I'm really sinking here

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
I'm really sinking here
16
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 10:06am

I know I've made quite a bit of progress with this panic disorder.

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 11:09am

Hugs Jennifer!


I want you to know that I know EXACTLY how you feel. I was JUST LIKE YOU last April when I

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 11:40am

Thank you so much Heather.

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 4:51pm

Jennifer, you sound SO MUCH like me that its not even funny! I have all the same symptoms, and have been having them for 10 years now. The racing heart, heart skips, the dizzy spells, the chest pain, and feeling like I can't breathe. Classic panic attack symptoms. In other words, there is nothing wrong with you. You've seen the doctor, and he has told you the same thing. If he were concerned, he would have ordered tests. Panic attack symptoms can be extremely severe - I've had them back to back every single day when I hit rock bottom. I was totally exhausted all the time, and it felt like my neck could no longer hold my head up. I was that bad off.

Its wonderful that you are going to see the psychiatric nurse practitioner! Congrats on taking a postitive step toward helping yourself. But it sounds to me as if you really do need medication. I can't tolerate the side effects of antidepressants either, so I take Xanax as needed. You don't have to worry about side effects of Xanax, Ativan, or other benzo drugs because they are generally very safe, and I've never known of anyone who couldn't tolerate them. They CALM you down, and that's what you need desperately right now! Please don't wait any longer, since I waited far too long, and was in terrible shape when I finally agreed to take Xanax. I was terrified I'd have a bad reaction like I did with the four different antidepressants that I tried. As a result, it took a lot longer than it should have for me to begin to recover. Most people never do COMPLETELY recover from anxiety and panic attacks, but you can learn how to get some control over them. Relaxation (complete relaxation, which is almost impossible to do at first) and medication will work wonders. Get the book by Claire Weekes that is entitled Hope and Help for your Nerves. It has helped me more than all the other books I've read on anxiety (and I've read almsot ALL of them!). Its been a lifesaver so many times for me, and my copy is really dog eared. I keep it by my bed on the nightstand and it has gotten me through literally hundreds of panic attacks! Please email me ANYTIME. I know how scary and lonely it is to have panic disorder and I still struggle with it, although I'm greatly improved from where I was 10 years ago. Gaitingmachine@yahoo.com Good luck!

Randi

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 5:08pm
Jennifer Sounds like you are doing all the right things but it
is not helping so-----Try some meds!
I have had panic and anxiety since I was a child-
it did not completely blossom until my teens.
I agree with all that Randi just said.
One thing that is kind of funny the whole time I was reading your
post my HEART WAS RACING!!! It wasn't until I READ THAT!
So mind over matter is a big thing for me!
In time you will learn to laugh at yourself and nod your head---
oh here I GO AGAIN!! LOL I hope that you have success tomorrow
and just tell her what you have told us!! MAKES SENSE TO ME!
Take care! Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2005
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 5:12pm
Jennifer, I don't think I have posted a message for you before, but I have the exact same symptoms that you mentioned. I get the acid reflux, the pain in my chest, the 2 second dizzy, weird feeling. I just hate it.....if you get any answers about getting over this terrible anxiety and how to do it, I would appreciate hearing about it. I too, wonder if the Doc was wrong, and there really is something wrong with me. It's very frightening. Hope you get your answers. JanW
Jan
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 7:30pm

Thanks everyone for all your replies.

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2005
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 7:52pm

Jennifer,

I feel so much for you, and truly wish you the best. It is so hard to live the way we have to sometimes with this awful anxiety, it can be so discouraging. Have you noticed a pattern with your anxiety? Is it worse during certain times of the day, week or month? I am asking this because I have noticed that I have a pattern, and when I realized this I can try my best to prepare by taking my meds, talking to someone who understands, and taking additional time to take care and rest when possible.

The physical symptoms you describe, especially the dizzy feelings, I can identify with. It is your body's way of trying to regulate all of the adrenaline/stress hormones that are in your body, at least that is what I was told. I was told to remind myself that it won't hurt me, and that I can make it through. Hopefully this will help you.

Don't ever let a doctor tell you "there is nothing wrong" I hope you have a good doctor who is compassionate and understands anxiety disorders and doesn't sweep them under the rug.

Don't let your mind get you down. Tell yourself that thoughts are just thoughts and let them pass. Try not to attach emotion to them. For instance, you may think "my heart is beating fast" and then become anxious. Try to let the thought float away from you. Distract yourself if you can. You can get through this, it will get better. Remember that. This is just a setback, which is part of the recovery process. You will come out of this a stronger and more secure person than you were before the anxiety started. You can do it! Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-26-2005
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 9:05pm

Hi Jennifer,


I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes, the stress of the anxiety is so bad, I wonder "why go on? what's there to look forward to, another panic attack"? I went to the doctor, only because my sister pushed me. She knew how depressed I was and was worried (though only my husband knows how bad I actually felt, I told him later on). Anyway, I went to the doctor and was put on welbutrin for depression and anxiety. The welbutrin took the edge off, but sometimes I still find myself crying over the littlest things, and I get teary eyed real easy. I've only been on it for three weeks now, but I have a follow up visit this week so I will talk to the doctor about it and see what he says.


Pls don't ever think that your children doesn't deserve a mother like you. You have an illness, just like someone who would have cancer or diabetes. You will get better, it just takes time and effort and work on your part. You should tell the nurse everything you told us in the first post. They need to know exactly how you feel. Don't feel bad about taking meds, once you get to the point where you have the anxiety somewhat under control, you can go for therapy. That helps.


If you want, I can find some bible scriptures that my pastor gave me. She was on anxiety meds for 20 yrs before she was healed. The bible scriptures are about fear. I have to look them up, but I can get back with you on those if you want. I think my husband memorized them for me. I'm not trying to push Religion on you, but you did mention that you pray to God and that you know he helps you.


Monica

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 9:38pm

(((Jennifer))) I think the girls have summed it up.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Mon, 01-23-2006 - 11:15pm

Hi Monica,


This is one that I love..


1PETER


Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever.


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