Panic Attacks and Fear

[daniel22]

Hi everyone, im daniel 25, ive been suffering with panic attacks now for 4 months, before that never experience such trumour! Just wondering if my syptoms/fears are a normal and isnt somethink more serious. my panic attacks occur mostly everyday but it varies why and how long..most of time when im getting ready for bed..when im in bed i try to keep calm but my heartrate feels heavy and i feel scared to go sleep just incase my heart stops without no ovious reason. im cant socialise without having panic attacks. i can jus barly relax watching tv before getting a panic attack. im on Lorazepam but it dnt really help me much. i live with my partner and i always have a go at him as im short tempered because i believe its my Anxiety which then panic attacks follows...sometimes when im resting i get like this big wave go through my chest...nearest thing i can describe is like goin down a big hill suddenly...i get chest pains....palpations....shortness of breath. my doctor dont seem to be giving me the right treatment as he put me on venflaxing 75mg but it doesnt seem to help. if any one who gets the same as me or can help me deal with this i really will appreciate it thanks

[Dahlia]

Hi Daniel

Poor you, it wounds like you are having a horrible time of it. I know exactly what you mean by the 'going down a big hill suddenly' feeling, I get that too - usually at the beginning of an attack. It does sound like panic attacks - although it's always worth having your doctor check you out in case it's something else. Panic attacks can cause so many symptoms, the list is almost endless.

Does your partner know about your panic attacks? Anxiety can definitely make people irritable and it's really hard to control it.

I'm on Venlafaxine too, 150mg, and to be honest I haven't really found that it's helping me much. Seroxat worked much better for me. It might be worth asking your doctor about trying a higher dosage of the Venlafaxine in case that works better. Also, can you speak to him about some counselling? I am on the waiting list on the NHS for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is meant to be the best form of therapy for anxiety. It tackles the frightening thoughts which lead to the awful feelings. Another thing to try is a relaxation mp3/CD, just to get your body used to letting go and relaxing, and to help you with breathing. It could be that you are getting pains because you are hyperventilating.

Dahlia

[daniel22]

Hi,

Thanks its reassuring im not alone on this. I went to see my doctor 2 days ago and they are reviewing my medication. got go back today atually and pick new ones up. I just been assed by the mental health team in peterborough and been put on congitive behavioural therapy which starts end of aprill for 6 weeks. My dosage for venflaxine is 75mg which to me isnt doin any think for me but making it worse. i cant even have beta-blockers because i suffer from asthma. doctors have done tests like 3 24hr ECGs, blood tests and ultrasound tests but all come back normal. my therapist said to me that i have GAD with Panic disorder and they said CBT is the best way forward for me. just so eagle to take back control