Quiet - I see you have had heaps of advice here and some of it is pretty good advice.

I suffer from panic attacks but my symptoms are nothing like what you describe however my wife has exactly what you described.

Her racing heart just came out of the blue with no prior warning - they have done tests and they have monitored her and they still can't decide what is causing it. However - she saw a different GP the other day who suggested that she was low in Magnesium.

Marie went down to the health food shop - got some magnesium tablets and her instances of racing heart have dropped from 5 or 6 a day to just two in the last week.

Now I'm not saying that you have a magnesium deficiency but it could be something as simple as that - you need to talk to your GP as soon as you can - just to set your own mind at ease.

I used to have panic attacks so bad it got to the point I would seldom leave my house. That lasted about 2 years. I made changes to my diet, got more exercise, quit smoking, got more sleep. Nothing worked. I ended up at a head shrinker and was put on paxil and for awhile it really helped, but my symptoms kept returning and my daily dose of paxil was raised to 40mgs a day. At that point I was more or less a zombie. All I wanted to do was sleep and lay around. My biz suffered to the point where I ended up losing my house. I stopped taking paxil about a year and a half ago and I am still trying to rebuild my biz to the point where it once was. I guess what I am trying to say is use medication only as a very last resort. The panic attacks where better than being broke.

take asprine

Normaly it's stress causing them but I'd say stop smoking pod since that can be the cause as well.

I've had a few over the years. Only a couple that came "out of the blue". One was severe enough to make me go to the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack--but the EKG was fine. It's extraordinarily strange how "physical" it can be. Not to mention scary.

There's already a lot of good info here--mainly testimonials. Each person's experience is unique though, so it would behoove you to see a doctor and possibly a therapist--which can be very helpful even if you do not have a disorder. There's a lot of info on the Net and in books.

The only thing I would add is that the connection between anxiety and depressive disorders is close in some ways. Self-medicating with alcohol or other behaviors (including "work-a-holism") is very, very common--almost a rule. Pot happens to be a trigger for some people. Very "successful" people can suffer from either or both conditions, and it can make it harder for them to see the reality of the situation ("I'm not depressed..."). Often there will be a "presenting problem" that drives/scares someone into getting some help, and eventually they usually get a better understanding of some of the other parts of their life that need attention. I would suggest a therapist that specializes in anxiety/depressive disorders.

Look. There?s a VAST DIFFERNECE between being over stressed and having Panic attacks. The two things people confuse when discussing this subject is that some series of EVENTS caused the attacks,that peoples pension for having them is a symptom of not being able to handle environmental events, WHEN INFACT and in truth panic attacks occur because your body is MISSING chemicals that usually help most people not have them. Its not that your weak or a sissy or take to much alcohol or smoke too much pot. Your body is unable to produce a chemical that prevents them from happening. Its NO different then when someone takes meds for diabetes or high blood pressure or another physical aliment that?s linked to the bodies inability to produce the right chemicals for itself. That?s why ANYONE with the issue shouldn?t feel BAD about asking for help, they shouldn?t feel like the?re weak or a pussy, all your actually doing is asking for the chemicals that your body CANT produce.

Well I've had them but I've learned to live with them. No medications for me, just sleep, putting aside all things that stress me, taking time to recollect my thoughts, this usually helps me prevent them. They are definitely scary and most give symptoms of a stroke coming on.

My right-hand woman, 22 years old, whom I depend on enormously started getting them 2 weeks ago and hers had all of us scared shitless. She was actually numb all over. No sensation on her face or tongue. She went to the emergency and they told her it was an anxiety attack, most likely stress related.

My niece gets nasty ones since someone had a heartattack and she was the one to call 911 trying to resuscitate him and then he passed away. She's on medication.

If I were you, I'd see a doctor to rule out any other physical problems then if all is well, take it easy or cut your work time if possible. A few days away from what could be stressing you, some time to yourself, a time to recollect your thoughts should be allow you to grab hold of what causes you to become anxious and perhaps work towards preventing them.

Ummm did you not hear what I just wrote..YOU CANT PUT THEM ASIDE..if they are real and cronic they a CHEMICAL IMBALANCE that sleep NOR exorcise will fix...sheesh

Fucking Visa.

quiet, I have a great idea. The PERFECT solution for your problems. You and me, incredible beach in the Caribbean, beautiful women, a never ending supply of Corona, and all the weed and fine cigars you'll ever need. We can discuss philosophy and fine literature, world history and macro economics, jazz and it's impact on society, etc.

Yes, I think that will solve all our problems...

I still say.

Get the book.

People argue anything.

Fuck its a fact most Human ills are psychosomatic.

I havent had a common cold or any sickness is 6 + years.

Anxiety has nothing to do with Psychomatic Ills.

I rather read a book about something by a doctor, then read people on a board say its all in your head.

Yeah... okay.

THis book clears common colds and other sickness, i havent been sick since.

http://www.dianetics.com

hahaha

:1orglaugh

Fletch, it's all in your head!

Not a very good shot, the cover has a glare, but heres my copy.

<img src=http://www.69khz.com/images/dontpanic.jpg border="1">

:thumbsup right on! never heard my great grandma talking about anxiety attacks

:1orglaugh I love that movie! My favorite thing to do when I watch it is play Name That Serial Killer's MO.

Fletch, is your cam hung from the ceiling or what? That's pretty cool.

As for the book, I haven't read that one, I'll try to find it.

That's right. The reason that drugs like Paxil etc work for panic attacks is because they supply the chemical (serotonin) or otherwise alter your body's way of handling serotonin so that you aren't as liable to have the chemical imbalance that causes panic attacks.

It's no different than a diabetic taking insulin, and it doesn't mean you're weak or crazy or anything. It just means your body is lacking that specific chemical.

(Oh, and the misspelling up there cracked me up! "Exorcise" -- I actually had a Holy Roller relative of mine suggest that I was possessed and just needed an exorcism to fix me and make me stop being so crazy...)

Lack of sleep, drinking too much and taking one too many coffeine pills the next day used to bring on some weird (scary) shit.. Dumbass that I am, it took a long time to figure it out.. threw away the pills and stopped drinking, that helped..

The Overhead cam rocks.

:smokin

I have a cure.

I used to get them years ago when I was really hungover and used to drink and party a lot more than I do now. I called my mom one day and she said she used to get them too from stress.

She said to get into the shower and if you have one with your bathtub even better.

Lie down in the bathtub and let the water from the shower just cascade down all over you. Imagine that it's taking all your tension and stress down the drain.

She explained that all the water droplets hitting all the nerve endings distracts your mind from what really is just an adreniline rush.

Drink lots of Juices and relax.

Take as many showers as needed but it really works. :)

ahh.. the wonders of Xanax.. though if I had it to do over again I would not take it. Addictive as shit..

All good things are.

:smokin

I have and it's really scary. The last major one I had was in the middle of a resturant and I literally threw up in the middle of dinner because of it. Talk about emarassing. Since the last year though thanks to thearpy I've learned to control it with deep breathing exercises etc. The deep breathing really helped me out.

I have suffered from anxiety disorder for about 6 years .started when I was only 14. Its scary shit and really can really destroy your life....
When I was 19 I happened to pick up a newpaper and read an ad for a seminar on anxiety and depression.I went to the seminar and I found the answer I had been looking for. If anyone here gets it really bad try this program

http://www.stresscenter.com/intro5.html

It was a life saver for me....it taught me how to control the panic attacks. It felt like I had taken back my life! The program is expensive, but take my word for it it works. Hope this helps!

Dont sweat it bro. Your just missing a few chemicals in the brain and a doctor will put you on Zoloft, Clonopin. or Welbrutrin.

I call them happy drugs.


Its a pain in the ass , but what the fuck ya gonna do .

BTW; You aint going to die that easily

:glugglug

I remember my first time having one, and it was one of the most scariest moments of my life. I was on the cross country team, and at least one day a week we would travel out to the woods where there were a few trails to run on, and I started to have pains in my foot, so I slowed down. Anyways, I ended up getting lost in the woods, and there were so many different ways to go, and the signs sucked. So there I was, tired and still running, and wondering where the fuck I was. I then started to have a panic attack, and could barely breathe. All I could think about was that I was all alone in the woods, and could barely breathe, who in the hell is going to help me now.

Scary!

Word. I got hooked on it. Took me a week or three of sweating, puking, and shaking before I got off it. :(

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showth...anic+a ttacks

I get them all the time and been to many doctors. they all say nothings wrong with me. And none of them want to give me any drugs for it.

It sucks

i must say about 6-12 months ago i had problems where i was dizzy and sometimes collapsed. sometimes when i was on the motorway sandwiched between lorries my heart would race and my palms would get sweaty. but since i started eating healthy and excercising regularily my problems have gone away///

Good advice !


Quiet,

I had a bad case of anxiety when I was 24/25. Doctor kept saying I was just a stressed out mom. I kept digging and found out I had a jaw injury, whip lash and ligament damage to back of head.

Have your doctor run a full blood panel on you to rule out anything that can cause anxiety .Alot of it might just be from muscle tension and the neurons going to your brain are getting the wrong signals from it ..Heck , even severe allergies can set off the panic attacks..

The best treatment for anxiety is exercise and to avoid caffeine.

Xanax is only suppose to be taken for 2 weeks so be leary of a doctor that gives you more than 2 weeks of it or refills . :)

I know it sounds lame but deep breathing has really helped me. At the times whe I am starting to get in to a state of panic or anxiety I stop what ever it is I'm doing and take a deep breath and hold it for 4 seconds then exhale. I do this 10 times and it really does help. It's also helped me sleep when anxiety has kept me up.

Wow, just reading the first page really opens your eyes to the fact that ALOT of us have these! My lord! Where did we go wrong? LOL

I've had 'em for close to 10 years. Been on Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax/alprazolam, Klonopin/clonazepam , ativan/lorazepam ....now, I'm on nothing. :)

Drugs, my experience:

Paxil - SSRI:
helped alot....I think I was on it for 3 months or so...then just stopped it. For 2 weeks I felt like I had cobwebs in my head and literally had to shake me head every so often to 'clear my thoughts'. Amazing. It helped...BUT...don't EVER just stop taking it and go cold turkey like I did....bad bad bad.....you won't like it one bit. ;)

Zoloft - SSRI:
was horrible....it helped with anxiety but it did a real number on my digestive system. :(

Ativan/lorazepam - treats anxiety:
has always helped me....but I take it VERY sparingly because it is addictive. My doc gives them to me in 10's (1mg) and I use them only when an attack is VERY bad. (those who suffer just know when that is...lol) 10 can last me a long time depending on how often I get the 'bad ones'.

Xanax/alprazolam - treats anxiety:
this worked too....not fast acting like Ativan, takes about 20 minutes but it definitely worked for me.

Klonopin/clonazepam - treats anxiety:
knocked me on my ass. I slept on my couch all day long....wasn't right for me...went back to Xanax.

I hate drugs....which is why I don't think I've ever lasted long with any SSRI's.....but Ativan works for me cause I can take it when I need it instead of every day which for me, makes me feel medicated...and I don't like that feeling.

Panic Disorder?:

Those of you who talked about having a panic attack at a time when something 'stressful' happened to you don't necessarily have Panic Disorder. The problem is when you get a panic attack for no apparent reason at all. I could be sitting here thinking of how pretty my garden is and WHAM. That is panic disorder. Having a panic attack during a particularily stressful situation is very natural......fight or flight....adrenaline...its' how the body functions.

Excercise:

I see many of you suggest exercise....and it definitely works because it raises the levels of seratonin in your brain. ;)

Symptoms:

Mine included heart palpitations, feeling of heart attack, sweaty palms, feelings of 'unreality', feelings if 'going crazy'.....NONE of which I would wish on my worst enemy....it is absolutely terrifying.

Alcohol?:

oh yeah, before I actually knew what they were, I drank them away, only to feel worse the next morning because my body was dehydrated. (not to mention the hangover...lol) ;)

It's a horribly tough battle...but not impossible to win. If you learn to 'move through' the attacks instead of fighting them you will win....trust me. ;)

[added]
Oh, and less/no caffeine, proper eating and exercise are great suggestions...and well worth the effort.
[/added]

Good luck to all!

i've had panic attacks for about a year now. they come out of nowhere and kick U in the ass. at first i didn't know how to react or deal with it!!after talking to a few people, most told me to go see a doctor. well all the doctor will do is put you on drugs that will actually not make you better!!!you will think and feel they are making you better but the fact is that all they do is numb every sence of emotinal feeling in your body which is even worse then having the panic attacks why?? because if you ever choose to go of the drugs your body will be so emotionally unstable that U will be stuck with taking drugs all your life. it's all your mind and i feel really strongly about that because i've been in hell and back possibly even further then hell!!! next time when you have a panic attack just think to yourself that it will pass!!and it will and yes you will feel like you have tunnel vision and no one has a clue about how you're feeling when you have a panic attack and that's because it's all in your mind.when you panic in your mind it's gonna affect the rest of your body, sometimes shortness of breath sweating or you'll fell like you're gonna scream out loud at any second but the key is to know that it will pass. what i do when i fell a panic attack come on, is i get some fresh air get some air circulating through your body proberly because when you panick you tend to take shorter breath which cause you to feel all fucked up. i don't know this is my story, really words can't describe how you really feel inside hen you panic but i know for that you don't need to go drugs to get rid of them.
last thing before i'm done blabbing is try to eat properly(it's all about food combining) believe it or not if you eat shitty all the time you will encourage panic attacks to happen!!

GIA
hit me up on icq if ya wanna chat more:)
icq# is 163691729

hey gigi:)

i really like your thread!!!i agree with you 100% that's all i have to say!you're in vacnouver so am I hit me up on icq sometime if ya like this girl here jsut moved to vancouver 3months ago:)

GIA

icq number is>>>>1636391729

Oh yes, anxiety attacks! Aren't we the lucky ones. I disagree with those of you who say that xanax and ativan are addictive. I know people who have been on both of these drugs for years. A couple of years ago, UCLA did a study on ativan. They found it was the least addictive of all the anti-anxiety meds. The secret is to find what works for you. Personally, if I know I have ativan sitting on the shelf, if I start to feel an attack coming on, I tell myself I can stop it with one little pill, and I seem to calm down.

There is a big difference from being stressed out and actually being in the middle of an anxiety attack. This thread has been the most interesting one I have encountered on GFY.

Since we have so many who have been down this road, where can we find xanax and ativan on the net? Doctors shy away from giving prescriptions for these drugs without a checkup. There are companies in Europe, Canada, and Mexico who will send drugs to the U.S., but many have stopped since 9/11. More packages are being opened by Customs.

Anybody have any url's for drug companies that will sell you their products without a prescription?

Fletch, the book you suggest is from 1987. There have been many changes since the 80's. Exercise works for me, but if you wake up in a panic attack at 3 a.m., you don't feel like exercising!

Wow... what a thread! Guess it's kind of nice, in a way, to know there are so many others that suffer from anxiety/panic disorders, although it would be nicer if no one did :(

I've suffered from bouts of depression and anxiety attacks since I was in my early 20s. Did six months on Prozac and seeing a therapist twice a week only to determine that I was NOT going to spend the rest of my life that way. I taught myself to control my depression, but the anxiety is not quite that easy.... it has a mind of its own.

I take a lot of vitamins and herbals... L-tryptophan and vitamin B6 have done wonders (L-tryp increases serotonin production naturally - use with caution!) and I take about 15 other things as well. I always have a paper lunch sack handy for the anxiety attacks... the hyperventilating makes me feel like I'm suffocating and going to die, and breathing into the bag is the best way I've found to deal with that scenario.

I have a strong aversion to taking drugs on a daily basis just to be able to function, so that's not really an option for me. However, I KNOW that some attacks are worse than others, so I have a backup plan for the really nasty ones; I have a medication contract with my physician - we signed a deal where he agreed to never give me more than #30 Xanax in any 90-day period... no chance of getting addicted on one every three days, and I have yet to use an entire prescription in our time frame.

It's not a pleasant thing and I wouldn't wish either the depression or the anxiety attacks on my worst enemy, but both can be controlled and/or managed with the right attitude, a lot of information, and an understanding doctor. Also, I believe it's important that the people closest to you understand both what you have and how it affects you... they need to know how to help and what to do for you without being scared to death because you're freaking out.

Best of luck to you, Quiet. Hope you get the answers you need and appropriate help if it is called for :)

Wenchy, apparently it is VERY common for people to begin suffering anxiety attacks in their early 20's....especially women. Mine began then too.

Don't I know it...haha. I had post-partum depression since my first son in 1991. It was finally diagnosed in 1995, 2 years after my second son. My last son, 2001, they preemptively put me on Zoloft to avoid a recurrence...lol....but the panic is a totally different sort of beast....yet both depression and anxiety often go hand in hand.

There are many different symptoms...mine were more to do with my heart and sweating....but I know many who suffer with certain breathing/choking symptoms. You just never know how it will hit you. But one thing is constant....feeling like you are going to die. :(

THIS is sooo important. My husband had no idea how to help me....and in fact made it worse by saying stuff like 'Don't be silly. You're fine! Just relax!'.....those who suffer know, hearing this is only going to make it worse...lol. They need to know how to help...even if that is sitting with you, or simply holding your hand.

It is important to be treated though. I don't think getting drugs on your own is a very smart way to go. Panic disorder can develop into agoraphobia if you are not careful and deal with it appropriately.

Go to your doctor. See what s/he says, listen and do it. If it doesn't get better go back. If it still doesn't get better ask about the different drugs and ask if they would be right for you.

Any doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication IF you have tried all other alternatives, and they are sure it is panic disorder.

Hope this is helpful. :)

Here's a forum I found that I follow...

http://www.paniccenter.net/

I don't post, but I read the threads and have found some very useful stuff there. :winkwink:

again, thanks for all the comments/info :)

When I go without pussy for a week...