Panic Attacks: UPDATED 3/26

I had the worst panic attack of my life this morning. AT least thats what I think it was. My heat was gripping and racing, even my arm hurt.. I couldnt breathe... I thought I was drowning and dying and couldnt even get ready for work. I dont even know what triggered it. I feel so out of it but I did make it to work even tho I thought I was dying the entire time. I just want to go home and go to sleep.

Please, id you have any tips on what to do to ease a panic attack please share them. I feel so desperate. I am so sick of crying because I dont know why this is happening. I went to a therapist for the first time yesterday and talking helped but I am trying to hold off on meds because this isnt normal behavior for me. I have gotten one or two int he past but nothing like what I am going through lately..

Any guidance would be great.

UPDATED 3/26:

I am home!!! The endoscopy wasnt so bad.. it was actually the best sleep i ever ever had!!! i wish i could get that type of rest every nite. So it seems that my esophagus is ok--I just need to take some acid medicine for a month and see how that goes BUT it seems that there may be some bacteria in my stomach that is treatable but I hafta call tomorrow to find out exactly what it is..

my stomach sonogram came back good too...tomorrow i will also get the results of the blood test and the thyroid test, i m really hoping everything is ok with that too..

they also told me to "stop being so nervous" hahaha if they only knew! now i m going to go rest because i m sooo sleepy but ty for thinking of me everyone

Message edited 3/26/2009 5:24:04 PM.

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

You should really see a psychiatrist....even though you don't want to take meds, you may just need them temporarily.
My mother has to take meds every so often when she actually has an attack. Otherwise, she doesn't take anything.

Hope you are feeling better soon.....

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Hi. I just wanted to give you

The only thing that worked for me was actually getting a prescription for Xanax and having it on me at all times. I got a prescription for 30 and I have 29 and its been two years. (I took one to make sure that I would be able to drive on it) Just taking the bottle out and looking at it calms me down - I know that I can take it and I know that I will feel better if i NEED it but so far I havent needed it.

I like to take big deep breaths, drink ice cold water, hide in a bathroom stall - sometimes I will text a friend ( or FM ) and just ask them to talk me out of it and that works too.

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Thanks Girls. Can I ask what the medicine does exactly? Like how does it calm you? I am scared to go on medicine I guess..Even if it is just once in awhile..

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

I used to get themd when I was in High School. I discovered that it was actually someone I was around that was causing them and I had no idea until I recvd help.

I would go see someone that can help you maybe see what is triggering them

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Don't be afraid of the meds if it's that bad.
I am not a drug person AT ALL- but there are times when I felt I could have used a Xanax- just to calm myself down. That kind of stress and anxiety isn't good for your body in the long run.

When I get smaller panic attacks, I sip cold water slowly, chew minty gum (helps me for some readon), walk around a bit, or if I can- go lie on the couch for a bit...

I'm sorry you are feeling so horrible. Definitely speak to your Dr about it... as a PP stated, even a small dose of Xanax might be just what you need once in a while...

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Posted by Tilde

Hi. I just wanted to give you

The only thing that worked for me was actually getting a prescription for Xanax and having it on me at all times. I got a prescription for 30 and I have 29 and its been two years. (I took one to make sure that I would be able to drive on it) Just taking the bottle out and looking at it calms me down - I know that I can take it and I know that I will feel better if i NEED it but so far I havent needed it.

I like to take big deep breaths, drink ice cold water, hide in a bathroom stall - sometimes I will text a friend ( or FM ) and just ask them to talk me out of it and that works too.

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

I think meds are good for acute attacks, such as the one you described. Xanax, Valium, Klonopin all belong to the family of benzodiazapines, and can be very effective for reducing anxiety.

The best way to describe the effect of the drug is that the anxiety all goes away and you feel a sense of calm; sometimes you can feel sleepy.

You shouldn't have to suffer with these attacks. I think it's great you are going to therapy, but until you find out why you are getting these attacks, and work on disarming the attacks, I think you should have meds available.

Message edited 3/24/2009 9:36:10 AM.

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

we have a lot in common i'm learning and i'm truly sorry i didn't see this until now.

first of all - there is NO shame in treating the way you are feeling with medication. Right now, as you said - you are in a VERY bad place and need to get out of it. Without meds - that's not going to be a simple task. Xanax is not something that has to 'build' in your system or will completely alter your way of thinking. As many of the girls have said - it's kinda like a medication making you take the deepest breath ever and letting it ALL out. That's the best way i can describe how it affected me (prior to pregnancy). It was kinda like the feeling of having an hour long massage at a spa...that 'relaxed and chilll' feeling. (i too, had the lowest dosage there is)

It took 3 xanax to get me through my wedding (i have severe attention based anxiety issues) and 2 to get me through my bridal shower...what on earth i'll do for the baby shower makes me sick on a daily basis.

Once you are out of this FUNK....then let's talk about non medicinal ways of treating it...but for now - you need help and need to feel 'normal' again...

If you need ANYTHING, please do not hesitate to reach out, i may be in Jersey - but i know what you are feeling is ALL TOO REAL!!!!!!!!

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Posted by davenjess

we have a lot in common i'm learning and i'm truly sorry i didn't see this until now.

first of all - there is NO shame in treating the way you are feeling with medication. Right now, as you said - you are in a VERY bad place and need to get out of it. Without meds - that's not going to be a simple task. Xanax is not something that has to 'build' in your system or will completely alter your way of thinking. As many of the girls have said - it's kinda like a medication making you take the deepest breath ever and letting it ALL out. That's the best way i can describe how it affected me (prior to pregnancy). It was kinda like the feeling of having an hour long massage at a spa...that 'relaxed and chilll' feeling. (i too, had the lowest dosage there is)

It took 3 xanax to get me through my wedding (i have severe attention based anxiety issues) and 2 to get me through my bridal shower...what on earth i'll do for the baby shower makes me sick on a daily basis.

Once you are out of this FUNK....then let's talk about non medicinal ways of treating it...but for now - you need help and need to feel 'normal' again...

If you need ANYTHING, please do not hesitate to reach out, i may be in Jersey - but i know what you are feeling is ALL TOO REAL!!!!!!!!

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Tilde - you just made me cry!

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Posted by davenjess

Tilde - you just made me cry!

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Posted by Michi

Posted by davenjess

Tilde - you just made me cry!

you are both making me tear up at work! ty so much girls! I have an appt with a psychiatrist on friday at 1 and then thursday at 1:15 lol.i hafta see which one i can get off of work to go to but i m going to see what they can perscribe for me..

ty so much!!!

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

I wanted to give you some because I know EXACTLY what you are going through.

Do you drink caffeine? I saw a HUGE difference when I stopped consuming caffeine. The panic attacks I used to get that seemed to come out of nowhere and seemed to be triggered by nothing were apparently triggered by caffeine.

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Thank you for the hugs. I really need them. I had 2 more panic attacks since 3:00 and I feel like I am dying..literally dying...I just keep reading the posts and trying to talk myself down... I am trying to keep in mind many of us go threw this, i will be ok, i will see the dr, they will help me... tomorrow i see the gastro dr and thursday and friday 2 different psychiatrists, i m going to both to see who i like better.

thank g-d for u girls...
my mom and boyfriend have also been supportive..i dont kno what id do without you all

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Posted by davenjess

Tilde - you just made me cry!

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

I have had a few of the worst panic attacks for the past few weeks. The trigger for me is stress with family issues. I didnt want to take any meds but I had to give in. I feel so much better. I am on zoloft everyday and Xanax for breakthrough attacks. I feel so much better. I hate that feeling that my heart is going to jump right out of my chest and that I cant breath. You will feel so much better.

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Once again last nite was horrendous, I cant even describe what I went through. I dont know if it is because I have been so sick recently or if something is majorly wrong inside of me. I am going at 12:30 to see a new Internal Doctor so he can a full physical and maybe give me some meds. I havent slept in 2 days. I am just trying to breathe... At 3:15 I then have the gastro doctor as well :(

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

So many illness'es can mimic Panic attacks too. Once I was in the Dr's office, Swore to him I was having a major panic attack and it turned out my Blood pressure was severly low and simply lying on my left side for 2 min's or so made me feel100% better ...so its GOOD your seeing your Dr. About other possible reasons for this.


I take a daily med for my panic attacks and honestly havent had any other then 1-2 mild attacks in years.

The best to do when in the midst is to think..whats the worst that can happen eight now and then try to come to terms with that "worst" and often you will start to calm.

MAke sure to breathe! And call someone, text someone, email somone....That always helps!

hang in there!

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

you were VERY, VERY sick. your body's defenses are not what they were, even a week before you GOT sick....

i agree with PP - it's PERFECT that you are seeing a doc today - to rule out any other issues.

mich - i'm a NIGHT PERSON - FM me a yahoo name or facebook name - we can chat...we can talk while you are going through a rough part...normally, i'm up until at least 1:30'ish EVERY NIGHT...

you are NOT ALONE and you WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks

Posted by davenjess

you were VERY, VERY sick. your body's defenses are not what they were, even a week before you GOT sick....

i agree with PP - it's PERFECT that you are seeing a doc today - to rule out any other issues.

mich - i'm a NIGHT PERSON - FM me a yahoo name or facebook name - we can chat...we can talk while you are going through a rough part...normally, i'm up until at least 1:30'ish EVERY NIGHT...

you are NOT ALONE and you WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks UPDATE AT BOTTOM AS OF 3-25 NIGHTTIME

My problems with anxiety began after going through a health crisis. Health problems can often create anxiety problems. Please know that many, many people suffer from this and the feelings are difficult to control. For me it was imperative to have a prescription for xanaz, ativan or klonopin to use when absolutely necessary. You don't have to take them everyday just when you are having an attack. I also would listen to some relaxation/hypnosis cds to help me get through the attacks.

Re: Desperate For Advice Re: Panic Attacks UPDATE AT BOTTOM AS OF 3-25 NIGHTTIME

Ohh I am so sorry you are going through this

I wanted to let you know I was on zoloft for a year and a half for the same thing and it really helped. I was going through a weird time and I just could not control the panic attacks. Zoloft really helped and pretty much cured me (it can do that...cure you). I was hesitant to go on but am so glad I did.

The good thing about zoloft is it works all the time. The other meds like xanax are only good for one-off situations. ie - if you have a fear of flying taking a xanax before you get on the plane. I think some people take xanax on a regular basis but I dont think that is good. Anyway I am just a walking ad for zoloft...definitely look into it, along with therapy. Good luck with your other dr appts!