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...
I had a handful of panic attacks about 4 years ago. Came/went. Most likely stress related. Beginning in early summer, 2010, out of the blue, I started having panic attacks again. They started on the same bridge I had the panic attacks on before (and this time there was major construction and painting on the bridge to boot.) But then the panic attacks happened more and more often, any time I drove and then any time at all. It culminated in a 13 1/2 hr panic attack with my heart rate most likely in the 160's all day and I just could not calm myself down until I went to the hospital. 10 minutes in the hospital and it was like it never happened. And I felt such huge guilt and I felt so stupid.
I went on lexipro for a month and was a walking zombie. Dr put me on Cymbalta and after a week felt like I was going to die. So I stopped that. I do take Xanax every so often when they get bad. I have flown on a plane hundreds of times and yet in November had severe panic attacks flying down to and back from Florida, even in spite of taking a Xanax.
I am under a lot of stress at home and at work. I am also 46 and going through hormonal changes. Could this be what triggered this out of the blue? I was really beginning to feel more in control of my life but these last few weeks feels like they are back with a vengeance. I feel awful for having to take Xanax. what if I get addicted? I feel awful because I know this is all "in my head." I have been exercising more regularly, and trying to eat healthy. And the scare last July in the hospital was enough to get me to quit smoking once and for all. I have even cut back on caffeine.
Now this week, it seems I have caught a stomach bug and have had intestinal pains, nausea, dizziness, which are all part of my panic attacks. So the last few days I have had some back panic attacks again and had to take some more Xanax.
I am so tired of feeling like I am crazy. I want to feel normal again. I am just venting. I have a trip in July to San Diego on a plane with my family. (The last plane trip was by myself). I am already worried about having a panic attack on the plane! How stupid is that?
I went on lexipro for a month and was a walking zombie. Dr put me on Cymbalta and after a week felt like I was going to die. So I stopped that. I do take Xanax every so often when they get bad. I have flown on a plane hundreds of times and yet in November had severe panic attacks flying down to and back from Florida, even in spite of taking a Xanax.
I am under a lot of stress at home and at work. I am also 46 and going through hormonal changes. Could this be what triggered this out of the blue? I was really beginning to feel more in control of my life but these last few weeks feels like they are back with a vengeance. I feel awful for having to take Xanax. what if I get addicted? I feel awful because I know this is all "in my head." I have been exercising more regularly, and trying to eat healthy. And the scare last July in the hospital was enough to get me to quit smoking once and for all. I have even cut back on caffeine.
Now this week, it seems I have caught a stomach bug and have had intestinal pains, nausea, dizziness, which are all part of my panic attacks. So the last few days I have had some back panic attacks again and had to take some more Xanax.
I am so tired of feeling like I am crazy. I want to feel normal again. I am just venting. I have a trip in July to San Diego on a plane with my family. (The last plane trip was by myself). I am already worried about having a panic attack on the plane! How stupid is that?
I'm sorry your having such a hard time...are you sure you have tried all the different medicine for anxiety you can (besides of course Xanax) Like Welbutrim, or Paxil or something like that? I use to take both and they really helped without making me feel like a zombie, what it does is help with the chemical imbalance of seratonin in your brain that causes the panic/anxiety in the first place.
I also use meditation sometimes that helps me, and I like to have minty gum or mints with me at all times so when I feel a little panic coming on, I reach for a minty thing and for some reason that helps calm me down a bit.
But I do know how it feels to feel "over the edge" so to speak with fear and panic about things...I obsess about things myself and still avoid quite a few things. I'm not currenty on medication myself, I do have my Xanax of course, but I need another medication like Paxil along with therapy again because mine too have been a bit out of whack lately.
Good Luck, if you need to chit chat let me know :)
remember to breathe deep and slow when panicky
xanax is safe for sensible people