Curious

My attacks initially seemed to come from nowhere. I thought I was having heart problems. Now, I can sometimes anticipate them. Sometimes they come on for a reason, sometimes out of the blue. I get them every day. Sometimes, they seem to last all day. Sometimes, I'm convinced I can't go on.

Therapy has help a lot, in identifying patterns and finding specific wasy to cope with the patterns. My Celexa helps with overal anxiety. Klonopin helps with attacks. I just started taking ambien to sleep and thought its only been two nights, waking up refreshed seesm to help. (I've already taken my ambien if this post makes no sense.)

Meditation helps. Breathing exercises help. Singing outloud with my car radio helps.

If I'm at home, getting under the covers with my puppies or my husband with the fan on REALLY helps. That's the only time I'm confident I can stop an attack.

Giving myself a few minutes just to feel it, then carrying on what I was doing and ignoring it helps me through the day at work.

Hope this helps some.

Hi MM7.:)

It is good to hear other people's stories, and how they relate to you...and discover what has been helpful to fellow sufferers.

My story started with and initial panic attack one Easter Sunday in church of all places.

Looking back, I now see that I did have a lot of stress (family conflicts) that I was in the middle of...but I did not FEEL stressed particularly.

I was a perfect candidate for a suprised panick attack, because I was stuffing everything down and suppressing my stress, rather than dealing with it.

I initially thought that I was coming down witht the flu. I had the feeling of needing to lie down immediately (which I couldn't) I felt nauseous, dizzy, hot...just 'off' like when you are really ill. I kept waiting for the flu to progress, but instead it just kind of faded out.

From then on, I knew that what I was dealing with was panic. I started to none the less get very fearful about my health, as each time I would have one...out of the blue mostly, no trigger...I felt as if I was dying.

With the recommendation of my GP, I sought therapy. I actually ended up doing two sessions of CBT. (cognitive behavioral therapy) I have also read a lot of books/articles, ect...and gotten educated on this disorder to help myself get better through self-help techniques.

Of course, I also credit the support of this forum. I have awesome friends and family, but the understanding here is so absolutely validating and healing!

I hope that you will continue on with us, and I invite you to post as much as you like and need to.:)

Scaredy Cat