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Please help.... Horrible Panic Attack! I'm scared!!

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Posted 12/20/2008 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Dear friends, I'm so scared!  I have been having a panic attack since early this morning.  It comes in waves but won't completely go away.  I am short of breath, nauseated, weak, light-headed, feel like I am going to pass out, etc.  I HATE THIS!!!!  I have been doing so well this past year.  And then, BAM!!!  I wake up with sheer terror!  I am taking my Xanax but it just isn't helping.  Oh dear god, please don't let me get bad again!!!  My what if thinking is out of control.  My health anxiety/anticipatory anxiety is in full swing....  What if this doesn't go away???!!! My heart is beating so hard, like I am going to die.  I'm trying to do other things to get my mind off this, but it's not working!  Please, any suggestions?  I am so scared right now! cry
Posted 12/20/2008 6:38 PM (GMT 0)

Stop the attack, break the circle, do something relaxing, listen to music, stay in the moment and remember you are OK.  NOthing bad is going to happen to you.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Yesterday is gone forever, tomorrow is not yet here and Today is really all we ever have. We may have the memories of yesterday but it is over and so we do not need to continue to live in it. Well tomorrow is not here so it might be nice to set goals for tomorrow, or dream of what we would like it to be, but again it is not here yet so we can not live in it until it gets here. So we can only live in the here and now of Today. What a wonderful gift.

Believe in yourself and kick the panic attack to the curb.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 12/20/2008 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Kitt. I can't stop crying after reading your post. I need to turn my negatives into positives and live in the here and now. Sometimes it is easier said than done, isn't it? I NEED to believe in myself. I have been beating myself up terrible today..... I hope and pray this goes away soon..... Blessings, Julie
Posted 12/20/2008 7:25 PM (GMT 0)

Julie,

My problem is crying too, and trying to believe in myself that I can do this but it is scary.  It takes lots of practice, but I promise you are safe and you will pass through this.  No more beating yourself up.  Anxiety is not something we ask for but we do have to learn to live with it.   Remember you have anxiety, it does not have you.

Gentle Hugs my friend.

Kitt

Posted 12/20/2008 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Julie ,

I know exactly how you feel .It is a horrific feeling,isn't it .

You feel frozen like your mind cant move while everyone around you is just carrying on normal with their normal day to day activities . I know that Xanax is terribly addictive,but just while these attacks hit,may be you should talk to your doctor about increasing the Xanax..or put you on some valium as well. Not that you want to become to reliant on them,just when your attacks are bad .


Can you think of something that may have happened to trigger this off in the days leading up to this ?


Chi-chi confused confused confused
Posted 12/20/2008 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
I know everyone is different,but Hydrocortisone makes my heart thump out of my chest when I take it . Just a thought idea



Chi-chi
Posted 12/20/2008 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt, I wrote down everything you have said to me on a piece of paper to use as positive reinforcement. Thank you so much.

Chi-Chi, thank you so much for your reply. I have been on the Cortisone for a few years, so that's not the culprit. It seemed to have come out of the blue. Xanax usually works very well for me. Today was a different story, lol! I usually take Xanax .5mg 2 times a day, and only took 1 extra dose today. Not bad considering the panic was horrific.

Now it seems as if the Panic is turning more into persistent anxiety. Hopefully things are getting better. I'm exhausted.........

Blessings, Julie
Posted 12/20/2008 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hope you are feeling better now Julie :) Hi Chi-Chi and welcome!

There are great people and resources on here to help with your anxiety and panic and I think Kitt gave some great advice :)

Take care!
Posted 12/20/2008 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
My panic has finally calmed down to persistent anxiety, much more tolerable. I am trying to be in the moment. I am exhausted. It's amazing how a day of panic attacks can wear you down physically, also. Hopefully I will sleep well tonight. I have to stop thinking about tomorrow and "what if" thinking. Anticipatory anxiety stinks. Blessings to you all, Julie
Posted 12/20/2008 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to hear it :) I know that feeling along with everyone else on here.

There is an Anticipatory Anxiety Thread on this page if you would like to post on it. . . There is some good info on coping :) We also have a therapy resource called MoodGYM. It is totally free and you work at your own pace with CBT. You will find the link in the A/P Resources thread :)

Have a Great Day!
Posted 12/20/2008 10:26 PM (GMT 0)

Julie you can DO this, you can get THROUGH this. i know it seems dark and impossible when you are in that panic state of mind, but it WILL pass, keep reminding yourself that it has to end. i think you should maybe speak to your doc about med increase or change? whatever happens, know that you are going to get through this and come out stronger in the end. we all fight this horrible battle daily- we understand. keep us posted, you are in my prayers-

Maz XX

Posted 12/20/2008 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Green Grove, thank you! I will check these out now. Blessings, Julie
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