Panic Attacks

Vedda11

Around 2 yrs ago my husband had real bad panic attacks. We literally thought he was dying because he was sweating bad, heart racing..ect. After a couple of non-sleeping nights, add insomia to panic attack= my husband was going insane! We took him to the emergency room after he described the terrible pain in his chest and the Dr. basically laghed at us, said its anxiety and gave him a xanax. follow up with PCP and they were ready to medicate. Execept the side effects listed were the same symtoms he was trying to prevent so started to look at other more natural remedies. Because my husband's panic attacks had a lot to do with the fact he was not sleeping at night we started there. Melatonin is a natural hormone that we have in our brains, helps regulate sleeping patterns by regulating seratonin levels....don't understand the exact science but seratonin has a lot to do with well, everything. Hubby took Melatonin (3g) for a month, once his sleeping patterns returned to normal *whatever that is* his panic attaks/anxiety went away. Now he does not have to take anything. NOT to knock meds...they work for many people, but your panic attacks sound more like they are triggered by specific things....so not sure if this will help. maybe it will if you have trouble sleeping...lol :roll:

DS1119

Vedda11 wrote:

Around 2 yrs ago my husband had real bad panic attacks. We literally thought he was dying because he was sweating bad, heart racing..ect. After a couple of non-sleeping nights, add insomia to panic attack= my husband was going insane! We took him to the emergency room after he described the terrible pain in his chest and the Dr. basically laghed at us, said its anxiety and gave him a xanax. follow up with PCP and they were ready to medicate. Execept the side effects listed were the same symtoms he was trying to prevent so started to look at other more natural remedies. Because my husband's panic attacks had a lot to do with the fact he was not sleeping at night we started there. Melatonin is a natural hormone that we have in our brains, helps regulate sleeping patterns by regulating seratonin levels....don't understand the exact science but seratonin has a lot to do with well, everything. Hubby took Melatonin (3g) for a month, once his sleeping patterns returned to normal *whatever that is* his panic attaks/anxiety went away. Now he does not have to take anything. NOT to knock meds...they work for many people, but your panic attacks sound more like they are triggered by specific things....so not sure if this will help. maybe it will if you have trouble sleeping...lol :roll:

I actually do have a lot fo trouble sleeping. Just see how late at night I am here. I tried the melatonin a few years back but, and this is going to sound weird, I actually became addicted to it. Every time I tried to sleep without taking it all I could think about was I need to take some melatonin. :fp: Eventually I would get so worked up I'd take 5 or 6 them and be the most tired person ever at work the next day. :fp:

Vedda11

DS1119 wrote:

Vedda11 wrote:

Around 2 yrs ago my husband had real bad panic attacks. We literally thought he was dying because he was sweating bad, heart racing..ect. After a couple of non-sleeping nights, add insomia to panic attack= my husband was going insane! We took him to the emergency room after he described the terrible pain in his chest and the Dr. basically laghed at us, said its anxiety and gave him a xanax. follow up with PCP and they were ready to medicate. Execept the side effects listed were the same symtoms he was trying to prevent so started to look at other more natural remedies. Because my husband's panic attacks had a lot to do with the fact he was not sleeping at night we started there. Melatonin is a natural hormone that we have in our brains, helps regulate sleeping patterns by regulating seratonin levels....don't understand the exact science but seratonin has a lot to do with well, everything. Hubby took Melatonin (3g) for a month, once his sleeping patterns returned to normal *whatever that is* his panic attaks/anxiety went away. Now he does not have to take anything. NOT to knock meds...they work for many people, but your panic attacks sound more like they are triggered by specific things....so not sure if this will help. maybe it will if you have trouble sleeping...lol :roll:

I actually do have a lot fo trouble sleeping. Just see how late at night I am here. I tried the melatonin a few years back but, and this is going to sound weird, I actually became addicted to it. Every time I tried to sleep without taking it all I could think about was I need to take some melatonin. :fp: Eventually I would get so worked up I'd take 5 or 6 them and be the most tired person ever at work the next day. :fp:

Oh my yes, never works well if you take more than 3g....actually before taking it we were told to read "the melatonin miracle" and the guys who did all sorts of studies with melatonin in the 90's came up with 3g as a good dosage after giving their subjects 25g----which made them fall asleep while walking, step...step...boom on the ground...was a real funny read. Anyway anything more than 3g will have groggy next morning whole day. Hope for the best, mind over matter and all that. Best thing to take---PJ 8-)

Go Beavers

Illridethewave20 wrote:

I know this sounds cliche, but taking deep, slow breaths usually does the trick. Also distracting yourself works. The best way I find to prevent them is exercise.

It might be cliche, but people who find ways to manage their panic attacks often focus on certain breathing techniques that work for them as well as other things. I would recommend looking into alternatives to meds, or if you go with meds, combine them with ways to manage the anxiety skillwise. Comebackgirl knows her stuff, so a meet up with her is a good idea.

DS1119

Go Beavers wrote:

Illridethewave20 wrote:

I know this sounds cliche, but taking deep, slow breaths usually does the trick. Also distracting yourself works. The best way I find to prevent them is exercise.

It might be cliche, but people who find ways to manage their panic attacks often focus on certain breathing techniques that work for them as well as other things. I would recommend looking into alternatives to meds, or if you go with meds, combine them with ways to manage the anxiety skillwise. Comebackgirl knows her stuff, so a meet up with her is a good idea.

She's actually PM'ed me a lot of helpful advice and info. Some of it I've tried and some of it I will try. I am seriosly thinking about seeing a docotr. I guess there's no shame wiht that.

cubBEE_girl

DS1119 wrote:

Go Beavers wrote:

Illridethewave20 wrote:

I know this sounds cliche, but taking deep, slow breaths usually does the trick. Also distracting yourself works. The best way I find to prevent them is exercise.

It might be cliche, but people who find ways to manage their panic attacks often focus on certain breathing techniques that work for them as well as other things. I would recommend looking into alternatives to meds, or if you go with meds, combine them with ways to manage the anxiety skillwise. Comebackgirl knows her stuff, so a meet up with her is a good idea.

She's actually PM'ed me a lot of helpful advice and info. Some of it I've tried and some of it I will try. I am seriosly thinking about seeing a docotr. I guess there's no shame wiht that.

There is no shame in seeing a doctor. NO shame at all!! One of best friends has anxiety and panic attacks, she has tried many of the thing already suggested here...breathing techniques and distractions, and now she is on medicine. The combination of these things has helped her immensely. Hoping you are feeling better. Just think in just a few days you can kick the smoking baby.

DS1119

cubBEE_girl wrote:

There is no shame in seeing a doctor. NO shame at all!! One of best friends has anxiety and panic attacks, she has tried many of the thing already suggested here...breathing techniques and distractions, and now she is on medicine. The combination of these things has helped her immensely. Hoping you are feeling better. Just think in just a few days you can kick the smoking baby.

I actually have it all planned out. I'm going to stomp on his exposed toes becasue of the #mandals first and then kick him in the balls.

cubBEE_girl

DS1119 wrote:

cubBEE_girl wrote:

There is no shame in seeing a doctor. NO shame at all!! One of best friends has anxiety and panic attacks, she has tried many of the thing already suggested here...breathing techniques and distractions, and now she is on medicine. The combination of these things has helped her immensely. Hoping you are feeling better. Just think in just a few days you can kick the smoking baby.

I actually have it all planned out. I'm going to stomp on his exposed toes becasue of the #mandals first and then kick him in the balls.

:thumbup:

I expect twitter updates, since I can't witness this in person.

#mandals.

DS1119

cubBEE_girl wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

cubBEE_girl wrote:

There is no shame in seeing a doctor. NO shame at all!! One of best friends has anxiety and panic attacks, she has tried many of the thing already suggested here...breathing techniques and distractions, and now she is on medicine. The combination of these things has helped her immensely. Hoping you are feeling better. Just think in just a few days you can kick the smoking baby.

I actually have it all planned out. I'm going to stomp on his exposed toes becasue of the #mandals first and then kick him in the balls.

:thumbup:

I expect twitter updates, since I can't witness this in person.

#mandals.

He may get a back hand too. There's nothing that says "you're a bitch" more than a good backhand!

mca47

As a frequent flyer it's pretty amazing to see how many people have them. On the plane, in airports...really the whole traveling experience seems to trigger them.
Sat next to this guy in the spring coming back to Phoenix from New York. I could tell from the get-go he was having problems. He was center seat too! We were chatting a bit before we took off and he told me that he gets them all the time and he was currently "about to melt down". I thought "Why do I always have to sit by these people?" Drink lady comes by and the guy says to me "do you drink?" I'm like "Yeah". I wasn't planning on drinking as I had a ton of work to do. He goes "I have to have some drinks and I don't drink alone...I'm buying". I think we probably had like 6-7 drinks! It helped for a while. We're over New Mexico and it starts getting really turbulent (common in the southwest for that time of year). He almost lost it!

A month or so ago I was flying from Vegas back to Phoenix and I literally had to hold a girl down and calm her down because she was losing it. She was cute, otherwise I wouldn't have!

I don't get them but I see the people that do and it looks rough!!

JOEJOEJOE

I suffered from panic attacks even before I knew what they were! I'd start sweating profusely in various situations. It would sometimes happen in social situations, as well as business situations.

My shrink prescribed Xanax to use as needed, but when I changed doctors, the new one put me on Klonopin...works like a charm...helps prevent anxiety, and the related panic attacks. I take it nightly, as opposed to taking xanax as a reactionary response to anxiety/panic attacks.

http://www.drugs.com/klonopin.html

DS1119

mca47 wrote:

As a frequent flyer it's pretty amazing to see how many people have them. On the plane, in airports...really the whole traveling experience seems to trigger them.
Sat next to this guy in the spring coming back to Phoenix from New York. I could tell from the get-go he was having problems. He was center seat too! We were chatting a bit before we took off and he told me that he gets them all the time and he was currently "about to melt down". I thought "Why do I always have to sit by these people?" Drink lady comes by and the guy says to me "do you drink?" I'm like "Yeah". I wasn't planning on drinking as I had a ton of work to do. He goes "I have to have some drinks and I don't drink alone...I'm buying". I think we probably had like 6-7 drinks! It helped for a while. We're over New Mexico and it starts getting really turbulent (common in the southwest for that time of year). He almost lost it!

A month or so ago I was flying from Vegas back to Phoenix and I literally had to hold a girl down and calm her down because she was losing it. She was cute, otherwise I wouldn't have!

I don't get them but I see the people that do and it looks rough!!

It is rough and flying over New Mexico is the work of the devil! :twisted: :fp: What made it worse yesterday was becasue the flight was so rough the flight attendants weren't serving drinks so I didn't even have that. There was a point...and I'm being God's honest here...when I contemplated pulling the whole crazy card thing and just acting out where they either landed or tranquilized me. :fp:

DS1119

JOEJOEJOE wrote:

I suffered from panic attacks even before I knew what they were! I'd start sweating profusely in various situations. It would sometimes happen in social situations, as well as business situations.

My shrink prescribed Xanax to use as needed, but when I changed doctors, the new one put me on Klonopin...works like a charm...helps prevent anxiety, and the related panic attacks. I take it nightly, as opposed to taking xanax as a reactionary response to anxiety/panic attacks.

http://www.drugs.com/klonopin.html

Just another reason I need to see a doctor. Thanks for the info.

SD48277

DS1119 wrote:

Thanks for the great advice. As far as the iPod question...it just didn't work. I had my earphones on and the guy just wouldn't stop talking. I guess I should have been rude to him but I'm actually not good at doing that. Only here and at work I can be rude.

I usually put the earphones in, pull my hood up, and close my eyes. But that's me...I am just naturally anti-social.

F Me In The Brain

DS1119 wrote:

JOEJOEJOE wrote:

I suffered from panic attacks even before I knew what they were! I'd start sweating profusely in various situations. It would sometimes happen in social situations, as well as business situations.

My shrink prescribed Xanax to use as needed, but when I changed doctors, the new one put me on Klonopin...works like a charm...helps prevent anxiety, and the related panic attacks. I take it nightly, as opposed to taking xanax as a reactionary response to anxiety/panic attacks.

http://www.drugs.com/klonopin.html

Just another reason I need to see a doctor. Thanks for the info.

One note on the Klonopin, if you go that route -- be careful with drinking if you are on it. It is a 'benzo' and as such is not a good one to mix with booze. (Or at least with lots of booze, as I know from past posts that you enjoy a few + a few more when getting after it.)

Enkidu

I had panic attacks - got them right after I got engaged and they went away (mostly) the day after the wedding. I went to a therapist, didn't go the drug route back then, did more talking about it and confronting places where they'd occur - movie theatres, restaurants. And it worked.

With anxiety issues, I have Xanax. But most of the time (flying, for example) just knowing I have it and can take it if I need to, that's enough.

PS: I'm still married.

Thoughts_Arrive

DS1119 wrote:

Anyone here get them and have any advice? I had one tonight that was so bad I actually question my sanity.

Had a few in my life.
Not the best feeling, slow deep breaths help.

DS1119

Not the best situation but I'm making the best of it. Got kind of shit faced last night. Maybe two hours of sleep and I'm having a few before todays flight so I'm already kind of hammered. It's only 2 hours to MT so I should be fine. If I see Cornell get on that plane though I will wig out. :fp:

iluvcats

did you find out why your nose bled? it may have been from the dry air on the plane.
and for joex3, how long will you stay on Klonopin? the link you gave said it's temporary.
you goobers do understand that YOU CANNOT drink alot on these drugs like klonopin? also it stays in your body a long time, so you might be able to take it less than other drugs. don't drink white grapefruit juice, it'll sensationalize the klonopin's effectiveness. I think it makes it 3x stronger....be careful, please read the directions and talk to your pharmacist. you would be suprised at drug interactions. I used to take Xanax. Coffee is intensified by the xanax. The label on the bottle doesn't tell you that. So I would take Xanax to calm down and it was making the caffeine in me more jumpy!

DS1119 wrote:

Here's what happened tonight. I'll lay it out. If I fly with someone I know...friend, date whatever...I'm 100% fine. If I travel alone I'm 100% certifiable. I flew today alone to Phoenix. The guy sitting next to me was 6"5" (yes he mentioned his height) and just wouldn't shut up. I don't like being crowded and I really don't like talking to strangers especially on a plane. Two things he was doing for 4.5 hours. The flight was very turbelant which I have gotten used to flying west but it was very bad tonight (or at least in my head it was). They wouldn't turn off the seatbelt light and I had to piss so bad I literally thought at one point I was going to piss myself. FLight lands and it takes FOREVER for the plane to unload. I kept checking my phone and it was exactly 27 minutes for me to get off the plane. I get off the plane and I have the sweats...tight chest...felt like I couldn't breath...the whole shit. Now for the icing on the cake. I also at times get attacks on highways...especially highways I'm not 100% sure of where I am. I get my rental car and punch the address of my hotel into the Nav. 7.2 miles away and all highway (I've been on that highway 100's of times and have even stayed at that hotel four or five times before). I was already a nervous wreck and just the thought of jumping on that 10 lane highway set me into another attack. Mind was racing. Hands were all sweaty and turned bright red. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. As I'm pulling out of the parking garage I puke. Not just a queezy stomach I mean a full on puke. I also got a bloody nose during the puke session (this is a new wrinkle that just happened tonight). It was so bad that I reprogrammed the nav to avoid highways. It took me about 30 minutes to go 7 miles instead of about ten. I had to stop at the first bar I passed just to grab three beers just to chill the fuck out on the drive to the hotel. The whole drive to the hotel all I kept thinking about was how I have to do this 3 more times. From here I am flying to Montana. From there I'm flying to Vegas. From there I'm flying back to Smalbany. I really think I may have a heart attack or be committed by the time this trip is over. :fp:

Thoughts_Arrive

For those of you on medication like Xanax, do you experience any side-effects?
I've had an anxiety problem for pretty much my whole life, never been on meds, worried about the side-effects reported.