Help with pre-panic attack symptoms ?

Avatar for alsmith32
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Help with pre-panic attack symptoms ?
7
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 9:42am
OK, does anyone else have this? Sometimes I don't go into a fullblown panic attack, it's like I can feel it coming, I start feeling anxious and confused and scared and notice stupid stuff like my heartbeat etc., and I just get stuck there, I don't have a fullblown panic attack but I just feel like I am going to any minute, this goes on for hours sometimes. I almost would rather have a panic attack because it's shorter! How can I stop this?
Thanks
Allie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 10:59am

Hello, Allie. Nice to see you;) You are not alone. What you are feeling is anxiety. It can last for long periods of time. This is something I have had spells of & can relate to wanting it to end ASAP. It would be such a relief.


Is there anything triggering this? Have you experienced any added stressors such as illness, a move to a new location, loss of a person close to you, etc? How about stress in the home, workplace, etc? I tend to handle stress fairly well, but inadequate sleep & exercise can really set me off. Please check below in our *coping tips & tricks* folder. There's ways to cope better through these spells. Some members exercise @ the gym. I find that meditation & belly breathing work for me. When I think I have had enough of the feeling, I distract myself with physical & mental activity. Leaving our minds open & unoccupied tend to make the uncomfortable feelings worse.


I don't know what you have used for treatment, but if you're on meds, you might need a tune up. If you would consider therapy, there's alot to be said for letting everything out to someone who is non-judgemental. Learning new ways to cope & new patterns of behavior is the key to living well with anxiety.


Please post anytime. We're here to support you in anyway we can. We care. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan





 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2004
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 12:18pm
I can relate to what you're experiencing. I don't have panic attacks very often, but what I do have is the high anziety that you're talking about. I have found that it often helps to take a walk or go for a bike ride or something similar. Sometimes meditation helps, although physical activity is better for me. (((Hugs))) I know how hard it can be to get past those bouts of anxiety, but just remind yourself that it'll pass, it's just anxiety and it can't hurt you.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 12:25pm

Hi & welcome!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2006
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 1:05pm

Hi Allie,

Im right there with you. I had that hightened anxiety for 30 days non stop after i had a bad panic attack in June. It really wont hurt you, but it does feel lowsy and scary, and can make you get pretty worked up. I found what really worked for me, was to cry it out, to a friend, mom, sister, even just yourself in the mirror. say whats on your mind. then give yourself something nice and busy to do at home. I cleaned the closests, then went to work on the bathroom. once I was done, i gave myself a pedicure :)I felt that I had accomplished alot, excersized some and felt good by the time i was finished.

((hugs))
Ingrid

Avatar for alsmith32
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 10:41pm
Thanks for the help and advice. Maybe someday I will be able to deal with this anxiety better. Right now I can deal with it in the abstract, but when it happens it's just like it's never happened before!!!! I guess I should be glad I don't experience it every day. For me, it's triggered by too many things going on in my life, or stomachache (long story relating back to surgery which freaked me out years ago), or sometimes nothing I can put my finger on.
Allie
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 10:42pm
Yes I had this since April and some days were good and then most bad and every day I was afraid to get out of bed because I wasn't sure what kind of day I was going to have. I had a horrible time and even had all kinds of heart symptoms and then did ekg's holter monitors, echo. etc. I finally gave in and went on Effexor Xr. I have been on it for almost 3 weeks and I also take 1-2 xanax a day, if I am feeling anxious. Anyways, the Effexor has made the constant feeling of panic go away completely and the side effects were so bad at first but that is normal and the xanax helped minimize the side effects. I would recommend trying an antidepressant like Effexor. I really struggled without it and it has changed it all back to normal. Anxiety sucks so bad! It was all I focused on and that is a really bad way to live-or shall I say exist. It can consume you and your family
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 08-05-2006 - 3:38am

Allie, ever since my first panic attack, the fear of one coming lays just beneathe the surface of my mind, I'm always worried when I will have another one.

Sheri Ann