Panic attacks? I''m at the end of my rope.

[luckystar112]

I'm hoping to get advice either from those who have suffered from frequent panic attacks and have defeated them, or those that currently suffer from them but are able to deal. I'm just not sure what to do anymore.

I get them alllll the time. I feel like they are completely taking over my life!

I started getting panic attacks when I was 15 years old. Actually, I was convinced I was dying and my mom had to bring me to the hospital to prove to me that I wasn't. The doctor prescribed me paxil back then, and I only stayed on it for a few months.


The breaking point was about six months ago when I was taking a final, and in the middle of the test I just had to get up and leave. I took my teacher out in the hallway, and while bawling my eyes out, begged her to let me take the test somewhere else. After that, I knew I had to do something, so I started eating healthier, cut out a lot of my sugar intake, and started exercising more. It didn't work. I went to a doctor and asked to be put back on paxil. She wrote me a prescription for one month....and at the end of the month I realized that in order to get a refill I would have to make another appointment with her. And since I don't have health insurance, I skipped it...because it would have been $75 just for the doctor's visit plus the cost of medicine.

So instead, a couple of months ago I decided to give up caffeine. Things were looking up, and for a while I felt like a completely different person. I wasn't getting nervous driving anymore, I didn't feel panicky in class...it was like I was free!
But last week when I was driving to pick up my wedding dress I had a really bad one where I actually had to pull over and sit in my car for 10 minutes to calm down before getting on the road. And last night FI and I were headed to the rodeo (yeah, a rodeo...lol) and I was a complete WRECK in the car with him. We have to get on five different freeways (in Houston) to get there, and I have pretty much avoided driving on freeways for the last year and a half.

A little about my symptoms....my heart starts racing, I get dizzy, nauseaus, shaky, my left arm goes numb (hence why I think I'm going to have a heart attack), my chest feels tight, and mentally I just want to GET OUT OF THE SITUATION ASAP. I get them when driving on busy roads and freeways, when on a plane (the WORST...can't convince anyone to "pull over" there), when standing in long lines at the post office/dmv/etc, when I start a new class, during tests...I'm sure there is more but those are the most frequent. Oddly, I don't get them at the grocery store or any other type of shopping.

Short of getting back on meds (which I realllllly don't want to do...I'm not responsible with daily medication, it's expensive, and we're probably going to start trying to have children in a couple of years) I'm not sure what else to do. My mother tells me I need to take control of the situation and remind myself that I'm having a panic attack...mentally "beat it" I guess, but it's been 10 years and that technique hasn't really gotten me anywhere. It's not that I don't know I'm having a panic attack---I'm fully aware...it's that I can't stop it once it starts.

Reading this link on panic disorder and agoraphobia, I am fairly certain that is what I have. This disorder completely runs my life. I should be excited to do things like go to Jamaica and get married, and instead I'm counting down the days until I have to get on another plane, in fear.

If anyone has ANY advice...or if you just want to post and convince me to get on medication, I'll welcome it...I'm welcome to anything!

P.S....if anyone is wondering why I'm posting this, I guess it's because panic attacks happen twice as often in women so I'm thinking someone else on here has to be going through this (although I hope with all my heart no one feels the way I do).

Edit: I should probably add that I don't think that I suffer from depression or any other type of illness, although I have often wondered if maybe I have hyperthyroidism. I noticed that the article said that panic disorder is often found in those with alcoholism or depression....but that's not me. I'm fine besides this.

 

[mimzy]

lucky, i don't have any really valuable advice to you, but i wanted to offer my hugs and let you know i'm sorry you are still having to deal with this all these years later. i suffered from panic attacks years ago (but they were cooccuring with depression and have since subsided) and i know how debilitating they can be.

the only other at home remedy that i can think of beside exercise and decreasing sugar intake might be to cut out aspertame from your diet (most diet drinks and a lot of diet food like light yogurt and stuff). that stuff has the potential to really mess with someone's chemistry. here's a link for more info...and there is lots more out there besides this - just google 'aspertame and panic attacks'.

good luck, and i hope you find some answers!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I know you want to avoid going to the doctor, but I really think you should. My older sister suffered from debilitating panic attacks which stemmed from the death of our sister which happened years before (very long story). Medical treatment really helped curb her fears and aniexity attacks. She has been med-free for 10 years now and was only on them for at most 2.5 years, and I cant even remember the last time she "freaked" out. but her panic wasn''t something that went away over night, she put in the time to get to the other side of things. She now leads a rewarding and balanced life, as well as having developed coping skills and methods that have worked when she does feel the stress/panic creeping up on her.

Back to the doctor point...Every person has an individual body chemistry, what works for Sue might never work for Jane...a trained medical professional, be it psychological or physical, can give you a track that will lead you towards the results your desiring. I know panic is scary...I wish you the absolute best as you reach out towards a better place.

 

[strmrdr]

See a doc to rule out medical reasons and find a support group.
A friend of mine suffers from panic attacks and the best thing she ever did was join a support group.

 

[luckystar112]

Wow, Mimzy...thank you for that information. I don''t drink any type of soda, but I do sometimes have an iced tea with sweet''n low in it (not sure if it''s the same as nutri sweet), and I also drink a TON of crystal light, which I just read has aspertame in it!! I also eat a lot of light yogurt...I wonder what else I eat/drink that has aspertame!


Italia, I too started getting panic attacks after the death of a loved one, my grandfather. I have heard that a traumatizing situation is usually the "starting point" for panic attacks...and I definitely think that is my case. Although my mother says that panic attacks run in our family. She said that when she was younger she got them so bad that the hospital wanted to admit her into the psych ward for a couple of days to let her nerves calm down.

That was the 70''s. But I guess she never did that, and instead was cured by a book. She''s trying to find it for me, but I''m sure it will take a lot more than a book to cure me. Maybe I should just suck it up and get back on medication....I just really need to read about it more because I don''t want to be put on an antidepressant like xanax, paxil, or zoloft without depression! I guess I would have to ask about being put on an anti-anxiety medication. 2.5 years doesn''t seem so bad...I guess I''ve been thinking that giving in to medication was going to mean that I''d have to be on it for the rest of my life...or worse, become addicted!

 

[mimzy]

lucky, i might be wrong but xanax should only be prescribed for anxiety....not depression. it''s taken ''as needed'', not on a regular daily basis to curb panic attacks when they happen. as in, you start feeling shaky, you pop one of those, and it calms you down. it''s often prescribed along with an antidepressant because the comorbidity between anxiety and depression is so high.

dr.''s seem to prescribe it for just about anything now, but it sounds like it might really be appropriate for you. if you have a doctor that you can trust, ask them about it. it''s more of an emergency measure than anything....BUT, speaking from experience, you do have to have your guard up against getting psychologically addicted to them if you have an addictive personality (ie you don''t want to panic at the thought of panic and then pop one). just something to keep in mind.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I used to get panic attacks as well. I would have a project and stare at it and not be able to do anything on it because I was just too overwhelmed.
I was put on paxil and hated it. I gained weight, had sexual problems, didn''t feel right etc. I talked to my doc and he recommended Celexa. I love it. I don''t have any of the side effects of paxil but I get all the benefits, plus the generic is just as good so it isn''t even expensive either. For 45 pills I pay $4 a month with my insurance.
You need help, and if cutting the artificial sweeteners doesn''t help, although it should some, you really might wanter consider medication. It sounds strange, but I feel more like me now that I am on the medication.

 

[luckystar112]

Oops. you''re right mimzy...xanax is an anxiety medication. I''m not sure why, but the thought of taking xanax freaks me out though. Maybe because people use it recreationally and it is potentially addictive? I guess it just seems like a hardcore medication...I''ll have to learn more about it.

Strm, I have definitely heard that you need more than a pill to beat this. It may have to come down to joining a support group like you say, or some other type of pychological intervention.

brazen, I''ll definitely ask about Celexa. I''m a major control freak, so it''s important to me to feel "normal" and in control of my body without the major side effects of some of the other medications out there.

 

[Miscka]

I don't have any good advice, but I wanted to send you some hugs. I, too, have suffered from panic attacks for years. I was once diagnosed with a mold allergy, which turned out to just be my attacks. I get mine mostly from hypochondriac (sp?) triggers. Like you, I am fully aware now of what is going on, but that doesnt seem to help. I saw a therapist but could not afford to go back. If you are a student, are there counseling services available? There were at my school, and I considered that at the time. I am really wary of medications, but I think that you should consider trying them if you are comfortable. Just discuss your fears with your doctor and don't let them rush you into a choice, there are lots of options. Right now I don't really have them often. I noticed that when other things are stressful in my life they become more prevalent. Since you are dealing with your wedding planning, and I think some family drama? maybe you could consider medication/counseling to help you through this period of time. Good luck, I hope you find a solution you are comfortable with that will bring you some relief.


eta:Mimzy, that is really interesting info that I had not seen before. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Lorelei]

PLEASE make sure you eat regularly and NEVER skip breakfast!!! I used to suffer from them so badly, once I researched and found out that PA's can be triggered by low blood sugar in some cases caused by erratic eating, I began to eat better and not skip meals, they faded away within a couple of months. I have been PA free for a few years now. I don't know if this will help you, but I so sympathise, I thought anything is worth mentioning. Keep some food with you, like an energy bar and also a brown paper bag. If you feel an attack coming on, eat the food and then breathe in and out slowly into the bag until it passes. This corrects the oxygen / carbon dioxide balance which can be disrupted during an attack, as the heavy breathing can mean you expel to much carbon dioxide, which can make an attack worse. This bag technique along with eating some food, may help stave off an attack and give you some confidence that you have some control over the situation.

I really hope this helps.

 

[krisvrn]

Date: 3/2/2008 1:39:14 AM
Author: luckystar112
Wow, Mimzy...thank you for that information. I don''t drink any type of soda, but I do sometimes have an iced tea with sweet''n low in it (not sure if it''s the same as nutri sweet), and I also drink a TON of crystal light, which I just read has aspertame in it!! I also eat a lot of light yogurt...I wonder what else I eat/drink that has aspertame!



Italia, I too started getting panic attacks after the death of a loved one, my grandfather. I have heard that a traumatizing situation is usually the ''starting point'' for panic attacks...and I definitely think that is my case. Although my mother says that panic attacks run in our family. She said that when she was younger she got them so bad that the hospital wanted to admit her into the psych ward for a couple of days to let her nerves calm down.

That was the 70''s. But I guess she never did that, and instead was cured by a book. She''s trying to find it for me, but I''m sure it will take a lot more than a book to cure me. Maybe I should just suck it up and get back on medication....I just really need to read about it more because I don''t want to be put on an antidepressant like xanax, paxil, or zoloft without depression! I guess I would have to ask about being put on an anti-anxiety medication. 2.5 years doesn''t seem so bad...I guess I''ve been thinking that giving in to medication was going to mean that I''d have to be on it for the rest of my life...or worse, become addicted!

Sorry to hear this. Xanax is actually an anti-anxiety medication used for acute anxiety, not really meant for chronic anxiety. It is addictive. On the otherhand, paxil, zoloft or other medications in this class called SSRI''s are anti-depressants but are also used to treat anxiety. I would say, the best is to go back to the doctor for other treatment options.
Also it worried me you mentioned you dont have health insurance? I hope you will be able to get health insurance through your husband once you are married. Take Care!

 

[Maisie]

Its so weird that you have posted this. I really considered posting myself the other day. I have had panic attacks on and off since I was 17. (I smoked something I shouldn't and they stem from that - I had a bad reaction to it).

I went to collect my kids from school the other day, and I was chatting to one of the other mothers in the playground. She lives in my street and she was telling me about someone who died at the bottom of our road. As I walked into the school to get my little one, I all of a sudden felt like I was choking. I honestly thought I had anaphylactic shock. My thoughts were awful, I was thinking I am going to die, right in front of these little children.

Luckily my doctors surgery is right next to the school. I literally grabbed James and ran in there. The doctor came straight out and saw me. He gave me a paper bag to breathe into and I calmed down within minutes. I felt so embarrassed. I really believed I was going to die, and it was a panic attack! I would never have believed that I could feel that bad having a panic attack! I honestly thought it was physical.

I get SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in the winter months. I use a light box to try and get my brain to replace the seratonin that I am missing due to the lack of sunlight. I become agoraphobic in the winter. I get really nervous going outside on my own. My moods drop and I feel very low.... the light box helps, but it doesn't take it away completely. The really weird thing is, I am absolutely fine in the summer, I go out on my own and hardly have panic attacks.

My symptoms are more like vertigo, I feel like I am going to lose my balance and fall over. I do get vertigo which is caused by a problem in one of my ears, but the vertigo I get when I am outside on my own is caused by panic.

My instint is to hide away and stay in my safe place. However, I know that the more I avoid situations that make me panic, I will get worse. I was agoraphobic for 2 years in my 20's and hardly left the house at all. I realised that I had to make myself go into the places that made me feel scared in order to get better. Thats what I did back then and it worked. I would walk to the end of the street by myself, wait 5 minutes till the panic subsided a bit, then come home. I would increase the distance daily until I could go pretty much anywhere.

Avoiding a place or situation which makes you feel panicky just reinforces the fear. I never leave a place where I feel panicky until it subsides. Its really hard and terribly scary but you have to do it. You can control the panic attacks, you have to take back control of your mind. Make a decision that its going to stop. Once you decide that, your mind will follow your lead. I know that sounds crazy but it works.

The day after I had that really bad panic attack I decided that I was going to get on the bus (another thing I hate doing) and go to town to pay my rent. When I got there I found out that the rent office has moved and it was a good 10 minute walk further than I had expected. This could have freaked me out but I thought I have to do this. I got there, paid my rent, went to treat myself to a bridal magazine and came home. I was thrilled that I got there and back without a massive panic. I have to admit that I prayed everytime I felt the panic start and it did subside.

I guess what I am trying to say is, take control of your mind and body back. Tell yourself that you refuse to be this person. You have to divert yourself away from the feelings of panic, but DON'T ever leave a place where you feel scared until the panic subsides. Try deep breathing, the type women in labor do, slow in through the mouth, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly breathe out. You can't hyperventilate if you breathe like this.

I am trying to focus on the kind of person I want to be, and not on the person I am. I can, and will change!

I know it sounds easy saying it, and putting it into practise is hard, but you can do it. You say you are at the end of your rope? Start climbing back up!

 

[tulip928]

Please have your doctor check you for mitral valve prolapse! You may have Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome. It could be an actual physical condition that triggers the panic and anxiety!!!! I was diagnosed with this at age 50 after an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse detected a heart murmur that none of my doctors ever noticed. It helped me to understand my racing heart and anxiety.

Please read this:

http://www.anxietypanic.com/mvp.html

 

[tulip928]

Here''s message board for mitral valve prolapse - you may find interesting.

http://www.mvpsupport.com/newbb/

 

[Maisie]

Date: 3/2/2008 6:42:13 AM
Author: tulip928

Please have your doctor check you for mitral valve prolapse! You may have Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome. It could be an actual physical condition that triggers the panic and anxiety!!!! I was diagnosed with this at age 50 after an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse detected a heart murmur that none of my doctors ever noticed. It helped me to understand my racing heart and anxiety.

Please read this:

http://www.anxietypanic.com/mvp.html

My sister has this and thats why she has panic attacks .... definitely worth checking it out!

 

[lyra]

You really need to see the doc. Besides the MVP (my SIL has this), you need to have your thyroid levels checked. Lord, I have way too much experience with this problem. I've been dealing with it for over 15 years. You really, really don't want to cross over into agoraphobia. That is extremely difficult to treat. Seeing a psychiatrist is also a good idea. My daughter gets some psych counselling at her university--is this a possiblity for you? For her it is free, and she does get a consultation with a psychiatrist to recommend meds if necessary. Just an idea. Klonopin/clonazepam is excellent for treating panic attacks. It's longer acting, no side effects at low doses. Celexa is an anti-depressant (lexapro is the new formulation of celexa). Xanax can cause irritability and worsen anxiety. A constant low dose of klonopin is not dangerous, nor "addictive". I'm talking .5 to 1.0 mg/day. I have been on this dose for 15 years and do not require more. I also take lexapro. I would also recommend some therapy. Cognitive behaviour therapy helped me immensely. At the very least, if you do nothing else, read about and learn about meditation. Breathing exercises can help a lot. Anything that puts *you* in control. Good luck.

 

[Independent Gal]

Lucky, if you don''t have health insurance, you can still go to a free public clinic. I''m sure you can find one if you look on line or if you tell us where you live we can maybe help you find one. There might also be help for purchasing the medication if it''s not generic.

Another option: if the first medication worked for you, I''d betcha that just calling the doctor''s office and asking her for a refill would do the trick. No need for an appointment. I know that my doctor doesn''t charge me (or my insurance) just for calling in a refill.

Sorry you''re going through this!

 

[Steel]

Do not be afraid of medication. Some of us need it, some will need it in the future, some used it in the past. Few will never need medication.

Work out a budget so you always have money for medical needs and stick to it.

Life is too short to be miserable and too long to spend it miserable.

Hugs!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

From what my shrink shared with me about panic, she said that usually there is a "start" point for it...and rarely people develope fear or anexity without cause. So the death of your grandfather seems like the place yours started for sure...and that makes sense.

I wouldn''t worry about "addicition" or "dependancy" issues right now...I''d worry about getting better inside, and feeling better period. Doctors monitor your use, and wouldn''t put you in harms way, no body wants an addict on their hands.

 

[Independent Gal]

I wouldn''t just rely on your doctor to monitor dependency, and I would definitely keep that as a concern right now. If doctors were really that careful, there wouldn''t be an epidemic of sleeping pill dependency, for instance. Ah, the quiet, socially acceptable addiction. But it''s still drug addiction!

That''s not to say you should run screaming from medication by any means! Lots of people use it to get over a hump, or use it wisely in the longer term. Being afraid of addiction is a good way to keep from getting addicted. For instance, I''m a chronic insomniac. My doctor would be happy to feed me sleeping pills for the rest of my life. I personally would rather be a little tired than an addict. So, I have pills in the house ONLY for emergencies: e.g., night before a job interview, night before my wedding(s). But I only take them for those special occasions. Fear of addiction is what keeps me from getting addicted.

But you should take very vigilant and good care of yourself and not just do the whole "TRust me, I''m a Doctor!" thing. It''s wonderful that Italia has a doctor she trusts so much, but in general, it''s a very good thing to "worry your pretty little head about it" when it comes to health issues and be your own advocate.

Many doctors are quite happy to have an addict on their hands, as long as it''s a socially acceptable addiction.

 

[diamondfan]

I suffer from them too sometimes, and even if intellectually you know it is a panic attack and you are not dying, it is still scary.

I hyperventilate, feel faint and dizzy, get nauseous, get headaches, feel like my throat is closing up and my heart is going to jump through my chest.When they are really bad I start to feel very claustrophobic and feel like I cannot stay one more second where I am, and I can feel trapped if I have no where to go. It has happened on planes when we have to circle for an hour and the plane is vectoring to land and I start to freak out. I have never done anything outwardly obvious, but my husband and kids can tell I am spazzed out. I can make myself sick with worry and then that becomes a full blown panic attack.

I have taken xanax on occasion which helps. I have tried therapy but truthfully it has not done a lot for me. I try to just talk myself through things, which is not always effective but at least is better than giving in to it totally. However, I have been in situations where I feel really vulnerable and it compounds things.

Hang in there. I know that is easy to say, but I have been there and I know how scary it can be.

 

[lyra]

Date: 3/2/2008 1:21:53 PM
Author: Independent Gal
I wouldn''t just rely on your doctor to monitor dependency, and I would definitely keep that as a concern right now. If doctors were really that careful, there wouldn''t be an epidemic of sleeping pill dependency, for instance. Ah, the quiet, socially acceptable addiction. But it''s still drug addiction!

That''s not to say you should run screaming from medication by any means! Lots of people use it to get over a hump, or use it wisely in the longer term. Being afraid of addiction is a good way to keep from getting addicted. For instance, I''m a chronic insomniac. My doctor would be happy to feed me sleeping pills for the rest of my life. I personally would rather be a little tired than an addict. So, I have pills in the house ONLY for emergencies: e.g., night before a job interview, night before my wedding(s). But I only take them for those special occasions. Fear of addiction is what keeps me from getting addicted.

But you should take very vigilant and good care of yourself and not just do the whole ''TRust me, I''m a Doctor!'' thing. It''s wonderful that Italia has a doctor she trusts so much, but in general, it''s a very good thing to ''worry your pretty little head about it'' when it comes to health issues and be your own advocate.

Many doctors are quite happy to have an addict on their hands, as long as it''s a socially acceptable addiction.

Indy, I''m sorry, but I find that your post is coming across as judgemental towards people (like me) who need to take certain medications to lead a "normal" life. Your use of the term "addict" repeatedly also sounds like fear-mongering. There is no need for that.

If Lucky were complaining about arthritis, or diabetes or even cancer, I doubt anyone would doubt that medications would be recommended. The reason your post upsets me is because as my mother lay dying of terminal lung cancer, she was having trouble sleeping, but she would not take the sleeping meds the doc had given her. She was in terrible pain. But you know what her concern was? She worried that the doctor would think she was "addicted". So yes, hearing all her life that certain meds were "bad" and "dangerous" caused her to suffer even more in the last 4 weeks of her life. Can you imagine how hard that was to watch? Let''s not demonize a class of drugs out of poor publicity, or anything else. These meds have been around forever because they serve a purpose. It''s wrong to assume that even if one does require a particular medication for the rest of their lives, that it is an addiction, or that that person is somehow weaker because they need it.

 

[Independent Gal]

Oh Lyra I'm so sorry it came across that way, and I certainly didn't mean it to! I have friends who do need to take medication daily to be able to function and lead good full lives. Some for blood pressure. Some for depression. Some for cancer. Some for anxiety. That's one thing.

I was thinking of those people - and I know plenty of them, it actually is a recognized epidemic among people in my line of work - who become addicted to sleeping pills or other 'uppers' or 'downers' because it's easier than coping or getting off of them. Some people need them because of a chronic condition (no different from high blood pressure), and some people need them because their bodies have grown addicted and so they just stay on them.

I'm not saying Lucky should 'just cope'. Not at all! If medications help her get over the hump, great. And if she really HAS to take it every day for the rest of her life to function, then of course she should. Sometimes being addicted IS the better option.

My comment was directed at Italia's statement that rather than 'worry herself' over addiction issues, Lucky should just leave it to her doctor. People who take daily uppers and downers without a chronic underlying condition get their pills from their doctors, who often find it easier to keep prescribing than to stage an intervention. So my comment was meant to say "Look, don't JUST trust your doctor. Many doctors let people become addicts without a second thought. You need to monitor yourself too." If she needs daily medicine, then she should take it. But she shouldn't say to herself "Oh well, I can't possibly get addicted if my doctor keeps prescribing it!" And everyone has to decide for themselves whether the cure is worse than the condition. Which was the point of my example. For me, the cure IS worse than the condition, and so I don't just 'do what my doctor says and not worry my pretty little head about it."

It was not in any way meant to judge people who NEED to take medicine every day to deal with an illness - whether of the brain, heart, liver, or neuro-transmitters - rather than NEEDING to take medicine because they are addicted.

Does that make things clearer? The point was to exercise care and make informed decisions, not to just trust her doctor, as Italia had implied. No judgment, at all, was expressed of anyone who really needs medicine to be well.

 

[Independent Gal]

And I''m very sorry about your mother. I can imagine how hard that was to watch as I have seen similar things myself. So you have not only my sympathy, but my empathy too.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

My aunt had her first panic attack at age 29 in the car and spent about the next 25 years going nowhere but work. She never married and lived in fear all that time with nothing but some valium to help her. When her old doctor died, the new younger doctor questioned why she had a valium prescription and the story came out. He changed her to a much better anxiety medication and she never again had a panic attack and no longer had to live with that fear. I fully support healthy diet changes, etc. But to avoid medication when it can be a lifesaver is a real shame to me. I have a couple of friends who are on medication for panic disorder and one took meds safely all the way through her preganancies.

 

[swingirl]

Sorry for your suffering. I don''t have any advice since I have no experience with panic attacks. But please reconsider having children until this is under control. Children will certainly add to your stress and they need parents who are functioning at 100%. So continue to try various medications and coping methods until you succeed at getting this under control. Good luck.

 

[luckystar112]

Miscka--I don''t know...I don''t *feel* stressed out, but perhaps I am. Since August (when I got engaged and started wedding planning) I have noticed that my face has broken out (I''ve never had this problem) and (perhaps TMI) my cycles are getting further and further apart. Scary!!

Lorelei--I definitely noticed the breakfast/panic attack connection. That has actually helped a little bit with panic attacks during my classes. Now I only seem to get them on the first day of a new class or during tests. But I DO feel a little better.

Krsvrn--Yeah, no insurance.

My FI doesn''t have insurance either!! This is a very frequent topic of discussion with us. It''s a long story but basically he was promised health insurance from his boss when he started working there (it was a new company) and it''s been 2 years with NO insurance...and he doesn''t seem to feel the need to ask his boss the status of it. He just keeps saying "if I get hurt, boss will take care of me".

As for me, I work part time and insurance is only available for full time workers. I can''t get it at my school because I just go to a very small, private community college right now. Next semester I will be transferring to an actual University that I know offers free (or extremely discounted) services to students. Individual health insurance is just so expensive right now, there is absolutely no way I can afford it with my bills and school. I''m trying to hold out for the next few months, which is probably silly.

Maisie--thank you for sharing you''re experience. I agree that it is so unbelievable how real it all feels. With me, it''s the fear of having a heart attack, fainting, throwing up, or having a seizure. The heart attack thing isn''t so far off because my mom had one when she was 36!

tulip--thanks for the advice. Is this an easy test? If you''re diagnosed with it, is the treatment different from panic disorder?

lyra--how does a doctor check thyroid levels? Is it an easy procedure? Tests make me nervous, but I know that I need to get to the bottom of this! I know that some people need to take medications to lead a normal life. I''m just hoping that some way, somehow, I could possibly cure myself of this too? At least I hope!

Indy--I have tried searching for a free clinic before...but I can''t remember ever finding one. I technically live in Spring, TX (just outside of Houston). Is there a site somewhere that lists all the free clinics in the country (or something)? I''ll have to look.
I wish I had thought of just calling the doctor and asking about a refill...I can''t do it now because that was about 2 years ago. For a while I''ve been just trying to beat this on my own...but nothing seems to completely rid me of them. Those few weeks after giving up caffeine were heaven...I''m sure it''s what "normal" feels like, and I miss it! Oh, and I totally know what you mean about monitoring myself and not putting the doctor 100% in charge. I DO have a fear of addiction. And maybe it''s a little "Tom Cruise" of me, but the thought of being on a pill for the rest of my life doesn''t sound too appealing. Mostly because I''m pretty irresponsible when it comes to that, and partly because I''m just weird about medications in general. I feel like (and I could be completely wrong here) they just mask the problem without really doing anyting to solve it...and I want to solve it! If that means that I need medication to *help* me solve it, then I am fine with that.


Steel--very true, life is too short. Thank you for the advice.

diamondfan--I totally know what you mean. Sometimes I think the worse part of it is trying to hide the fact that you''re having one (like on a plane). I noticed that in those situations I constantly have to be doing something, like tapping my foot..putting my hair up, taking my hair down, checking my pulse (I check my pulse CONSTANTLY, even though I think it makes me worse!). Eventually I just start crying...with my head buried in FI so people can''t see. It''s like the only way to relieve the "pressure".
I also noticed that this last panic attack I had on friday night lasted way longer than any of the others I''ve had before. It wasthe whole 45 minute ride to our location....it felt like a whole day.

 

[luckystar112]

diamondseeker--that is very interestesting. Do you have any idea what type of medication she was/is on? I hope no one thinks that I am totally against medication...I''m not. I just know that some people do not need medication in order to combat the problem, and so I am wondering if maybe I was overlooking something.

Swingirl--I''m trying, slowly but surely.

 

[Independent Gal]

Hi Lucky, I found this list on the Houston city govt website:

http://www.houstontx.gov/health/HealthCenters/

It might be that you have to live in the relevant county, but I betcha that if you call one of these places, they will be able to refer you to a clinic in your county.

 

[Independent Gal]

One more thing, a good friend of mine had AMAZING success with cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety. I think she took something when she had an attack for a while while she was doing the therapy. And now almost never needs it. In case that''s encouraging!

Best to rule out all those physical things first though.