View Full Version : Will it ever end?? Advice?
Hello my name is Mark from Seattle Washington. I have been dealing with these panic attacks for about the last 3 years and it has been ruining my life ever since. A bit of background to help you out to give me some advice.
I have a very very stressful job and after taking repeated 13 hour days for about 3 months I finally broke down, and had a huge attack, later to be known as panic. I went to doctors to find out what was going on, and finally was diagnosed with having panic/anxiety attacks. My primary care physician recommended I go see a psychiatrist to get some advice on what I should do. I have currently been seeing my psychiatrist for about 3 years and the results have been pretty good, but still I am stuck trying to rid myself of this problem.
For the last 3 years I have gone from staying at home and not really doing anything to present now living life at about 80%. I used to be so outgoing and live life as it was the last day I had, I was able to to anything and go anywhere without any fear at all. Nowadays, I live life at 80% and leave the 20% to fear and anxiety wondering if I am going to panic and make a fool out of myself.
I am currently on medication to help me through my panic attacks and general anxiety that I deal with, but honestly it puts me in a dreamy floaty state which is not that great. I currently am on 40MG of Paxil and .25MG 2 times a day. Klonopin just knocks me out, and I hate the feeling it gives me but it does relax me and let me do activities while feeling very breezy, which I do not like.
I am a person to stick with what is known now, I never used to be, I would always be up to trying new things and traveling, but in the last 4 years panic and anxiety has overtaken my life, and has made me somewhat of a shelled in person. Knowing that I do not want to live my life like this I try everything in my power to get better and get over this, but for the last 3 years I can say I have not been that impressed with my results.
I currently have a girlfriend, that means more than anything to me, and I am in a great spot in my life, she completely understands what I am going through, since I have explained it to her. If I were to lose her over this complicated illness I have I could never live it down.
Now for the fun part...explaining what my attacks feel like:>). I am sure you can all relate. It will start as getting hot under the collar, then my arms and fingers and legs will start to get very tingly and feel like pins and needles are stabbing them, I then start to get tunnel vision and my hearing will feel like I am underwater.. That is only the start. Further into it I will get cramps and nausea, and usually throw up or gag, which is not that fun in public. I feel that I am going to pass out, and I have once from an extremem panic attack. I generally feel out of my body and feel that I cannot believe it is happening. I literally do not feel like myself, and my heart is beating so fast and everything is going a mile a minute. I only try to breathe and fight through it, but I never get small panic attacks, they are always huge, and end with disastrous results, such as soaking wet in sweat or vomit:).
Enough with my babble, here are a few questions to lead me in the right direction....
1. I understand that medication is a temporary bandage and will only mask the problem until you can physically and mentally train yourself to help yourself. The medication I am on I am startin to question if there is better out there. My psychiatrist says that he is happy with the results but I would be glad to try something else that will not make me feel so drowsy and out of it while I am on it. I have a very sensitive system and when I put any kind of medication in my body I react to it good or bad. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
2. I was looking into self help methods such as the Linden Method, but have a feeling that if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. I don't think there is any quick fixes for this problem, but I am wondering if anyone has had any good r
yorkylover
18-10-06, 23:15
Hello Mark and welcome to the forum.You will get plenty of helpfull advise here,and you will make some great friends.We all understand here so your never alone.
take care;):);)
Ellen XX
Thank you Ellen. I hope to contribute as much as possible.
One day.
Hi mark and welcome!!
Ive suffered with panic and anxiety for the last 15 years on and off so i know just how you feel.At the moment i'm having a crap time,my heads all over the place this week.The thing that gets to me is you have a few good days and think things are starting to look up and then WHHHAMMM it crashes back down again.Youre back at square one...
If theres one thing about anxiety and panic,its that its cruel.
Anyway,just wanted to say that!!
I'm sure you'll have a lot of questions answered on here mark,its a great forum!!
Take care,keep smiling,Candie x:D
dazednconfused
19-10-06, 02:39
Hi Mark. I don't know how much I can help but I too have been suffering from panic attacks for the last year but have recently seen a huge improvement. So much so that I haven't had a full blown attack for 2 months and feel positive that I can prevent myself from having one again. Don't get me wrong, I still have strange symptoms which go along with anxiety (thumping heartbeat, strange vision, tight chest, etc. etc.), but I have been told by my doctor that like any other part of the body, the nervous system needs time to heal and I just need to let it be for a while. Like yourself, I was willing to try anything to get better, but thankfully my doctor advised me against taking prescribed medication. I understand that in some cases it helps to be able to take something to 'take the edge off'. I personally would recommend that under your doctor's supervision, you slowly come off the medication. You can and will get better without it. I went to see a naturopath who recommended that I take Vitamin B supplements, fish oil supplements, and a homeopathic remedy you can get over here in the UK called 'Eight' capsules. I'm sure you can get something similar in the states to ease anxiety. In general if it contains Valerian, it should help. You were right to admit that this isn't somethinng which will go away over night. Just as it took a a significant amount of stress over a prolonged period of time, it will take time for your nerves to heal. If you haven't already read it, I would suggest you try either the book by Claire Weekes 'Self help for your nerves', or the programme offered by Joe Barry. Both help you to understand what is happening to you and why, and how you can overcome the attacks by not fearing them anymore. Easier said than done, I know, but it really does work. Once you realise that your attacks are brought on by the anticipation and the fear of them occurring, if you eliminate the fear, you can eliminate the attacks. Now if I feel an attack coming on, I say to myself 'Bring it on!!' Do your worst!! You have to let those feelings come and realise that they are only feelings. Passing out and vomiting are your body's way of giving up because when you have an attck, you're so bewildered by what your going through and overcome with fear that you physically give up. I too used to feel like I was going to pass out, and I did black out briefly, but this was when I had no idea what was happening to me. Now that I know that it's nothing to be afraid of, I've broken this cycle of fear/anxiety/panic. By avoiding certain situations, although it's understandable (I'm still wary about motorway driving), you're not helping yourself. If you keep anticipating the worst, can you really be surprised if you have an attack? I think you should try this, it could give you some much needed self confidence and faith that you WILL get better. Speak to your psychiatrist first of course and choose one situation that you would normally feel nervous in. Have someone there with you to support if necessary. Go into this situation thinking, what's the worst that could happen? I'll be sick. I'll pass out. Am I going to die? NO. Do I really care what anybody else thinks if i do pass out or vomit? I hope not. When you start to feel those familiar feeling come over you, let them. Don't fear them. Look at each feeling and examine it for what it is. Not so scary are they? You could even try to make them worse. Just let them come. As long as you don't fear them and just accept them for what they are, you should hopefully get through them without having a full blown attack. I can only tell you from my own experience. I'm still recovering myself, but i've stopped putting limitations on what I feel I can or cannot do. You used to be a confident, out-going person. You still are that person. You've just had a rough ride and your body needs time to heal. I'm glad to hear that you have an understanding partner. Please do not worry about losing her to this. I'm sure she doesn't see leaving you as an option. It's i
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I am trying to find the combination of the right medication and the right natural medication to get me through this, and most of all a correct mind set. This site is a blessing in disguise.
Mark
**leave the 20% to fear and anxiety wondering if I am going to panic **
Here's your residual issue . Amongst all your meds and therapy have you had CBT.
If you haven't passed out by now - you won't.
Spaciness (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2696)
Light Headed (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2951)
dizzyness (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3062)
Jules31 (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=310)
Light Headed (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2951)
Very dizzy (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3743)
help :( (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3742)
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Vertigo type sensations (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5669)
New to this site and need some advice :( (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5961)
Is my head normal??? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6731)
Anxiety + Panic + Stress + Dizziness + some relief (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6338)
Dizziness - I hate it, any help? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6854)
constantly dizzy -please help! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10898)
Has anyone ever fainted? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7611)
New here with Much Needed Answers (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2019)
Have a read up
First Steps to overcoming Panic and Anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=942)
Common Symptoms of Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Phobias and OCD. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/NMPcms.php?nmppage=symptoms)
Lets try to keep our thoughts in perspective (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=283)
Mind Games (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1789)
obsessive thoughts & anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3096)
Still suffering this damn "suggestive" thing.. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4288)
How to CURE yourself ! The definitive guide here.. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5357)
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Things to consider for success! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6165)
[Link removed as post deleted]
Thoughts (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7187)
image projection in my mind (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7358)
You all may find this interesting...... (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8262)
You need to know this will ease the added pressure (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8411)
What is fear? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8418)
Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com
proactiveness, positivity, persistence, perseverance and practice = progress
Meg thank you for all the useful information. I will read up on all of it tonight.
The weird part is that I have passed out once, and it has been haunting me ever since. I believe it was because I actually just wasn't breathing enough. Should I continue to worry about it? My psychiatrist suggested I see a specialist, but in the last 6 months it has not happened.
I have not yet explored CBT but will bring that up with my psychiatrist today at my appointment. I am starting to get really into my problem wtih anxiety and trying to become proactive instead of sitting on the sidelines. I am thinking about switching medications since Paxil is really not doing it anymore for me. Considering to go on Fluoxetine if possible.
I am still worried about the passing out part. Advice?
Thanks again Meg.
Hi Mark
Welcome to the Forum. You'll find loads of great support and advice here. You'll soon find yourself contributing and joining in too!
Lisa.
taffysteve
23-10-06, 17:09
Hiya Mark,
Firstly, I really do sympathise with your situation. In fact, I'm sure we all do....
There is absolutely no question of passing out due to a panic attack. In fact, it would be quite the opposite - in that you will be too alert if anything. The only concern I have about passing out is when I lose my appetite due to the anxiety...I sometimes go for a number of days without eating and end up feeling very weak - but passing out during a panic attack - no chance.
There are literally hundreds of self-help methods out there, all proclaiming to be the 'miracle cure' for panic and axiety. In my experience, they aren't. Naturally, they are full of great advice, some of which works for some and not for others. Trust me, I have purchased a lot of them whilst in the depths and I wouldn't recommend any.
However, I would strongly recommend Dr Claire Weekes' Self-Help for Your Nerves. It is terrific. It's as if she is sitting beside you. I have found that she talks in a very straight-forward, (if somewhat old fashioned) language.
Finally, in nearly every method/book I've read, the key to beating the attacks is to allow them to come and not to fear them. Obviously easier said than done.
I wish you well - and will keep everything crossed that you break the back of this very soon!
Steve :D
***And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance... I hope you dance***
Hi,
I first had panic attacks 18 years ago. Since then I have lost count of how many times I'm sure I'm gonna drop dead of a heart attack, pass out in the road, vomit in the supermarket queue, go crazy in the street , etc BUT IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED AND NEVER WILL. It took awhile to get the right help and info but as soon as I realised my fear was feeding off my fear of the symptoms - as there was never any REAL danger present, I took a step back. I noticed just a little negative thought can just set the whole thing off like a chain reaction and then I started developing my positive inner voice which counteracted and shouted down the negative one. Sometimes it takes a while but I remind myself that there is no real danger and that these are only feelings, horrible as they are. And when I am determined to do something that maybe I found difficult in the past, that's when the feelings come back, like now when I'm gonna start a new job. It's difficult as it's so easy to get caught up in it after so long being relatively well but I'm slowly and quietly going forward with the feelings on board but trying to accept them as much as I can without wanting to run from them. It's tough but this thing makes you pretty tough, too. Glad yiou're becoming more proactive in your approach as it is your body and you are in control, it just might not feel like it sometimes!:D All the best, XX
Thank you all for the great advice you have given. I went out and purchased the book by Claire Weekes, and it has shown a great amount of insight of what I am dealing with.
So in my one episode of passing out, I guess it could of been from a numerous amount of things, but apparently not from a panic attack, is this a good conclusion? I have also vomited which is actually pretty relaxing, after the point I feel fine, as all my nerves have arrived back to normal.
I do fear the symptoms and I believe that is my main problem.
A few days ago my doctor has tried to switch me from Paxil to Zoloft, and Zoloft makes me sick, so back onto Paxil. These SSRI's I am starting to wonder if they do anything. I think Paxil is helping but to what extent I have no idea.
Thanks again everyone.
One day.
Thanks Nigel for the info. I have started reading the claire weekes book and it has helped me understand a bit about what is going on.
I still am worried about fainting, and that is my main concern usually. I don't want to put anyone in danger, but I am glad to hear that you think it may be a coincidence. From reading I know need to let the attack happen and have it do it's worst and be sure not to fuel the fire.
One day.
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