chris39
28-11-12, 14:07
Hi.
Suffered my first ever panic attack when I was about 17, so about 20 years ago. I was working in a supermarket at the time loading the shelves with goods when I suddenly thought Where am I? What am I doing this for? Then the room spun and I had headache, dizziness, stiff joints due to me tensing up, chest pains, paranoia, feeling of confusion and disorientation, feeling lost and low. Suddenly bolted to the store room to try and calm down, then outside for fresh air.
That was my first time. This then continued. I went to doctors and he said you are stressed, get some rest and take some paracetomal.
This pattern of thinking then spread when I was at pubs on social occasions, at home, then through university.
Then I discovered a little alcohol helped to calm me down which I used when needed plus avoidance of situations.
Next visit to docs at the age of 22 due to a panic attack whilst driving where I just seized up. Ended up sitting in layby on A120 for an hour then driving all back roads back home to avoid other people.
Got home and couldnt leave house for week, doctor visited and prescribed diazepam 5mg 3 times a day for a week.
Since then I have been prescribed by a variety of doctors Betablockers, Seroxat, Fluoxetine, Citalopram, pericyazine and gabapentin.
I have been to see Psychologists, psychiatrists, tried CBT, anxiety management workshops and Mindfulness and Meditation. I gave up drink 8 years ago, smoking went aswell.
Current Medication is Citalopram 40mg a day, pericyazine 2.5mg (2 a day), gabapentin 300mg (3 a day) and co codamol. The latter 2 medications are for neuropathic pain which has caused by stress. And I take diazepam as and when.
I have had stable periods over the last 20 years but I quit my job 2 months ago due to anxiety. Got to the point where I visited the doc on saturday because of the current struggle and lowness. He gave me sleeping pills to calm me down for saturday and sunday until I could see the weekday doctor. Now been referred back to Linkworker for current assessment. It can be a long old battle.
Suffered my first ever panic attack when I was about 17, so about 20 years ago. I was working in a supermarket at the time loading the shelves with goods when I suddenly thought Where am I? What am I doing this for? Then the room spun and I had headache, dizziness, stiff joints due to me tensing up, chest pains, paranoia, feeling of confusion and disorientation, feeling lost and low. Suddenly bolted to the store room to try and calm down, then outside for fresh air.
That was my first time. This then continued. I went to doctors and he said you are stressed, get some rest and take some paracetomal.
This pattern of thinking then spread when I was at pubs on social occasions, at home, then through university.
Then I discovered a little alcohol helped to calm me down which I used when needed plus avoidance of situations.
Next visit to docs at the age of 22 due to a panic attack whilst driving where I just seized up. Ended up sitting in layby on A120 for an hour then driving all back roads back home to avoid other people.
Got home and couldnt leave house for week, doctor visited and prescribed diazepam 5mg 3 times a day for a week.
Since then I have been prescribed by a variety of doctors Betablockers, Seroxat, Fluoxetine, Citalopram, pericyazine and gabapentin.
I have been to see Psychologists, psychiatrists, tried CBT, anxiety management workshops and Mindfulness and Meditation. I gave up drink 8 years ago, smoking went aswell.
Current Medication is Citalopram 40mg a day, pericyazine 2.5mg (2 a day), gabapentin 300mg (3 a day) and co codamol. The latter 2 medications are for neuropathic pain which has caused by stress. And I take diazepam as and when.
I have had stable periods over the last 20 years but I quit my job 2 months ago due to anxiety. Got to the point where I visited the doc on saturday because of the current struggle and lowness. He gave me sleeping pills to calm me down for saturday and sunday until I could see the weekday doctor. Now been referred back to Linkworker for current assessment. It can be a long old battle.