Seeking Help with Panic Attacks and Anxiety

Hi K.
I am so sorry you are going through this. I have dealt with this my whole life. My mother is pretty high strung so when I started having these problems as a young child, people would make jokes and say "Oh shes just like her Mother". It was always made it think that this is something I am supposed to be able to control and bascially suck it up. Until I had a family of my own, I decided something had to be done for the sake of my family and myself. I got on Lexapro, 10mg. It has made me feel better. It doesnt completely solve everything, I have had just a few panic attacks but I am much more calmer and things dont seem to overwhelm me anymore. I used to be so panicked and worried to do stuff, now I handle things way better. I mean dont get me wrong, I still worry about things, but I dont worry myself sick or think me and my children are going to die! The first week I took it I felt a little weird, that just may have been paranoia about taking it, or me just getting used to it. But after the first week I didnt really have side effects. I never was a pill pusher but this has made my kids, husbands, and my life a lot easier! Good luck K., in whatever you decide to do. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone!

I don't have time to respond now, so e-mail me and I'll send you some excellent info that has helped several people i know who used to have similar challenges. Don't worry or doubt, you can be well again.

Well I've never dealt with that type of situation but knew people who did. I just took a psychology class and they talked about anxiety and panic attacks. Sometimes it is a learned conditioning. If you can pin point what usually sets off the attacks you can get help to over come it. I would try getting therapy because it may just be something based on your childhood that your subconscious is holding on to.

Otherwise I'd talk to a doctor and see about trying a more natural approach. sometimes meds just don't work for people. we all react differently to stimuli and our bodies can reject meds. valarian root is a sleep aid but for me it just relaxes me when i'm tense.

I work in the psychiatric field and my first question would be who prescribed your anxiety medication? I would recommend that if it is not a psychiatrist that you begin seeing a psychiatrist to prescribe medication most appropriate for your anxiety. If you are already seeing a psychiatrist, then discuss your ongoing symptoms with them for an adjustment or change in your medication. I would also recommend that you begin seeing a therapist (if you are not already) to begin identifying the sources of your anxiety and develop coping skills to manage your anxiety and panic attacks. Good luck!

Good Morning K., Hon since you are a CNA you definitely know your med is not right for your problem. Please get in touch with your Dr. Sometimes like with any other medications there is a trial and error factor. There is something that will work for you, your Dr. just needs to help you find the right one.

Your heart rates and BP need to be regulated so maybe a BP med will help get your started.
Also finding out what is at the center of the attacks will be a great step forward.
God Bless you and Best of everything as you follow your Dream!!!

K. Nana of 5

I have the same issues as you. I was perscribed the Klonopin as well. It also made mine worse, and made my vision blurry and I'd see double etc. I would go back to your Dr. and ask to try something else. Especially if they are making them worse! I know it's hard to find a good medication to help out. As I also have Bipolar and ADHD, it's taking several tries to find a right combo to help with it all. It's worth it in the end though when you do find something that works. Best of luck, and I hope it gets better for you!!

I have been dealing with this for the past several months, it's not fun and I feel your frustration. My dr. first put me on Xanax to immediatly calm me down for a week, with a plan to move from that to a long term drug like Lexapro or Cymbalta. After doing research on these drugs, I was not comfortable with all of the side effects, I felt like I was trading one set of problems for a different set of problems. And I hated the sedated feeling these meds causeg. Not to mention how impossible it seems to ever get off these meds once you start. First I went to a cardiologist to rule out any heart problems, I checked out fine and the piece of mind factor helped. I also Googled natural cures for anxiety and panic attacks. I found that people who have this condition are often deficient in magnesium and vit c. I began taking these supplements and carefully weened off the Xanax. My dr. told me that since I was on a very low dose for a short period of time, I could just stop taking it w/o weening. On the 2nd day, I had a major panic attack, and had to take a pill. So I started cutting them in half and weening slowly. I keep emergency 25mg Xanax on hand and use as needed if I have a major panic attack. I haven't had to use one yet, again I think it's a peace of mind kind of security blanket knowing it's there if I need it. As you probably know, avoid sugar and caffeine as much as possible as these are triggers. There's a lot of great info online that drs won't tell you about, they are trained to prescribe meds. Good luck! There sould be support groups for this, it's amazing how many women deal with this! :-)

K.,

The medical approach you're using for dealing with your panic attacks is obviously not working, and is, in fact, leading you into more serious problems. I'm not saying that this approach is never good, but at least in your case, you need to try something else that has a proven track record. You need to talk to my friend Neala. She knows exactly what you're going through. She found a nutritional approach that solved her panic attack problems(and her fibromyalgia pain, too), and worked with her doctor to medically wean herself off of the medications. That was years ago, and she still has no problems with the panic attacks or the fibromyalia. This has made a huge difference in her life and the lives of her husband and kids. Call me at ###-###-#### or ###-###-####, and I'll put you in touch with Neala.

God bless you!
M. Stump

K.,
First let me tell you that you are not alone, there are so many of us out there that know exactly what you are going through. I have had panic attacks for 30 years. One of the best things I can advise you to do is pray...I know it doesn't sound like much but if you can focus your mind on the Lord and His goodness, especially while having an attack it will help. Maybe you can get into a good church and they can help with that. I also had my heart checked because when my rate went so high like yours, it was out of sinc. I have an atrial flutter, which makes you anxious too so it was a vicious cycle of racing heart and panic. I am only on a heart med to keep things slowed down now. I will be praying for you and your beautiful family. PS Awesome goals to be a nurse! You go girl!!

Yep, been there! Pregnancy was tough without meds! But, I take 100 mg. zoloft daily. Hits both my anxiety and associated depression. it's an SSRI and only mildly addictive (ie, not a barbituate like xanax or klonapin)--unless you're Michael Jackson (ok, bad joke). But...you need to seek out a psychiatrist...and don't go to the ER--xanax (and the like) aren't going to do any long term treatment of anxiety (yep, some of us are built that way), an SSRI (or MAOI, depending on your other symptoms) can help consistently control it. Whatever you and your doctor choose--report any side effects, any alcohol use, and other meds you take to your doctor first thing. That'll make his/her job easier (advil reacts with certain MAOI's).

People who have panic attacks and anxiety rarely have physical causes. These are often due to psychology. I see that you are a single mother, maybe that is the source of your stress. Or perhaps there are other things in your life that are stressing you to this extreme. You need to go talk to a good counselor who specializes in dealing with coping right now (as opposed to someone who wants to talk about your past, etc.). Medication works at first, but it is only a temporary solution. You need to figure out and resolve why you are so worried and upset. Do this for your children. Someone who is taking heavy duty meds like klonopin and xanax regularly, in addition to having terrifying panic attacks, is also stressing out her children. You can deal with this.

All of us have likely experienced moments of extreme anxiety or panic, but this is not the same as the type of attacks you are experiencing. Although I have never experienced sudden and unexpected panic or anxiety attacks, I have been able to help people overcome them without any medication. I practice completely safe therapies that combine training in neuro-science with advanced acupressure. These are drug-free therapies that have proven to be highly effective for most people. You are free to continue receiving the help your medications have to offer you while pursuing these natural therapies. Then you and your doctor can re-evaluate whether or not you need any further support from the drugs.

Often, the type of attacks you described tend to occur when a common or everyday sort of worry triggers the subconscious survival instincts in the limbic system of the brain. These are subconscious brain functions that work on auto-pilot and are not easily changed with cognitive therapies. This is why most psychiatrists treat them with drugs that serve to moderate those instinctive brain functions.

Although I practice Brain Integration and Brain Physiology Techniques, which have been very effective with learning, mood, and behavioral difficulties, I also teach clients to use a simple acupressure technique on themselves. This technique is called Emotional Freedom Technique and has prove highly effective for resolving habits of extreme anxiety.

I practice in St. Luois County, which is a long drive for you. I have had clients from your area come to me for Brain Integration, but I have been successful in teaching EFT to people over the phone and working with them in phone sessions when they need it.

If you would like to learn more, you are welcome to visit my website at www.ReSourceTherapies.com. You will be able to link from there to websites that tell you much more about BIT and EFT. If you wish to find an EFT practitioner that is near you, you will likely be able to locate someone from the EFT website. However, there are only 2 certified BIT practitioners in either Kansas or Missouri and we are both in St. Louis County. I understand someone in Shawnee Mission, KS is studying BIT. Hopefully, she will become certified soon. There are so many people who need this help.

I do hope you are able to give these natural therapies a try. As you stated, medications can only moderate these conditions for a period of time, and, by themselves do little to resolve the real problem. I have seen these more practical and non-invasive methods work permanently for client after client.

Because these therapies are not medical in nature, most insurance companies have not yet recognized their value and how they save money in the long run. Currently, these therapies are not covered by insurance in most cases. If you are not in a position to afford these therapies at present, you may be able to learn enough from the EFT website to practice it on your own. I've known people who taught themselves from the free manual you can download and a variety of online videos that demonstrate EFT.

Best wishes in your efforts to find real help!

Klonopin didn't work for me either so they switched me to a stronger xanax and cymbalta. I have Generalized Anxiety syndrome and major depression. So far it has helped, it a higher dose of xanax than I have ever taken but so far it has helped another thing I do when I feel like an attack is coming on is I take a deep breath and let it out slowly several times sometimes that helps too. I wish you luck! D.

K.
I am so sorry to hear about your anxiety levels. I, too, have experienced panic attacks before and they are terrifying!! I can't talk about medications, but I do have a good friend whose husband is a psychologist who specializes in anxiety. He is young and actually teaches at MidAmerican Nazarene University in their counseling department. He has not personally counseled me (since he's a friend), but he is currently teaching our Sunday School class and I personally have learned alot about why I experience the anxieties I do and through his teaching I feel as though I have a better handle on my anxieties and worries. I know he is also working on setting up focus groups which are a cheaper version of individualized counseling. I would highly recommend at least talking with him. If you would like his contact information, send me an email and I will get it to you. Hang in there!

I also suffer from panic attacks and depression. However, I have taken Celexa for a few years now and haven't had a major "throw down" panic attack. I am heridatarily (if that is a word) a nervous person and a depressed person.

But since taking Celexa, I am much better. One thing I have gotten good at is talking myself out of a panic attack. If I get scared about something or worry or just simply feel one coming on, I try to start thinking logically. "I am fine. There is no reason for a panic attack to happen. If I do have one, I am not going to die. It will be over soon. But WHY do I feel like having one?" I access the situation and put on a brave face and scare those panic attacks away.

BUT most of mine are brought on by certain situations... being in a store alone with people I don't know, driving alone, bridges, sometimes just the outdoors in general.

I really do suggest doing some research on the internet on how to NOT have a panic attack. Also you really do need to talk to your doctor about putting you on something different. Sometimes it takes several tries before you find the right medicine. But NEVER give up! I told myself I was going to end up in the mental ward at the hospital... but I am so much better now that I can live my life *almost* panic free.

Good luck!

Stephanie

I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through that. I would definately talk to your doctor about that. I have not dealt with anxiety but I have dealt with depression. Good luck!