Fugging panic attacks!!!

[SeattleGirl]

So here I am, cruising along with my day, getting work done, and wham! Panic attack! I take meds every day for this, and generally do fine, but once in awhile, I still have an attack. Anyone who's ever had them knows how awful they are -- pounding heart, shaking, and sometimes feeling like you're going to die. I took an extra pill, which has helped a lot, but now I feel as energetic as a slug. I want to curl up and go to sleep, but I can't because I still have things to do. Fugging panic attacks! :grr:

[Crazy Dave]

1. Sounds like you need a hug?

:hug:

...but if that don't work a marijuana joint will ;)

[SeattleGirl]

4. Thanks Dave

I'll definitely take the hug, but will pass where the joint is concerned. :hug:

[In_The_Wind]

2. Damn! I'm sorry about that!

[SeattleGirl]

5. Thank you, Joani

:hug:

[Crazy Dave]

9. And Joan.....

You forgot this guy

[In_The_Wind]

30. I never forget about him.

I was going for a calmer image.

[Mutley]

3. ...

:hug:

[SeattleGirl]

6. ...

Thanks! :hug:

[plcdude]

7. the best thing

is to stop worrying about what you have to do and either rest or do something you really enjoy. It will be there when you are ready to get to it.

[SeattleGirl]

8. I wish I would do that, but unfortunately, I have a deadline today

that I can't put off. But there are a few other things on the list of to-do's that I can put off, so that's what I'm going to do.

[Ariana Celeste]

10. Ack!

Aren't they just awful? :hug: Glad you're feeling a bit better- hope you feel *lots* better soon!
It's a good thing you got meds to help! I get spontaneous attacks once in awhile, too- I know what you're goin through. :( :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

13. Thanks Ariana

They suck, that's for sure. Thank goodness for the meds! :hug:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

11. I hope your days get better .

:hug: I had one about 2 months ago after being fine on my meds for 2 weeks . I felt so bad like I had a setback . My heart was racing out of control and I thought I was about to die . I just stayed to myself the entire weekend and I felt so much better with time :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

14. Well, I do feel better now, except wrung out, like I said.

This one just hit me so hard. :hug:

[LoZoccolo]

12. I used to get them, then get depersonalization for hours every day.

I found that if you just go ahead with what you're doing and don't worry about how the panic attack will effect it, they drop.

[SeattleGirl]

15. I used to try that, but unfortunately, it only got worse for me

So my doc put me on anti-anxiety meds. And they do work, for the most part, except for those once-in-awhile days like today.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

16. I have them, too

and they really paralyzed me for a while. I didn't leave the house for a long time.

I pretty much am over them now, but still take meds. It's been about 17 years. Started with a shooting (murder) at the school where I was teaching. Taught me a lot about myself, moods, etc.

"Having things to do" is one great way to get past them. You can sleep tonight!

[SeattleGirl]

17. Wow. What an awful experience that must have been.

I'm okay most of the time, but those occasional attacks are awful. I'm glad you're doing well. :hug:

[TallahasseeGrannie]

18. You really get to the point

where they are just annoyances and you handle them. I have even gotten to the point where I "almost" welcome one now and again because when they are over, I feel like I've taken two valiums..for free.

[Sugar Smack]

19. Honey. I know.

I really do. I've had them, I've been talked down, and I've talked others down. I wish I could help you. :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

23. I'm fine now, thanks Sugar.

Sometimes if I do some deep breathing, I can get over it and not have to take an extra pill. Today wasn't like that. :hug:

[LynzM]

20. Sorry to hear that, SG

I finally went on meds recently for my anxiety/panic attacks, so I feel ya. They really do suck, and the meds make you really want a nap. Oy. Hope your tomorrow is calmer :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

24. Thanks LynzM

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

21. Damn, that sucks

The meds have gotten mine under control, and I have not had one in a while, but I fear they are always there waiting...

:hug:

RL

[SeattleGirl]

25. Thanks, RL

Yeah, for the most part, I'm just dandy, but sometimes I get ambushed by one, like happened today. At least I don't have them 3-4 times a week like I used to.

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

22. Here you go, sweetie!

Just dance those jitters right away! It's easy and fun!







I'm kidding. Here's a hug for you (I'm serious):




I used to have them, too. Not fun. The meds I took seemed to make them less frequent, but more intense. So I quit the meds and got the hell out of the place that was giving me panic attacks in the first place. Much better now. Best to you, though. (Where's the "worried" smilie?)

[SeattleGirl]

26. Hey DA

Thanks for the bear hug! (I love that picture!). Unfortunately, my attacks aren't place-specific, though I did used to get migraines that were. Soon as I quit that job, no more migraines!

:hug:

[zanne]

27. I was rushed to the ER because of one...

Two weeks ago, I was hit with severe chest pain, difficulty breathing and pressure on my chest. Heart attack, right? I have heart disease, and I sure thought so. So I dialed 911 and off I went in the ambulance, sirens blaring and my family waiting for me at the ER. A few hours later, I was mortified to find out it wasn't my heart at all, but a probable panic attack. They kept me overnight so the shrink could see me. Just shoot me now.

[SeattleGirl]

28. Hey, don't knock yourself, zanne.

It was in the hospital ER (my second I'm-having-a-heart-attack-and-I'm-gonna-die trip there) when I was first diagnosed. The doc who was treating me, bless his heart, asked me a number of questions and figured out I was having a panic attack. He said that panic attacks are the number one reason people end up in the ER thinking they are having heart attacks. The symptoms very closely mimic those of heart attacks. And, given that you have heart disease, what you did was the smart thing.

So I'm not going to shoot you. I'm going to :hug: you!

[zanne]

29. Thank you, SeattleGirl.

I feel better!

[jollyreaper2112]

31. hate the feeling

Especially when they sneak up for no good reason. Still, sleeping is preferable to staying up with it. Are you guys finding your attacks situational or chemical? In other words, are there external causes or is it all just messed up brain chemistry?

[Whoa_Nelly]

32. Poor you, SG!

Have never had a panic attack, but it sounds very similar to a hypoglycemic attack...and those suck!

Many :hug:

[bigwillq]

33. ......

:hug:

I have gotten them before and they're really scary.

:hug: