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Any Ladies Suffer from Panic Attacks?

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Metstoo

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Jan 12, 2010
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Metstoo, what kind of antihistamine do you use for that??

Just a generic antihistamine from Walmart. I get tablets so I can split them. Benedry is the standard antihistamine for most but they come in gel caps and can't really be split up.

Just make sure you are getting ONLY antihistamine and not anything with a decongestant added. Just old fashioned antihistamine and not the newer zyrtecs and claritins.
 

Metstoo

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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.

Sometimes I can avoid one too if I catch it early enough... I can't always tell when I'm starting one though. Weird but true!
 

Twister

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Hello ladies,
I don't want to horn in here but I felt strongly that this tidbit needed to be passed on to you. In my younger days(no, thats not the tidbit), I developed a condition called PAT's. It is a form of tachycardia(rapid heartbeat 240bpm) that will give you a start. Only occured while resting, but how long can you keep moving. According to the medics, it was the result of caffiene and nicotine abuse. (30+ cups of coffee and 3 to 5 packs of Marlboro a day8-o) Had a pressure cooker customer relations type job in the military. It was treated with beta blockers and for 5 years no coffee, cokes, or tea. Cigs went down to one pack a day. Never could quit them till now. Anyhooo, please make sure you have your conditions confirmed by the doctors. Take care.
 

Metstoo

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yup that's the difference..do you notice it before it starts or once it's already going on.

It's hard to explain. I know the signs better now so I can usually tell when it is just starting by a slight tremor I get at first. Just a little shaky. Or I feel a bit restless for no reason.

In the early days when it was worse, I'd actually think I was cold because I was trembling. By the time I'd figure out it wasn't a chill, it would be too late and I'd be in a panic already.
 

Metstoo

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twister" data-source="post: 1095209" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">
twister said:
Hello ladies,
I don't want to horn in here but I felt strongly that this tidbit needed to be passed on to you. In my younger days(no, thats not the tidbit), I developed a condition called PAT's. It is a form of tachycardia(rapid heartbeat 240bpm) that will give you a start. Only occured while resting, but how long can you keep moving. According to the medics, it was the result of caffiene and nicotine abuse. (30+ cups of coffee and 3 to 5 packs of Marlboro a day8-o) Had a pressure cooker customer relations type job in the military. It was treated with beta blockers and for 5 years no coffee, cokes, or tea. Cigs went down to one pack a day. Never could quit them till now. Anyhooo, please make sure you have your conditions confirmed by the doctors. Take care.

Excellent advice!

Things like palpitations and irregular heart beats can be other causes such as thyroid trouble or something else. Always best to check in with your doctor.
 

shadowcptn

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Yes, I've had bouts with panic attacks. I had absolutely no idea what was going on, except for the fact that I couldn't breathe normally, my chest hurt like I would imagine a heart attack to feel like, and my body would go stiff. When these panic attacks started to affect my driving abilities (i.e., driving my car off of the road into ditches, etc.), I had to seek professional help. I went to therapy and my therapist decided that medication was necessary.

That was two years ago and I'm still on medication with great success. I have no more panic attacks taking my medication daily. I also limit my caffeine intake and stick to my sleep schedule, both of which also help a great deal.

My best wishes to anyone suffering from these episodes. Hugs.
 

Metstoo

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I just had an appointment with a nutritionist yesterday who specializes in hormonal issues. She pointed out that my out of balance hormones (thyroid, progesterone, testosterone, etc.) could easily cause the palpitations and anxiety. I think once your levels get whacked out it's not easy to get them back to healthy again. Our diets are definitely a big key to regaining some balance.
 

redgirl

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I've stayed away from caffeine since I started having them. Once you get over the caffeine hump and figure out what sodas and drinks don't have caffeine, it's pretty easy. But, I was never a coffee drinking so that made it easier. It's so much easier to fall asleep now!

Yes, I had to completely cut out caffeine, too. It was really rough at first - had nasty headaches. I still get antsy at night and it's so weird that it's at night. My psychiatrist said that basically, I'm busy at work during the day and at night, I actually have time to think about how I'm feeling. Weird how uncontrollable it seems and it's mostly psychological. He said one solution is not to take sleeping pills, but to take melatonin. I do take it now every night and it does help me sleep better.

Yes, I've had bouts with panic attacks. I had absolutely no idea what was going on, except for the fact that I couldn't breathe normally, my chest hurt like I would imagine a heart attack to feel like, and my body would go stiff. When these panic attacks started to affect my driving abilities (i.e., driving my car off of the road into ditches, etc.), I had to seek professional help. I went to therapy and my therapist decided that medication was necessary.

That was two years ago and I'm still on medication with great success. I have no more panic attacks taking my medication daily. I also limit my caffeine intake and stick to my sleep schedule, both of which also help a great deal.

My best wishes to anyone suffering from these episodes. Hugs.

I hated the not breathing normally part. That was the worst. I still get days occasionally where that happens. But there was a period that it happened every day, especially on my hour and a half commute to work. They are a lot less now that I've been vaping for a couple months. What medication are you taking? I'm taking Zoloft and I haven't had a panic attack since.
 

bestthingever

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Had panic attacks & generalized anxiety for years. Worst ailment I've ever had, and wouldn't wish it on anyone. I eventually learned to control it without meds, but it seems like it took almost super-human strength to do it. That's all past now, huge sympathies to anyone else dealing with it.

P.S. I recently had a pretty aggressive sinus infection that took 2 rounds of Cipro to knock out. No anxiety from the Cipro.
 

redgirl

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Had panic attacks & generalized anxiety for years. Worst ailment I've ever had, and wouldn't wish it on anyone. I eventually learned to control it without meds, but it seems like it took almost super-human strength to do it. That's all past now, huge sympathies to anyone else dealing with it.

P.S. I recently had a pretty aggressive sinus infection that took 2 rounds of Cipro to knock out. No anxiety from the Cipro.

How did you get off meds? My psych said since I have a family history, I would probably be on them the rest of my life. I really don't want to take these forever. I know it's best not to get off of them without proper dosing advice from a psych.
 

bestthingever

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How did you get off meds? My psych said since I have a family history, I would probably be on them the rest of my life. I really don't want to take these forever. I know it's best not to get off of them without proper dosing advice from a psych.

I really didn't want to take them forever either; got tired of being sleepy, but at the time, that was the only way I could survive the anxiety.
I didn't have a family history of it, and of course you must follow your dr's advice. I just reached the point (took over 2 yrs, mind you) that I felt I could survive without them, so my doc weaned me off of them. However, I would not hesitate to go back on the meds if I ever felt I needed them. That's how horrible an anxiety condition can be, for those who've never had one.
I no longer have any anxiety. I haven't researched it in a very long time, but back then I remember reading that it had a tendency to eventually go away completely (and could just as easily come back). I think at that time that I knew I didn't need them anymore, and I was right.
 

bestthingever

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I thought of a few more things I wanted to add, especially for someone reading these posts for the first time....
1. Avoiding caffeine is an absolute must ! (No Mt.Dew for you !) Caffeine is an absolute invitation to start the anxiety cycle.
2. I learned some mental coping techniques that helped me greatly, almost as much as the meds themselves. Number one was proper breathing techniques; my psych doc taught me something called 'square breathing'. It's basically learning to take nice, long, slow inhales, holding for a few seconds, then a nice, long, slow exhale, and holding that for a few seconds before trying to breathe in again. Do each step to a nice slow count of 4. You may have to do several rounds of this before you feel the anxiety starting to lessen.I can't tell you how many times this step alone stopped the anxiety almost immediately.
3. Prayer. I memorized a couple of meaningful bible verses that I would actually repeat over & over (this helps get your mind focused on ONE thing for a few minutes). My favorite was "Cast your cares upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall". I wrote these on 3x5 index cards, and would tape one on the dashboard of my car so that I could easily see it while driving. (And what is it about being in a car that triggers these feelings for so many of us ? It got to where I was afraid to get in my car to drive to work, for heaven's sake ! And driving out of town - forget about it ! My poor husband learned to always reassure me about where the closest hospital was, since this became an overriding concern for me.
4. Hubby told me something he learned as a child: Remember to see the word FEAR as an analog: False Evidence Appearing Real. Meaning that your mind is telling you something that isn't TRUE.
 

dawgcrazy

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Jan 24, 2010
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I thought of a few more things I wanted to add, especially for someone reading these posts for the first time....
1. Avoiding caffeine is an absolute must ! (No Mt.Dew for you !)

Number one was proper breathing techniques; my psych doc taught me something called 'square breathing'.

(And what is it about being in a car that triggers these feelings for so many of us ? It got to where I was afraid to get in my car to drive to work, for heaven's sake !

NOOOO! You Mt. Dew nazi!! I MUST have my Mt. Dew! :wub:
I don't drink it like I used to though. I have cut WAY back. But I can't give it up. It's my "morning coffee" and my evening assurance that I won't get a 3 day caffeine headache. I try to drink other stuff during the day...water, sprite, etc...

I do take nice deep breaths when I start to feel panicky, sometimes it helps.

And for me, in the car, some of it (well most if not all of it I guess) is because I don't trust other drivers. PTSD from a nasty accident I had one winter that totalled my car and messed me up. Some idiot going too fast on a curve, hit me in the drivers door and knocked me for a real loop. Snow/ice + driving = me a nervous wreck!! My psychiatrist has told me NOT to drive in it.

Right now, she's got me on Paxil, Xanax, Depakote twice a day, Abilify, and a low dose of Remeron to make me sleep at night. Think my liver hates me yet?? LOL! I don't want to be on these forever either, but I foresee a long future of these meds unfortunately. I've been on the Paxil forever anyway, then added the Xanax last year...then had my first panic attack while on them. So psych added more. I DO seem to be a lot more calm now. I think the mood stabilizer helped a lot with that.

Unfortunately....or fortunately...however you want to look at it, I lost my job on Monday...I still have yet to freak out about it. *scratches head* Usually I would've been an absolute mess as soon as I got the news, but eh..whatever. It sucks, because with the economy, who knows when I'll find another job....but it sorta doesn't suck, because that job was so stressful, that I think for my mental health, they did me a favor. So it's sort of a catch 22.

I also have a deep, long, family history of depression, anxiety, alcoholism, you name it! So, I get it honestly.
 

bestthingever

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NOOOO! You Mt. Dew nazi!! I MUST have my Mt. Dew! :wub:
I don't drink it like I used to though. I have cut WAY back. But I can't give it up. It's my "morning coffee" and my evening assurance that I won't get a 3 day caffeine headache. I try to drink other stuff during the day...water, sprite, etc...

I do take nice deep breaths when I start to feel panicky, sometimes it helps.

And for me, in the car, some of it (well most if not all of it I guess) is because I don't trust other drivers. PTSD from a nasty accident I had one winter that totalled my car and messed me up. Some idiot going too fast on a curve, hit me in the drivers door and knocked me for a real loop. Snow/ice + driving = me a nervous wreck!! My psychiatrist has told me NOT to drive in it.

Right now, she's got me on Paxil, Xanax, Depakote twice a day, Abilify, and a low dose of Remeron to make me sleep at night. Think my liver hates me yet?? LOL! I don't want to be on these forever either, but I foresee a long future of these meds unfortunately. I've been on the Paxil forever anyway, then added the Xanax last year...then had my first panic attack while on them. So psych added more. I DO seem to be a lot more calm now. I think the mood stabilizer helped a lot with that.

Unfortunately....or fortunately...however you want to look at it, I lost my job on Monday...I still have yet to freak out about it. *scratches head* Usually I would've been an absolute mess as soon as I got the news, but eh..whatever. It sucks, because with the economy, who knows when I'll find another job....but it sorta doesn't suck, because that job was so stressful, that I think for my mental health, they did me a favor. So it's sort of a catch 22.

I also have a deep, long, family history of depression, anxiety, alcoholism, you name it! So, I get it honestly.

OK, you can have a Mt Dew....but just ONE ! (lol)

Losing your job can really mess with your head too....I lost mine almost 2 yrs ago, right about the time my MIL couldn't live alone anymore. So now she lives with us, and it's a full time job. I'm really scared that by the time she's not around anymore, I'll be considered 'unemployable' :(
 

dawgcrazy

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OK, you can have a Mt Dew....but just ONE ! (lol)

Losing your job can really mess with your head too....I lost mine almost 2 yrs ago, right about the time my MIL couldn't live alone anymore. So now she lives with us, and it's a full time job. I'm really scared that by the time she's not around anymore, I'll be considered 'unemployable' :(

I think I've had 3 today. I used to drink a 12 pack a day, easy....this was many years ago. Like I said, I've cut way back. However, I've recently discovered that I like HOT drinks now (used to hate them), so I've occasionally (few times a week) had a few cups of instant cappucino or Tazo spiced chai tea. Guess I really need to work on getting off the caffeine completely huh? :(

The loss of the job hasn't affected me much yet...still. It's been a week. Although, tonite and the two nights before, I've had a very hard time breathing, but other than that, I don't feel stressed, I'm not shaky or anything, just feels like there's weights on my lungs or something. Usually some extra Xanax does the trick, but tonite it doesn't seem to be helping. Could be the 2 giant mugs of spiced chai too...?

I hate all these meds. I feel like a zombie. So monotone. I drive and I just...drive. I forget where I'm going, I catch myself going over the lines, I miss my roads....I back out of parking spaces and then I'm like OH $H!T I need to look behind me!! I'm tired, I have no energy or motivation, yet I can't sleep right. Sometimes I sleep fine, most nights though, I'm up and down.

I know I need a job, but I'm almost scared to start a new one with all the issues I have right now...I can't be missing work, but some days I just can't seem to function either. I don't know how some of you can "make yourself breathe" or stop an attack. I try like hell to take a deep breath and no matter what, I just can't do it. It's like the air goes in so far, then just stops. It's not a satisfying breath at all...and it lasts for hours.

It was really nice of you to let your MIL move in and take care of her. When you enter back into the work force, just tell them you've been doing private home health care for the last xx years. A lot of people will understand that. (a lot of people will probably think you're also a saint to put up with your MIL too LOL!)
 

bestthingever

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I think I've had 3 today. I used to drink a 12 pack a day, easy....this was many years ago. Like I said, I've cut way back. However, I've recently discovered that I like HOT drinks now (used to hate them), so I've occasionally (few times a week) had a few cups of instant cappucino or Tazo spiced chai tea. Guess I really need to work on getting off the caffeine completely huh? :(

The loss of the job hasn't affected me much yet...still. It's been a week. Although, tonite and the two nights before, I've had a very hard time breathing, but other than that, I don't feel stressed, I'm not shaky or anything, just feels like there's weights on my lungs or something. Usually some extra Xanax does the trick, but tonite it doesn't seem to be helping. Could be the 2 giant mugs of spiced chai too...?

I hate all these meds. I feel like a zombie. So monotone. I drive and I just...drive. I forget where I'm going, I catch myself going over the lines, I miss my roads....I back out of parking spaces and then I'm like OH $H!T I need to look behind me!! I'm tired, I have no energy or motivation, yet I can't sleep right. Sometimes I sleep fine, most nights though, I'm up and down.

I know I need a job, but I'm almost scared to start a new one with all the issues I have right now...I can't be missing work, but some days I just can't seem to function either. I don't know how some of you can "make yourself breathe" or stop an attack. I try like hell to take a deep breath and no matter what, I just can't do it. It's like the air goes in so far, then just stops. It's not a satisfying breath at all...and it lasts for hours.

It was really nice of you to let your MIL move in and take care of her. When you enter back into the work force, just tell them you've been doing private home health care for the last xx years. A lot of people will understand that. (a lot of people will probably think you're also a saint to put up with your MIL too LOL!)

It can only be a good thing that you've cut back on the Mt Dew that much....I don't think I could handle more than one a day though. I have a SIL that likes them as much as you do, but she's a very laid-back type. I can't imagine her ever being anxious about anything.
I had to really practice the breathing thing, as I couldn't do it at first. Then I got the hang of it, and it really made a huge difference. I had to actually count slowly 1, 2, 3, 4, while I was doing it. I know and hate that feeling of not being able to get a nice deep breath, though. Maybe your doc would have a better method of teaching proper breathing to you, you should ask. Make sure you're expelling all the air on the exhale; could be that's why you feel you're not getting enough in on the inhale, 'cause you're not allowing your lungs to completely empty. I'm no expert, just trying to remember how I did it, and what worked for me.
There's probably some kind of hot drink out there that you would like that's not full of caffeine....I was never fond of camomile tea, but it's supposed to relax you.
My husband takes a lot of the same meds you do; he's bipolar. The meds took a little getting used to; he says he felt like a zombie for a while too. The only drug I took for my anxiety was Xanax (thank God for whoever invented that drug). Now for my depression, that's another story !
 
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