Paula, Sorry to hear you are experiencing that. But I haven't experienced any panic attacks or anxiety.

Hi Paula, I have experienced what I thought were panic attacks, and treat them as so. They come upon you very quickly without warning and leave you fighting for breath and are pretty scarey leaving you thinking that the end is near.
I had a real bad time with depression 10 years back that turned into a period of Phsychosis which lasted nearly 4 months... I was giving meds like Zopiclone to fend off the depression and since then I've had bouts of anxiety.
Over time I managed a strategy to cope what I believed to be panic attacks.. by staying as calm as possible and get to breathing deep and slow until it passed... I had a real bad one just after my Fathers sudden death and blamed the shock of that, but after mentioning these attacks to my PD nurse she told it me that is part of PD, fortunately I haven't had an attack for quite some time but I know how to deal with them should one occur... The worst thing you can do after such an attack is to get stressed & worried about getting another one, that will more than likely bring one on.. I have one then forget it and move on.

They are very unpleasant but I learnt to cope Paula, I sincerely hope you manage to deal with them & erase them from your life.

Yours ~ Dirky ?;O))xx

Paula,

I have just written a message, pressed send and it disappeared!

After a few choice words, the short version is ...... yes, I know exactly how you feel! I take requip XL and each increase in meds has caused anxiety, panic, uncertainty and being tearful. Not like me at all and this has worn off with the side effects after a week or so, but this increase to 8mg I have struggled with for about three months now. I am finally getting there!

It feels so awful, I know, I hope you are feeling better soon,

Take care

Julie

(cont'd) - I told my PD nurse that I'm shallow breather and she said that I needed to see a Speech Therapist to help me breath more deeply and properly from the diaphramn. I found that helped greatly.

Yours ~ Dirky ?;O))xx

Hi Paula, Before I was diagnosed with PD that was the one thing that I noticed was different about me and I didn't understand what was happening. I started having anxiety attacks - fearful of what might happen. One morning I was afraid to leave the house for some reason and had to make myself go to work. I walk home from the train station which is 1 mile and it is dark in the winter time and I was afraid to walk home and started having my husband pick me up. This happened about a year or so before being diagnosed. Up until that time I was not one to be fearful and that is why I couldn't believe what was going on. Well once I was diagnosed and started on meds the anxiety went away. Any time I become anxious I know it is about time to increase my meds. But one thing - I didn't have attacks where I couldn't breath or was hyperventilating - they were just, although overwhelming, anxious feeling attacks.

I just heard that an old friend of mine died because she thought she was having a panic attack over a lot of stress she was going through and it was a heart attack. So that is another avenue to have checked out too I guess. Good luck!!!

Hi Paula,
My husband has PD and he gets panic attacks also. He is on sinemet and it seems like he gets this attacks when the meds stop working. He has shortness of breath, he gets very hot and feels very anxious and has tremors. We've tried anti-depressants but nothing seems to help. We did have his heart checked out also but everything is fine.

I have gotten used to him having these attacks but I know for him it is very uncomfortable.

i hope you are able to find something to help.

Betsy

Hi Paula i think it is part of a PD. I get them also , but not to same degree . When I feel like one is coming on I quickly go to meditation and get my self out of it. Bu some people are stronger then others, I thing it stems from the vulnerability we feel and the dependence on others to survive , get around. We lost our independence. It is to much negative for us. My lame suggestion is when you get the feeling of fright ant flight go with it do not fight it focus on what frightened you, think of the possibilities , think haw realistic it is. Then try to slow down your breeding ,try to count , prolong your berth to the count . Not to fast and slowly you get your self out of it. Take your time it does not happen rite of way. But if you react the same way when anxiety comes upon you. You will learn . Maybe, try, what you have to loose.
Zlatica

I have not had attacks to the extent of hyperventilating, but I do have a lot of anxiety attacks. Mostly in the middle of the night. I awaken suddenly with a horrid fear of the future. Did not know if that was normal or caused by the PD. From what I am hearing, it probably is the PD. Makes me feel really angry to hear about all the problems we can develope with this disease and all the side effects of the meds. Makes me want to fight even harder. I guess a fierce battle will either make a stong warrior or be the end of him. We will just keep hoping for strength, endurance and the ability to figure it all out.

Paula, I just spent $ days in the Hospital with stroke like symptoms to the point they called it a TIA and administered TPA wich brought me out of it. 2 of the days where spent in ICU. I don't remember much of the events that took place. But I am very anxious and feel stressed out alot more than before. I also am wondering if this is part of Parkinson's. I am only 43 and need to provide for my family and I also am getting scared how much more I can accually take.

Yes to panic attacks--not fun and come in various forms. Just when you think you have them figured out...POW. Kind of like PMS - they creep up on you without warning. Some feelings I get are dizzy, hot, woozy, paranoid, anxious and the worst one is a claustrophobia like feeling where I have to take everything off that is constricting me like jewelry or even socks! Weird and I have no solution.

Sorry not to be more help and yes, Julie...I lost this message twice!

I know that it's easy to say, but to have panic-like attacks is bad enough to cope with, but the best to deal with them is not to worry,fret or get anxious about them or you'll more than likely trigger another one.

My opinion is ride them out then push them out of your mind & forget them. It takes a few times to achieve this but it's the best way.

Dirky ?;O))x

>
OVER THE YEARS I HAVE HAD PLENTY OF REASONS TO HAVE PANIC ATTACKS. EXPERIENCING ONLY A FEW, THANK GOODNESS. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE PART OF EVERY DAY LIVING AND NOT NECCESSARILY PARKINSON'S RELATED.

I THINK IT IS BEST TO AVOID CATASTROPHISING, AS THIS MOST CERTAINLY WILL LEAD TO AND, BRING ON ATTACKS OF THE MOST UNWANTED KIND.

BEING RELUCTANT TO COMMENT ON THE RECENT MEDICATION PRESCRIBED, I THINK BEST TO CONSULT WITH YOUR TREATING SPECIALIST ON THAT ONE.

BE GOOD TO YOURSELF, WHY NOT, I RECKON YOU DESERVE IT.
STEWART
>

I was told by my PD nurse that the attacks I had WERE PD related, and getting anxious,aggitated & stressed are certain triggers... I was not Catastrophising anything, just stating facts... (To #12, the KSPIA thinks he's the oracle of everything PD related).

Dirky ?;O))~

Hi all. I have not been here a while.

I'm still on low dose of meds...about 6 months ago started to experience panic attacks. Didn't know what they were, but sure do now. Mostly when levocarb begins to wear off. I find now that I know what they are, I just let them happen. They'll eventually go away. Try some guided meditation on the ipod. Or do something that requires intense concentration. I'm not a gamer at all, but my husband has me playing one game that requires a lot of focus. I play it, when I can, if an attack starts. Before I even know it...it's over. Hope it helps.

I don't suffer from panic attacks but recently since starting a new medication, stalevo i get really bad heart palpatations. It can be very scary. I hope that you medication works for you as anxiety and panic attacks run in my family and it truly is a scary experience.