panic attacks

**froggyTC** · 06-27-2002, 09:48 AM

I am new here but I am so glad I found this site! I suffer from panic attack. Does anybody here have them? Any tips on handling them? Thanks!

**KathiS** · 07-01-2002, 02:31 AM

I don't have panic attacks but, my DIL does. She stays on meds that help. Sometimes though, like in large crowds, she just has to leave. I know that it is very tough on her at times. Hope someone here can be of more help to you. God Bless...Kathi

**mustang80** · 07-01-2002, 07:18 AM

I have panic attacks on occasion, but am not on meds or anything. I especially get them in crowds. I have to get out-I get dizzy, and everything seems like it is in slow motion. My DH thinks I'm crazy, but he doesn't understand. My mom gets the same thing.

**Megareader** · 07-04-2002, 05:51 PM

Oh yeah...that old "fight or flight" thing. I know it well! One thing that helps me is to do breathing exercises while repeating the same word over and over in my head.

**Sara Noel** · 07-07-2002, 12:52 PM

I did in my late teens. I experienced them after a car accident.
Horrible type where I would hypervenilate and think I was having a heart attack or couldn't breathe. Tingling and sweaty hands. Gag reflex and salivating mouth. UGH
I never saw a dr and never went on medication. It went away in about a year. I recall one time where I was in such a panic while driving that I actually had to pull into the hospital ER to snap out of it. I was lucky that I had supportive friends. They helped drive me everywhere to get me through the fear. After my car accident it took me a long time to even get into a car and when I did I would have to read and not look up or out.
I know many people live with it on an ongoing basis. I feel lucky that for me it's for the most part over. I did encounter a similar feeling recently when my grandmother passed away, but I figure if that didn't trigger it, I don't think I will experience it again.
I think what helped was facing the fear over and over and I would also talk to myself in my head. (saying things like goodness slow down and breathe or snap out of it)

I wish I could be more helpful, but wanted to share that you're not alone.

Sara

**Goodwin17** · 07-08-2002, 03:11 AM

Hey there, I wrote about one of my bad panic attack episodes in the depression section of this forum. You should read it. I am fairly familiar with panic attacks. I don't have them too often, but when I do they are really bad. If you would ever like to talk about it...PM me. I'd be happy to talk.

**debbiednb** · 07-26-2002, 11:28 AM

Boy, could I tell you about Panic Attacks. I am 32 and I have had them for yrs. I am on meds. but the only meds that really work for me is Paxil but guess what, my insurance does not cover Paxil because it is not a generic. It comes in generic but they don't make it to sell in generic. I guess because they would lose money because so many people are on Paxil.

I have learned alot about Panic Attacks over the yrs. I am now on disability for mental and physical. Physical due to car accidents (that was not my fault). Mental due to Panic Attacks.

Panic Attacks run in my famil but I am the first to admit it. You do know that it is a chemical that we are lacking in the brain, so my doctor tells me.

I have also learned over the yrs. That people who don't have Panic Attacks, it is hard for them to understands what it is. It was hard for me to understand at first and of course, I thought I was the only one in the world that had it. But with counseling, I understand now. But at the time and even probable now my ex-husband does/did not understand.

My husband now, is wonderful. He understands and has patience with me about it. I find talking to myself helps me by calming myself down. When a get an attack I try to focus on something or someone I love very much and also tell myself, its an attack and I am going to get through it.

Well I think that's enough for now. If you have any questions or just feel like talking, I'm hear. Thanks, Debbie.

**Xylina** · 08-13-2002, 09:49 PM

I've just receintly been diagnosed with having panic attacks, my Dr. is having me try some breathing exercizes with me hoping I won't need medication. Mine are brought on when someone is "mean" or "upset" towards me, so I try to keep everyone happy, LOL!

Best of luck to you all.

**Nicole79** · 08-19-2002, 01:42 PM

I have recently been diagnosed with Panic Disorder. I'm happy because I now know that what I was feeling was a panic attack and not a heart attack. It's very scary. I am now on Zoloft and I go to see a therapist and I feel alot better. I still have mini-panic attacks and anxiety, but I am trying! Good luck to everyone who has it, or if you think you do, you should check it out.

~*~ another thing.....sorry to everyone. I stopped comming here, and it wasn't for no reason. It was because of this. I had so much stuff going on and felt like I was losing my mind. I was a moderator, but I guess you can't moderate if you don't come to the site! ~Sorry Sara

GL every one

**~Sherry~** · 08-19-2002, 01:47 PM

Welcome back Nicole. We're glad you are back and feeling better.

**heaven** · 08-21-2002, 02:14 PM

yes now you all know i am crazy!!! but i have panic attacks. just remember that it will pass, i know it doesn't seem like it. And try to your stress to a minimum.

**Hawkshop** · 08-22-2002, 02:13 PM

I have panic attacks also. I had a pretty bad one a few weeks ago. I was sitting at the computer eating a bowl of cereal one morning and all of a sudden my finger started going numb and then my other fingers and then my whole hand. I felt like I couldn't breathe and starting sobbing. I opened a window and dh held me until it passed. I take Zoloft also. I have also taken Xanax in the past, along with other meds. pm if you want more information on what I have taken. I had PPD with my first daughter and it mostly was because of her birth experience. She has cerebral palsy now. I see a therapist weekly due to PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I pretty much have a control on most of it but continue with therapy to be safe for awhile. Anyway, there is a lot of people out there with these kinds of problems. Most don't discuss it. You are not alone.

PM me if you want to talk more!

**dolphin** · 09-03-2002, 01:01 AM

Wow, so many have panic attacks. I had no idea. Thought I was kinda like the looney tunes of the boards. LOL

I have panic attacks. Most of the time they only last about 10 min. but that can be a long 10 min. when you are driving.

The ones I hate though are the ones of impending doom. I actually think I'm going to die. I don't hurt bad but I feel so awful and I get scared and think I will die. Just horrible!

I have had depression and panic attacks since 1995 and tried several antidepressants. I have taken medicine vacations but within 4 to 6 months I have crashed and am trying something new.

I had to start taking Paxil again in April. By June I was worse, severely depressed, panic attacks, insomnia, a walking zombie. My doctor doubled my medicine. That was a big mistake. Two weeks later I had to go back to the doctor and refused to see him so I got another one. She went over my history and we talked for an hour. The other doctor had said I was depressed and had PTSD (which I probably do) but she said I was having a reaction to the Paxil and that I am allergic to it and never take it again. She also said that she thinks that I am Bipolar (which could be cause my mother is and my son was) and that I need a different kind of meds. She put me on Lithobid 2x's a day and it is working really well (when I can afford to take both pills a day).

I also have Fibromyalgia which also cause depression and so I am fighting against several problems.

It does help being able to talk about it to people who know what it is like.

Thanks for starting this thread.