Omg...I forgot how much panic attacks suck

[bicentennial_baby]

It had been 10 months or so since the last one, but last night...BAM! I went outside around 12:30 for some air, and it began to creep up on me immediately, a million bad thoughts: money, my trip to Paris, my dad's prostate biopsy results that we're getting today, personal relationships i'm dealing with...every point of stress and anxiety welled up and i went into attack mode: heart racing, hyperventilating, crying, feeling like i'm suffocating...

and it sucked, b/c everyone in my house was asleep, so i just had to sit there and deal with it. luckily i had some klonopin on hand, so i did get to sleep at some point. klonopin supposed to be good for the wake-up anxiety as well, but i'm still feeling pretty anxious this morning.

I hate feeling like this

[Zuni]

1. I am prone to anxiety attacks myself

the most miserable feeling inaginable

I know how you feel

[bicentennial_baby]

2. Thanks

[Ilsa]

3. I'm lucky...I've only had a few, and it seems like they all

occurred as I was strolling through the same area of the grocery store. In my case, I wonder if a sight or smell set something off in my brain, not just a thought.

I glad you came through it okay. Whatever cognitive work you do with your Klonopin, I hope it still works well for you.

A big (panic-free) hug to you this morning!

[LaurenG]

6. Isn't that weird, I used to get them just

going to the particular store. I had to make myself go and make myself get through checkout. I knew if I didn't I would never go back there again. Eventually they stopped. I think it was the beginning of agoraphobia and I knew I didn't want that.

[bicentennial_baby]

8. I get them outdoors, of all places

I shouldn't have gone outside last night, it's a trigger i think, from the attacks i was having last summer. especially at night.

[LaurenG]

11. They are the strangest feelings to get out of nowhere

I hope that your stress level hurries and goes away. I am rooting for you.

[bicentennial_baby]

15. Thank you, really

I need all the good thoughts you can muster.

[LaurenG]

4. You'll be Okay

I used to get those long ago before it was really known of. I used to think I would die. I never did and the panic attacks finally went away on their own.

Hang in there. You'll be ok. Sorry though, I know how uncomfortable they are. I'm sending calm, soothing thoughts your way.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. Thank you

[MercutioATC]

7. I got them for about 4 months a few years ago.

I feel for you...they're horrible.

I'm an air traffic controller, so I couldn't take meds for it (or, really, even seek treatment). They went away after about 4 months and haven't reoccurred, luckily.

[bicentennial_baby]

9. I'm sorry to hear that

Without the meds, I'd have been up all night, and then some. Obsessive thinking rots.

[MercutioATC]

19. The worst part (for me) was that there was really nothing wrong.

...so there was nothing to fix. It was just an overpowering feeling that something was VERY wrong...

...it was the worst feeling I've ever had. Believe me, I sympathize with what you're experiencing.

[Trigger Hippie]

10. Yeah, I've had a few myself.

Hope you're feeling better.

[bicentennial_baby]

13. not really, but i'm trying...

i'm working on it, believe me.

[LynzM]

12. I hear ya on that one, dude....

I found that for me, the best solution is to get distracted. Find something on TV, read a good book, call someone (hard at 12:30, I know!) something to take my mind out of the obsessive cycle... good luck with it

[bicentennial_baby]

14. Yeah, i've got a bunch of errands to run

hopefully my fellow massachusetts drivers will infuriate me enough to keep me distracted

[LynzM]

28. LOL, I'll bet...

There's a good chance of that! Massholes

[kedrys]

16. Hope you feel better soon

I had my first (and so far only, fingers crossed) panic attack about 3 months ago, and I know how you feel. Try breathing and stretching, if you haven't already done so.

[bicentennial_baby]

17. Thanks, really

It's good to get support from those who know the feeling. Yes, i may do some yoga in a little while.

[Misunderestimator]

18. I used to have panic attacks... They totally suck.

I haven't had one for years... They pretty much stopped when I switched careers. Not sure whether it was that or just getting older. I guess the last one I remember having was about 10 years ago.

Sorry you're going through this...

[bicentennial_baby]

20. ....

thank you for that. Mine are random, and brought on by an excess of stress. i felt great all day yesterday, but something about being alone at night seems to make me even more susceptible.

[no name no slogan]

21. That rots

I've had a few of those-- mostly when I'm transitioning my anti-depression meds, and they are horrible.

I hope things are better for you this morning. Did you sleep okay?

[bicentennial_baby]

23. Klonopin makes sleep deep and heavy

It didn't really work on the wake-up panic, as it's supposed to. I'm ok, just on the verge of tears and my tummy hurts. Breathing....slow and steady.

i know you've been through a lot too...

[no name no slogan]

29. oh no, do you need to see a Dr?

I know you're stressed with your big trip coming up. Do you need to see a doctor? Please take some time for yourself, sweetie. You deserve to treat yourself the best you can.

Be well. We care about you

[bicentennial_baby]

34. awwww...you guys rock

ever since i was a thin skinned newbie all those years ago, the Lounge has been my refuge, where i can always get the love and support i lack out here in the real world



and if i need my therapist/doctor, i'll call them, i promise

[no name no slogan]

41. good for you

yes indeed, if I learned one thing the hard way it's to take care of your health first. Without it there's not a whole lot you can do.

(hmmm...methinks we need a "good karma" smiley for this place. Now where did I hide Photoshop?)

[samplegirl]

44. Im getting them every morning waking

I've virtually tryed everything!!! So I know what your going through.
I think they need a "Panic hotline" for people who suffer this.
Mine seem to be worse when im all alone. Somedays I can talk myself
through it somedays......its impossible. Know one thing...........
YOUR NOT ALONE!!!!

[bicentennial_baby]

47. thanks baby, i feel your pain

wake-up panic/anxiety is just awful...especially when you're alone

[Misunderestimator]

26. That's always when they occurred for me as well...

Sometimes creating insomnia so I couldn't sleep for hours, sometimes in the middle of the night for no reason whatsoever, after I was sleeping perfectly well. A trip to the bathroom might set my mind reeling about something that then spiraled into despair.

They are definitely worse alone... no one to calm you down and give you the proper perspective, just your mind playing tricks on you. I wish I had access to something like DU when I was going through those... there's always someone online here to talk to.

[bicentennial_baby]

27. Exactly...

"A trip to the bathroom might set my mind reeling about something that then spiraled into despair. "

Oh yes, you know it exactly. Yeah, I really just wanted a long hug last night, so I could cry uncontrollably and have someone tell me it's gonna be ok. I made it through though, no thanks to Fucker Carlson and his shitty 1 am rerun

[Beware the Beast Man]

22. Yes, they do...but they can be worked out.

I have them too, but they're not as bad as they used to be.

[bicentennial_baby]

24. thanks man

i'm sorry about your job, but i know everything will work out for the best

[alarcojon]

25. It is a tough feeling, but one which can eventually be managed

There are many resources available; my favorite online one is Tapir:

http://algy.com/anxiety /

Hang in there. Once you find the right resources for you, it WILL get better.

[JimmyJazz]

30. I'm sorry. You do seem to have a lot going on right now.

Please take care of yourself

[bicentennial_baby]

36. i will sweetie

DUers are making me feel better already....maybe i'll go listen to the Clash to get my mind off things, 'eh?

[JimmyJazz]

43. Well, getting Clashified always works for me....may I suggest

Death is a Star from Combat Rock - it's very sexy

[redqueen]

31. I'm so sorry...

Hope your day gets better soon...

[bicentennial_baby]

37. thanks RQ

as always, you're a sweetheart

[Burma Jones]

32. Welbutrin got rid of mine

I would get them at the oddest times...thought I was having a heart attack.....

[bicentennial_baby]

38. wellbutrin gives me panic attacks

i ended up in the ER when i was on that stuff...klonopin and deep breathing seems to do the trick

[progmom]

45. it does the same thing to my brother

[Pool Hall Ace]

33. Oh, I'm sorry you're having panic attacks.

I have had those in the past. Exercise, journaling, and Xanax really helped me. I hope the Klonopin is working for you. Here are some healing vibes for you {{{{{{{{ }}}}}}}}.

[Taverner]

35. Awwww that sucks

I wish I could do or say something to make you feel better...

I'll send hugs and good vibes your way

[bicentennial_baby]

40. thank you mark

Y'all are making me feel better already, really.

[Taverner]

48. Just think - when you are sipping french coffee in a cafe

Nothing else will matter

[Texasgal]

39. I have them all of the time....

I used to have them several times a day, until finally I just couldn't take it anymore. I am an RN and at the time ( when they started ) I was working triage at a local ER. I just couldn't do it anymore... I was so stressed out.

I'm on lexapro now... haven't had an attack in months!

I feel for you, I know how scary they can be. I hope you are able to get through this soon.

*Hugs*

[Rhiannon12866]

42. Keep a small paper bag in your purse.

I kept one with me for years. When you begin to have a panic attack, you're hyperventilating. Take the paper bag, hold it over your mouth and nose, and slowly breathe in an out until it passes. This was recommended to me by professionals and it always worked. And it's reassuring that you know that there's something that you can do, immediately, yourself, that will make the panic feeling stop. And lack of sleep can contribute to this, in addition to stress, according to my doctor. Believe me, I've been there and I sure can sympathize. The first time this happened to me, I was sure that I was dying. But please try this. It's so simple, but it helped me a lot. And I really hope that you're feeling better!

Rhiannon

[Kathy in Cambridge]

46. I used to have them too, right after 9/11 when I was traveling a lot

the doc put me on Celexa for a few months and it really helped. You may ask your doc about something to help you through.

[sundog]

49. take care of yourself

it will pass