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

[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.

Thank you so much for the advice!

I've found ur articles very informing. After this mornings attack my chest hurt for the rest of the day even though the other symptoms lied dormant.

The evening got worse...hubby suspended me from answering the phone so he checked my msgs for me.

Good thing coz there were many calls I shouldn't have taken in my condition today. I got my prescription filled.

Docs got me on Clonazepam.

Any ideas if this med is alright?

I had another panic attack today.

Hubby and I went on an errand. I needed to get away from the kids so I said I'd come for the ride.

We drove into Dundas (The city I work in) as soon as we got closer and closer to my work I got butterflies in my stomach, sweat, chest hurt and had trouble breathing. Yep another one.

Had to rush home for my meds as I'm not in therapy yet....

I hate this and I hate taking drugs and I hate that I've been robbed of myself...this isn't how my life was supposed to be

Sounds like PTSD to me. I had a good case of it 13 years ago. I was assaulted by some cops then locked up with handcuffs in the back of a police car for about 2 hours. I am very claustrophobic. The tight handcuffs were driving me nuts. Also, the closed up back of the police car was a bit more than I could handle.

I struggled for the next year or two when I saw a cop. I had to look away when handcuffs were put on a suspect on TV. I had nightmares of the guns locked in my safe coming out after me. People have no idea what PTSD does to the mind. Add a concussion and PTSD is magnified many times.

The therapist wanted me to believe that the cops were within their rights to treat me the way they did. This would supposedly cure my PTSD.

I suggest you see if you can find support to help you be confident that you will never be put in such a risky position again. The potential of being at risk again just makes it worse.

I know the stress of dealing with corruption. The cops had to lie on the witness stand to convict me. God reminded me of my signature verse as I was about to come unglued as I listened to the lies being told. I had to listen to lies for 14 days of trial and then get convicted. Then, the second day working outside the jail, I suffered my life changing concussion.

All this to say, It is possible to get past the trauma of the assault and insult of the way one is mistreated. "Being still" is the key to making it through a day.

You should ask your doctor to write that you are to never be put at such risk again. If you are, you will likely have panic attack issues.

I struggled with panic attacks regularly for about 4 years. Now, I know how to avoid them most of the time. Plus, my wife knows how to recognize when I am at risk. We celebrated 32 years last week.

And No. I am not a doctor. I have a very high IQ so I strive/need to understand what is happening to me and around me. I had to leave college where I was preparing for dental school because I could not tolerate the stress load. That was 28 years ago. I have spent decades learning about stress and concussion.

For those who are wondering, I was arrested for telling some cops they could not enter my father's house without a warrant. They also arrested my father but did not prosecute him because he, as the owner/occupant of the house has the right to tell the cops they can not enter without a warrant. The cops and prosecutor said that I could not aid him in his efforts. They had to bend the law to convince a jury that I did not have the same right.

It was worth the effort because I very likely saved my younger brother's life. But that's another story.

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...