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

[katebar]

Date: 3/3/2008 2:49:53 PM
Author: Maisie
Thanks Lorelei, I will drink more when working out, and when resting too!

IG I didn''t know migraine can be caused by dehydration! Why am I so thick? I don''t know anything!!

Maisie your not thick at all!
It is really important to keep well hydrated for so many reasons. So go and get a water bottle and have it with you all the time and sip sip sip

.

 

[monarch64]

I am anxious enough to not even read this thread...so there you go. Have never been treated. Probably should be.

 

[akw94]

Hi Luckystar,

I don''t have any real advice since I don''t have true experience with panic attacks. I did want to say that I hope things get better for you in the near future. One though would be to make sure you are taking care of yourself. I think that if you''re not, you''d be more prone to the attacks. I''m not saying exercise and eating healthy is a cure (b/c in all honesty, I don''t have any idea what the cure is), but those things can only aid to a good lifestyle. I know that when I am upset, working out helps me. I feel better about myself when I''m done and that tends to make me feel better about whatever is in my life that is upsetting me. I''m also not trying to minimize what you''re going through either so I understand when you say that doing the above things doesn''t necessarily prevent the attacks.
I don''t truly know if counseling would help but I wonder if it could. Perhaps if you talk about the triggers for the attacks or other underlying issues (if there are any), then maybe that would help. Or maybe a counselor could help with relaxation techniques or how best to handle the attacks when they happen.
I have a little experience with the panicky/anxious feelings since I experienced them not too long ago. Talking about it helped me, as has seeing a psychologist and just taking things moment by moment.

I hope you''re feeling better soon!

 

[luckystar112]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I''ve decided to go ahead and make a doctor''s appointment. The information I have been given is extremely beneficial, so I think I can go confident and with some extra information. I''ll let you know how it goes.

 

[Independent Gal]

Good luck, Lucky!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Just wanted to see how your doctor''s appointment went? Hope all is well!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

I have another question actually. If caffeine makes panic and anxiety disorder worse does that apply to every stimulant like ginseng or something as well? Or is it just caffeine?

 

[katebar]

Date: 4/16/2008 3:56:06 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
I have another question actually. If caffeine makes panic and anxiety disorder worse does that apply to every stimulant like ginseng or something as well? Or is it just caffeine?

Sarah yes that correct. Anything that revs you up such caffeine nicotine energy drinks like red Bull, no doze tabs illicit drugs such as speed or cocaine. Marijuana for some people can trigger anxiety too rather than chilling out. Even some highly processed foods.
Our bodies doesnt recognise the fact we have ingested something it just picks on the fact that we ''feel'' wired or reved and for a person who is already feeling anxious interprets this as more anxiety which further triggers an anxiety response.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 4/16/2008 5:48:39 PM
Author: katebar

Date: 4/16/2008 3:56:06 PM

Author: SarahLovesJS

I have another question actually. If caffeine makes panic and anxiety disorder worse does that apply to every stimulant like ginseng or something as well? Or is it just caffeine?

Sarah yes that correct. Anything that revs you up such caffeine nicotine energy drinks like red Bull, no doze tabs illicit drugs such as speed or cocaine. Marijuana for some people can trigger anxiety too rather than chilling out. Even some highly processed foods.

Our bodies doesnt recognise the fact we have ingested something it just picks on the fact that we ''feel'' wired or reved and for a person who is already feeling anxious interprets this as more anxiety which further triggers an anxiety response.

Thanks for replying! Sigh. Looks like I am going to have to find different ways to stay awake, like..sleep better.

I ran out of caffeine mints, which is a good thing I guess! But that means I should probably cut out the Diet Pepsi Max!

 

[katebar]

Date: 4/16/2008 5:53:03 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS

Date: 4/16/2008 5:48:39 PM
Author: katebar

Date: 4/16/2008 3:56:06 PM

Author: SarahLovesJS

I have another question actually. If caffeine makes panic and anxiety disorder worse does that apply to every stimulant like ginseng or something as well? Or is it just caffeine?

Sarah yes that correct. Anything that revs you up such caffeine nicotine energy drinks like red Bull, no doze tabs illicit drugs such as speed or cocaine. Marijuana for some people can trigger anxiety too rather than chilling out. Even some highly processed foods.

Our bodies doesnt recognise the fact we have ingested something it just picks on the fact that we ''feel'' wired or reved and for a person who is already feeling anxious interprets this as more anxiety which further triggers an anxiety response.

Thanks for replying! Sigh. Looks like I am going to have to find different ways to stay awake, like..sleep better.

I ran out of caffeine mints, which is a good thing I guess! But that means I should probably cut out the Diet Pepsi Max!

Absolutely!!! This has the mot caffeine of all drink I think. But you only have to cutdown till you have your anxiety symptoms under control.

 

[luckystar112]

Thanks for asking Sarah!

I actually haven''t gone yet.

Since I don''t have health insurance, it''s like I have to pick my battles wisely. Last week I had a "girly" appt. as well as one with a dermatologist, and both appointments including medications came out to around $400!

FI has FINALLY put his foot down about the health insurance thing, and it is in the works so we should be getting it by mid-May. Needless to say I''m waiting for that before I make another Dr.s appt. Which sucks because I feel like I''m falling apart physically lately. lol. I am in dire need of an eye appointment, and still need to get this anxiety thing figured out. Sigh.
But the good news is that I do feel like my attacks have calmed down a lot...not totally gone, but getting there. I''ll still see a Dr. though.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 4/16/2008 9:03:28 PM
Author: luckystar112
Thanks for asking Sarah!


I actually haven''t gone yet.

Since I don''t have health insurance, it''s like I have to pick my battles wisely. Last week I had a ''girly'' appt. as well as one with a dermatologist, and both appointments including medications came out to around $400!

FI has FINALLY put his foot down about the health insurance thing, and it is in the works so we should be getting it by mid-May. Needless to say I''m waiting for that before I make another Dr.s appt. Which sucks because I feel like I''m falling apart physically lately. lol. I am in dire need of an eye appointment, and still need to get this anxiety thing figured out. Sigh.

But the good news is that I do feel like my attacks have calmed down a lot...not totally gone, but getting there. I''ll still see a Dr. though.

Thank you for updating! I am glad you''re going to go at least and going to get health insurance, that is so important. You will probably have a weight lifted off of you as soon as you get it! I am glad to hear you''re doing better. I remembered this thread and looked it up today because I had a mini panic attack. I don''t think it was full-blown. But my Mom has panic attacks, so I knew what it was. It''s the second one I''ve had in the last few months so that worried me. I''ve been very stressed so I guess that could be why.

 

[oobiecoo]

I just wanted to say thanks for posting on this subject and for all of the replies. I began having major anxiety after a car accident in high school and I often feel so "weird" and alone. FI can be understanding sometimes but usually he just doesn''t "get it". It''s so nice to know that there are several others going through similar experiences.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 4/17/2008 12:29:26 AM
Author: oobiecoo
I just wanted to say thanks for posting on this subject and for all of the replies. I began having major anxiety after a car accident in high school and I often feel so ''weird'' and alone. FI can be understanding sometimes but usually he just doesn''t ''get it''. It''s so nice to know that there are several others going through similar experiences.

I understand what you''re saying about your FI. I think my FI doesn''t 100% get it as well. While he''s really helpful, he seems to think if I suddenly stop being stressed it''ll just go away.

 

[Lynnie]

I learned about herbal supplements while in nursing school. Garlic for hypertension, etc. There is clinical evidence that these actually work. My BFF (andMOH) is a bartender with no health insurance, and suffers from PA''s, and uses St. John''s Wort, and it seems to have helped - PAs are less frequent now. On a side note, I was diagnosed with fibrocystic breasts after I found a lump (and probably had a PA myself at that point!). My gyno told me to cut the caffiene and get Primrose oil supplements. This happened recently, and have a follow up appt in June, so we''ll see how it works.
Here are the ones for anxiety:

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)
Kava Kava is one of the main anti-anxiety herbs. It has a very quick calming effect on the nervous system with an uplifting, euphoric feeling. It is also a muscle relaxant and mild sedative. It is specific for anxiety, tension, stress, irritability and insomnia. Kava is very good for people whose mind races.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St. John''s Wort is a gentle sedative which also has a calming effect on the nervous system with restorative properties as well. It is specific for mild depression, anxiety, tension and irritability. It works by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system such as serotonin and dopamine.

Sorry if this has already been suggested. The health insurance problems here in America are outrageous. Beyond belief.

Good luck, and keep us updated.

 

[Miscka]

Lucky I have been meaning to ask how you are!

I also have another suggestion, that may or may not help. I started having PAs again lately. I have started taking yoga classes and have found them TREMENDOUSLY helpful. My main PA sign is breathing irregularity and the focus on breath in yoga practice is very helpful. I have just done some poses and focused on things discussed in my class during an attack and it basically disappeared and I went to sleep, lol.

I also found a video (not big on exercise videos but this one looked great) called "yoga for stress relief" on Amazon that has special programs for certain things like anxiety or insomnia. Anyway, since it is a cheaper option than therapy I thought I would suggest it.

 

[luckystar112]

Wow, thanks Miscka and Lynnie!

I remember when I was a teenager (when I first started getting panic attacks) my mom bought me some St. John''s wort. I dont'' think I ever took them though. I''m going to try that option again!

And Miscka...that video sounds great. I''m gonna look it up right now!