Any Ladies Suffer from Panic Attacks?

[Firegrl]

dawgcrazy: I completely feel your pain. I started getting them consistently when I was 23 and lasted until I was about 25. 2 years and had a severe one just about every day. Now that I look back, I remember having a few when I was younger, starting around 6. It sounds like you are stuck in the cycle I was where you start having panic attacks because you worry about having panic attacks. I became agoraphobic, not really wanting to leave the house at all. Didn't want to drive on the freeway. Didn't really want to do anything that took me far away from home or hospitals. You might want to try the book "Don't Panic" I mentioned earlier. I'm NOT one who usually looks for answers in a book so strange person wrote, but this one really did help me stay calm and allow myself to feel that it's okay to be anxious sometimes. Here is a link to the one I read: Don't Panic. There are more recent revisions, but I have not read those.

MacArthurBug: Glad to hear things are better for you. The b12 made sense to be after I did some research on it. B12 helps the body produce myelin, which is the lining of nerves, or neurotransmitters, in the brain. And if they aren't working correctly, then your mood, etc. can be severely affected. I am a VERY picky eater, I hate anything green or vegetable-like, so it completely made sense that I could've been walking around for AGES with a b12 deficiency. I won't be caught dead without it now lol.

I think I just need to calm down and stop freaking out about not having analogs anymore. I'm also worrying about worrying about worrying about a nic overdose with my ecig. Ahh, the what ifs strike again!

 

[Mary Kay]

You would have to vape nonstop with a regular nic level or start vaping with an unsafe level of nic (above 36mg). Try not to let any juice stay on your skin..like after a spill and drink more water then normal.
Remember that we get about 1/2 of what the nic level says..it goes up in vapor and we don't have any of the tar for the nic to piggyback on to go in our lungs. We didn't get ALL the 20 to 7% nic in a cig either..some went up in smoke and in the exhale.
There are many things to fret about in life, This is the least of them.
Tell yourself that what you are doing for yourself is a GOOD thing! Be proud of yourself and go worry about all the ways you can avoid seeing anymore articals about Bradgelina!

 

[dawgcrazy]

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.

There is. Tobacco naturally has MAOI's in it...it makes your brain happy. We don't get that with the ecigs. That is why I am not giving myself a hard time over smoking a few now and then. MY brain NEEDS them right now.

 

[dawgcrazy]

dawgcrazy: I completely feel your pain. I started getting them consistently when I was 23 and lasted until I was about 25. 2 years and had a severe one just about every day. Now that I look back, I remember having a few when I was younger, starting around 6. It sounds like you are stuck in the cycle I was where you start having panic attacks because you worry about having panic attacks. I became agoraphobic, not really wanting to leave the house at all. Didn't want to drive on the freeway. Didn't really want to do anything that took me far away from home or hospitals. You might want to try the book "Don't Panic" I mentioned earlier. I'm NOT one who usually looks for answers in a book so strange person wrote, but this one really did help me stay calm and allow myself to feel that it's okay to be anxious sometimes. Here is a link to the one I read: Don't Panic. There are more recent revisions, but I have not read those.


I think I just need to calm down and stop freaking out about not having analogs anymore. I'm also worrying about worrying about worrying about a nic overdose with my ecig. Ahh, the what ifs strike again!

I might look into that book later. Right now, I can't concentrate enough to read anything. I can't focus and retain the info. I can read a page of something, then completely forget what I just read. Saw the psychiatrist today and she put me on 3 serious meds...on top of the 2 I already take. Apparently I was right..I AM a big mess! Maybe if these meds get me sorted out some, I can actually sit and read something and remember it!

I think you also need to NOT deny yourself a smoke. If your body is craving it, give in. The more you deny yourself of it, the more anxiety you will feel over it. If you absolutely do not want to smoke, then try SNUS. I also don't think you're going to overdose on nic with your ecig. I have overdone it with analogs before and you will get nauseated before you get critically ill...so if you start feeling like you're going to puke, then you need to stop the nic intake for a while. I've actually smoked so much a few times, that it made the room spin and I DID puke. Felt much better after that though LOL!

Not sure what flavors you like and if you're into DIY or not, but I find for me anyway, that the stronger, denser flavors like coffee, seem to satisfy me a little more than the lighter stuff like peach, pear, etc... If you do DIY, you can use PGA for throat hit and lighten up on the nic level.

 

[starchelle]

I suffer from what they at first stated were panic attacks, but are now sure they are either mild seizures or atypical migraines due to the auras that come beforehand and the exhaustion afterward. Klonopin helps for sure.

 

[dawgcrazy]

I suffer from what they at first stated were panic attacks, but are now sure they are either mild seizures or atypical migraines due to the auras that come beforehand and the exhaustion afterward. Klonopin helps for sure.

Do you take the Klonopin every day? How long have you been taking it?
Some of these meds, they say don't take for longer than a week..or a few months... but geeze, what happens when you stop taking them and the symptoms return? I've looked up the ones she put me on yesterday, and one is very similar to yours, Depakote. All of these meds are very taxing on the liver, which is scary, but I also don't think just a few weeks of taking them is going to fix the problem either. Ugh.

She also gave me Seroquel to get me to sleep. It worked last night, but tonite, nothing. I took it over 3 hours ago and am still wide awake. Last night, after about 2 hours, I felt like I had taken the most awesome muscle relaxer ever! I think I just need a brain transplant LOL!

I took my first Abilify today, and surprisingly, it didn't really make me tired either. I've been having trouble breathing all day and feeling very uncomfortable, then it dawned on me that I hadn't taken a Xanax since Tuesday night. I figured with all this other crap she's got me taking now, I don't really need it...didn't think about having any withdrawls though. I took one tonite and am feeling a lot better now. (she told me to keep taking them and my Paxil both, but dang..that's quite a cocktail!) So, Paxil, Xanax, Depakote and Seroquil tonite and I'm still sitting here AWAKE! WTF is wrong with me?

I did sleep 10 hours last nite non stop, which was really nice. That's the most I've slept in at least 2 weeks. Was hoping for the same thing again tonite but no such luck. Breakfast will be another Depakote and an Abilify. My desk it really starting to look like an addict lives here LOL! Between all the pill bottles, the vials, the dropper bottles, the syringes, the needles, the cotton.... hahaha!

 

[starchelle]

Do you take the Klonopin every day? How long have you been taking it?
Some of these meds, they say don't take for longer than a week..or a few months... but geeze, what happens when you stop taking them and the symptoms return? I've looked up the ones she put me on yesterday, and one is very similar to yours, Depakote. All of these meds are very taxing on the liver, which is scary, but I also don't think just a few weeks of taking them is going to fix the problem either. Ugh.

She also gave me Seroquel to get me to sleep. It worked last night, but tonite, nothing. I took it over 3 hours ago and am still wide awake. Last night, after about 2 hours, I felt like I had taken the most awesome muscle relaxer ever! I think I just need a brain transplant LOL!

I took my first Abilify today, and surprisingly, it didn't really make me tired either. I've been having trouble breathing all day and feeling very uncomfortable, then it dawned on me that I hadn't taken a Xanax since Tuesday night. I figured with all this other crap she's got me taking now, I don't really need it...didn't think about having any withdrawls though. I took one tonite and am feeling a lot better now. (she told me to keep taking them and my Paxil both, but dang..that's quite a cocktail!) So, Paxil, Xanax, Depakote and Seroquil tonite and I'm still sitting here AWAKE! WTF is wrong with me?

I did sleep 10 hours last nite non stop, which was really nice. That's the most I've slept in at least 2 weeks. Was hoping for the same thing again tonite but no such luck. Breakfast will be another Depakote and an Abilify. My desk it really starting to look like an addict lives here LOL! Between all the pill bottles, the vials, the dropper bottles, the syringes, the needles, the cotton.... hahaha!

I used to be a certified pharmacy tech, and it's pretty common to be put on a "cocktail" for anxiety disorders, but it can make you feel like you're a junkie lol. My purse is so full of pill bottles I sound like a walking pharmacy. I was on Seroquel for a couple of years, and after awhile (and this may not happen to you) I got to a point where I was so exhausted until halfway through the next day I nearly couldn't function. The abilify worked great for my ex, and I was put on it, but my silly self stopped taking it. The klonopin seems to be working well for me, as my panic attacks or whatever they are have pretty much stopped, thank god. I hope the meds work and keep working for you. Let me know if you ever have any questions about them. Like I said, I was a pharm tech for a few ears, so I know a good bit about alot of the meds.

 

[starchelle]

Oh yeah, and if they ever try putting you on lithium, refuse. I ended up wandering around in a VERY bad area near where I worked until 2am and it turns out even though there wasn't enough of it in my blood according to the ER doc to be causing a problem, the psychiatrist said it was definitely lithium poisoning.

 

[dawgcrazy]

I used to be a certified pharmacy tech, and it's pretty common to be put on a "cocktail" for anxiety disorders, but it can make you feel like you're a junkie lol. My purse is so full of pill bottles I sound like a walking pharmacy. I was on Seroquel for a couple of years, and after awhile (and this may not happen to you) I got to a point where I was so exhausted until halfway through the next day I nearly couldn't function. The abilify worked great for my ex, and I was put on it, but my silly self stopped taking it. The klonopin seems to be working well for me, as my panic attacks or whatever they are have pretty much stopped, thank god. I hope the meds work and keep working for you. Let me know if you ever have any questions about them. Like I said, I was a pharm tech for a few ears, so I know a good bit about alot of the meds.

This is the first time I've ever had to take so many meds at once! However, this is the first time I've seen a psychiatrist who actually wanted to help so... The family doc put me on all kinds of antidepressants , trying to find something that actually worked...and twice, I was given two different ones to take together. Now I've got FIVE! Geeze. I really need to get some sort of organizer on my desk for all this crap.

The very first psych I saw, he instantly wanted to put me on Lithium. I said HELL NO! I had already researched most of the meds out there, so I knew how serious that stuff was. I never went back to see him. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid LOL! He ended up putting me on Prozac and Risperdal, neither one worked.

I think it's going to take some more time to get used to these meds. The first night, the Seroquel knocked me on my ..... It was quite nice. Then the next 2 nights, it did nothing, but I seemed to not be so tired through the day. Last night, it seemed to knock me out (but I was pretty tired last night to begin with too so...), but today, I am SO tired, I think I need a nap. Bleh. Don't know if that's just the depression still...or the new meds...? Or the fact that I didn't get to bed until 7 am this morning despite how tired I was early on in the evening yesterday! Man this is maddening.

Glad the meds are working for you!! Relief is a good thing. Funny, I think all of us stop our meds on our own at least once. I've done it several times myself. I guess you feel so good and normal, that you think you can still feel that way without the meds...like all of a sudden, we're fixed or something. I promised myself this last time I was put back on them, that I will NOT stop taking them, no matter how good/normal I feel. It's easier to stay out of the hole than it is to fall back down in it and try to dig your way out again.

 

[martha1014]

I have only had a couple of panic attacks although I am bipolar. Doctors are good about prescribing xanax for panic attacks but be careful with med as it is very addictive and if taken over a period of time you need to gradually go down or you can have seizures.

Seroquil is primarily used for bipolar. I also take Triliptal, and Lamictal which are all bipolar medications. I use to take Effexor but didn't like the way I felt and stopped it. Before getting on these 3 medications I tried everything that was made. I have trouple sleeping and when you take Ambiem with Seroquil it would put a horse to sleep. It's wonderful to be manic (you feel wonderfull, non-stop shopping and quite a high) but when the depression hits it is the worse thing. Sometimes you can't even get out of bed and just cry all of the time.

I also have migraines and take Maxalt and Imitrex which usually stops the pain. At one time I used a handful of pain pills but I stopped this when I realized I was becoming addicted.

Usually getting the right combinations of meds will fix the problems.

A large percentage of panic attacks end up in the ER thinking they are having a heart attack

 

[Metstoo]

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.

I had many panic attacks in the past and, occasionally, I get them nowadays too but not as severe. Aside from working through a few weighty issues back then, one thing that helped me immensely was...

Antihistamines!

Back in the day when I had Ativan, that helped too but I ran out and was never very big on taking meds to begin with. However, I'm one of those people who can't take any Benedryl unless I plan on being asleep for several hours because they make me VERY sleepy. Soooo... one day when I was anxious I thought... what if I take a half of a dose of antihistamine? I tried it and it worked. It wasn't enough to make me sleepy but it was just enough to knock the edges off my anxiety.

Now, when I'm feeling wound up and anxious I take a half or even just a quarter of an antihistamine (tablets work best) and it helps me maintain without having to resort to prescription meds. Bonus: Helps with my allergies too!

I don't know about how the e-cigs are affecting you but maybe this will help with the stress of changing your routines...?

 

[starchelle]

A large percentage of panic attacks end up in the ER thinking they are having a heart attack

No kidding! I ended up at the ER 6 times in the first 2 weeks I was having them. I honestly thought I was going to die.

 

[Debbie]

I still suffer from them. So you're not alone.

Debbie

 

[Firegrl]

No kidding! I ended up at the ER 6 times in the first 2 weeks I was having them. I honestly thought I was going to die.

Oh yea. First time I had one as an adult I was on the freeway. Made it to work and thought I was dying. Called my sister and had her take me to the urgent care. They say my heart rate and almost sent me to the hospital. Next thing you know, I was hooked up to every machine they had!

Whenever I get nervous or uncomfortable, my heart starts to race. I had to go to the gyno today (and who likes doing that), and every time I go, she wants to draw blood to test my thyroid because my heart races so fast. She never believes me that it's just nerves. Soon as I get home, my heart rate is fine....

 

[Firegrl]

Man, I had to end up being a pain to my doctor today because she obviously can't read my file before prescribing medications.

She called in a prescription for me, I picked it up, then went home and read the side effects. It's Cipro, what they commonly prescribe for UTIs and mostly known for being the anthrax medication. Well if you read the side effects, even the paper that comes with it, it can cause MASSIVE panic attacks in people who already suffer from anxiety disorders. Um, does that sound like a good idea to you? Let's prescribe a medicine that's known to cause extreme anxiety to patients that already have anxiety!

So, needless to say I put off taking it because my boyfriend is out of town until Sunday night and I didn't want to risk having a major attack completely alone.

So I called a nurse at her office and explained the situation and she was able to call in another medication for me. It's a bummer that $15 is going down the drain for the Cipro I already filled, but I really wasn't in the mood to deal with panic attacks again.

Do you think I was overreacting?

 

[dawgcrazy]

Man,

Do you think I was overreacting?

I absolutely do not think you overreacted! Cipro is actually on my "allergic to" list. I am actually allergic to it, but I think you should add it to your list just so they don't prescribe it again. When I took it, I had the joint pain and all that good crap. I had no idea it caused anxiety problems too.

I think it was really a bad move on the doc's part to give you that med. I used to get UTI's all the time for some reason, and I can't take Bactrim either, as it makes me puke. I think they gave me Keflex that last few times. Smells like stinky eggs, but it works LOL!

 

[whatagem]

I haven't had a panic attack in about a year but got one a couple weeks ago and can feel one coming on occasionally of recently. I have learned to calm myself down before it goes into full-blown panic mode.

Used to be I'd get them when something extrememly stressful came around, like when husband & me were fighting big time, I'd start to get all hot, sweat perfusely, get really dizzy and nauseated.
The only other time this happened when I was at a concert in the mosh pit (years ago) in 120 degree heat, surrounded by 98 degree bodies. I was freaking out so bad a security guy pulled me right over the railing and through other people.

Recebtly I've been having them when I feel overwhelmed & this can merely amount to usual chores, such as making tommorows lunches, feeding the pets, put away the laundry, and so on. I can't concentrate and I might make half a sandwich, feed the bird, get the cat's water dish & set it in the sink, finish the sandwich--wait--I better write bread on the gorcery list.

I'm all over the map. I feel as though I cannot possibly get this all done and begin to get the dizzy panic feeling. I sit down for 10 minuets and breathe steady--it passes.

I haven't read everything here but i plan to once i have time. I have been anxious since the day i was born (gotta get this done, gotta do that, must do this!!!!!!) and suffer from depression (i'm guessing. not on meds but my emotions are to the extreme & swing like crazy)

I see a doctor next week to try out yet another anti-depressant (let's hope i'm not allergic this time) I would advise you to do the same. I'm sure many here have already told you so.

If you cannot afford doctor or meds, try Tulsi Tea. It comes in a wide range of flavors and isn't too bad. It helped a little with my anxiety but it's really expensive for tea so I quit drinking it.

 

[Metstoo]

You did not over react. I always check any meds the docs prescribe! I really don't think they know what they're handing out half the time and I try to be very proactive about my medical needs. Doctors these days are slammed with tons of patients in order to afford their liability insurance and they have no time to recognize your history or needs. Sad but true.

Again, if antihistamines make you sleepy (they dont work that way on everyone) then try a half a tablet to knock the edge off when you feel the anxiety starting. It's worth a try and they are pretty harmless...

My mother is due in for surgery in a few weeks and I may have to fly out to CA to be with her so I am already feeling the stress. She has metastatic cancer in her liver from colon cancer a couple of years ago and I feel a lot of pressure to take care of her from long distance. It ain't gonna be easy...

 

[W Axl Rose]

Metstoo, what kind of antihistamine do you use for that??

 

[Katattack]

Aacks almost had one last night while falling asleep. I felt the tell tell "thud thud" as my heart started beating faster and harder. My scalp started getting tight. I forced myself to relax and to breathe. I can't believe I actually avoided it. I've only been successful a handful of times in talking myself down.