anxiety/panic attacks?

20 years ago

Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:53 pm Post subject: anxiety/panic attacks?

I had an episode this morning and it had never happened before I think it was an anxiety/panic attack. I (all of a sudden) couldnt breathe, felt light headed, fell out for a few moments, chest hurt, heart pounded wildly then I started crying uncontrollably. It took me nearly an hour to get myself settled. I laid in the floor and stroked the dog and concentrated on breathing, it passed but I still feel shaky.

I also feel foolish, has anyone else had anything like this happen to them? With a night like last night, its probably no surprise. I'll talk to the counselor tomorrow.

_________________

Thoughts and prayers-

sistersunnie

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Comments (8)

sistersunnie
Original Author
20 years ago
I've got a weekend off next week to take my daughters on campus visits. We're leaving on Friday and wont be back until Monday night. Not much but I am looking forward to it. Best I can manage right now.

Got through this morning okay and it wasnt an easy one. Maybe thats the last attack? (I like to delude myself anyway!)

Thanks for the reassurance but I feel so foolish......
lasershow
20 years ago
Have you talked to your doctor? There is medication for anxiety attacks. It's not to be taken lightly.
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Thanks for your replies, and I'm sorry for you losses. Just to clarify, I didn't give in on the headstone. They had made all these requests of things they wanted, but offered no help. I was at a standstill with the headstone, as they hadn't sent out any pictures I had asked them to send me, since they wanted them on the headstone. I guess I wasnt exactly ready to do it, either. But it was definately harder without any guidance at all, and no help. I was just told what to do, and how to do it. And to pay for it. I guess I was taking too long, so they all went behind my back and did it, without asking me what I wanted. I got an email saying "You couldn't get things together, so we did it instead. Go see the headstone, its beautiful" I had no idea they had one in the works, until it was already placed on the gravesite. I would have at the very least liked them to take over the one I had been getting made, and put the finishing touches on it. But they didn't even ask what I wanted on the headstone. My boyfriend isn't that bad. He just frustrates me. He didn't come into the picture until a month and a half after my dad passed away. So he wasn't there for most of the family drama, or the fights over money, and the fights my aunt had with my sister, pretty much telling my sister she had no say in anything because she wasn't related by blood. All he knows is what he's been told. And he's done remarkabley well considering I was and still am somewhat of a basketcase. He just walked in blindly not knowing what he was getting himself into at all, and he's put up with a lot. Going to lawyers apts with me, listening to me complain about people he's never met. Watch me cry for no real reason at all. Put up with my silly meltdowns over nothing all that important. That has to be tough to deal with, when you know hardly anything about the situation. He has done a lot for me, and he's put up with a lot of silly crazy meltdowns, and demands. So while he definately doesn't always say the right things, he's so good in other areas, and is really helpful or atleast tolerant that it makes up for it. It just stresses me out sometimes that he doesn't see things the way I do. I'm really sorry about losing your daughter, I can't imagine. I've done the group therapy, 3 times now I think. And I've done the counsellor thing for years. I really think it's just coming down to time, now. I'm not plagued daily by all of this, but anytime it comes down to something important, I just have the hardest time being decisive or following through with it. Thats the only thing holding me back from trying to move on. I cant do the important things. Group therapy is also a very bad place for me to be. I'm excellent at transferring others problems onto myself, to ignore my own problems. I usually end up miserable after group therapy, feeling very sorry for everyone else and feeling horrible for being sad about my situation when it could be worse. And then I get depressed because so many bad things are happening to so many good people. And my issues get worse, and get ignored. Group has never ended well for me. Rose, I feel bad for your daughter. That sounds like a very rough, emotional year. I hope she's doing alright, and getting through everything okay.
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During an attack try to focus on something physically very small and specific... it helps to rewire the brain waves to break you out of an attack. Look at your fingernails closely for example and try to come up with specifics or ways to decribe the smallest aspects of them. I watched a PBS special that said anxiety attacks really can be controlled. Part of what you have to do is just tell yourself that what you are thinking is irrational... no matter how true you believe something to be at the time. You have to tell yourself that your brain is NOT thinking correctly and that although you are having these thoughts, they are not rational. You have to re-train you brain not to accept the irrational thoughts. Another thing.. one of the biggest creators of attacks is the worry itself about having an attack and not being able to control it. I have heard a lot of people say that just having Xanax at home puts them at ease even though they never use it... they know they have it if they need it. I'm not saying you have to get the medicine, but realize that the fear of having an attack may be setting you off. If you can convince yourself they are not all that bad and that you won't die, you may be able to keep yourself from having them. Try to keep stress out of your life. Many times aniexty attacks act up when your life is not so happy and peaceful. Can you work on that? Easier said then done, but something you may want to think about. Try a little warm milk with sugar at bedtime to help you relax. Set up a good bedtime ritual so that your body will become relaxed as you are going through your ritual. Try to get enough sleep and accept that you will have some bad nights (don't worry about that on top of everything). Try to think about happy things and not let your mind wonder. Pick something you feel relaxed or that doesn't create tension thinking about... catch yourself and force yourself to go back to your happy thoughts it if your mind starts to wonder. It's all in training your brain to behave the right way for you. Be sure to talk to your doctor if things stay consistantly bad.
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I've been having a lot of symptoms of peri-menopause since July. I've been doing research and my dh is a physician, so I kind of run stuff by him a lot. Anyway my symptoms started with that weird "out of sorts feeling" like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Then I started having anxiety attacks in the most unlikely places, like the grocery store. I talked to my obgyn about it and they said "we could prescribe an anti-depressant" but I knew I wasn't depressed so I said no. (Hate the side effects). I said what about anti-anxiety medication just in case this happens at work or if I feel really out of control. She said "well, anxiety is not clinically associated with peri-menopause so you will have to ask your internist." But the weird thing is that on every menopause forum (like this one) women talk about anxiety. So at least I didn't feel crazy. I only found one clinical study that associated anxiety with hot flashes. To make a long story short, I went to my internist and asked for Xanax for anxiety. It was hard to do anyway and she wasn't eager to prescribe it so I felt like a jerk. I wanted to say "look lady, I'm not a drug addict." I just wish there was more help for us in this phase of our lives and I'm sorry for all the women on this forum who have to go through it and feel humiliated to boot. So anyway, that was about a month ago and I have taken the Xanax 3 times, at night when feeling anxious to help me sleep. It's been a great blessing. I know it's not a natural remedy, but I tried everything else and it hasn't helped much. I just think the best approach is to tell our docs that we are having anxiety attacks and not blame it on peri-menopause because they don't believe it's related.
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Hi there, sorry to hear about your troubles, I am having somethign similar at the moment, with exception of heavy prolonged bleeding that sends me into acute anemia fast every time it happens. We are same age so I assume you are in perimenopause by the sound of it. First of all let me tell you that the palpitations and anxiety attacks are usual thing that happens during this time, be comforted that you are NOT having heart attack or dying, will just need to learn to control these. I did pretty much and they are under control now. Remember its just an attack, let it come, pass over you, keep repeating they will pass. Set little routines that usually help you such as, breathing into a paper bag, or your hands, carbon dioxide will slow your breathing and prevent you from hyperventilating. Fresh air helps me, also getting busy, doing anything to take your mind of it. If its already in full blown mode, just sit safely, cold towel around your neck, or wash your face in cold water, and breathe, slowly, try to control your breathing...after a while your body will pick it up and slow down the whole thing overall. I found out it helps a lot to develop the routine, it will be better than pills once you manage to improve it. I hope this was of some comfort to you, hope to hear about your improvement. :) hugs
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heydeborah
20 years ago
Hi Sunnie! You're going on tours too? We went to 3 presentations on Wed. nite here, but i like you was stressed out too, so i really didn't pay much attention,(dd has her heart set on one university, by Linda's hometown!!, so i don't think it much mattered about the other 2 - lol). But, like you i had the heart pounding, sweating, thought my chest was being strangled. i went to the doctor and he gave me a prescription for Paxil, this was to help with my migranes as well, he started me off with 10mg and now it's 25mg. i will say they do not help the migranes but i will say i am calmer, they take about 6 weeks before they kick in. and the weight gain, i am 5ft 9 inches and USED to weigh 128lbs, now i don't even want to know, however, i do have a very full chest - lol. i don't know where you live, but where we do, when winter comes it comes, so i would be so stressed winter driving in town, now i'm fine. my doctor also gave me lithium at night, but i never got this script filled. if you read one of my other posts, you will see that i had a very,very mild stroke, how can a 49 yr old have a stroke? so now i do take time for me, - Mimi's orders!!! and believe me when i say i am, also i go for a walk every day. Sunnie i shouldn't say that we'll never meet in person (look at Linda and me!!) but being friends here, trust me when i say we are all worried about you!!! You like me are taking on too much and your body is saying i need a rest, take care of me, so make that doctor's appointment today!! We need you here!!! debbie
Glitter53
20 years ago
Sunnie, please see your doctor. I've been on anxiety meds for about a year now, and boy-o-boy, howdy!!! What a difference. They don't make me drowsy, don't make me 'stupid' (at least I don't think so)...but it takes away that heaviness in my chest...if something goes wrong, or I'm worried, I can deal with it, or fact it, then it just goes somewhere else instead of my DWELLING on it every minute of the day! I no longer obsess about what COULD happen, and worry much, much less.

You need to take care of yourself, or you'll be the one being taken care of. *Oh! I've always hated dropping a participle like that! hmph.

Where was I? Oh, yes....Sweetie....you can't run on 'empty'. Everyone needs to re-charge now and then, and we all have different ways of doing that. Debbie has her bubbly baths, and I go shopping with friends and to lunch, or I put a chick-flick on and sip wine with abandon ! lol!
You have to find a way to re-charge...that weekend coming up with your daughter sounds wonderful! What a nice bonding experience for the two of you! Make it a celebration! Take in a movie or two! Bring bubble-bath for yourself!! And apply wine medicinally! haha!

Find what brings you some joy and just do that when you can. Even 1/2hr spurts now and then can re-charge you. Snap those ear-phones on and blast your favourite music! Or retreat and say your rosary. Whatever is your bliss.

Sooooooo, Debbie!!! Your daughter will be on MY TURF next year, eh? hahahaha!!! Hope you can come here and we can both drive over and visit her! I have tons of room, several guest-rooms and you're welcome to whatever you need! Sandra's taken the bus here for a visit...you both can come! haha! OMG...she's coming in two weeks with 3 hockey-dads and their 3 hockey-playing 14-year old sons (her cousin and his son) who are also staying here! I hope there's enough room on that bus going back for all the Christmas stuff she's going to pick up at Costco! hahaha!!!
Wow! 7 guests in two weeks! PAR-TAY~ !!

Now back to you, Sunnie....please pay attention to yourself, okay? It's so important, we can't stress it enough. I've had anxiety attacks, and they're no fun at all. Time to get a little help and find what you need to refresh yourself.

Blessings
Linda
heydeborah
20 years ago
Sunnie just curious how was today for you? I'm busy today, starting doing my volunteer sewing for a hockey league -- year 14! just seems noone sews anymore! Linda i have about 20 or more painting mags for you, if you have any other interests let meknow, i'm trying to be Mrs. Flylady!! or if you would like unfinised wooden stuff, let me know too. Well i've taken my break and am mindlessly removing sponsor bars off the next set. Keep warm - raining and about 40 now. debbie
sistersunnie
Original Author
20 years ago
Today was actually okay, he was the tasmanian devil in full speed but it was manageable. I cleaned house all day and somehow that was comforting, like I can control something at least! Even if its only the floors!

I appreciate your concern, all of you. Am taking lexapro and seeing a counselor twice monthly. Will see the doctor if that ever happens again. I understand I need to take care of myself, but it seems impossible. Been at this for over five years now and always been able to tackle whatever comes my way, but guess now its finally taking its toll.

Am really sweating next year when one of the girls moves on to her own life. I love those kids so much and enjoy their company. Will really miss her and the helping hands. She's looking at several schools near Baltimore next week and one in Blacksburg, VA in two weeks.

Oh to be young with your life in front of you again! On second thought......
sable_ca
20 years ago
Sunnie - This is the first time I've posted to you. Yes, you had a full-blown panic attack, what we call 'the works'. If it happens again, please get a checkup with your doc. It doesn't have to be an all-inclusive one, just ruling out obvious things.

The right medication can virtually obliterate these attacks and allow you to function fully. I had my first one on July 7, 1976. My doctor diagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (well, those weren't his words, but that was the problem and he nailed it). I have been on meds ever since and have had a wonderful and productive life. The best thing about meds is that they remove the *fear* of the attack, since you know that help is at hand if you need it.

Please keep us posted. You have a very full plate and this is a subject about which I care deeply.

anxiety/panic attacks?

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sistersunnie
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lasershow

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anxiety/panic attacks?

Comments (8)

sistersunnieOriginal Author

lasershow

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heydeborah

Glitter53

heydeborah

sistersunnieOriginal Author

sable_ca

COMPANY

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sistersunnie
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sistersunnie
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