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Thinking of going on meds...serious panic disorder.

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Posted 12/28/2009 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

I am 21 and am losing complete control over my life.
My first panic attack occurred about 2 years ago while smoking, needless to say, i have NOT touched the stuff in 2 years.
My panic attacks will occur randomly and frequently. It baffles me how nothing even brings them on, they can show up when im in a really good or bad mood.
I have atleast 3 panic attacks a day, they are much much worse when i've had even a single alcoholic beverage the night before.

My main issue is breathing. I forget how to do it and no matter how many breathing exercises i do, it gets worse. My chest gets extremely tense and i can feel my heart racing even if im not touching it.

Now, i realize many people have this problem BUT mine seriously last for days at a time. Its making me beyond depressed and i have no reason to be otherwise! I don't understand what triggered this and i just want to get rid of it! I did not want to go on any medication but after trying all the natural stuff i could get my hands on, im desperate for a solution.
Any suggestions on where to start? I need to breathe..

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 12/27/2009 9:02:29 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/28/2009 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome,


I would like to suggest you start with making an appointment with your physician for a medical screening exam to be sure you have nothing else that would be causing your breathing issues.



Also if alcohol sets off your anxiety it may be wise to not drink. Anxiety is not a fun thing and I have been working with my own anxiety issues for 27 years. Therapy truly helped me and still does. :-)


I know you will be hearing from other members so hang on and you will get the chance to talk with other members who know where your coming from and what your going through.



Glad you found us,



Kitt
Posted 12/28/2009 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome!  I guess the first step would be seeing your GP.  Meanwhile, try to keep track of when it happens, what you're doing, how it feels.  Write it all down.  That will help a great deal, believe me.  I had difficulty breathing 24/7 which actually caused my panic attacks, not the other way around.  But please come back and let us know what your dr says!
Posted 12/29/2009 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there...totally agree with Kitt on a couple of key points ....one very big one imho is the alcohol...if its gonna make you hv a serious a/p attack then it should be avoided...2 yes i would seek out a professional to determine what is going on with you......breathing ex are great if you can stick to them sometimes a small dosage of med is indicated but you really have to speak with a dr about that ..i like kitt hv lived with this monster for many many yrs i hv my good days and still bad days..i take sublingual ativan at the onset of panic and diazepam 2wice a day ..my anxiety level has heightened..sp..since going totally deaf ..please keep us posted on how you are doing....lyn
Posted 12/30/2009 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Oh wow, thank you so much guys for the speedy response!

I've seen my GP about the problem. He always says that my lungs and heart are looking just fine. Like many others, I've been to the ER twice due to the problem and every time they tell me I'm just having a panic attack and should go home. I've never had an EKG though or any other tests besides checking my oxygen levels and blood tests. I never asked my GP about medication before because I always wanted that to be the very last resort...seems like it is. I have left a message for him to get back to me after his holiday vacation.

Thank you so much again guys, I'm so happy I've joined this board.
Posted 12/30/2009 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
My first post. One month ago (I'm 62) I thought I was dying. Could not breathe no matter how deeply or rapidly (making things worse) and knew I was dying. Just changed cancer drugs, thought that hormone abatement might have something to do with it and had a jury trial coming up in days. Looking back, okay, there was enough stress to choke half the people on earth. But I was tough.

Didn't matter. I knew I was dying. My significant other of 19 years took me to emergency and I began dictating a will, took my Rolex off, told my S.O. which of my kids get what, where the cash was, take my wallet and cremate me as quickly as humanly possible, fully clothed just as I was.

Couldn't quit moving my fingers and hands, toes...just sorta vibrated. Waiting for "the light" or whatever. I didn't want to die, but thought it had been a wondrous life, killed me that my five grandchildren two and under would not remember me, etc., etc.

Then, all tests came back perfectly fine. I drank a huge glass (cup) of water, and the terror just left. Being AA, I didn't want a Xanax or anything else. Puzzled me no end. Never before, and now, I carry around a paper bag, and am very conscious of my breathing.

I doubt (hope) nothing like that happens again. Beside the ten thousand dollar bill, what a bizarre experience. I cannot even begin to imagine the frequent pain of experiencing these often. Came here after the announcement of F77 for prostate cancer. I want to be first in line, like a half million others.

Godspeed all.
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