Hey folks, just wondering if anyone has had panic attacks. I for one, have had them many times. Some weren't too bad, other times, i feel like i'm dying only for it to disapear in an hour or so. Question if you've had them, how long did it last and when did it return? And what did you do to calm yourself? Need some tips when i get them again instead of going to the hospital.
Panic attacks
- Thread starter incognito
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Tony Soprano and I both agree that Xanax (alprazolam) is the med of choice for Anxiety disorder.
Caffeine and ephedrine are both no goes if you suffer from panic attacks.
PM me if you want too further discuss this topic.
I could write a book on this one.
Caffeine and ephedrine are both no goes if you suffer from panic attacks.
PM me if you want too further discuss this topic.
I could write a book on this one.
I used to have severe panic attacks - driving on the 401, walking in a crowded mall etc...
Then I did some research online, took St John's Wort pills and within a week panic attacks gone. I still get them from time to time and pop these pills and it goes away. I don't take the pills regularly now, only when I get attacks and that is seldom
When I get a panic attack - I picture myself in a hot session with a MP/SP all naked on a secluded beach and I get soooo relaxed!
Stay away from prescription pills, they get you hooked and addicted.
Then I did some research online, took St John's Wort pills and within a week panic attacks gone. I still get them from time to time and pop these pills and it goes away. I don't take the pills regularly now, only when I get attacks and that is seldom
When I get a panic attack - I picture myself in a hot session with a MP/SP all naked on a secluded beach and I get soooo relaxed!
Stay away from prescription pills, they get you hooked and addicted.
Waddaya mean "whoever she is"?... it's right there in his sig line... That's Yula Nova! (Try and keep up Captain...
I get them on occasion. I suffer from anxiety now and then. Used to be a lot worse, but then I immersed myself in what was giving me the anxiety and causing my attacks. Its been better since. I still do get them every so often, but only two or three times a year.
They run on my mother's side of the family and I have a brother who gets them. Other than Xanax, which are quite fun but habit (raging addiction) forming, or Percs, or Valium (which are also quite habit forming) about all you can do is try to stay away from stimulants (caffeine and ephedrine are obvious bad guys) and to try to the stress and blood pressure down.
In the case of my family, every member thought it 'skipped them' until they had one and thought they were having a heart attack. They have skipped me up to this point. I know my one brother who gets them has to satay away from xanax, percs, and valium because he had some baggage there and is in a professional job where he can't afford to be a junkie (he never was really bad, but he had his 'University Party Time' where he had some minor issues and he doesn't want to take chances). He basically copes by having no more than 2 - 3 cups of coffee a day and no other stimulants, keeping the stress level down as best he can, by doing an hour of exercise or physical yard work, and by not being shy about having a couple of glasses of wine in the evening and on the weekends.
I've had other family members who've needed drugs and psychiatrists to get things half under control. Xanax was like 'magic candy' in my family... Not that I minded.
The one odd thing I've noticed is that the people in my family who get panic attacks were the ones who got migraines (and have general anxiety). I'm not a doctor, and I haven't checked to see if there's a medical link-- but I find the coincidence odd. (I've had the odd headache, but never a right and proper migraine.)
(edit: From some experience, as long as you don't have an adverse experience, marijuana will 'calm your ass down' with the obvious downsides of being stoned and making yourself a pothead by self medicating.)
I think if you can find ways to lower your overall stress level in life, you're probably less likely to get panic attacks. Exercise, rest and adequate sleep, meditation, yoga or relaxation exercises, less coffee, etc. There are also some good supplements for calming that you can find at a good health food store. Just knowing you're having a panic attack and not dying of a heart attack can help you to calm down, especially if you can focus on your breathing. Here's a good article on anxiety - among other things, it talks about cognitive behavioral therapy, which can be very helpful and is not something you'd need to do long term. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/high-anxiety.html
Been getting them on and off since mid 20s. I usually get them when i'm alone. Guess that says something about my mental state. Don't know if any in my family gets them but i do suffer from mirgrains . Weed does help sometimes but other times, not so good.
I had severe panic attacks after a my best friend died a freak death. Had to drop out of college for a year. Tried Ativan... nothing (well I did lay my motorcycle in the driveway while on it) For me, seeing a therapist helped. Ironically, I also have ADD, and when I took ADD medicine it helped the panic attacks, they nearly disappeared. One day, I just stopped seeing my therapist, stopped taking my medicine, and now I rarely have panic attacks. I know what it feels like leading up to a panic attack, and I can usually stop what I am doing and calm down before they become a full blown attack. My suggestion is to try talking with a therapist before trying any medicine. But, by all means, take the medicine if it helps!!!
I had an anxiety disorder throughout my teen years and into my twenties. I tried the sedative route and while it helped a little bit it didn't address the source of the problem. Try and find out what is causing your underlying anxiety. A therapist may help. The cure in my case was a change in living conditions. An anti-depressant medication also helped a lot.
I agree - try to get to the root of the problem instead of using meds to sedate or mask symptoms. If you feel you need something, maybe try some herbs first like valerian, hops, rhodiola rosea, St. John's wort, etc., etc. (there are a lot, lol).
It could actually be stemming from something physiological so it would be wise to get tested for Diabetes, thyroid problems and even adrenal gland problems (which is harder to test for; you'd probably have to find a specialist). Talk to your doctor - good luck!
