Nasty panic attack every week now

[Canadiens]

I thought maybe it would be a good idea to post here and see if this helps me. I am 41 years old, I have recently suffered numerous anxiety attacks or panic attacks. I have admitted myself to the hospital and every time the test I get are all negative which I am very grateful. But I still keep getting these attacks that feel like it’s going to be the end of me. I’m having one right now and my chest feels heavy. My heart tells me to go to the hospital again but my mind says no and try to fight it. Usually when I am given a bed at the hospital I feel immediately better and shame and embarrassment take over right away. I am an recovering addict, I have been clean for 15 months now and I also quit smoking cigarettes when I cleaned up. My sleeping is all messed and I drink a lot of coffee and chew nicotine gum. Anxiety have always been with me, since I was a child but these panic attacks are new and they really fucking suck. Sometime I wish it would just end.

[BigNothing00]

Sorry you're having these problems. And good job quitting! I know it's hard. Hopefully the panic attacks will pass.

[Canadiens in reply to BigNothing00]

Thank you for the support, I appreciate the kind words

[ksquig]

I take lexapro, which has helped with my almost daily panic attacks. You are taking the first (hard) step by recognizing the panic attacks for what they are . . . panic attacks. They can’t hurt you, but they sure do feel terrible. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also very helpful for panic attacks. Good luck!

[deborah27]

Hi, do you have support at home?

[Canadiens in reply to deborah27]

I wanted to thank everyone here for the support I have gotten. Yesterday was a hard day. A friend of mine died of addiction related issue. Not sure if he OD or his heart stopped. They are gonna do an autopsy. I am sad but my anxiety was much better yesterday for some reason. I guess I felt a bit better yesterday even with the death of a friend, I got to talk to my old addiction cousellor and got a lot of my chest and I feel much relief.

[Dicksoan]

Your situation is hard sir but I have a solution to you sir there is something I want you to learn. So you will find it on YouTube. Just search scoan videos on YouTube and watch patiently those videos and you will find a way out sir there

[chinaandback]

Hi, I'm sorry you are suffering. There are ways to treat panic and anxiety; you don't have to suffer! When I began having panic attacks, I thought they would ruin me. I thought I'd have to quit school and work because I couldn't deal and I didn't know why! I sought counseling and he talked with me and prescribed an antidepressant and anti anxiety to take when needed. I never even finished the bottle. I felt so much better with each passing month. I also rely on my faith a lot, and got to the point where I'm pretty much anxiety-free! Great job to you for overcoming addiction. I'm glad it helped to talk to your counselor because getting the drugs out of your body can also cause you to "feel" more, I think. If you overcame that, you can overcome anything. Fighting the "panic" is difficult. Therapy can help you cope and learn ways to get through an attack. My counselor brought to my attention that I was holding my breath when I was having an attack. He taught me breathing exercises to focus on each night and when I felt an attack coming on. Just getting oxygen through my body helped! You will learn what works for you. You can do this.