New Kid on the Block

[Blot]

Hi there, I joined this forum yesterday & I have spent some time reading the threads. I have suffered from PA for about 4 years. I am on mirtazipine which controled the attackes for about 2 years but sadly have returned with force. I had a couple of episodes yesterday, they leave me feeling exhausted & vulnerable & fearful. I really need some moral support & advice. Please HELP:weep: Is this disorder genetic or learnt - my dad suffers from the same.
Ta Blot

[StephdeMeth]

Hi, I'm reasonably new here too, have also been suffering from PA's for 4-5 years. Hang in there, you've found one drug that worked, its not going to end there, have you been back to your doctors and spoken to them?
There are theories that its genetic, it does tend to run in families. Mine personally has just come from nowhere, well, it came from a traumatic event - but no family connections or anything.
Just remember, there are people and medication around that can help, it's never the end of the world, yes they are flippin scarey, but they only last a short amount of time, (not the best advice I know, but I try!)
Hang in there!

[Blot]

Hi Steph, thanx for the encouragement - I need it. I have recently relocated from South Africa to the UK. I guess the move which rates as one of the most stressful experiences has been a catalyst. As a result I have not found a doctor who specialises in this disorder here. I have visited the local GP practice who issued me with a repeat script of the meds but did not offer any other support. Would you know where I could find some cognitive therapy support & guidelines?

Have you had PA's for long?

My symptoms are the usual ones: tightening of the chest muscles, rapid & irregular heartbeat, tongue goes a delightful shade of grey-blue ( that really freaks me), lump in the throat, pins & needles in my arms. Wow, it is such a relief to describe these symptoms to someone who knows what I am talikng about. I have these fears of dying. Basically I find that PA causes me to fear fear, if you know what I mean!

Thanx for listening!
Blot:scared15:

[bottleblond]

Hi Blot

Firstly, Welcome along. :flowers:

Suffering from Anxiety/panic attacks can be very stressfull indeed and you are certainly not alone with those feelings.

Genetic (possible) proven (not as yet). I think we really have to grow to accept what we are suffering from before we can deal with it. Personally, i used to get very down indeed, i questioned everything! what had i done to deserve this, was it my fault, was it something that had happened??? On and on and on it went. Only recently after many years of having anxiety/agoraphobia on and off have i accepted that we are all different, some recover quickly some a bit longer.

Take all the help, information and treatment that you are comfortable with and try to realise that things CAN and WILL get better.

Wishing you lots of luck
Lisa
xxx

[Blot]

Thanx Lisa,

Until now I have not spoken about PA to many people. I have a friend who suffers from it in SA, but few folks out there want to discuss "mental" issues.

I have not yet suffered from agorophobia, but I do have some phobias I must address otherwise they will hamper my day to day living!

I am stressed at the moment, external factors which certainly affect my psyche!

You sound so optimistic, positive which is exactly what I needed to hear.

Yes, interesting that my dad has PA, I only recognised his behaviour when I started experiencing mine. Poor thing, I do not think he had much support 30 -40 years ago. I am grateful that we have more info on the disorder now.....

Thanx again!:)

[sunshine-lady]

Hi and welcome to NMP.

Sorry that you are having problems with PAs at the moment. You have come to the right place. There is lots of advice, support and information here.

Chat is a great place to make new friends

xxx

[Blot]

Hi Sunshine Lady,

Thanx for the welcome,

I am looking forward to joining the chat room which I can only do 5 days after joining this forum! Not long to go!

xx Blot