Panic attacks.

[john-e89]

I suffer, and have done for the last 6 years from severe ones, to the point of passing out a few times. They can last an un-usual 12-15 hrs and are really quite awful. I've had cognitive therapy which did'nt work and the Docs are at a loss as they are so severe. They happen a regular every 2 weeks and have not subsided at all. All I can do is take Larazapram to help get some sleep and ibuprofen and paracetamol.

Anyway the point of the thread is does anyone else suffer and if so how do you deal with them.

Any input is much appreciated.

 

[Z4M-2006]

Sympathies John..

I had a friend who suffered badly,no real clue or trigger to why it started.

When we spoke about it,he said he got anxiety for around 6 months before he had the full blown panic attacks,although he never realised that at the time..... He saw various professionals and CBT (which did help)... He got diagnosed as having general anxiety disorder,but he said "thats because they dont know whats wrong with me"...He was very much of the idea that he had to have a "label" from the various doctors he had helping him.

It lasted for about 4 years and now gladly he is much improved...

In his situation he tended to shy away from social situations in case a panic attack occurred,and this created a circle for him. He started to get out and about more and his condition improved dramatically...

I guess each individual is different,and what triggers the attack can vary wildly....

Good luck in your search for help and an answer.

 

[gwatson]

I also know a friend who suffered them, but not the same extent, perhaps more anxiety attacks.

The key for him was identifying what triggered it and dealing with that.... sounds obvious written down, but appreciate it's a lot more complex in real life.

 

[gov]

For years I had symptoms of having a heart problem ie chest pain , sweaty palms , unreal sensation that genuinely felt like I was about to keel over and die - ended up in A&E several times including a 5 day stay in hospital - had many tests including an echoscan that showed no abnormality of the heart - finally diagnosed these episodes as panic attacks brought on by anxiety - I have been described as being very laid back and not prone to anxiety but clearly subconsciously I was - my job pre retirement was stressful but you live with it and it was only after I retired I realised how bad it must have been - I was prescribed medication but never took it after I read up on the side effects.

Clearly I didn't have them so severe as you but for what it's worth I took the homeopathic alternative route and tried St John's Wort capsules - took 6 weeks to get in my system but proved very successful and virtually cured me - took them daily for 2 years and then weaned myself off them ( had a fear of getting addicted ) and have not had a problem since - this was several years before I formally retired so wasn't just coincidental .

Hope you can find a cure too.

 

[john-e89]

Thank you for the kind words Z4M,

You are correct the trigger can be very varied, it's usually something physical that sets mine off. I don't avoid social gatherings either as that is'nt a problem, so it's weird. A different Doc wants another try at it so we'll see what happens.

It's great your friend is doing so well and please pass on my regards as I have some idea of his previous issues and i'm pleased to hear of people doing well.

Another member sent me a very kind PM so I hope he got my reply.

Cheers again and hope I get to see your Zed at a meet soon.

 

[john-e89]

For years I had symptoms of having a heart problem ie chest pain , sweaty palms , unreal sensation that genuinely felt like I was about to keel over and die - ended up in A&E several times including a 5 day stay in hospital - had many tests including an echoscan that showed no abnormality of the heart - finally diagnosed these episodes as panic attacks brought on by anxiety - I have been described as being very laid back and not prone to anxiety but clearly subconsciously I was - my job pre retirement was stressful but you live with it and it was only after I retired I realised how bad it must have been - I was prescribed medication but never took it after I read up on the side effects.

Clearly I didn't have them so severe as you but for what it's worth I took the homeopathic alternative route and tried St John's Wort capsules - took 6 weeks to get in my system but proved very successful and virtually cured me - took them daily for 2 years and then weaned myself off them ( had a fear of getting addicted ) and have not had a problem since - this was several years before I formally retired so wasn't just coincidental .

Hope you can find a cure too.

Wow that is exactly the symptoms I get Gov with the heart racing, very dizzy, sweaty palms, pins and needles down the arms and feeling like you're having a heart attack. Lasts for hours. I've heard of St John's wort and will give them a try.

Glad you're ok now, nice to hear and thanks for the post to you and the others who have posted, I do appreciate them.

 

[gov]

worth giving it a go mate - only don't expect an improvement straight away as it does take a while to get in your system - anxiety is so difficult to treat - in my case I clearly got anxious about being anxious - it all used to build up until in the end I saw the Doctor who then told me there was nothing wrong with my heart and I felt better almost immediately but it never lasted - it was a vicious circle that proved very hard to break.

Anyway - good luck.

 

[Wyldie85]

Hi john-e89,

About 10 years ago, I suffered with panic attacks and anxiety. It was triggered from three fairly big life changes all in one go and I remember driving to work in the mornings, short of breath, sweaty palms, pains in my arms, couldn't focus and a general sense of mania and terror. I didn't know what they were at first and used to get to work and spend the morning with my heart racing like mad and a horrible sense of doom hanging over me. From the outside, nobody would have known but after speaking with the doctor, it was confirmed I was having panic attacks. Whilst these don't seem as severe as yours, they are a horrible thing to experience.

About a year ago I started to suffer from anxiety again and had some sessions with 'TalkPlus' to see if it would help. They give you general tips and ideas for dealing with anxiety and depression.

I took St John's Wort along with listening to the radio every morning on the way to work. That sense of familiarity and other voices helped to calm me down (eventually).

I hope you manage to get a result and curb the panic attacks.

Take care,

Dan

 

[paulgs1000]

My daughter's character changed from being a super confident and successful sports woman to being hyper anxious and un-balanced (in lots of ways). Her character literally changed within a few weeks and through anxiety attacks her life literally broke down around her - couldn't cope with work or Uni or sports and had to come home to recover.

It's taken about a year of diagnosis - everything checked and tried including CBT, counselling, lots of physical and medical checks in the hope of making an improvement or understanding of what was happening before a diagnosis was eventually made which, through long term treatment and physio, has brought about a return to her previous capabilities. Very disabling and confusing until this cause found. Turned out to be an ear infection that 'killed off' one of her inner ear nerves causing these symptoms and having this impact. Only recently being understood by doctors (in terms of the impact that this simple ear infection can bring about longer term).

Of course I'm not implying this is the answer to all anxiety but it's such a relief to have found this cause and I thought it appropriate to let it be known on this thread - we were told that this particular cause/diagnosis is often not understood (nor known about by all GPs). It certainly helped us understand and make sense of what had/was happening, at a time of great confusion. The specialist staff treating my daughter have some impressive computer monitoring and testing equipment.

I sincerely hope you get some improvement and progress John-e89.

 

[jimmybell]

Interesting thread - wish you the best in coping/recovering and moving forward!

With regards to homeopathic treatment (someone mentioned st John's Wort), i know things like this carry lots of stigma, is it possible that this kind of cure is somewhat a placebo cure? Obviously panic attacks, i assume, are mentally driven, so the impression of things improving due to actions taken could lead to an improved state?

I'm no medical ... anything really, just interested to know the science behind it.

At the end of the day, however it works, if it works.. it's good! I've read some horror stories though.

 

[gov]

Interesting thread - wish you the best in coping/recovering and moving forward!

With regards to homeopathic treatment (someone mentioned st John's Wort), i know things like this carry lots of stigma, is it possible that this kind of cure is somewhat a placebo cure? Obviously panic attacks, i assume, are mentally driven, so the impression of things improving due to actions taken could lead to an improved state?

I'm no medical ... anything really, just interested to know the science behind it.

At the end of the day, however it works, if it works.. it's good! I've read some horror stories though.

Like anything homeopathic there will always be "experts" that throw doubt and horror stories about - there can be side effects that some people may experience and it won't suit all - these are written down clearly in the enclosed notes . As regards it being a placebo cure it may well be in some cases - anxiety is of course a state of mind - although the symptoms are very real and the power of the mind is something we are still exploring . In my case I tried St Johns Wort not expecting it to work but because I wanted an alternative to chemical drugs - as it happened I didn't experience any of the known side effects and it proved very effective - may be it worked because I wanted it to work . During all the time I had regular attacks ( over a period of many years ) I refused to let it get the better of me - I had no days off sick other than the short stay in hospital that was forced on me by a doctor in A&E who thought I was suffering from angina. I suppose it could have been coincidence that after all those years SJW gave me the cure though that in itself is hard to believe.

Clearly if you try it and immediately experience side effects it would be foolish to continue - at the end of the day it worked for me

 

[dr_john]

I had similar problems some years ago and was prescribed Prozac for about a year, it did sort me out.

I recently had a bit of a wobble and am currently on beta blockers, seems to be helping.

My best wishes to you John, I understand your problems first hand, but they can be sorted. I'm not a medical doctor BTW.

 

[john-e89]

Hi john-e89,

About 10 years ago, I suffered with panic attacks and anxiety. It was triggered from three fairly big life changes all in one go and I remember driving to work in the mornings, short of breath, sweaty palms, pains in my arms, couldn't focus and a general sense of mania and terror. I didn't know what they were at first and used to get to work and spend the morning with my heart racing like mad and a horrible sense of doom hanging over me. From the outside, nobody would have known but after speaking with the doctor, it was confirmed I was having panic attacks. Whilst these don't seem as severe as yours, they are a horrible thing to experience.

About a year ago I started to suffer from anxiety again and had some sessions with 'TalkPlus' to see if it would help. They give you general tips and ideas for dealing with anxiety and depression.

I took St John's Wort along with listening to the radio every morning on the way to work. That sense of familiarity and other voices helped to calm me down (eventually).

I hope you manage to get a result and curb the panic attacks.

Take care,

Dan

Many thanks for the post and well wishes Dan,

The symptoms are very similar and I also get so short of breath I can't climb the stairs without severe waves of dizziness.

I'm noting all the different things that others have taken and will go and see the GP again armed with this info.

I hope you continue to keep top side of your issues and thanks for sharing your story.

All the best to you.

John.

 

[john-e89]

My daughter's character changed from being a super confident and successful sports woman to being hyper anxious and un-balanced (in lots of ways). Her character literally changed within a few weeks and through anxiety attacks her life literally broke down around her - couldn't cope with work or Uni or sports and had to come home to recover.

It's taken about a year of diagnosis - everything checked and tried including CBT, counselling, lots of physical and medical checks in the hope of making an improvement or understanding of what was happening before a diagnosis was eventually made which, through long term treatment and physio, has brought about a return to her previous capabilities. Very disabling and confusing until this cause found. Turned out to be an ear infection that 'killed off' one of her inner ear nerves causing these symptoms and having this impact. Only recently being understood by doctors (in terms of the impact that this simple ear infection can bring about longer term).

Of course I'm not implying this is the answer to all anxiety but it's such a relief to have found this cause and I thought it appropriate to let it be known on this thread - we were told that this particular cause/diagnosis is often not understood (nor known about by all GPs). It certainly helped us understand and make sense of what had/was happening, at a time of great confusion. The specialist staff treating my daughter have some impressive computer monitoring and testing equipment.

I sincerely hope you get some improvement and progress John-e89.

Hi Paul,

That must have been an awful time for your daughter and yourselves and especially as she was so physically fit and confident, not something you want to have happen to your children no matter what age they are. I think you we're very fortunate to have had the problem diagnosed, as an infection is not normally something you'd think of with that kind of problem is it.

As I said to Dan above I'll take this info on board and we'll if something can be done.

Many thanks for your well wishes Paul, much appreciated.

John.

 

[john-e89]

I had similar problems some years ago and was prescribed Prozac for about a year, it did sort me out.

I recently had a bit of a wobble and am currently on beta blockers, seems to be helping.

My best wishes to you John, I understand your problems first hand, but they can be sorted. I'm not a medical doctor BTW.

Thank you Dr John,

As with everyone else it's good to hear you're doing well, I hope you stay on course.

As a side note I remember you asking about Aero-therm, I've had it skimmed on my own house and two other customers houses now so if you're ever in the Peak District near Bakewell you're very welcome to call round to have a feel of it on the walls and a cuppa.
Cheers, John.

 

[john-e89]

Interesting thread - wish you the best in coping/recovering and moving forward!

With regards to homeopathic treatment (someone mentioned st John's Wort), i know things like this carry lots of stigma, is it possible that this kind of cure is somewhat a placebo cure? Obviously panic attacks, i assume, are mentally driven, so the impression of things improving due to actions taken could lead to an improved state?

I'm no medical ... anything really, just interested to know the science behind it.

At the end of the day, however it works, if it works.. it's good! I've read some horror stories though.

Thanks very much for the well wishes Jimmybell.

Yes it's mentally driven and the nearest explanation is 'fight or flight'. Stupidly I bottle things up and tend to keep any worries to myself and so the valve releases in a PA. Lack of enough sleep is a factor as well. The science behind it is a bit sketchy as I don't think it's properly understood, certainly no-one seems to know why mine are so severe and last so long.
Anyway hopefully we can sort something as it's been a long time to have them. Keeping a positive mental attitude helps and don't worry, life's to short to worry.

 

[dr_john]

I had similar problems some years ago and was prescribed Prozac for about a year, it did sort me out.

I recently had a bit of a wobble and am currently on beta blockers, seems to be helping.

My best wishes to you John, I understand your problems first hand, but they can be sorted. I'm not a medical doctor BTW.

Thank you Dr John,

As with everyone else it's good to hear you're doing well, I hope you stay on course.

As a side note I remember you asking about Aero-therm, I've had it skimmed on my own house and two other customers houses now so if you're ever in the Peak District near Bakewell you're very welcome to call round to have a feel of it on the walls and a cuppa.
Cheers, John.

Wow, you have a good memory (the Aero-therm bit). Strangely enough, I was just today recalling the subject but couldn't remember the name of the product, so thanks for that! I'll investigate further, if you have any opinions I'd like to hear them.

Bakewell is not far from here (Barrow Upon Soar), we often take a run up to the Bakewell/Matlock area for a day out, I'll PM you next time to see if a meet is possible