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Have You Ever Experienced A Panic Attack?

#21
I've had bonifide panic attacks as far back as I can remember. It totally sucks!!! No PTSD or anything like that. I got really good at covering them up so no one would notice...(not sound advice btw.) And continued that through college. Finally, at age 39, I decided that the stress couldn't possibly be good on my heart and breeched the subject with my GP. I finally realized that humans need medications sometimes to function optimally because (despite some people's beliefs) we aren't all made of 100% perfect to-spec parts. Some need daily blood pressure meds. Some need insulin. Some need asthma inhalers. Some need heart meds. Some need brain chemical stabilizers. I don't see having a "dependency" on G.A.D. (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) meds as any different than having a "dependency" on insulin. The body's creating an irregularity that is being corrected through medication.

In regards to the panic attack on Thursday, I've done a bunch of "credible" net research and spoke to my Dr. and they ALL agree that the worst thing you can do regarding these types of meds is stop cold turkey. My dr. said that if I don't taper off my Lexapro(whIle I was switching to a different GAD med), it's likely to trigger panic attacks and some other undesirable effects. .02
Doesn't sound like tapering off prayer is a good Rx, though.;)
 
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#22
Funk$tar, I know just enough about anxiety to know that it's a bad place to be. I've never had a panic attack and don't think I will, but after a serious concussion five years ago I developed post-concussion syndrome, and one of the symptoms was crushing anxiety. It wasn't steady-state, and I could never figure out what triggered it, but wow, was it awful. I dealt with it for about 15 months, off and on, finally becoming more 'off' than 'on.'

Until I experienced it for myself, I kinda blew off people who suffered from it. It just seemed so... irrational, I guess. 'There's nothing to be anxious about, man! Buck up and don't worry! Why are you making mountains out of molehills?' Ha. I'm not all that unsympathetic of a person; I simply had no conception of it and I was trying to make sense out of an illness, and frankly illnesses don't always make sense.

I have nothing concrete to offer you except an admonition to refill prescriptions before you run out! Whether or not you 'should' or 'shouldn't' be taking something is not a conversation for the moment. Take what you're supposed to take as you're supposed to take it, and if you want to try getting off, work with your health-care professionals. It isn't a DIY proposition.

Get better!
 
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#23
SnL said:
I've had bonifide panic attacks as far back as I can remember. It totally sucks!!! No PTSD or anything like that. I got really good at covering them up so no one would notice...(not sound advice btw.) And continued that through college. Finally, at age 39, I decided that the stress couldn't possibly be good on my heart and breeched the subject with my GP. I finally realized that humans need medications sometimes to function optimally because (despite some people's beliefs) we aren't all made of 100% perfect to-spec parts. Some need daily blood pressure meds. Some need insulin. Some need asthma inhalers. Some need heart meds. Some need brain chemical stabilizers. I don't see having a "dependency" on G.A.D. (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) meds as any different than having a "dependency" on insulin. The body's creating an irregularity that is being corrected through medication.

In regards to the panic attack on Thursday, I've done a bunch of "credible" net research and spoke to my Dr. and they ALL agree that the worst thing you can do regarding these types of meds is stop cold turkey. My dr. said that if I don't taper off my Lexapro(whIle I was switching to a different GAD med), it's likely to trigger panic attacks and some other undesirable effects. .02
Doesn't sound like tapering off prayer is a good Rx, though.;)
Click to expand...


Our stories are pretty much the same. I have G.A.D/Panic Disorder and Dysthymia (which is clinical depression that's not quite as severe, but longer cycles. Before meds I had depressive cycles that lasted over a year.)

And the "undesirable effects".. I got laid off several years ago and due to no insurance and limited money, I had no choice. The first couple of weeks were ok, then the "brain zaps" started. You literally feel, periodically, like you've been hit with an electric shock. It is unpleasant, to say the least. Then the panic attacks started back and that triggered a depressive cycle. Soon as I got a job, I went back on meds.
 
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#24
jugglingfreak said:
Our stories are pretty much the same. I have G.A.D/Panic Disorder and Dysthymia (which is clinical depression that's not quite as severe, but longer cycles. Before meds I had depressive cycles that lasted over a year.)

And the "undesirable effects".. I got laid off several years ago and due to no insurance and limited money, I had no choice. The first couple of weeks were ok, then the "brain zaps" started. You literally feel, periodically, like you've been hit with an electric shock. It is unpleasant, to say the least. Then the panic attacks started back and that triggered a depressive cycle. Soon as I got a job, I went back on meds.
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I was wondering exactly what those,"brain zaps" were all about. I've been off Lex for exactly 2 days, but started Buspirone. Good gravy, dude. I'm taking your word for it. Youch. Says something for Canada's universal health care.
 
#25
I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks since I was in the 8th grade, during those years I have also developed social anxiety and even talking to people triggers panic attacks! Some days are better than other and some days are worse. Recently I have found something that helps me to cope with the anxiety and control my panic attacks to a certain extent. Although it does not cure my attacks It has really helped me improve.
When you have a chance I would recommend you take a look at Anxiety Reivew - Home
It is a good read, I hope I helped somebody else out there! :)
 
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#26
I live with severe depression, PTSD, and severe anxiety.

Anxiety or panic attacks are almost a daily occurrence. As are flashbacks and suicidal ideation. It's bad enough that I cannot work and have been forced to file for disability. As things stand now, I'm in therapy three times a week and in support groups at least twice a week. I'm also heavily medicated. I'll be surprised if I last another five years.
 
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#27
PunkKitty said:
I live with severe depression, PTSD, and severe anxiety.

Anxiety or panic attacks are almost a daily occurrence. As are flashbacks and suicidal ideation. It's bad enough that I cannot work and have been forced to file for disability. As things stand now, I'm in therapy three times a week and in support groups at least twice a week. I'm also heavily medicated. I'll be surprised if I last another five years.
Click to expand...

There are a few things I would like to say but I'm afraid they'll come across as platitudes or cliche. Those won't help you a bit, so for now I'll stick with this:

You can do more than you think. You are stronger than you know. There are people out there who are rooting for you, even if they're just strangers on the internet.
 
#31
wean off of the meds!!!! life is what shapes an individual. the hard knocks make us stronger. meds are a buffer to reality. if a situation causes "panic", take a hike, jog across campus, lift weights, imo/e!
don't rely on man made crap drugs when nature provides the same desired effects with simple herbs! research holistic therapy and be amazed how healthy you can be. my Granny had ancient herbal wisdom. the grand children who followed her teaching are healthy beyond measure and spiritually strong. some of us are so clear of mind,.. we see the future! no BS! we see the F'n future!!! we are not prisoners of Big Pharma. find a way, D
 
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#32
A friend of mine hates the fact that she sometimes needs medications to deal with anxiety and depression, but she does. It's good that it is there for her when she needs it and that she has people around her who help her deal with things when it all hits the fan. Chemical imbalances are just that. Sometimes you need an antidote for your own body chemistry. I don't know how else to put it. It's just how some people are made, and if you are one of those people, it's a fact of life. Being as prepared and careful with it as you can be is what you have to do. It's a little like brushing your teeth. If you don't do it, you end up with tooth problems. It's just personal maintenance, and if your body chemistry needs anti-depressants, then there's no shame in it.
 
#34
moreorlesss said:
I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks since I was in the 8th grade, during those years I have also developed social anxiety and even talking to people triggers panic attacks! Some days are better than other and some days are worse. Recently I have found something that helps me to cope with the anxiety and control my panic attacks to a certain extent. Although it does not cure my attacks It has really helped me improve.
When you have a chance I would recommend you take a look at Anxiety Reivew - Home
It is a good read, I hope I helped somebody else out there! :)
Click to expand...
Thanks so much I am going to look more into this site when I get the chance because I could use all the help I can get right now, but you and I are really alike. I suffer from social anxiety even when I'm talking to like my best friend and I've dealt with depression and anxiety since like the 8th grade as well! I just hope your getting better and also that one day people like you and I will be able to find peace and not let this destroy us no more.
 
#35
pacojas said:
wean off of the meds!!!! life is what shapes an individual. the hard knocks make us stronger. meds are a buffer to reality. if a situation causes "panic", take a hike, jog across campus, lift weights, imo/e!
don't rely on man made crap drugs when nature provides the same desired effects with simple herbs! research holistic therapy and be amazed how healthy you can be. my Granny had ancient herbal wisdom. the grand children who followed her teaching are healthy beyond measure and spiritually strong. some of us are so clear of mind,.. we see the future! no BS! we see the F'n future!!! we are not prisoners of Big Pharma. find a way, D
Click to expand...

I wish it was that easy, I mean I've took like 3 weeks off of it and that just made my anxiety and depression so much worse. I mean the medecine isn't something that affects me, I actually don't even feel any symptoms from it, but I do think it is working. The thing with me is I suffer from ADD, Anxiety, Depression, And Aspergers (not full blown of course, but it is very mild), so I'm so use to taking medication. I do believe one day I won't need to take all of this crap, but with my 2nd year of college coming up and my mom's constant questioning of when am I going to get a job, I do think I need it to cope a bit. The worst part about it all is my social anxiety, I mean I can talk to others fine and they would never know I even have any of this stuff, but once you get to know me you'll see that I'm not like that at all.
If any of you get the chance, watch 40:07 of Synth Britannia when Gary Numan begins to explain why he wrote his hit song, "Cars" and how he knew he had Aspergers. I am absolutely just like him and when I say that I'm saying that I'm a very shy and quiet person who is much of a loner because I'm more comfortable not engaging in conversation with others, but the part when he said he wanted to be famous and wanted to be on stage is exactly the way I feel!

Here's the link:
 
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#36
With more clarification....it makes more sense. I had kinda the same issues growing up and while I didn't want to be famous, being on stage helped me a great deal. I didn't have a severe case of being anti-social (I did have my friends), but I did avoid large crowds and parties and clubs (I still don't like clubs). Girls scared me to death too! :) Still do! LOL! Before my first time on stage, I literally freaked out! But once I got up there, I felt at home. In my case, I recognized what was going on with me and made a conscious effort to plow through it. I forced myself to be more social. A simple hello, how ya doing to folks walking by. I think by recognizing the root causes, it better helps one to overcome them. It did for me. In thinking back, I see now why my mom would try to involve me in outside activities because I stayed in the house all the time. And I know all too well about the job thing when I was your age. In the end, I believe you will overcome all these challenges! It's scary going from a child to an adult! I hated it but it's life. Trust me, your 20's are going to be so full of fun!
 
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#37
you'll be fine, D! :)
otoh,.. i have a childhood friend that was on mood altering drugs when they were introduced in the Fifties. he has taken them religiously his entire life. i just heard last week that he's living under a bridge and won't accept any help. :(
 
#38
There's another thing to keep in mind when things are going bad. There are a lot of people in your corner. Your parents, everyone here, your friends. Let it take the pressure off instead of letting it pile up. It's better that way. My friend, who is probably a bit like you except she's more extroverted and not as focused, has one tattoo. She has "Let go" tattooed on the palm of her left hand. She looks at it when things pile up too much. There are all these little mechanisms, and only you can know what will work for you.
 
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#39
pacojas said:
you'll be fine, D! :)
otoh,.. i have a childhood friend that was on mood altering drugs when they were introduced in the Fifties. he has taken them religiously his entire life. i just heard last week that he's living under a bridge and won't accept any help. :(
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Thank you so much and oh no!!!
I hope he is okay, I'll make sure to keep him in my prayers. I always am worried about addiction and the other downsides that come with taking medication, but thankfully the medication I take makes it impossible for anyone to abuse it. My doctor a few months ago told me to try out Ritalin and see how much better it is than the medicine I always took because it started to wear off. So I took it and I was a little hesitant at first because this drug can easily be abused, it was the worst thing I have ever done. I started taking more and more because it would wear off like after an hour, but in all reality your only expose to take 1 with every meal (3 daily), but I was probably taking 8 a day! That was such a bad time in my life, but I ended up stopping after my mom found out. It wasn't too hard to stop taking them because they made me feel like I was worthless, I felt like I let my parents down, but they told me they weren't, they just didn't understand why I would've done that. To be honest, I took them because I was at a very vunerable period in my life where i was just looking for anything to relieve the pain. I've learned now that I need to think of others before I think of myself, plus I'm just thankful I'm not an addict. I mean to some people that is "addictive" behavior, but if my mom would've told me that it's killing her seeing me take those pills I would've honestly stopped right there, but nobody knew so it was like, "well I'm not hurting anybody," but I actually didn't think about the fact that I was hurting myself.
 
#40
Gaolee said:
There's another thing to keep in mind when things are going bad. There are a lot of people in your corner. Your parents, everyone here, your friends. Let it take the pressure off instead of letting it pile up. It's better that way. My friend, who is probably a bit like you except she's more extroverted and not as focused, has one tattoo. She has "Let go" tattooed on the palm of her left hand. She looks at it when things pile up too much. There are all these little mechanisms, and only you can know what will work for you.
Click to expand...
Beautiful and I totally agree. I don't talk a lot about my feelings to anyone, not even my parents. So I know that whenever I feel sad or need to let out some things that I will, even if it means talking to myself! At the end of the day though I don't have many friends, I do have one best friend who I keep in contact with through the phone, but were never able to hang out or I'm usually to sad to dial her up. One thing I can tell you though is whenever I read your guy's nice posts on here or play my bass, I feel so much better. Especially when I see others do good for someone else! I've had days where I felt terrible, but sometimes there would be someone who smiled or said hello to me and that made all the difference. Stuff like that reminds me how beautiful the world and the people in it can be!
Lol here's a song that comes to mind....
 

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