"panic attack" that wont end.

hello argh, i used to get panic attacks, you know the most important thing to realise is no matter how bad you feel you are not going to die. once you realise this you can go ahead and do the things you fear. i know the pain, you cant breathe, your heart is racing but medications dont help.

I guess you think i dont know how you feel, but i have had many panic attacks, and I agree it feels like you cant breathe. Armed with the information I told you about not dying, try walking, just around your street, try shopping, you will feel bad but after a while you will feel better. Im no expert but exposure is the best treatment to panic attacks. Panic attacks are like an unconscious response to something that in the past has left an unpleasant memory. By avoiding those things that are unpleasant you only get more panic attacks, but by facing your fears you get experience and confidence and feel happier.

Are you taking any meds? I know some anti depressants can cause you mour anxiety until they start to work

Argh, I went through a few months of this myself. My body was constantly on "high alert". I went to the ER twice thinking it MUST be something else, only to be given a clean bill of health, 1 mg of Ativan through IV, and sent on my way. I actually lost 40 pounds from being in a constant state of anxiety/panic. I would have panic attacks, but my body always felt the way you are describing, even when I was not actually HAVING a true panic attack. I was just having the symptoms without the fear. I think it's because we KNOW what it is, and that prevents the full blown attack, but our bodies are still reacting to the lack of serotonin. At least that's my opinion anyway, I may be wrong because I am in no way a doctor, but I just figured that was MY problem.

Why don't you ask your doc for something that lasts a bit longer, maybe he/she can give you some xanax, ativan, or klonopin. I know that if you do try an SSRI, you WILL need one of these to help with the increased anxiety, and side effects you get in the beginning of starting one of these meds.

You are definately not alone!

((hugs)) Fox

Thank you for the replies.

Fox7: My doctor refuses to prescribe anything stronger, it was hard enough to get valium, xanax is considered the devils work basically and my doc has said he would never prescribe that to me.

Scaredy Cat: I have had thyroid levels checked which are fine, and some other blood tests but doctor refuses to do any other tests because he is totally sure its anxiety. I've never had a cardio work-up, stress test or EKG.

I'm on no medication other than Valium as needed, i don't self medicate unless you count the valium. I have had CBT which did not help because the therapist wants to focus on dealing with what is causing my supposed anxiety, but there is no trigger that i can find so its not going anywhere.

I am going to see a psychiatrist today, i have been seeing one for a while who was useless and did nothing, but i'm seeing a new one now.

Thanks for the support.

Well it was a complete waste of time. I sat down, they asked me what i thought was wrong and how i wanted it treated (there were two psychs in the room) , i said your the doctors you tell me what my options are. But they insisted i tell them what was wrong and what i wanted done (i had already provided an explanation in a prior session). So i explained. then they told me i couldn't have any tests done which i wanted and completely ignored everything i said, told me my only option was prozac then hurried me out the door.

What the hell was the point of asking me what i wanted done only to then ignore me and dismiss my ideas? these people are idiots.

They just sit there and make jokes to each other and laugh off my symptoms. Heart beating too fast? well at least its beating! raised temperature? well the bloods going to your head, the best place for it! I'm glad its amusing to them because it isn't funny from where im sitting.

I'm trying to get off valium so i don't get addicted but they aren't concerned.

I'm just going to the hospital i cant deal with being shipped from one idiot to the next none of whom want to actually do anything at all. I feel like they get some kind of sick pleasure from toying with me.

Technically yes, but i have no memory, i cant remember earlier today and anything from yesterday past might as well of never happened, i basically have amnesia, although docs say its a symptom of anxiety. I make my self some food, i forget i even made it , go off and do something then find the food i made many hours later and think to my self "where did that food come from?". I write my self notes, i forget i ever made the note till i stumble upon it by accident. I cant remember if i've showered or eaten on any given day etc...I've forgotten so much about my life... whether this is from anxiety or perhaps valium, which i know does cause memory problems, ill probly never know.

Depression is not a part of this at all, im not depressed. im frustrated to the point of breaking down.

There are plenty of things i want, but what i want most of all is to be me again, the person i was 6 months ago before all this magically began.

Thanks for the reply. im in a bad mood atm, sorry.

No i hadn't considered self help yet. I cant manage this myself any more, which is where i thought medical professionals were supposed to come in. All i can do is take valium but i've been on it 6 months now and i'd like to not become addicted. Even so its only temporary relief to keep me out of hospital, it cant help my 24/7 symptoms.

If i'd thought about it 6 months ago self help might have been good, but times up.

I went to my normal GP who corresponded with the psychs and decided my one and only option as far as they are concerned is Prozac. that's it, no other anti depressant it has to be prozac for some reason. They aren't interested in the underlying cause just treating the symptoms.

I don't want to take prozac but i've been given no choice, and since i'm at the end of my tether its that or hospital...where they will probably give me that anyway. My GP isn't interested in seeing me any more because he says he cant help me further, the psychiatrists wont see me for another month and my psychologist has gone awol....


On a side note, has anyone here tried something called Phenibut? i read its a supplement you can readily buy that has a similar action to benzo's like valium. supposed to be good for anxiety, but you also build a tolerance like with benzo's, but not as harsh.

I stopped lexapro because my doctor told me to. I had a very bad reaction to it.

Hi Helpless and welcome.

I am sorry that you are feeling anxious at the moment. We often don't know why we have these panicky feelings, they can come out of the blue and suprise us, thus adding to our anxiety!

It is good that you were checked out medically, but that is just a first step. The ER is not equipped to help you in the long term...so now you should see your regular doctor and discuss treatment options.

You and your doctor may discuss therapy as a way to manage stress...or maybe a combination of therapy and medication. At least get a conversation going and see what he/she has to say.:)

You may just need to look into some self-help techniques, in which case, we have a great Anxiety-Panic Resource Guide right here on our main page. It is full of great links and coping mechanisms to get you started anytime.:)

Keep posting with us. We understand and are here to support you! (you may even want to start your own thread of introduction if you are comfortable doing so.)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

Hi Ar and welcome!

First of all, congratulations...and I have to disagree (in a friendly way!) with your statement that you are not getting anywhere in your life...you are doing the most important job in the world...you are a mom! That is a huge challenge and a noble role to take on...so start by giving yourself lots of credit for this.:)

Well, I am sorry that you are experiencing anxiety symptoms that are ramping up at the moment, but it is understandable. Hormone fluctuations, lack of sleep and the general demands that go along with being a new mom are bound to exaggerate existing anxiety. The good news is that there are a few things to try to get relief.

Self-help techniques and programs are really helpful for many people. We have an Anxiety-Panic Resource Guide on our main page (2nd post) that is filled with ideas and links to instructional videos on anxiety management. There are also programs and books that you should consider. I checked out nearly every anxiety-related book at my library, and took a little bit of information from each that was relevant to me...essentially customizing my own treatment.

I also benefitted from one on one CBT (therapy) as well. If you find that you need help in dealing with your anxiety and symptoms beyond what you can do with self-help, then you may want to consider this option. Your doctor can most likely give you a good referral, or you can look for a therapist on your own.

I hope that this gives you a place to start. The breathing and progressive muscle relaxation exercises (videos in our Resource Guide) are especially helpful for panic issues...and you can get started anytime!:)

Keep posting here with us, and even start your own 'new topic' post of introduction if you feel comfortable doing so:)

We are here to listen and support!

Scaredy Cat

Thank you responding! It feels great to know there are people who actually know what im going through. The last week has been especially hard on me. Ive wanted to just run and scream, in hopes id just fall over. It feels like its taking over my life. I am going to start an introduction on me. Maybe a little about myslef may explain whats causing it all. Also something ive sort of learned from analyzing. The best doctors when it comes to anxiety, are NO doctors. It is people like you and me. People who can relate to the feelings of anxiety physically, mentally, and emotionally. Its just we all need to talk. Its hard talking to people who have no "real" understanding of what im feeling. I dont have as much experience with anxiety as some of you may. So hopefully you all can help me. :)

Larry, I think you are right! This person has been on here all day today trying to push this product. I'm at the point where I just ignore it as spam. LOL!