Need Advise

I have been telling people I have been getting panic attacks, although I have not been diag. by a doc other than in the ER.  What happens is I start to feel real funny very quickly and then it is like I am suffocating and I mean scary as hell.  I went to the ER twice and O2 levels were fine and that I was getting plenty of oxygen. They said I was probably having a panic attack.

Does this sound like a panic attack?  What do you do when they hit if that is what they are?  How long does yours normally last?

Eric, my panic attacks were very similiar to what you are experiencing. I would just get this sudden onset of 'symptoms' and would let myself freak out from there. The whole hard to breathe thing, feel really strange, almost disoriented, heart would start to race(tho I figured out later that was MY reaction to the panic attack causing the heart thing).

Panic attacks are nasty little buggers. I am glad to see that you went and got checked out physically. But dang, they sure do FEEL like something is seriously wrong, don't they?

Best wishes
Sarah

Hi Rock
Sounds very like a panic attack..very scarey at the best of times...I detest the physical symptoms of anxiety!

You really have been through heaps lately - and I guess it's your bodies way of telling you to chill out a little..difficult as it may seem (sigh)
My best weapons against panic attacks are:
Breathing - nice and steady when you feel the panic attack coming on..coz sure as eggs u gonna hyperventilateif you don't!
Distraction - Change whatever the record it is that keeps playing in your brain..change activity for a while and come back to what ever u were doing later.
Meds - I have lorazapam for really bad days when nothing works and my 'off switch' has failed!
Counselling - this has helped greatly in the past..learning new skills to cope better with stress.
Book - I love the book 'Living with IT' - A survivors guide to Panic Attacks by Bev Aisbett....this book is set out in cartoon form and show the lighter side to panic but is filled with helpful ideas and somehow relaxes me because I know I am not alone in suffering these symptoms.
Hope this helps just a little.
Maree

Eric '
I really believe you are having Panic attacks and you are going thru hades right now so just know we are here '
I am on your shoulder sweetie always
Know from whence you come ............
Luvs ya
Lyn

Sounds like a panic attack to me also. I am on klonopin everyday and if I have a really bad spell I take a couple xanax. My signs are a smothering feeling, heart races, butterflies in my tummy and I can't speak very well. Sometimes I just breakdown and cry for no particular reason. It is very scary. I know you said you don't want to pay a doctor (other than the ER) for a diagnosis but it might be worth it as they can give you a definate yes and maybe give you something to take to stabalize your mood. I've heard people talk about St John's Wort. It's just an over the counter herb, but they say it works. Maybe look into something like that too. Anyway, good luck and may your attacks be few and far between!

Definitely a panic attack. What helps me a lot is to do some deep breathing exercises. Focus on your breath going IN and then OUT. It really helps get things under control.

Please Brandi as soon as possible.

Thanks Eric

Dear Eric,
I am a nurse I work in long term care, Oxycontin is a very contriversal drug that was developed by the drug company as a drug to be used for terminal patients suffering from severe pain, It is a time released drug that stays in your system for 12 hrs at a time and releases amounts of the drug throughout the 12 hr dosing period but the the thing that has made it so contiversal is the fact that Drs are prescribing it wrongly or for the wrong reseasons for pain control, it is a Herroin derivied pain med, other wise known on the streets as hill billy herroin people will by it on the street and crush it or chew it to get a faster rush, but the problem with this is it is a central nervouse system depressent and too much of it (since it is time released) will or can decrease respirations and people are dying form using it illegally, there are also sites you can find on the internet that have testamonals from peolpe who have been treated with this drug for different pain issues and they talk about the side effects and personality changes that they experienced while on the medication and the withdrawls they had coming of off it, the are alot of law suits being filed against this drug company and the Drs prescribing it because like I said before it is/was ment for poeple suffering form pain from a terminal illness. Isuggest you just type in oxycontin on your search engine and see what you can find I think you will be very surprised let me know what you think, there are other alternative meds that are very effective for handling the pain that you are suffering from Oxycontin is a drug that scares me please look it up and do some research.
Nurse Brandi