Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
Hi i am a 33 year old woman who suffers from panic attacks daily, sometimes several times a day. I have an old prescription of xanax, but right now i dont have insurance so when those are out, im out of options. Mine are sometimes caused by food or eating, i am afraid i will choke, therefore i dont eat alot anymore. I used to have these same type of attacks as a kid, but eventually out grew them. Now they are back and even worse than before. I have lost 30 pounds in 3 months due to lack of eating. Im still 160 at 5 feet 5 inches tall, so everyone just thinks ive been dieting, and are proud of me for my weight loss. Me on the other hand, im terrified by it. I dont want to get to skinny. Ive tried to talk to my fiance and my sister about my problem, but they are each battling their own problems now, so i dont say anything anymore because i dont want to burden them worse. So i suffer alone. I feel like my throat is closing at times, like i cant swallow or breathe. I want to run to the emergency room, but i have so far managed not to. I just need someone to talk to in hopes of getting thru some of the attacks, and maybe finding out what meds work the best as i have only been on xanax before, and i should have insurance next month so I can get medical help for this.
if you are feeling this bad, i think it would be worth it see a doctor just so you can get some refils on your meds. panic attacks are hell i couldnt not go to the doctor when i began having them.
alot of couseling agancies will work off our income, ive seen couselors and paid only 10 dollars.
hang in there!
Can you see your family doctor? sometimes they are able to give you samples of medications that come in from the drug reps (or do you have to pay up front?
I also agree with belonefir - are you able to get in touch with some sor tof therapist that will work with your income - some work on a sliding scale or here anyway alot are covered by the province you live (in my case Alberta)
I know there are a lot of good books out there but my favortie, and the one I always carry with me, called "Don't Panic" by Reid Wilson, it's on it's third edition.
Some of my most recent panic attacks are centered around my stomach, so similar to you in the sense that I eat very infrequent for fear of etting sick to mu stomach, this morning I had a small plain english muffin - thought I would be ok, and now the panic wont stop.
I live in one of the stupidest states ( Florida: they elected a criminal, Rick Scott as governor), and we still have social services that will provide for mental health counseling and meds, even though it has been proven that the majority of the electorate here, should be on some sort of powerful drugs!!
Seriously, the state has these clinics buried all over the place. You just have to dig a little to find them.
Good Luck and I hope the going gets easier!