Panic Attack?

[BeccaLynn]

Hi, I know that I've read where some on this forum experience panic attacks. Can anyone tell me what the experience is like? I'm concerned I'm having them.

Thanks!
Rebecca

 

[kimba]

I am unsure if what I have are panic attacks, but that is what I call them. I have a feeling of immense dread. I have anxiety symptoms: churning stomach, chills and/or hot flashes. Confusion. Things don't look "right". My mind doesn't feel "right". I cry and cry. I feel like I cannot do anything but lay down and cry. I AM functioning, I just don't feel like I am. I generally take a Xanax or part of one and it eases. Sometimes I can "ride it out" and I feel better. I am always sure I am going crazy when they happen - always. I never do, of course, just feel like it every time. My "brainlock" book about OCD said that that is one of the things about OCD - that it always takes you by surprise no matter how many times you go through it. Hope this helps.

 

[BeccaLynn]

Thanks Kimba! I definitely feel the dread, and I awaken almost every night feeling trapped and like I need to escape but can't. My heart pounds and I feel as if I have to get out of bed. I think I know what is bringing them on, but it is so very frightening. And I do feel as if I'm losing it. Do you feel any kind of hangover from taking the prescription you were talking about? It doesn't seem to take much of a medicine it seems for me to feel loopy, even on into the next day.

Thanks Again,
Rebecca

 

[OptimisticSmile]

for me its been bouts of crying and sometimes shaking. Ive woken up with anxiety and thrown up before. also there was a time I could not stay in one place for very long I would compulsively drive and change locations as if that would get my mind off of the thoughts. i also get headaches and stomache cramps.

 

[kimba]

Xanax is an anti anxiety med. I take it "as needed". My doc gave me enough to take 1 2.5 mg pill twice daily, but I usually don't take that much. I have recently started on Paxil and since then I only take the Xanax at night before bed unless I have a panic attack. Then he told me I could even take a 1/2 dose of even "chip" the pill - just take a small amount. I am also sensitive to meds so this has worked for me. I will continue to pray for you. Kim

 

[kimba]

oops I forgot to add that no I DON'T feel hung over at all with it - thankfully. I have the panic at night also, which is why I routinely take a whole 2.5 mg dose about 1 hour before bed or sometimes I take 1/2 of that. It is enough to keep me asleep without waking up in the middle of the night with panic. I tried melatonin and Wal Mart sleep aid also, but this has been the best. Probably because what I experience at night is anxiety and that is what the med is for. I like it because I still feel like "me" just not so wacked out. On the antidepressant, I have in the past felt "weird". The only thing is, the xanax CAN be addictive while I believe the antidepressant is not. The Xanax website said only if you take 4 mg or more daily do you have trouble "coming off" of it. I do occasionally not take any Xanax and don't have any ill affects. So - all I can share is what I have been through. thanks and God Bless Kim

 

[BeccaLynn]

Thanks Kimba!!! I am doing MUCH better than I have for the past week right now. I don't have insurance, so that and also the tendency I have to be so easily spaced out with meds has kept me from seeking medical treatment. However, I did finally go see a nurse practitioner today, who then sent me to an audiologist (I 've been having tremedous anxiety due to ringing in my ears for the past week). This is really what spiked the attacks I believe, but then the OCD was so centering around the buzzing going on in my head that I couldn't seem to shake off, and it made me feel like I was in an absolute state of panic. I have gotten some help with this, so the anxiety has been reduced greatly! I did tell the NP that I was panicking and asked if there was something that could help me sleep at night, but she said she was afraid to give me anything for that until we found out what was causing the ringing. The audiologist's words were a real encourager to me, so that's why I'm not panicking right now. Thanks for all of your help!!!

Rebecca

 

[kimba]

You're welcome. I get ringing very infrequently and had wondered if it was due to the OCD. Who knows? God Bless You!!!

 

[gracealone]

Hi Becca,
Kimba did a good job of decribing a Panic attack. I do have them, actually quite a lot. They can wake you from your sleep like OP said. They can come out of the blue when you aren't even in a state of anxiety over OCD thoughts or anything else. They cause a tremendous rush of intense fear/dread, pounding heart sweating, shaking, nausea, yes - sometimes my ears ring, numbness in arms, and most unpleasant a sense of floating outside of ones self. (Derealization) One will usually think, that they are either dying or else going crazy. Then the fear of another attack can cause anxiety in between attacks. They are usually fairly brief in duration but came come in clusters like three or four a night for nocturnal attacks.
If you feel an attack coming on during the day, you must begin to slow your breathing down and learn to practice the proper abdominal breathing. Panic attacks cause us to hold our breath which makes the attack worse. The deep breathing technique can halt an attack before it gets to be full blown. For nocturnal attacks which are usually full blown when they wake you up you can still practice calming breath techniques and if you are really in a bad state, progressive muscle relaxation can help you get back to sleep.
I've practiced these techniques for 26 years so I'm pretty adept at them by now. The big thing is to just learn to ride them out and then get on with your day. You may feel like you are dying or going crazy, but they haven't yet come after me with a net nor have I died during one so I guess I'm living proof that panic attacks will not cause these things.
Under The Grace,
Mitzi