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...

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countryfan 03/08/2018

Hi,

I started to feel lightheaded in January, usually when sitting at my computer and looking up real quick. It seemed strange at the time but I felt fine otherwise. I am female, 63 years old and live alone, went through divorce after 30 yrs of marriage 4 years ago. I live in the boonies and my family is not near by, winter in my part of the country can be brutal but I always embraced it's beauty too.

5 weeks ago in church, about 15 minutes into the service my vision got blurry, I could not focus, started to sweat and I felt like I was going to faint. NEVER had anything like that happen before. Week before my shoulder/chest area got sore from shoveling snow and I was worried that I was having heart issues. I made an appointment after that first anxiety or panic attack (what was it?) I felt fine going to the Doc, we discussed shoulder/chest pain issue which she said was nothing to worry about. I felt better then although I still had bouts of being lightheaded. Made appointment to get my hair cut, it really needed it and had an episode at the shop - same as in church, felt like fainting and had to hold on to something even while sitting in a chair. I felt better once I was back in the car and went to Wal-Mart to get some necessities - same thing the minute I entered the store, I barely got what I needed and standing at the checkout was awful.

I then called Doc and they put me on Buspirone. which I stated to take twice a day. Next night I had a major panic attack, which made me call the paramedics and was taken to the hospital, where they did a cat scan of the brain, which was fine and gave me something that put me to sleep for a couple of hours, after that I was sent home. I did not know that this was a panic attack, I thought was going to die.

Not sure if it was provoked by the meds or what. My daughter came to see me that weekend, took me to get my taxes done, I had to leave the office 4 times, vision was blurry again. We went shopping but I could not go in the store, she got the groceries for me. I called Doc back and they put me on Klonopin which was much better - I was actually able to run my errands by myself and felt good the whole weekend. Next day Doc appointment to follow up, I did not take my meds as they said as needed and I felt good that morning. Started to have symptoms one the way there and at the office. I popped a pill when I got there but these things do not work that fast. Better once I left the office, I am to see how I can manage with the meds and come back in a month. Last 2 days and nights were good, I have minor issues with heart pounding and being light headed - no meds, I work from home so did not have to go out.

How did it all start for you guys and can it go away ever? This has taken a toll on me, that vicious cycle of being afraid of being afraid. Afraid to go to church, afraid to go to the store etc.

Diane22 03/12/2018

Being afraid is the panic. Did they prescribe u an anti depressant or just the klonopins? Panic for me starts suddenly.out of the blue. Everything gets fuzzy. I get a out of body type feeling. I start to lose balance. I pace back and forth. It's a sudden feeling of doom. My heart rate goes up and i feel like the room is closing in. I used to have panic all day long. It was exhausting. I am on anti depressants now which have been keeping it at bay all these years. Recently I had a relapse and switched my meds. Boy was that a tough 3 months. Best thing for u is to see a therapist and a psychiatrist to make sure u r on the right med. Klonopin isn't meant for long term use. If u want a faster acting med ask for Xanax or ativan. Those r quick release benzos. Klonopin is sort of control released over like 8 hours. Message me if u wana chat

countryfan 03/13/2018

Thanks for you input Diane22 - really appreciate it.
I have crappy insurance and am not sure if they'll authorize for me to see see a therapist, although I want to. As it is, I have to meet my deductible which will send me into serious trouble. I feel like I have panic most of the time. Right now I am only on Klonopin and I take it sparingly. It seemed to have helped with insomnia the first few nights but now I struggle with that again as well.
Following up with Doc in about 3 weeks and we will see. I was told that I could take a DNA test to see which meds would work best for me, not sure on the cost.
What are our chances of ever getting rid of this dreadful disorder and how did we even get here?

Missee 03/22/2018

I have had GAD for a while although it was more of less dormant until last year. My panic attacks started at work for no obvious reason. I felt light headed and this terrible sense of doom. My vision started to go black and I told my coworker that I was going to pass out. She ended up driving me to urgent care where they said I was most likely dehydrated although I couldn't figure out how that could be the case.

After having it happen twice more, although not as severe, I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I was also put on buspirone which worked for a while. Then I started having break through anxiety so my doctor prescribed Lexapro to take at night. Now that med through me into severe panic attacks!

I also had to take myself to the ER one day due to cheat pains radiating up my neck and shortness of breath. Turns out just another panic/anxiety attack. Ended up getting IN Atavan and pain meds just to bring me out of it.

I have finally found that 50mg of Zoloft twice per day works for me. I am sure eventually i will need to switch as my body gets used to it.

It's one of those things that others don't understand. I think I could smack the next person to say just calm down! Don't they realize it it was that easy i would.

LSUFan 03/22/2018

Amen

countryfan 03/23/2018

OMG Missee - dang disorder!
I was put on buspirone to start out with and that made me have the panic attack in the middle of the night that sent me to the ER. I was also told to drink more water and the whole thing was classified as a panic attack - I had ni idea what a panic attack felt like, Surely thought I was having a stroke or heart attack. Now that I am on Khlonopin I can manage better but still get anxiety and really have to have the meds in me to function. I still always feel like something is off, never feel normal like I used to. My overall well being has diminished to the point that most anyone gives anxiety and ppl do not understand. Are there triggers or is it just built in now?
For those of you that did therapy, what exactly happens with that?
Can you tell that it is working and if so how and does it take care of the problem?
This life where I have to drug myself to run errands and do grocery shopping just plain sucks. I feel the anxiety even with the drugs.

Missee 03/27/2018

The worst is when you have panic attacks triggered by the thought of having panic attacks! Really makes it feel like a cycle. I have increased anxiety in any crowded places so I get up early and run my errands. I have found recently that it helps to have a healing stone in my hand. If you believe in the healing property or not it just seems to help having it in my hand to rub.

countryfan 03/28/2018

Thanks for the reply, I follow you in running errands early when places are not as crowded but not always possible.

djchurn 04/03/2018

You certainly have not lost any ability to express yourself clearly. I have had panic symptoms like you mention. Often I will practice calming things with the intent of making myself less anxious. For me anxiety always precedes panic. I look for triggers that indicate I am about to panic and work towards de-railing them. It takes some practice and sometimes I have to give myself a time out or stay mobile for a while. Hoping you are better. We are about the same age and have similar histories. You are doing the right things. Continued success.

countryfan 04/03/2018

djchurn - thanks for your response

Although I never had a panic attack like that one in the middle of the night again, I still struggle with symptoms on a constant basis. Had follow up Doc appointment yesterday and am being put on Lexapro to take once a day. I also took the first steps to look into counseling as I would really like to get this resolved once and for all. From what I have read, it really seems as if this stuff sticks once you have it. I will see how the new meds will work, have not started yet. Are you on meds?

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