Anxiety/ Panic Attacks

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Replies

  • Kristy713ckm
    Kristy713ckm Posts: 54 Member
    *** bump ****

    My husband has suffered from Agoraphobia/Panic Discorder/Generalized Anxiety since his childhood. It's been dibilitating.

    When it's generalized - you can have a Panic Attack anywhere, and associate it with that location, that activity and start avoiding it. Exposure Therapy helps many, but some - not so much. I'm not a fan of any anti-depressant. Xanax is a big help for my husband.

    I agree with the statement - if you haven't had a Panic Attack, you don't understand the severity and difference of being "anxious". It's sad, and difficult to suffer this way. It's always helpful to see that my family isn't alone in this suffering.... Thanks for the post.
  • pam6870
    pam6870 Posts: 100 Member
    I can totally relate!!! I've been on and off meds for the past several years. They became really bad during the pregnancy of my last child, four years ago. I was on Prozac my entire pregnancy, but he turned out "normal". =) I got to the point that I wouldn't leave my house, drive, and was always scared something was going to happen to me. I actually went into a state of depression and felt worthless.
    With lots of prayer and focus on taking control of my mind I am 99% better. I say 99% because I still take 12.5 mg of Paxil about 4 days a week. I really would like to wean off of it. I've heard exercise helps.
    Mine come mostly at night. I wake up from dreaming with a rapid heart rate, disoriented,and nausea. I have found that if I drink a cold glass of ice water it shocks my heart back into normal beating. My doctor told me to place an ice pack over my face. It helps trigger the heart into regular beats. It hurts but it works. I also take deep breaths holding 10-15 seconds to trigger a slower heart rate.
    I don't know if this has helped you, but I definitely feel your pain. Panic attacks are horrible and make you feel like you are losing your mind. I pray you will soon be given peace about this situation.
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    I don't get panic attacks, but I do have an anxiety disorder. I take Celexa, which has helped immensely. I get though life's bumps so much more easily now. I am still prone to anxiety though during stressful times and here are some ways I cope:
    -No caffeine. No matter how tired I am, it's never worth it if I'm feeling a little on edge
    -Regular exercise
    -Routine. I try to wake up, eat, and go to bed at roughly the same time every day.
  • Bethee101
    Bethee101 Posts: 99 Member
    I used to get them all the time... ugh!! Just thinking about them makes me hate the fact that they ever happened!! Anyways my Dr put me on 50mg of Zoloft everyday and I don't get them anymore. I still get anxious from some things, but not to the extent that I did without meds!! Good luck!
  • sl1ngsh0t
    sl1ngsh0t Posts: 326 Member
    I exercise. Really. It works.
  • pinky_pie
    pinky_pie Posts: 127
    7 years with panic/anxiety. Been Agoraphobic for over a year now - pretty much a shut in except for doctor/therapy appointments. Lost my job. I'm on or have been on every kind of drug you can think of for panic/anxiety. I'm hoping with weight loss, my condition will ease.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    i've suffered from anxiety for 2 years now, went on celexa and came off as my dr didn't want me on it that long, 1 1/2 years long enough, the withdrawals were horrible, but now i am getting anxiety again , it hits about early afternoon everyday at work, i have adavan, i take it every day now, only way to control it, it sucks because I don't want to take any more meds. Adavan certainly makes you groggy and not want to work out!!! but I make myself go, i know its just the drug. I would love to be drug and anxiety free someday!!! exercise does help, not a lot but somewhat....i am looking into holistic remedies, anyone try Kava??
  • goldfinger88
    goldfinger88 Posts: 686 Member
    bump
  • shani251
    shani251 Posts: 145 Member
    Yeah I get panic attacks too :(. I'm talking with a therapist too about it and she's pretty helpful.
    Taking GABA daily helped me not be so anxious. Maybe look into that?

    I've had a really hard time lately too and am finding that GABA is helping immensely.
  • Sarena3
    Sarena3 Posts: 49 Member
    I experience mild "anxiety surges". Not a full blown panic attack but they still feel terrible. But I've noticed that when I eat unprocessed, fresh foods I don't have the anxiety. When I eat processed food I do. I've been wondering if "mood" problems can be a result of a reaction to additives. Sound strange maybe, but that seems to be how it works for me.
  • maggie2731
    maggie2731 Posts: 51
    i used to get them real bad also. it got to the point i tought i was having a heart attack. my doctor put me on xanax only as needed. now when i feel it comming i just take a step back and i go thru my mind as to what is causing my attack.( i did something, i said something and im affraid what might happen). i ussually find the trigger and then talk myself out of it. like " u did the right thing (or not) and i decide in the future to stay away from those situations.
  • SCVSarah
    SCVSarah Posts: 231 Member
    Yes, since I was in 4th grade I've had them. I you want more specifics and all the different things I've tried, PM me and I'd be happy to share. I've taken a lot of different anti-depressants, some worked, some didn't.