Panic Attacks????
 

I've never had one before but I've had 3 panic attacks in 24 hrs!

I can't breathe, my chest and ribs hurt and my menstrual cycle began early!

My first one began at my work just being there I was terrified. Must be associated with my PTSD

Yesterday a big one came when WSIB called forcing me to return to work despite progression in symptoms (she even identified I'm worse but thought I should return anyway)

I can't sleep. I'm a mess. I'm supposed to go to massage today but I woke up with another attack this morning and not sure what to do!

I'm afraid. Is it stupid to go to the emergency? PLZ help

Kelly

I'm sorry to hear you are having a rough time. I can't recommend what to do, but if it were me, I would try to avoid going to emerg. I'm not sure how they could help. (But I'm also the sort that avoids the ER unless physically dragged there!)

I'm thinking if you have a massage appointment that might help relax you and get your body back in balance.

You're not alone. I've been lucky that my anxiety has not been as intense as what you describe. I find that it helps me to sit in a dark room, be very still and breathe slowly and deeply. In fact, that's where I'm headed now.

Good luck.
Starr

Hi Mist,

I'm sorry to hear about your panic attacks. There is no need to go to the ER for these, as they are not dangerous (even though it feels like they are). I would recommend trying to get in to see a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders as soon as possible.

Some people with panic attacks benefit from medications such as Clonazepam and Xanax. You and your therapist could decide whether any of these medications would be appropriate for you.

Medication isn't the only answer, however, and some people don't need to take medication in order to get their panic attacks under control. One thing you can do right away is to educate yourself about panic disorder so you have a better understanding of what is happening. Part of what makes panic attacks so scary is that you don't know what's going on; this magnifies the anxiety enormously, and makes you feel like you are going crazy or going to die. But you're not going crazy and you are not going to die. The panic comes about largely as a secondary reaction to the initial anxious feeling. In response to this anxious feeling, one becomes even more scared: "Oh my God, I'm starting to panic."

Ultimately, one of the keys to managing panic attacks is to learn to accept the initial anxious feeling and not react to it with further terror. This takes a lot of practice and hard work, probably with a therapist--and in some cases, medication. It can also be very helpful to find a distracting activity any time you notice the first signs of anxiety coming on. For an activity to be really distracting, it is best if it is something that requires your full attention--something that does not allow you to think about something else while you're doing it. For me, these types of activities include close interaction with other people, writing, and sometimes watching movies or TV (which I can't really do no now because of the injury).

See here:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topic...er/index.shtml

and here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001922/

I know how awful panic is, but the good news is that it can be treated and you can improve.

I can understand the symptoms of panic attacks - especially heart racing. I have other symptoms comes with it too (weak legs, feel like passing out etc.,). Very unpleasant and debilitating.

Xanax is the quick short-term remedy which you can try instead of going to ER.

Long term you need some very good professionals, therapies etc., to deal with it.

Thank you everyone. I called my gp and they're calling my WSIB worker for trying to trump a doctors order of rest by forcing me to return to work early.

He faxed meds to my pharmacy I hope to get soon. This was a new experience for me and a scary one at that. I still of chhest pains and keep crying on and off but I think I'm slowly calming down.

My head is pounding! I wonder what this means for me. If I have anxiety over returnning to work now will I ever be able to go back?


Thanks again,

Kelly

Thank you for sharing.

I'm gonna read up on it now. It truly was a frightening experience.


Kelly

I hope that you don't have to go back to work yet....! I also hope you are feeling better. Sending relaxing thoughts your way...:hug:

Dolfinwolf,

Thank you so much!

I'm slowly calming down now but the chest pain is still lingering gonna try and sleep it off...

Hi Kelly,

I have never had panic attacks before my concussion, but have experienced a few of them since. They're awful, you sometimes feel like you’re going to die. I tend to get them more when I'm feeling discouraged and sad. When I feel that I'm never going to get better.

Try taking slow deep breaths. This may be difficult to do during the attack, but try to breathe as deep as you can right down to the belly. Really concentrate on your breath. Open the windows get some air.

There is a product I have been using that has helped me a great deal. It's a natural product based on flower essences, there are no contra-indications for it. It's called Rescue Remedy from Bach flower essences.

It's a very well-known remedy, it's usually available at most natural food stores, and I believe Whole Foods should sell it. It's sold in liquid form and you place the drops under your tongue. You can take as many drops you want and take it as often as needed. You can't over dose on it. It's safe, no side effects to worry about, and not expensive. Depending on the size you buy it costs less than $20.

I have used it very often and it works wonders.

I know what you’re doing through, I had a couple attacks yesterday but took Rescue remedy and they never developed into full blown attacks.

Let me know how it goes

Michaela

[QUOTE=Mist8012;896813

My head is pounding! I wonder what this means for me. If I have anxiety over returnning to work now will I ever be able to go back?

[/QUOTE]

Yes, absolutely. Whatever it is about returning to work that is frightening you is something you can work on with a good therapist (be sure to get someone who specializes in anxiety disorders).

If your panic is focused on specific situations or scenarios, then your therapist will work on exposure techniques with you to help to desensitize you. This is hard, but it really works. Sometimes exposure involves actually facing the feared situation, but exposure can also be done through imagination. A good therapist will combine exposure techniques with cognitive therapy to develop more productive thinking habits. This can be done even if what you are most afraid of are the anxiety and panic attacks themselves (which is very often the case).

Off the top of my head, I don't know of any good books specifically about panic disorder, but one of my favorite general books on anxiety is Dancing with Fear, by Paul Foxman:

http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Fear-C...cing+with+fear

He covers most of the major anxiety disorders, and I think this book is a good place to start for anyone who is looking for a better understanding of her anxiety.

Be well.