HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Anxiety/Panic Disorder is Back...Don't Know What To Do

Support Forums
>
Depression
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/11/2012 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
     In the last few days I have responded 2 a couple postings of other members, but I haven't posted anything. I am 46 & was diagnosed Bipolar 2...BPD-traits, extreme Major Anxiety Disorder & ptsd.

 

    My anxiety is so over-the-top currently. Nothing seems 2 be working...I am currently in DBT-Outpatient Program & am Learning lots of skills. However, my anxiety is making me miserable. The only anxiety meds I have is Hydroxyzine which I'm supposed 2 take them @ bedtime. So I don't have any meds that can be taken @ the onset or during a anxiety attack. There has been a few times in the last 3-months that I thought about going 2 the emergency room but it is so expensive, & I don't know exactly if they could do anything 2 help.

 

     When I'm having one (anxiety) I struggle 2 breathe normally. It feels like I can't catch my breath...Its hard 2 explain it. I absolutely cannot sit still, all my muscles seem 2 tense up a lot. Sometimes I sweat or get cold. Just a few symptoms. 

    

     Does anyone take anxiety meds that really work quickly? Does anyone struggle with BAD anxiety? If so, what symptoms do U have?

 

Your Healingwell Friend, Thank U 4 putting up with my boring problem :)

Serenity

Meds: Campral, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trazadone, Hydroxyzine, Tramadol, Naproxen, Cyclobenzaprine, Lovastatin, Hyomax

 

Posted 3/11/2012 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
Serenity,

I take xanax. It can be taken as needed. I would seriously talk to your pdoc and let them know how bad this is. You need more for anxiety. Keep up with the breathing. Try some meditation until you can see your doc.

Your problems aren't boring. We all have them.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/11/2012 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome serenitee

If your anxiety is that bad, hydroxyzine is not going to touch it. It is an anti-histamine used for itching and can have a sedating feeling. BUT it will not work, IMHO, for a full-blown anxiety aattack. I too suffer from ptsd and suffered bad attacks for years, was given lorazepam (Ativan) and/or klonopin.

Your problems are not boring, dear. They are terrifying for you. As Karen said, please talk to doc or psychiatrist about something better to take.

I still get anxious over many things but I try to do deep breathing or visualization. And I come here for support. Many of us struggle with the same thing, so keep posting

Good luck and take care

Maggie

Posted 3/11/2012 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Like Maggie, I have had Lorazepam and Klonopin prescriptions filled in the past, and kept them on hand in case I needed them. They are fast-acting and I've found them to be extremely helpful in a crisis.

Glad to hear you're in DBT. I was in it for awhile, and got some good stuff out of it. I think practicing those skills, especially meditation like Karen said, would be really helpful. Do you practice mindfulness? That one really worked for me when I felt panicked. I also really liked taking 'mini-vacations' - turning off my phone, taking a bath, reading a book... getting away from everything to calm down a bit.

Your problems are not boring. They're important to you and are worth talking about. I hope you find something that works for you and that you feel better soon...

-Trish
Posted 3/11/2012 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Trish,

That was a lovely post. And I wanted to say thanks for sharing your name. I have never noticed it before. Maybe an oversight on my part. I hope that you have a wonderful day. And I hope that the mindfulness is helping. It helps me tremondously.

Take care sweetie.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/12/2012 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I can't "Thank-U" all enough for posting back. Everything y'all shared with me gives me strength 2 try & explain 2 my pdoc how severe my anxiety takes over.

I am learning a lot of skills from DBT like (core mindfullness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation & interpersonal relationships). And the skills have helped a lot in other areas of my daily life...However, I don't know why I'm having the anxiety attacks so extreme & i think that kinda frustrates me cuz if i knew perhaps what is causing them I could try & fix it.

Does anyone have the anxiety issues while laying in bed 2 go 2 sleep, or waking up 2 having one right then?

Thanx again everyone for Ur support, this forum has the most amazing members :)
Serenitee
Posted 3/12/2012 10:43 AM (GMT 0)
Often it is hard to shut our brains off when we go to bed. Meditation really helps. Or you can get meds to help you sleep faster. My husband can't shut off his brain when he tries to go to sleep. It is furstrating. Waking up with anxiety is bad too. I use to wake up and imediatiely start worrying. Not anymore though. I got the right meds to help me.

Plus I do the meditation. It really calms the mind.

Good luck and best wishes.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/12/2012 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
I wake up alot in the wee hours and it is very hard to keep my mind from going to "What if Land". My amxiety is like a gerbil on a wheel, racing as fast as I can go, but getting nowhere. I worry about the mopst outlandish stuff. That's when I try deep breathing, intrusive thoughts try to bust in and I have to really concentrate on the feel and sound of my breath so I don't get back on that wheel

I am learning to cope and think about will this situation or that scenario really happen? Probably not and if it does, I will deal with it. I survived a worst case scenario in 2005 and I survived and grew because of it. You can do this Serenitee.

Do talk w/ doc re meds. Be assertive. And keep up the good work w/ dbt. You have come along way, anxiety hopefully will be a bump in the road

all the best
Maggie
Posted 3/13/2012 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I really Love all of U...Such great support & ideas for me 2 try. I will keep U posted after my pdoc appt this Friday. Have a great week everyone. Thanx again for keeping me positive when i was low :)

Serenitee

Posted 3/25/2012 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
i began having panic attacks and recurrent intrusive thoughts and thought i may have developed, in addition to depression, PTSD from the sudden death of my 20 year old son...the docs agreed with me and i went to a therapist who was trained in EMDR and it worked for me...we reprocessed several recurrent, disturbing images and thoughts and i felt it helped me alot...i may go back to see her one of these days...it didn't do much for my depression...but who's counting...make sure if you explore this avenue that the person is in the EMDR registry of trained practitioners (just do a google search)  any questions...just ask...soulfulms
Posted 3/26/2012 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
Soulfulms, thank u for the info. i am definitely check online. I don't even know what EMDR stands for, but i will be looking it all up online. i also have crazy thoughts but i don't know if it falls under "intrusive"...Pleez, if u have any other things 2 share i would love 2 read it/
Thanx Again,
Serenitee
Posted 3/26/2012 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
EMDR seems to be "eye processing and desenstization". It is a type of psytchotherapy. I have never heard of it, but that is what I found when I looked it up. I hope that it works for you. There are other types of therapy too. DBT and CBT. I did well with CBT.

I hope that you feel better soon Serenitee.

Thinking of you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/26/2012 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what to do. I hate myself and just wanna disappear off the face of the earth. I mean I have a good life and I know I don't have an excuse to feel the way I do but I can't help it. I started drinking and doing  with my boyfriend to make him happy so he wouldn't hit me anymore but that just made things worse. I don't know what to do. I can't leave him because i love him. I feel really stupid.
I don't really think my life has any meaning. I'm worthless and so are my problems.

LabyrinthQueen,

I started you a thread so look for it.  I thought that your post would get noticed better this way.  I think your situation needs attention and I don't think it will get it being tagged onto this thread.  So please look for the thread that I started for you as I have a reply for you on there.  Know that you are worthy of being treated well.  Hugs...  PS I had to edit one word out of your post as we aren't to discuss drugs here.

Post Edited By Moderator (getting by) : 3/26/2012 12:02:40 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/26/2012 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
I suffer from anxiety and depression as well. It can bring the toughest he-man on earth to his knees, so it shouldn't be taken lightly!
Many folks NEVER consider natural supplements at all. I've been on disabiility for anx/dep. for 18 years, so I do know of what I speak! If you research it online, you'll find that the following is well-supported.
B Vitamins are very good for stressed-out folks like us!
Magnesium (NOT as magnesium oxide) I take magnesium taurate. It is good! The point is to get the kinds of magnesium that is well-absorbed by the body. Again, by researching it, you'll see what kinds are best.
I am especially fond of Taurine, which is an amino acid, which is good for your heart and many other things. It does help my anxiety. I have friends and relatives that now take it after giving it a try because they've found it helps!
Fish Oil is good as a mood stabilizer over time.
Anyhow, if you'll do the research, you'll be pleasantly surprised!
Hope I've helped!
jl
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply