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New Member TJA623/Returning Panic Problems

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Posted 8/11/2011 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Help! I am desperate. I am 46 and have always had some anxiety and panic attacks starting from the age of 17. IT was the worst in my early twenties and after giving birth. Through the 30's and early 40's It has not been debilitating and I was never treated for it with medication but honestly it hasn't really bothered me that much up until a month or so ago. This summer, I had a really bad fungal ear infection that caused me to lose my hearing for a week in my right ear or that sent me into a rage of anxiety and panic. I think I am a little claustrophobic and for some reason that really messed with my head. The anxiety and panic has now been going on for 3 weeks. The ear is healed but I can't shake these feelings of anxiety and panic. I really think it is hormonal or something, as I don't feel that I have anything else to be anxious about. My life is good!! I am an empty nester, with a wonderful successful daughter, in a great and loving relationship, have a great job - nothing to be overly stressed about (FINALLY!). However - I am experiencing anxiety, pnic attacks, severe shortness of breath, tightness in my back and tonight had another full blown panic attack where I was hyperventilating. I CAN'T LIVE THIS WAY! My hubby wanted to take me to the ER but I know it is just anxiety! I went to my doctor earlier this week and told him about what was going on. He did an EKG, blood work and a chest X Ray and didn't find anything wrong. He thinks it is anxiety. He put me on Zoloft. Not too crazy about taking it but at this point I will try anything!!! I have been reading online and it sounds like if you have experienced anxiety and panic in the past that it gets way worse during perimenopause. I am curious to know what has helped others to deal with these awful physical symptoms. I just can't relax. My shoulders and rib/chest muscles are so tense that they hurt and I know that is also causing the feeling that I need to but can't get a deep breath. Please help~
Posted 8/11/2011 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi TJ and welcome! I hope you don't mind my moving your post. If you tag onto an older thread, your chances of a response aren't as good as when you start you own...so here you go:)

I am sorry that your anxiety is back. An illness, such as your ear problem can certainly be a trigger for panic. One thing can set it off, and then the old patterns return.

I am sure that hormones, the empty nest, and just changes in your life in a general sense are all factors as well. However, the real question is how do you treat and deal with the attacks and get back to your life!

You mentioned the RX, but have you also looked into therapy? IMO it is the best long-term solution for anxiety and panic. CBT in particular is known to be very effective in treating these problems. After completing courses, I am panic attack free, after suffering them daily for a long time. Try to get your dr. to refer you to a therapist if you can, you won't regret it:)

In the meantime, check out our Anxiety Resource Guide (main page 3rd post) It has links to sites that teach relaxation and breathing techniques that if practiced daily, will greatly reduce your attacks and symptoms!

Keep posting here with us as well. We are a community who understands and is ready to support you anyway we can:)

Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 8/11/2011 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi TJ, welcome to the forum, I'm 48 and My anxiety has definitely revved up since I went into peri-menopause....my gp says it's because my hormones are all out of whack, I too am an empty nester I have six children and the last one moved out at the start of this year...I miss them but I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life...and I have had anxiety in various stages of my life too...are you my long lost little sister maybe.... shocked

Anyway as scaredy cat said check out the resource page, relaxation is great for us anxious souls...I have recently started doing cbt and I swear by it...it really helps make sense of anxiety....also breathing properly is so important as anxious people we tend to breathe too deeply too quickly and then hyperventilate.....I have a little brown paper bag which I breathe into when I feel really anxious and out of control...it makes me slow down my breathing and it really does help...sounds kooky I know but it might help...

Anyway this is a great forum and you will get lots of help and advice...best wishes to you... Shannon... :-)
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