that I know I will sleep well. My next goal is to be off that Xanax at night, but I set my goal for two years from last January when I stopped taking the afternoon Xanax. That's a long time it seems, but not when it comes to overcoming anxiety. Setting realistic and almost too simple goals is another key, because each time you accomplish that goal, it's a positive feeling.

Sorry I wrote a book...I've scrutinized my anxiety so much and I could go on for hours about it. This is just the tip of the iceburg, and I hope some of it helps.

[NoSpeedLimit]

I had SEVERE anxiety growing up and into high school. Sometimes it would get so bad that I would literally pass out. I graduated High School 1 1/2 years early so that I wouldn't have to deal with the anxiety of school anymore. My doctor put me on Lexapro but it was a little expensive for me at the time. I took it for about 5 months and I saw a big difference but decided to stop taking the medication to see what would happen. Then I got a job as a waitress and thought "Oh gosh how am I ever going to do this?" But I made myself...and 1 1/2 years later I am anxiety free. For some reason waitressing(sp?) cured it!:thumbsup: Once in awhile I feel it coming back but I just tell myself that if I let myself have a panic attack I will lose my job. And if I lose my job I can't afford to go see Stevie Nicks! lol I hope it all works out for you. I wouldn't wish anxiety upon my wosrt enemy...it is the worst feeling in the world.

[estranged4life]

I'm having one right now...pulse starting racing and it felt like my heart was going to pound through.

Called Deb at the hospital, trying to unwind and calm down...deep breaths, deep breaths :(

[NoSpeedLimit]

I'm having one right now...pulse starting racing and it felt like my heart was going to pound through.

Called Deb at the hospital, trying to unwind and calm down...deep breaths, deep breaths :(

I'm sorry...are you okay? Sometimes having an anxiety attack can feel like a heart attack. Lay down and put a cool wash cloth on your forehead.

[estranged4life]

I'm sorry...are you okay? Sometimes having an anxiety attack can feel like a heart attack. Lay down and put a cool wash cloth on your forehead.

I grabbed an icepack...trying to calm down.

I hope this isnt a byproduct of the arachnoid cyst, never felt like this before.

Gee if I make 37 in a few weeks it will be a miracle.

[Alison]

estranged4life. How are you feeling now?
Panic attacks are the most evil of things.
So far this week I have not had one.
Watching my diet, taking supplements are calming them down.
But thinking possitive helps. Remember, panic attacks CAN NOT HURT YOU!
You will not die, they just feel horrible.
My prayers are with you.
Alison

[JazmenFlowers]

I grabbed an icepack...trying to calm down.

I hope this isnt a byproduct of the arachnoid cyst, never felt like this before.

Gee if I make 37 in a few weeks it will be a miracle.
good lord. you have the absolute worst luck of anyone I've ever known. it seems like something new every day.

[estranged4life]

good lord. you have the absolute worst luck of anyone I've ever known. it seems like something new every day.
Let's say this "panic/anxiety attack", according to the ER MD may be a symptom of a possible 'lethal' health problem (Involving the adrenal gland and the heart - something my Mom suffered from according to her autopsy report. A few years ago I had tests done on my heart, no damage was determined BUT the medical staff may have missed this possible 'lethal' problem)...Cannot tolerate anymore stress at this time.

As for bad luck, God is paying me back....Or someone is...

[Sarah]

Sorry I wrote a book...I've scrutinized my anxiety so much and I could go on for hours about it. This is just the tip of the iceburg, and I hope some of it helps.

oh no. you're a me. i bet you can write an essay in like, 5 minutes. especially on a topic like this.

i'm not scared of the medication, i just can't deal with it. here is my list of crazy-people drugs:

zoloft
paxil
celexa
prozac
sarafem (same damn thing)
lexapro
effexor
and the obvious, xanax.

zoloft and paxil worked best for lots of things, but i was taking a lot of zoloft in order for it to feel like it worked, and paxil completed geeked me out. it's like, i'm fine, but my focus gets way intense, so if i get a little off balance, it's easy for me to go off the deep end.

i feel like all that stuff has messed up my mind. i need to go back to school, but i could not possibly add studying to my mix. i just can't do that kind of thinking anymore, because my mind power is eaten up with excessive anxiety from every day little ****.

[estranged4life]

i'm not scared of the medication, i just can't deal with it. here is my list of crazy-people drugs:

lexapro


I was on Lexapro due to depression/anxiety after my Mom died, and while it mellowed me out if FUBAR'd my headaches 10-fold. When I developed a headache I swear to God an "Alien" (From the Alien's movie franchise) was trying to rip through that empty lump located 3 feet above my ass.

I heard the new/recent term 'suicidal headache' tossed around on TV - and I think I know what that is now - because the thought came into my mind more often than not, ANYTHING (Minus of course having surgical staples removed without numbing ointment-MOFO/MOFO!!!!) felt better than the headaches I had during the days I was on Lexapro.

Never again will I take Lexapro.

Btw, I feel better this afternoon, though my chest is still sore my heart is not beating 5,000,000,000 beats a minute.

Brian "Heart skipped a beat? BS!!!" j.

[Sarah]

I know those headaches you're talking about. I don't get long lasting headaches.. just several bursts of extreme headache. Yuck.

I'm glad that you're feeling better this afternoon. I hate the rapid heartbeat feeling. My biggest thing lately is getting all shaky. I halfway wonder if it's because I've been drinking less (and less often) lately. Like I said, many times, the only "medication" that works for me is valium, grass, and beer. or vodka if it's late.

[JazmenFlowers]

Let's say this "panic/anxiety attack", according to the ER MD may be a symptom of a possible 'lethal' health problem (Involving the adrenal gland and the heart - something my Mom suffered from according to her autopsy report. A few years ago I had tests done on my heart, no damage was determined BUT the medical staff may have missed this possible 'lethal' problem)...Cannot tolerate anymore stress at this time.

As for bad luck, God is paying me back....Or someone is...
it would sure seem that way.

how on earth are you able to visit The Ledge while having a panic attack? I know I couldn't.

[estranged4life]

it would sure seem that way.

how on earth are you able to visit The Ledge while having a panic attack? I know I couldn't.

when it struck...Call Deb at the hospital and then I sat and tried to relax with an icepack on my head - About 30 minutes later I felt fine (Upped my dose of Neurotin)

[Ghost_Tracker]

I have suffered with chronic anxiety for the last 2 years with panic attacks.
I was wondering what has worked for other people. Treatments, courses, or natural supplements. I sure could use some tips. Yes I have gone to the Dr.
Right now I'm seeing a naturalpath.
Thanks.:)


This might sound silly and I admit that in a way I'm "talking out of my you-know-what" here, but -



Try as hard as you can to get a good night's sleep at night. A good, peaceful 8 or 9 hours.
Sounds simplistic, I know.

But it really can work wonders.

On Edit: I just read the bit about how this can happen to you sometimes when you're sleeping. oops! :rolleyes:
I'd still like to offer the suggestion though. It just seems to me that with a good night's sleep, you may feel more relaxed and therefore more able to deal with it when it happens, more likely to "get control back," etc. Also, have you thought of breathing exercises? Another simplistic example, I admit; but maybe in today's society we tend to reach for the complex answer first simply because it's complex, assuming that complexity means it's more likely to work. Maybe part of the answer is "staring you right in the face," and is actually quite simple.

[Alison]

update: I have not had a panic attack for 6 nights. Even though, I still get boughts of heavy anxiety in the later afternoon or evenings. I think the progestrone cream is starting to work. It does help to keep focused on the good things in life. Like yesturday, on my day off, I spend the whole day taking pictures. Focusing on your passions help.

[JazmenFlowers]

as a long-time sufferer of panic and anxiety attacks and OCD, the only thing that helped me was medication. I'm not on it anymore, but while I was on it, it allowed me to figure out what it was that brought them on and how to avoid those factors as much as possible. I still have them and probably always will, but I've learned to deal with them in a much more efficient manner.

[gldstwmn]

I'm in the middle of an anxiety attack right now. I'd been doing okay for quite a while. This recent bout started with the Virginia Tech shootings. Why? I don't know. I take Valium for this but am currently out. So I'm just hanging tough right now or trying to. I don't think I'd be safe to drive right now.

[gldstwmn]

how on earth are you able to visit The Ledge while having a panic attack? I know I couldn't.

You didn't ask me but for some reason the writing helps me.

[estranged4life]

I'm in the middle of an anxiety attack right now. I'd been doing okay for quite a while. This recent bout started with the Virginia Tech shootings. Why? I don't know. I take Valium for this but am currently out. So I'm just hanging tough right now or trying to. I don't think I'd be safe to drive right now.

is sometimes all we can do.

Ledgies know some of the stress I am under is due to having to research through the medical files of my Mom yet again, along with other 'specific' things going on in my personal life at this time.



It's a miracle I have yet to blow my brains out...

But that would be hard to accomplish since I don't own a gun, except for a cap-gun and all that cap-gun would do (If I had some caps) would give me more stress from the headache it would cause me pointing the gun to my hollow melon and pulling the trigger.

[JazmenFlowers]

is sometimes all we can do.

Ledgies know some of the stress I am under is due to having to research through the medical files of my Mom yet again, along with other 'specific' things going on in my personal life at this time.
are you sure the statute of limitations hasn't run?

It's a miracle I have yet to blow my brains out...

But that would be hard to accomplish since I don't own a gun, except for a cap-gun and all that cap-gun would do (If I had some caps) would give me more stress from the headache it would cause me pointing the gun to my hollow melon and pulling the trigger.
wow. that's a serious image. have you ever talked to "someone" about all the stress you're under?

[gldstwmn]

is sometimes all we can do.

Ledgies know some of the stress I am under is due to having to research through the medical files of my Mom yet again, along with other 'specific' things going on in my personal life at this time.



It's a miracle I have yet to blow my brains out...

But that would be hard to accomplish since I don't own a gun, except for a cap-gun and all that cap-gun would do (If I had some caps) would give me more stress from the headache it would cause me pointing the gun to my hollow melon and pulling the trigger.

Thanks Brian. I laid down with the cats for a while. I feel better now.
You take care of yourself.

[estranged4life]

are you sure the statute of limitations hasn't run?

statute, since the recall was recent (First recall was in Dec.2005, after my Mom died in March 2005) and the recall was updated yet for the third time this past January.

I caught the tail end of a law firms commercial asking "if you or a loved one had a ventral incision hernia surgery which included a Composix Kugel Mesh Patch you may have not been made known of a FDA Class I product recall....".

If this patch fails it can cause the exact sympthoms, according to the FDA website, that killed my Mom.

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-122205.html

I didnt think much of it until I curiously looked at my Mom's medical records, and indeed the surgery was a "ventral incision hernia". The "Operative Report" states after 8 days the mesh failed to work properly "at all" and was removed.

Wanna know the thing that stuck out from these medical reports my lawyer obtained from the hospital (Via HPPA request) where the surgery was performed, the company who manufactured the recalled products, DAVOL, had a 'representative' present during the surgery as an 'observer'. Hmmm, Wonder whose product was used that day?? Coincidence? I dont think so neither does my lawyer - who is currently having his team do some new investigating.

wow. that's a serious image. have you ever talked to "someone" about all the stress you're under?

Nope, I'm fine...I talk to those people I am closest with on the phone almost daily...I'm fine as Stevie is the following picture:

http://www.angelfire.com/music3/rhiannon/SN-Hot.jpg

^^^^
And that is VERY, VERY fine :thumbsup:

[gldstwmn]

statute, since the recall was recent (First recall was in Dec.2005, after my Mom died in March 2005) and the recall was updated yet for the third time this past January.

I caught the tail end of a law firms commercial asking "if you or a loved one had a ventral incision hernia surgery which included a Composix Kugel Mesh Patch you may have not been made known of a FDA Class I product recall....".

If this patch fails it can cause the exact sympthoms, according to the FDA website, that killed my Mom.

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-122205.html

I didnt think much of it until I curiously looked at my Mom's medical records, and indeed the surgery was a "ventral incision hernia". The "Operative Report" states after 8 days the mesh failed to work properly "at all" and was removed.

Wanna know the thing that stuck out from these medical reports my lawyer obtained from the hospital (Via HPPA request) where the surgery was performed, the company who manufactured the recalled products, DAVOL, had a 'representative' present during the surgery as an 'observer'. Hmmm, Wonder whose product was used that day?? Coincidence? I dont think so neither does my lawyer - who is currently having his team do some new investigating.


Jesus. I had no idea. I'm sorry Brian.

[JazmenFlowers]

statute, since the recall was recent (First recall was in Dec.2005, after my Mom died in March 2005) and the recall was updated yet for the third time this past January.

I caught the tail end of a law firms commercial asking "if you or a loved one had a ventral incision hernia surgery which included a Composix Kugel Mesh Patch you may have not been made known of a FDA Class I product recall....".

If this patch fails it can cause the exact sympthoms, according to the FDA website, that killed my Mom.

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-122205.html

I didnt think much of it until I curiously looked at my Mom's medical records, and indeed the surgery was a "ventral incision hernia". The "Operative Report" states after 8 days the mesh failed to work properly "at all" and was removed.

Wanna know the thing that stuck out from these medical reports my lawyer obtained from the hospital (Via HPPA request) where the surgery was performed, the company who manufactured the recalled products, DAVOL, had a 'representative' present during the surgery as an 'observer'. Hmmm, Wonder whose product was used that day?? Coincidence? I dont think so neither does my lawyer - who is currently having his team do some new investigating.
so, you've actually filed suit? I'm just asking out of curiousity as to how you got the HIPAA release and medical records.

[sara1998]

I had major panic attacks after my husband died. It was bad. Couldn't eat. Couldn't sleep. Went to the hospital a few times thinking I was having a heart attack. I took Prozac, Lexapro, and something else, they all made me too tired. I hated anti-depressants. I was so lethargic. They gave me xanax for when I was in the middle of one. That helped, but mom had to keep Sara. I would lay in bed at night and hope I would wake up the next morning. Deep breathing exercises helped. Taking a walk was useful. Anything I could do that was enjoyable helped for a bit. It'll be 4 years next month since he's died, and while I still have attacks sometimes, it's not half as bad as it used to be. I'm so thankful for that. I usually get kinda bad around this time of year, just because I hate the anniversary of his death, but I make the anniversary day out to be worse than it is. I wish I had more or better advice, but I'm just here to share and sympathise. :o

[estranged4life]

so, you've actually filed suit? I'm just asking out of curiousity as to how you got the HIPAA release and medical records.

originally my lawyer was going to represent my family and file lawsuit for "wrongful death", "negliegence", "pain and suffering" and "mental anguish" - but the hospital apparently were going to use my Mom's medical records against us to say "her obesity was the problem not the medical facility or the performing surgeon and his staff" (My lawyer's medical advisor read through Mom's record and agreed with that assessment) - so we were left with no chance and our lawyer told me "In OK you'd have basically no chance in trying to prove the weight was not the issue - so it's my opinion that my office could not successfully defend your family" so I had to decide that there would not be a lawsuit since the odds were firmly stacked against us (Since I was the person appointed as "executor of estate" in regards to my Mom).

My lawyer said we could leave the case open IF we could find something that that would help, but there was nothing in the records so effective March 21,2007 there would be no going forward with that lawsuit.

Just a few weeks ago was when I saw that other law-firms TV ad about the Composix Kugel Mesh Patch, so about 3 weeks ago I decided to research what the info that was listed in the medical records my lawyer was able to oibtain via filing the paperwork via HIPAA...And sure enough my lawyer had not been aware there was a Class I product recall and he is going over the specifics with his medical advisor to see if there may be a case afterall...

Oh guess what, I had my Mom's autopsy results before she had a "legal court appointed representative for her estate" (In OK one cannot get those results unless they are appointed as a the representative if the decedant left no will, as is the case with my Mom) - wanna know how? The a-hole MD who performed the initial surgery FAXXED 'em to my sister Lesa, who also had no legal authority to receive 'em. Funny thing the MD who faxed 'em to her sent 'em on a SUNDAY - and he was very, very nervous on the phone message he left for her (She called me and I told her "do not talk to him, if he sent the autopsy makes copies and mail 'em to me" which sis id)...and oddly, when Lesa called the MD's office earlier before that weekend (Trying to determine IF the MD had overstepped OUR request that our Mom was to have had an autopsy performed - We requested one the day she passed - never knew one way or another if that request was met) the MD's staff told her "Dr.'Assclown' has ALL of her records in his possession, but he is unreachable til Monday".

I can get the MD on faxing the autopsy results since my lawyer said what the MD did is a definite "ethnics violation" in the state of Oklahoma.

Wanna hear the story about 2 separate 'death certificate's' that were in my Mom's name...One not mentioning any cause of death and the other that listed 4 causes of death (3 of which can be attributed to sympthoms related to the FDA product recall - this one was the one that gave us proof the autopsy was indeed performed).

Not hard to know why I am stressed out 99.9999999999999% of the day. :nod: