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PLEASE HELP TO DEAL WITH PANIC ATTACKS AT NIGHT. HEART GOES TO 180 bpm

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Posted 1/24/2011 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I'm 36 old female who almost recovered from her panic attacks (with a help of books). I still have anxiety disorder, but from my 3-4 panic attacks per day and I went to almost none or one per 6 month... But... My mom got cancer and she is slowly dying now, I feel so scared and anxious. I understand that the way of life, but I can't cope with my anxiety and yesterday night I had one of the worst panic attacks. I jumped from my bed in a second, my heart started to beat so fast that I could count only 10 seconds for my pulse, it was 31 beat per 10 second! I was so scared... I had them before, they went away, but now it feels like new again. Each time I'm scared, even though I had them for 10 years I can't get used to them. Each attack is different, comes in different waves... I just need some help for my crazy beating heart. What to do to calm my heart? I take Xanax 0.25mg 2 pills right away, but it takes 5-6 min to work, but these minutes are the scariest. I always want to call ambulance... I checked my heart before, I'm skinny and I'm OK. Please advice how to calm my heart in these crazy situations. My mom is going to die, I have to deal with it, but I have to learn how to cope.
Posted 1/24/2011 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I am also sorry that you are struggling with the anxiety/panic again. Do you currently have a dr./therapist that you can discuss this with?

I know that it is scary to wake up with panic and a racing heart! Even if we have the tools to fight the attacks during the day, they find a way of sneaking in when our defenses are down-during sleep. Not fair.

A couple of things that I thought about as I read your post...

You have gained victory over this before, you can do it again. This is an understandable set-back. You are dealing with a very tough life issue. What gave you success previously? Go back and use the tools that helped you before. Therapy? breathing/relaxation? Exercise? Maybe it was a combination of things. Redouble your efforts in fighting this battle again!

When you have the racing heart rate, don't take your pulse. Just resist the urge, hard as that might be. Our hearts are built to withstand a temporary (longer than a panic attack btw) increase of the amount that an attack brings on. Use your breathing, as heart rate is directly related to breathing to slowly bring it down. Repeat a calming mantra. My favorite is "I'm okay, it's only fear"

Reaching out is a great step as well. I am glad that you have come back, as this is an awesome place, full of the best people! Do you also have a support network close by? Talk to people as much as you can and your burden will feel lighter.

Again my sympathies are with you. My parents are getting on,(mom and step-dad..we lost my father years ago) and I think about what will happen to them all of the time. Of course my concern is for them first, but I also worry about how I will be able to handle it. To the extent that you can, enjoy this time with your mom. Create lasting memories and give each other love and joy during this time.

Take care, and let us know how you are doing soon,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/24/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian,

Scaredy Cat gave you some very good advice. I just want to reinforce the breathing and the mantra. It does really help. I don't know if you have heard about this but when I breathe, I picture smelling the roses and blowing out the candles. I do that about 10 times. It really does slow your heart rate down. And as SC said, don't monitor your heartrate, it can make you more anxious.

Keep on keeping on, posting here really helps.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/24/2011 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian,
I completely understand what you are going through> I was anxiety free for quite some time now 3 weeks ago. boom!!! back again after many years..
Now, here is the thing.. I started to feel a little better, then Boom, again!!! My brother was diagnosed with Cancer 3 days ago.. Today we will be finding out what kind of cancer, etc... He is living with us now and my mother and I are taking care of him..
Anyways, just wanted to tell you that I know how you feel.. Something that helps me is to find an online game that you like and save it under your "favorites" as soon as you feel an attack coming on don't think about anything else but getting on your computer and playing that game.
Hope this helps, and sorry to hear about your mother.
Eileen (from Michigan)
Posted 1/24/2011 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much for all replies! I live in NYC for 9 years and I didn't meet anybody with panic attacks, also I'm sure that there are support groups out there, but I do not earn that much. I support my divorced sister with 2 kids and now my parents as well... They are abroad, 11 hours away to fly (oh, another anxiety, fear of flying... and I'm going there in 3 days).
It feels so unfair. I was doing better and better and now "boom" like Eileen says. It is so scary when they are back! And I can't force my self not to check my pulse :-) I always do :-) I know I shouldn't do this, I just can't..
Yesterday night I went online, searching for a video on yotube, something for panic attacks. Is anybody knows good videos to watch online? I would bookmark and keep it for "emergency". Many people talking on these videos have no idea what panic attack is, I don't even know why they are there. I have so many books, but when "it" hits you, the brain doesn't function properly and it is impossible to take slow breathing when your heart is pumping so fast. Doctor suggested me to use paper bag.
I'm not in therapy. Tried. Didn't like it, or maybe didn't find good therapist. I'm not on pills. Tried for a month - had horrible nightmares, will not do this again. Just Xanax and Klonopin on occasion.
I will bookmark these replies and when I will feel bad, I will read your postings. Thank you very much. It is so helpful to know that I'm not alone. I have nobody to understand me. Even my dear and closest friend who loves me very much, my husband for 10 years snoring deep while I'm panicking in another room. People don't understand, they think I'm just anxious. I'm not bleeding, not fainting, well, little bit pale, but nobody sees what happening inside me and I want to scream for help...
Thank you all.
P.S. FOR MODERATOR. It is possible to change my name here? I accidentally entered lan instead of lana (Lana). Now I'm mistaken for Ian all the time and I'm female :-) Thank you.
Posted 1/25/2011 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Sorrry about your mom too hun, must be so hard went through it with father so feel your pain. I went through a program once and got rid of them and now mine are back for no apparent reason other than life in general these days. I actually went through that "attacking anxiety" program from the midwest center (info commercial) it helped so much years ago. It had this incredible tape on there that would relax you. It had the calming music and someone with an "exotic" voice telling you to breath. to relax starting with feet and moving up body. Maybe you could find a tape similiar and maybe I should take my own advice. ha ha.. good luck to ya and just remember to breeeeath!
Posted 1/25/2011 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lana. I am very sorry to hear of your mothers illness. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Your question is one that I have very often asked my own therapist over the years. Unlike you, i am on more medication. But when the anxiety picks up to that extent I take my Xanax and keep repeating the mantra she gave me: "This will pass! This will pass!" I keep remembering that I just swallowed the medication and I know it will calm me....it just needs a little time to work. So, I squeeze my pillow as hard as I can and tell myself it won't be much longer because..."It will pass."

Fondly,

Cass
Posted 1/25/2011 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you. Somehow everybody tells me the same (including my primary doctor) - breathing, relaxation, meditation, exercise. I'm tired, that's the problem. In regular life I don't do anything. No meditation, no sports, nothing. I work long hours at work (sitting in front of computer job) and I have no power to do anything else. I used to sport a lot when I was young, so I got my athletic body already and now I'm like jelly fish. I think anxiety takes the energy away, but how to break this circle?

When I don't have panic attacks, I have no complains, I think these days everybody have anxiety more or less. But when my panic attack kicks me, I can't think anything, my brain thinks "what to do? am I dying now? will I have heart attack or cardiac arrest?"... Half an hour later I promise my self that I'm going to meditate, exercise, listen tapes... Two days later I feel OK and I don't do anything again. I guess it is my fault too. I'm just tired. I'm not even sure I'm lazy or tired. I think both. Now, thinking about my mom brings me totally different feelings. I'm scared. Scared to be without my family. No matter what happens in your life, your family only ones who loves you no matter what.
I feel sorry for Eileen who's brother got cancer, I hope they got it earlier and he will be free of it soon.
I didn't sleep last night, so I do apologize if my letter not so organized. I'm glad that someone talking to me. Someone understands me. It is very important to me. Thank you again.
Posted 1/25/2011 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi lana, sorry about the name mix-up! I think that if you go into the my profile window, you should be able to update and change anything you want to.

I have some url's for you that are pretty good... give them a try, but not just when times are rough! You really will need to practice the breathing and relaxation exercises everyday. I know it's hard to find the time and energy, but it's worth it.

www-stress-relief-exercises.com/
www.healthy place.com
www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html
www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

I hope you find these helpful:)
Scaredy Cat
Posted 2/3/2011 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lana,

I'm sure you have taken all the correct steps. Please don't misunderstand my input. My psychiatrist had my heart checked out. Because my mobility is limited he had me take a dobutimine stress echocardiogram. All was normal but after this procedure he gave me Propanolol to take when I have the attacks where my pulse races. Brand name Inderal, which is what Propanolol is, is often used psychiatrically as well as by cardiologists and pc physicians. Can you use beta blockers?

*MaryEdythe*

Posted 2/4/2011 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lana, sorry to see how you are suffering with panic attacks. Sorry to hear about your mom's illness as well. I too have been having panic attacks and having my BP going high in the night. I am taking 0.5mg of Lorazapam. Which helps me to sleep and keeps the panic at bay!
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