Any Ladies Suffer from Panic Attacks?

[Firegrl]

Hello ladies,

I was wanting to know if any of you suffer like I do with anxiety or panic attacks?

I haven't had a full blown panic attack for years, but man, something so small as using a new device (my ecig) and changing my routine from smoking analogs can sure bring the jitters back up.

I don't think I'm overdoing the nic at all, I think I'm just making myself nervous by worrying about that. Or, by starting the purging of all the analog cig toxins, it could be messing with my system.

Anyone else out there have panic attacks? Sometimes it's nice to know you are not alone....

 

[BakedGoodies]

I get random panic attacks - at least, that's what the doctors think it is. One time I was at a public shopping store and suddenly got dizzy. I was dripping sweat and had to sit down on a display case. I lost my hearing for a couple minutes and saw white lights. The worst feeling in the entire world.

Been on a couple different anti-anxiety drugs but nothing has worked sufficiently, except for making me tired. So now I just do what I can.

That attack could have been a migraine, since then I have suffered from a couple severe migraines a month. But there was never the actual "migraine" part with that attack, and I get those less frequently than actual migraines. Soo no clue what it actually is...but you are not alone.

Being a girl sure can suck.

 

[beebopnjazz]

I've had anxiety the past few years (nothing severe enough to require treatment) - usually happens while under stress and sometimes it doesn't seem to take much. Changing my routine (analogs) or worrying that I'll have to change it can bring it on -not always, but sometimes (like the dreaded across the country flight with no place to smoke!)

 

[Belletrist]

i had a bad bout of them a couple years ago; none since then thank god. absolutely bizarre--i very nearly called 911 the first time, but called my medical adviser instead. no clue it was 'anxiety' or panic, just thought i was having a heart attack or something out of the clear blue sky.

you're right in that worrying-about-worrying-about-worrying about them can definitely up the jitters. ~hugs~ do you have a script for them?

 

[htchhikr]

Not just girls get anxiety or have panic attacks. Especially men who have been in battle can have them.

I've done the dizzy thing, hands and lips going numb, feeling like your going to pass out, racing heart, felling as if your dying. No fun at all.

Losing your nicotine can bring on more anxiety. We have gone from being medicated on nicotine at a high level almost all the time on smokes, to almost none at all. The change seems to effect out bodies in not only positive ways...it will fight for its drug, but dont let it win.

Anyway, i've been clean for a while now, no attacks. Feelin good.

 

[beebopnjazz]

I would imagine that battle anxiety/panic attacks are the worst.

Glad you're feeling better htchhikr.

Not just girls get anxiety or have panic attacks. Especially men who have been in battle can have them.

I've done the dizzy thing, hands and lips going numb, feeling like your going to pass out, racing heart, felling as if your dying. No fun at all.

Losing your nicotine can bring on more anxiety. We have gone from being medicated on nicotine at a high level almost all the time on smokes, to almost none at all. The change seems to effect out bodies in not only positive ways...it will fight for its drug, but dont let it win.

Anyway, i've been clean for a while now, no attacks. Feelin good.

 

[redgirl]

I do. Not this past New Year's but the year before, on New Year's Day, I had drank the night before and took an exedrin like I always did. I then got this overwhelming feeling like I was going to die. It was so horrible and I had no idea what was happening to me. I went to a new doctor and he gave me lorazepam and buspirone. Didn't work. The next doctor gave me some crazy benzos that made me not remember anything. I then went to a psychologist because I didn't know the difference between that and a psychiatrist. After going through my "issues", I finally went to a psychiatrist and got on Zoloft. That helped them go away, but there were undesirable side effects. I then got on Lorazepam, but that made me so sleepy, so now I'm back on Zoloft. I am feeling different on it now and it seems it's not working as well. I'm getting bad headaches and feeling really antsy and jittery. vaping too high of nic doesn't help, either.

Basically, I had an attack out of nowhere when I turned 30! My psych said it's most likely because it runs in my family and that I'd probably be on meds the rest of my life. I'm not thrilled with that, so I am probably going to see another psychiatrist. I feel like I've been jerked around by doctors a little, and it's understandably hard because they don't REALLY know what causes anxiety. I think I had a major panic attack, which led to generalized anxiety. It's a crazy feeling, because I've always been a laid back person and not anxious at all. During my period of figuring out meds, I would feel ok during the day, and my heart would start beating really fast right before bed and I had NO control over it. I really feel for people who suffer from this without medication, it can be pure torture that no one could ever understand unless they went through it.

 

[beebopnjazz]

I do. Not this past New Year's but the year before, on New Year's Day, I had drank the night before and took an exedrin like I always did. I then got this overwhelming feeling like I was going to die. It was so horrible and I had no idea what was happening to me. I went to a new doctor and he gave me lorazepam and buspirone. Didn't work. The next doctor gave me some crazy benzos that made me not remember anything. I then went to a psychologist because I didn't know the difference between that and a psychiatrist. After going through my "issues", I finally went to a psychiatrist and got on Zoloft. That helped them go away, but there were undesirable side effects. I then got on Lorazepam, but that made me so sleepy, so now I'm back on Zoloft. I am feeling different on it now and it seems it's not working as well. I'm getting bad headaches and feeling really antsy and jittery. Vaping too high of nic doesn't help, either.

Basically, I had an attack out of nowhere when I turned 30! My psych said it's most likely because it runs in my family and that I'd probably be on meds the rest of my life. I'm not thrilled with that, so I am probably going to see another psychiatrist. I feel like I've been jerked around by doctors a little, and it's understandably hard because they don't REALLY know what causes anxiety. I think I had a major panic attack, which led to generalized anxiety. It's a crazy feeling, because I've always been a laid back person and not anxious at all. During my period of figuring out meds, I would feel ok during the day, and my heart would start beating really fast right before bed and I had NO control over it. I really feel for people who suffer from this without medication, it can be pure torture that no one could ever understand unless they went through it.

Redgirl - that's it- the big anxiety attack (caused by major stress) kicked off the whole thing.

It is surreal to be sitting in a chair, watching tv, being calm and suddenly feel like something's chasing you and your heart starts racing.

 

[BakedGoodies]

Oh, my "girl" reference was more about the migraines than the panic attacks. I know men suffer from both but women have a higher rate of being affected by migraines. So half the time I don't know if it is a migraine or a panic attack, because not all migraines have the pain.

Sorry, I am still coming out of a 4-day long migraine, so my body is fried and I probably am not as coherent as I'd like to be.

 

[htchhikr]

Sorry, I should read more, just noticed this was the ladies room. This is my first time in the ladies room, what are those vending machines?

 

[beebopnjazz]

Sorry, I should read more, just noticed this was the ladies room. This is my first time in the ladies room, what are those vending machines?

LOL - not dispensing marshmallows

....notice how we can't be accused of checking out each other's "equipment" either!

 

[BakedGoodies]

They're for shooters of butterscotch schnapps and Irish cream Why else would women go to the bathroom in groups every 15 minutes?

 

[Belletrist]

Not just girls get anxiety or have panic attacks.

no... but this is the women's room.

 

[Junebug]

I've had panic attacks on and off since my early twenties. They haven't been too debilitating, but they do set me back. I haven't pulled off the freeway when I've had them, but I certainly am hesitant about driving in heavy traffic because of them.

 

[BakedGoodies]

Everytime I'd go straight from work to school, I'd end up having a panic attack. It was so embarrassing walking into the classroom and then start sweating in front of everyone. It's like, c'mon, I'm an adult, I shouldn't feel like a little kid naked in front of a bunch of people. So awkward.

And Belle, you should have your banner link to your blog. I always try to click on the pic

 

[Katattack]

I haven't had one in 2 years (knock on wood) but had a 6 year span when they would come on suddenly. I also suffer from anxiety. The weird thing was the panic attacks never happened when I felt anxious. Almost like once I relaxed my body decided to freak out. The worst one was when I was 8 mo pregnant. I really thought I was dying. I couldn't breathe, my chest hurt, I was dizzy and nauseated. I thought for sure I was having a heart attack and I was driving at the time.

 

[Firegrl]

Wow, it's so nice to know I'm not alone!

I have not had one in ages, but definitely feeling more anxious (like I used to before I got one) since severely cutting the analogs.

Oddly enough I think my saving grace was vitamin b12. Several docs thought I was crazy or wanting disability, but I finally found one that ran every test in the book. Only thing wrong was a severe b12 deficiency. Started taking it and my attacks stopped! Haven't had a huge one since. So I always tell others to take their b12! It aids in the production of nerve linings in the brain so I think my brain was misfiring.

Also learning to stop the "what ifs" is key for me too. A book called 'don't panic' is my bible per se because it totally gets you to change your thinking and break the cycle. It's hard when you have panic attacks because you are so worried about having another panic attack. I'll find the author if anyone's interested.

Got my first one on the freeway durin rush hour when I was 23. Thought I was dying! Even lost a boyfriend over them because he thought I was crazy!

And drugs didn't stop them. They just made me think about wanting to literally stab my dog!

Anyways, glad to know there are others out there who knows what they feel like. Thank you for making me feel normal.....

 

[dawgcrazy]

Wow, it's so nice to know I'm not alone!



Oddly enough I think my saving grace was vitamin b12. Several docs thought I was crazy or wanting disability, but I finally found one that ran every test in the book. Only thing wrong was a severe b12 deficiency. Started taking it and my attacks stopped! Haven't had a huge one since. So I always tell others to take their b12! It aids in the production of nerve linings in the brain so I think my brain was misfiring.

You're definitely not alone. I've always suffered from depression and anxiety both. Been on millions of meds forever. The most recent combo that seems to work best has been Paxil and Xanax. Had my first panic attack about 3 weeks or so ago...I *think* vaping had something to do with it, but I'm not sure.

I went almost 4 days without an analog, until I got to the point that I was SO irritable, I was ready to rip my dogs head off because she was "smacking her mouth" and the sound of it was driving me insane! So, I smoked. I smoked a few that night.

The next morning, I was craving another one BAD, so I smoked one. Then I got in the shower to get ready for work and out of nowhere, came the panic attack while I was in the shower. I've been an absolute mess since then. I think I've managed to work 2 days since...my doc keeps writing me off work, and I see a psychiatrist tomorrow because I need MORE than just meds.

Sun-Mon, I was awake for over 24 hours because I couldn't sleep. Took an Ambien even (which usually knocks me out for at least 8 hours). I don't remember much of Monday evening at all. Then I crash for days, I have NO energy, I don't even get hungry sometimes and go days without eating...I'm such a mess and I'm tired of it.

I've been avoiding people..even my best friend. I don't log onto Facebook until the middle of the night when everyone I know is sleeping, just so I won't have to talk to anyone.

I used to be low on B-12 and took shots for it even. Stopped taking the shots a few years ago, and recent bloodwork shows normal levels, so that's not my answer unfortunately.

I've had probably about every test known to man kind ran on me in the past 10 years, and other than low iron many years ago, and the low B-12 for a while, nothing is ever wrong with me. So, the doc just gives me antidepressants and anti anxiety meds and sends me on my way. I've decided it's time to consult a specialist and see what she can do for me.

I know I need some behavioral based therapy, but I am so stubborn and hard headed...and I HATE change...so this is going to be a bumpy ride I'm sure...even though I know she's only going to do what's best for me. As much as I tell myself to be open minded, I know myself. *sigh* I need to change...but not sure if I can. Ya know?

It's scary and it's hard. But it is good to know we aren't alone and we can talk about it here. Thanks girls. Best wishes for all of you.

 

[MacArthurBug]

Fire: I don't get anxiety attacks often. I have an exciting mix of ADHD and bouts of depression. I have had panic attacks, but never any ryme or reason for having them. Tried a dozen diffrent meds and never liked anything so I decided to just learn to live with being me.

I had weight loss surgery 3 years ago, and the doctors tell you that if you don't take vitamins (esp. B, iron, and calcium) you're not going to do well.

So after starting my vitamin routine I found (like you) that my anxiety was gone, even my occasional bouts of depression got better. I think Vitamins saved my sanity.

 

[dgriego]

I was a smoker for 30 years and over the past 12 have tried to quit numerous times, some of them lasting for months some of them lasting for days. Anxiety was always what did me in on each attempt.
Even the e-cig alone was not enough to allow me to lay the smokes down without the anxiety. I started using snuff along with the e-cig and have experienced zero anxiety since the day I started using it.
I think for me there is something within the tobacco that I cannot get by smoking the e-cig.