katieg
24-03-06, 12:16
Hi everyone, my name is Katie
I have suffered with panic attacks and anxiety for about 3 years. At first I had no idea what was wrong with me and for the 18 months I went back and forth from the doctors with various symptoms (my sister got multiple blood clots in her legs and lungs but came through and I have suffered with anxiety increasing getting worse ever since). I have had every check going and I am fit and healthy 24 year old woman. In total I have had a CAT Scan, MRI scan on my brain, seen a cardiologist, been to the breast clinic, to the doctors sometime up to 3 times a week……..it was only really 12 months ago they said it was panic attacks. No wonder I am worse as I have been led to believe for a good 2 years that something was wrong, now I am trying to get my head round all this. I have now been referred to ENT at the hospital as the fullness in my head (which I have had for 3 years) could be to do with my ears not muscle tension!!!! I am so mad and angry with this condition.
Up until all this happened I travelled with my job and even went on a cruise on my own at 21 years old for 2 weeks. Now I can’t even get in a car and get to Manchester. I suffered from hyperventilation with my panic attacks and have what my doctor calls cardio pedal spasm (I have had this 3 times and it starts with pins and needles and then its like I become paralysed -the first one I had I had no 'brown bag' and my hands and feet twisted up and I had jaw lock and I looked like I was having a stroke - has anyone else suffered from this??? - second time I used the brown bag and it went away and I did not get to that stage but since I have had it again and its like my body turns to ice and I cant control it, when I breathe in the bag it subsides). This mainly happens when I travel in someone else’s car further than 10 miles, I panic and need to go back home! I know I can get through them its just seems when it happens it knocks me back and I get down as I think they have gone and in fact they are stronger than ever.
Sorry I know this is like an essay but I have been looking at these forums for months thinking should I post how I am feeling.
My doctor tried me with diazepam and said to take it when necessary over the year I became more and more dependent on it and now don’t take it as much but have had to take this on the first 2 weeks of taking citilopram.
I found I am suffering with this so much to the point where I can not cope. I have a very supportive doctor and I have been on anxiety management course and even invested in a product called the Linden Method - only to my disappointment that I have already tried most methods and stuck to them religiously. I have a constant feeling of fullness in my head which I believe triggers my panic attacks as I feel extremely light headed and like someone is pushing my head around. I feel like I am going mad and have disturbing thoughts even about killing myself on occasions. I have a string family and have been picking myself up bit by bit! I so want to enjoy my life and plan holidays and trips away. I will be getting the opportunity to travel with my job but I feel I can not do this.
I went to my doctors 3 and half weeks ago, I ended up seeing another doctor as my doctor was on holiday. He gave my Citilopram (20mg dose). I have to say the first 2 days I felt high and was hysterical with laughter (I have to say this was great!). then after 4 days I started with increased anxiety and panic. Up until taking the tablets it was there form the minute I woke up (the dread feeling in your stomach) and would rear its ugly head more and more frequently throughout the day and this would exhaust me!!!. Thsi was there even more so and frightened me and I also suffered with all I can describe is muscle cramps - I feel like I want to cramp all down my right side (has onyl else had this???!!! I have been to my docs and he does not seem worried by this). I felt extremely anxious and then for a few days I felt fine. This week (nearly done my first packet) I feel shocking and I want to come of
I have suffered with panic attacks and anxiety for about 3 years. At first I had no idea what was wrong with me and for the 18 months I went back and forth from the doctors with various symptoms (my sister got multiple blood clots in her legs and lungs but came through and I have suffered with anxiety increasing getting worse ever since). I have had every check going and I am fit and healthy 24 year old woman. In total I have had a CAT Scan, MRI scan on my brain, seen a cardiologist, been to the breast clinic, to the doctors sometime up to 3 times a week……..it was only really 12 months ago they said it was panic attacks. No wonder I am worse as I have been led to believe for a good 2 years that something was wrong, now I am trying to get my head round all this. I have now been referred to ENT at the hospital as the fullness in my head (which I have had for 3 years) could be to do with my ears not muscle tension!!!! I am so mad and angry with this condition.
Up until all this happened I travelled with my job and even went on a cruise on my own at 21 years old for 2 weeks. Now I can’t even get in a car and get to Manchester. I suffered from hyperventilation with my panic attacks and have what my doctor calls cardio pedal spasm (I have had this 3 times and it starts with pins and needles and then its like I become paralysed -the first one I had I had no 'brown bag' and my hands and feet twisted up and I had jaw lock and I looked like I was having a stroke - has anyone else suffered from this??? - second time I used the brown bag and it went away and I did not get to that stage but since I have had it again and its like my body turns to ice and I cant control it, when I breathe in the bag it subsides). This mainly happens when I travel in someone else’s car further than 10 miles, I panic and need to go back home! I know I can get through them its just seems when it happens it knocks me back and I get down as I think they have gone and in fact they are stronger than ever.
Sorry I know this is like an essay but I have been looking at these forums for months thinking should I post how I am feeling.
My doctor tried me with diazepam and said to take it when necessary over the year I became more and more dependent on it and now don’t take it as much but have had to take this on the first 2 weeks of taking citilopram.
I found I am suffering with this so much to the point where I can not cope. I have a very supportive doctor and I have been on anxiety management course and even invested in a product called the Linden Method - only to my disappointment that I have already tried most methods and stuck to them religiously. I have a constant feeling of fullness in my head which I believe triggers my panic attacks as I feel extremely light headed and like someone is pushing my head around. I feel like I am going mad and have disturbing thoughts even about killing myself on occasions. I have a string family and have been picking myself up bit by bit! I so want to enjoy my life and plan holidays and trips away. I will be getting the opportunity to travel with my job but I feel I can not do this.
I went to my doctors 3 and half weeks ago, I ended up seeing another doctor as my doctor was on holiday. He gave my Citilopram (20mg dose). I have to say the first 2 days I felt high and was hysterical with laughter (I have to say this was great!). then after 4 days I started with increased anxiety and panic. Up until taking the tablets it was there form the minute I woke up (the dread feeling in your stomach) and would rear its ugly head more and more frequently throughout the day and this would exhaust me!!!. Thsi was there even more so and frightened me and I also suffered with all I can describe is muscle cramps - I feel like I want to cramp all down my right side (has onyl else had this???!!! I have been to my docs and he does not seem worried by this). I felt extremely anxious and then for a few days I felt fine. This week (nearly done my first packet) I feel shocking and I want to come of