Is it possible for an anxiety attack...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Is it possible for an anxiety attack...
9
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 4:05pm

to last several hours? I've had anxiety attacks off and on for several years. It's now been about 4 hours since something very upsetting happened to me, and I'm still having trouble catching my breath, my heart is racing, and I feel very nauseous. Do you think this is a very long anxiety attack, or could it be just me feeling awful after what happened earlier? This feels exactly like the other anxiety attacks I've had in the past, but I'm worried that it's gone on all afternoon.


Oh, and I don't have any medication I can take because it's been so long since I've had an attack. And I'm stuck at work for another hour.


Thanks in advance for any advice,


Laura

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 6:15pm

Hi,

well by now you are at home and hoping you are feeling better.

Yes for me at least I have had constant anx. for an extended amount of time aka days. Esp. If something has happened. I can totally understand what you are feeling, for I have been going thru a roller coaster of stuff over the last while which = anxiety and panic etc.

I wish i had more to offer then this..but you are not alone.

(hugs) jen

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 8:59pm

Hello, Laura. Nice to have you here. I am sorry to hear about your anxiety. It is possible that you are still upset & struggling with it. Everyone is different, but I have had spells that lasted for a couple of weeks until I sought treatment & went on meds. Let's hope for the best in your case. If this has been controlled for sometime, check with your dr. A physical check up is never a bad idea.


Please drop in any time. Let us know how you're feeling. We care & want you to feel better. Sending P&PT's your way. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 1:14am
Hi Laura I hope that by now you are feeling better?
If not I can say that sometimes anxiety can last what
seems like forever!! I have panic disorder and it is
pretty much in control now. I KNOW how you feel!
If you have a doc you can call I would suggest that
or if you are feeling better that is EVEN BETTER!!
Take care let us know how you are doing! Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 9:43am
Yes, I believe it could be a long anxiety attack. I am sure it is over by now, but hopefully you gained some support by posting on the board. Best wishes, Jolie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 9:50am

Thanks, everyone. I've lurked on the board before but haven't posted. I'm more prone to depression than anxiety, but this just hit me out of nowhere yesterday. It was phsyically exhausting. I finally got feeling better late last night. But then on the way to work this morning (the upsetting thing happened at work), I started feeling sick like I was yesterday. I'm nowhere near as bad as I was yesterday, but sitting here at my desk I do feel queasy and slightly out of breath.


It's good to know that these things can last for a prolonged amount of time. I had always just assumed that anxiety attacks were brief and intense, so I was worried yesterday when I felt so sick for hours and hours. Unfortunately, now I know they can be prolonged and intense.


I take Wellbutrin XL for depression. Now I'm starting to think I need to speak up about the attacks. I'm kind of afraid to ask for medication, though, because so many people abuse drugs like Xanax and Ativan and a lot of doctors are wary of prescribing it. I don't want to come off wrong by asking for something to help calm me down. Any ideas?


Thanks,


Laura

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 10:17am

Hi Laura,


I was going to post an answer to your initial question, but you already received a lot of great responses. the one thing I can tell you is that you shouldn't be afraid of speaking up about your panic attacks and ask for medication. Although some people do abuse xanax, most people don't. a good psychiatrist will not prescribe a dosage

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 10:36am

Hi Laura,

I am sorry that you are going through this - especially at work. I have had panic attacks that have lasted many, many hours. In fact, the last one that I had lasted for almost 3 days with brief periods of respite when I could sleep. I think that I got about 7 hours of intermittent sleep over 3 nights. That was what finally prompted me to seek treatment. I hope that you are feeling better now.

Jules

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 11:00am

Laura,


Those medications are out there to help us with anxiety.. The Dr.'s can tell who needs the medications for anxiety and the ones who are just using it inapropriately or addicted.


I am taking klonopin, my pdoc said that as long as you take the meds as prescribed then you will fine.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 11:01am

Thanks. I've been seeing my doctor and therapist for a few months now, and I hope they know me well enough by now to know that I will not abuse prescription drugs. I was reluctant to even start taking Wellbutrin because I've had bad side effects with other antidepressants in the past. They know I'm skittish about taking new medications.


I just know that a few years ago when I was experiencing severe panic attacks my doctor (not the one I see now) told me she didn't like to prescribe anti-anxiety medication to people my age (mid-20s). I think she thought I would give them out to my friends or something. Stupid!


So that has made me hesitant to ask. But I will, because I can't take this anymore.


Laura

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