Stress Management Support Group

Stress management defines stress as a person's physiological response to an external stimulus that triggers the "fight-or-flight" reaction.Stress can be overwhelming. This community is for best practices in stress management.

5,520 Members

1,978 Posts

0 Online

dollaraudit 08/13/2013

I was diagnosed with this disorder in 1991 after being hauled out of my office on 2 separate occassions with extreme chest pain both of which were seen by our corporate nurse as possible heart attacks. They were, in fact, neither of them cardiac related. These are the most awful occurrences I have ever gone through. The doctors chose to use medication in the end to control these and their drug of choise was xanax. I have found since then that a lot of physicians consider this drug to be one of the 7 deadly since but it has kept me stable for 12 years now. This past year, we added effexor to the mix as retirement had hit me and forcibly and given me even worse problems. They 2 seem to work well together. I use the effexor early in the morning and it's XR and the xanax is a nighttime only thing now.

I read some of the various treatments now being used and just cannot see them working. I love to read - but it doesn't stop the attacks. My brain just cannot seem to relax on anything but drugs.

Anybody else out there with similar problems?. This is really important to me because I am in the COPD/Emphysema Group and the anxiety attacks have a very definite and severe effect on my breathing ability and my o2 levels.

release2find 08/13/2013

If your med combo is working then cool. Let it work. The routines (or regimen) are highly personal and what works for you and what doesn't is real. I do well with occasional med- but let me say that self talk helps me the most. Once I identify me feeling as "anxiety/stress", then I can do things to relax--if not, I take meds (usually an eighth of a 1mg tablet--clonazepam/Klonopin PRN-- about one time a month) . I do not watch nightly news; I do not watch dramas on tv, I do not engage in talks/convos that weigh heavily if I cannot do something about it. I say a quick prayer for them and spare myself the burden of the details...that's why I skip the news. Life is stressful so I don't add to it. I watch lighthearted TV and if there is a lighthearted song that I can think of Like the Hokey Pokey, I do that and let go of weighty things. But that's what works for me. I also grab a game on the internet (not timed ones and not competitive ones--single player games - or games against robots) or color in a coloring book when it gets really stressful. Deep breathing helps me as does a warm bath and a minute or two of sunshine. GOing to the local thrift store is therapeutic and I can get something for almost nothing..be it a puzzle or a book or a cute sundress all for less than 5 bucks.

deleted_user 08/14/2013

Hi, dollaraudit!

I agree with release2find. If your medication is working, I honestly would not worry about the other stuff. Everyone is different and no one plan will work for all. I'm sure your doctors are monitoring your medication and medical considerations. Best of luck and I'm glad to hear that your medications are helping!

glee08 08/25/2013

The most helpful website I have found is panicend.com

This website was founded by a former sufferer. There is no soliciting on this website and everything is free.

A great read is Claire Weekes, Hope and Help for your Nerves. This book has been around forever. Recovery from panic attack is simply based on allowing panic to happen i.e. acceptance. This is what diffuses the fear. Since most panic/anxiety is fear based, accepting it diffuses the fear.

Hope this helps. Peace and good luck.

deleted_user 09/12/2013

I've also been diagnosed with panic disorder about 5 years and and it can be a life-changing thing. The meds aren't always going to work. I made the mistake of relying too much on them thinking the problem would never come back as a result. For the most part, your medication regimen seems to be working for you. Release2find has some very good suggestions for getting through the anxiety. I would also think about counseling as an alternative if you find these things aren't working for you. These things will take time as you are essentially re-training your brain to process these reactions in a different manner. I'm currently working with a behavioral management specialist as well as continuing my Paxil therapy.
I wish you the best in your healing endeavors and I pray that you will find your retirement an enjoyable one.

deleted_user 09/15/2013

i try to coloring that relazes me or i get on here and support other people and get support...but you are in my prayers

Join the Conversation