Anxiety/Panic Attacks

[Groundhog]

Over the past week or so I've experienced what I believe to be a series of panic attacks or anxiety attacks. Basically I've been getting a speedy pulse, slight chest pains and discomfort, pains and tingling down my arms, and a feeling of dread like I'm about to die.

I'm prone to get worried about my health anyway, especially after a series of problems I had a few years ago with very bad headaches and pains that I now attribute to stress. I'm sure I'm what would be classified as a bit of a hypochondriac, however despite knowing this it doesn't make it any easier to deal with it.

Does anyone know of any useful remedies for these panick attacks, either medicinal or otherwise? I should probably see a doctor about it I guess - and I will if it keeps up - though I know that it's relatively common and others here might know of something.

[QuikSand]

I should probably see a doctor about it I guess

Probably.

[Logan]

Probably.

Seriously. Not to be an asshole or anything, but I just can't comprehend how someone (when they think they have a legitimate health issue) will post about it on a message board and expect answers that will solve their problem. Anyone on here can pose as a doctor and give you bad info. A real doctor can give you great info, but without knowing anything about you, it could be completely wrong for your situation. You need to go see a real doctor, who can figure out what's up as they read your chart and figure out your history. Hopefully you have insurance so you don't have to be worried about money. If you don't, go anyway. Not to get you scared, but plenty of undiagnosed things turn into something major because nothing gets done about it.

Seriously. Take off work tomorrow if you have to. Good luck and all the best.

[Drake]

I started having panic attacks after I had encephalitis in 2002. They come out of nowhere and never seem to have a definable reason attached to them. Each and every time I had one, I thought I was going to die.

My doc put me on Effexor, which has done the job for me. Nothing else worked.

It is amazing to me still how absolutely debilitating panic attacks can be, especially when you have no idea why you should be panicking. Even *knowing* that there's nothing wrong and you're just having a panic attack doesn't help.

[Izulde]

Yeah you're going to want to get this looked at. I've had similiar things, esp. when I go off my medication.

[Drake]

dola...

Of course, I only found out that mine were panic attacks after $15K worth of medical tests on everything from my heart to my brain to my prostate. Cowboy up, go see your GP or a shrink and tell them you're having panic attacks. You'll save yourself a wad of money.

[Groundhog]

dola...

Of course, I only found out that mine were panic attacks after $15K worth of medical tests on everything from my heart to my brain to my prostate. Cowboy up, go see your GP or a shrink and tell them you're having panic attacks. You'll save yourself a wad of money.

I hear you. When I first had my problems a few years ago I was sent to 3 doctors, 2 specialists, and had to pay for numerous tests including a CAT scan. Ended up costing me a hell of a lot of money that I didn't have at that time because I was young & dumb and hadn't paid for any medical insurance. I finally paid it all off only a few months ago.

[Drake]

My wife also highly recommends deep breathing exercises, but I never had much success with them.

[Eaglesfan27]

Yeah, I'd recommend you see a doctor - preferrably a psychiatrist and/or a qualified speciailist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The best way (proven by multiple studies) to treat panic attacks is a combination of medicine (usually an SSRI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Of course, you should also probably see your internist to make sure that there isn't something more than panic attacks going on. Good luck.

[Fonzie]

Probably.

Seconded.

Panic disorder is quite treatable. For some medications work well, for others psychotherapy is quite effective. The best psychotherapeutic style for treating panic disorder is cognitive/cognitive-behavioral therapy. I highly recommend seeking treatment, but be aware that any psychologist or psychiatrist worth their salt will probably want you to have heart conditions ruled out before proceeding to treat this is panic disorder. Just FYI.

Good luck.

[Fonzie]

Damn, EF27 beat me by mere seconds!

*shakes fist at ef27*

[Eaglesfan27]

Damn, EF27 beat me by mere seconds!

*shakes fist at ef27*


We said essentially the same thing so it's all good :)

By the way, I'm at our state's annual psychiatric meeting where we try to figure out how to stop those damn psychologists from expanding their prescribing powers in Louisiana, among other issues that will be discussed ;)

[Drake]

Oh, sure, listen to the psychiatrists instead of well-intentioned bulletin board guys. ;)

[Groundhog]

Thanks guys. I just told my girlfriend about it too and she commanded me to see a doctor tomorrow, which I was probably going to do anyway. I've had these attacks when I was younger too and my mum used to have them as well, so I'm fairly confident that's what it is.

I've heard about those breathing exercises and I'll definately ask the doc about it.

[Fonzie]

We said essentially the same thing so it's all good :)

By the way, I'm at our state's annual psychiatric meeting where we try to figure out how to stop those damn psychologists from expanding their prescribing powers in Louisiana, among other issues that will be discussed ;)

For what it's worth, there's more than a few psychologists out there who'd be happy to help you limit (or eliminate altogether) our prescription priviledges. Like me. :)

We're a minority, to be sure, but we're pretty vocal about it.

[Eaglesfan27]

For what it's worth, there's more than a few psychologists out there who'd be happy to help you limit (or eliminate altogether) our prescription priviledges. Like me. :)

We're a minority, to be sure, but we're pretty vocal about it.


I always had a feeling you were one of the good guys ;)

I know a few psychologists in the area who feel the same way. I was mostly joking as the shortage of inpatient beds and other resources after Katrina is a much bigger issue on our plate right now and will occupy much more of our discussion tomorrow and Saturday than psychologists prescribing. :)


Anyway, I didn't mean to threadjack Groundhog's thread. Good luck in seeking treatment through whatever means you choose Groundhog :)

[Toddzilla]

I know a guy at work who had a friend in college whose sister dated a guy that had the same symptoms. He figured they were panic attacks and didn't see a doctor, and now he's dead. Hope it works out for you.

[weegeebored]

Groundhog,

Your best course of action is to see if there is something physical going on and it looks like you are set up to do that. If you do decide to see a therapist (pretty good idea) make sure that his/her orientation is cognitive-behavioral. You will likely benefit most from that kind of therapy.

In the interim, let me recommend a book that may help you -- Mind Over Mood by Greenberger and Padesky. My wife's a therapist and has seen good results with clients. Make sure that you do the exercises in the book for best results. It has helped me.

[Chief Rum]

I know a guy at work who had a friend in college whose sister dated a guy that had the same symptoms. He figured they were panic attacks and didn't see a doctor, and now he's dead. Hope it works out for you.

Damn that's gotta be one of the more depressing and confusing posts I have read here in some time.

[Groundhog]

I know a guy at work who had a friend in college whose sister dated a guy that had the same symptoms. He figured they were panic attacks and didn't see a doctor, and now he's dead. Hope it works out for you.

Thanks Todd.

I think. :D