New to this thing called Anxiety

[JC_Mommy]

I think this whole thing started back in July 2017. My husband and I had recently bought a home (June 2017) and we were having major issues at the time. He is a navy seal veteran and a recovering drug addict (at the time he was 7 years clean). There were lots of arguments, tension with our whole family due to his issues and things were just rough. I felt very alone for a year because of the issues I was going through with him. We also have two small kids under 4 and a half. I had my first panic attack when we were at the zoo with our kids, a week after we bought our home. The second panic attack came sept 1. at home. Then I had another one will driving late September. Since then I haven’t had any, until recently. A week after New Years I was driving to my mothers to pick up my kids and all of the sudden I felt my heart race and then pounding. Very fast. I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it to my moms. Luckily I was right down the street and pushed through it trying to talk myself up while doing so. It subsided a little while after I got there. Ever since I’m nervous to drive alone. I also just had another panic attack 3 Friday’s ago and went to the ER. Heart rate was over 135 and I couldn’t calm down. Of course tests came back fine and they sent me home . That following monday I went to my regular Doctor and he put my on Xanax .25mg and a very mild lose dose of Carvedilol to prevent the pounding heart, which I have only taken it twice so far. I am health and 32 years old. have never taken any medication before. For months I have been trying natural stuff like L Theanine and Ashguwandha root amoung other things but it’s just not working. I started therapy the other day and in March I have an appointment to see a neuropsychologist. Being a stay at home mom with two small kids I feel like this is really interfering with my daily routine and I feel like I’m failing as a mom. I never used to sit home and I always like to be outside and take my kids places but lately im to scared. At this point my repeat anxiety is due to overthinking about it and almost expecting it to happen so it does in fact happen. It used to only happen during my periods (tmi sorry but I thought maybe it was hormonal). Anyway just wanted to share. If anyone has tips please feel free to respond! Deep breathing can help. But the Xanax is what really makes it subside or de escalate it. This past Thursday I didn’t need Xanax st all and seemed to be ok. But I mostly have it every day. Horrible feeling of racing heart and this feeling of electric in my chest (kind of like that feeling you get when avoiding a car accident or slamming on your breaks) Sometimes my muscles tense up too. It’s horrible!

[Jeff1943]

JC_Mommy, you've done the right thing in seeking medical advice. So these panic attacks are clearly anxiety driven and many people on this forum are familiar with them.

Panic attacks can be very frightening specially if you haven't experienced them before. But despite being very unpleasant they are never life threatening and they cannot harm you physically in any way: the slight increase in heart rate is no problem for a healthy heart and will not result in a heart attack.

At least you know why you're experiencing anxiety disorder: the trauma of moving home and challenges within your family have caused your nervous system to become over sensitised.

The meds your taking will bring relief but they won't provide a cure for sensitised nerves. Everytime you have an attack you react to it with fear and stress hormones are released that continue to maintain the sensitivity of your nervous system.

To recover you need to give your nerves a rest and this means you must stop responding with so much fear to the panic attacks. You can do this by accepting for the time being these symptoms of anxiety, accept them calmly and without adfing secobd fear to the flash of first fear.

After all, you now know that these panic attacks cannot harm you and are caused by a temporary glitch in your nervous system. So when you feel one coming on accept it, don't fight it: fighting only causes more stress and tension and your nerves need less not more of that.

So I say again, accept the panic attacks, don't resist them, let them come and whilst they come continue doing whatever you are doing. You are like a rock on the shore, the angry waves come rushing in and break against you and then flow past you and then recede. Again and again the waves may come but the rock always endures. You are that rock.

So when you next feel a panic attack coming let every muscle go limp, imagine there's a muscle in your brain and feel that relaxing too, let it rush over you and past you and surrender to it.

By accepting for the moment you stop flooding your nerves with so much fear and eventually your nerves cease to be over sensitive and they recover and the panic attacks will trouble you no more. And all you have to do us frame your mind to accept them and to not fight them

You win not by the punches you give but by the punches you take.

[JC_Mommy in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you! I have read similar responses in other threads by others and I think even you! Lol I have to learn how to do that. I’m sure it will take some time trying to retrain my mind but the mind is a powerful tool and with a little tweaking I’m sure I’ll be able to do that. I’m hoping the neuropsychologist will be able to help in that area as well. I go on Thursday afternoon. I also ordered that book DARE everyone is talking about.

[gggg123]

Becareful with benzo pills before you know it you'll be addicted. Magnesium glycinate is good for many things including panic disorder. Try not to dwell on your bad days and anxiety and keep doing what you used to do, don't hide away you are only reinforcing the fear.

[JC_Mommy in reply to gggg123]

I know I’m very careful with the meds and try to not rely on them which is why I I’m also trying other methods of treatment as well like therapy and seeing a neuropsychologist. I do keep busy and I trying to do what I normally would. A lot of people who I know and have experienced these attacks say they will pass. Mostly women have them it seems. Not surprised there.

[Findingme]

I think it is more Arythmia than a panic attack, and this can be directly related to stress, lack of sleep and caffeine. There is a technique I use which helps stop the racing heart if you do it straight away. Take a deep breath, close your mouth then pinch your nose and try to blow out firmly. Not so much you do any damage but build up pressure as if you are trying to blow up a ballon. Hold it for 20/30 seconds. Try to visualise your heart slowing down and relax your shoulder muscles. This can put pressure on a nerve in your chest which can then regulate your heart beat. Think calming thoughts, and believe you will be ok.

If you panic and get upset it makes things worse. You can get into a vicious circle. Always worth reporting racing heart to your doctor to rule out anything more serious, but it is not always a serious condition. Also, try to cut out coffee, alcohol and get more sleep if you can. Eat lots of fresh fruit and veg for vitamins and make sure you stay hydrated with water or other non alcoholic drinks. Avoid energy drinks, carbonated drinks or too much sugar. Get out for a walk, and if possible walk barefoot on the grass to ground yourself. Hope this helps.

[JC_Mommy in reply to Findingme]

I eat pretty healthy, I cut caffeine out back in July after my first attack. Don’t drink, or eat much sweets. Saw a cardiologist right away in July. Took a echocardiogram, stress test and wore a holter for 24 hours back in September and everything came back fine. He did say I had very mild mitral valve prolapse but that wouldn’t cause this and says it sounds like anxiety. My ekgs always come back good and I’m told my heart is strong and has good rythem. I take vitamins too like magnesium and fish oil amoung other things. I recently saw an alternative medicine doctor and he ran a full blood test panel (19 tubes of blood) everything looks good and he says he can tell I eat right and my “true age” is 30.. (I’m 32). However, he put me on a small dose of testosterone And progesterone because my estrogen was high and he put me on a mild thyroid medication even though here’s nothing wrong with my thyroid... he said it wasn’t optimal, whatever that’s supposed to mean. A month into taking them is when I had my first panic attack. I’m wondering if my body is reacting to these hormones. My regular doctor said DONT TAKE THEM STOP RIGHT AWAY. So I did. I could be feeling this way because of those as well. I thought it was odd because at 32 I should have higher estrogen as I can still have children and get regular periods. I found it a little weird. So anyway I stopped a few weeks ago. Time will tell. I’ve read about doing that Your telling me. It has to do with the vagus nerve. I sleep decent at night but I am always non stop being I have a 4.5 yr old and a 2.5 yr old. And we have two dogs and all the responsibilities that come with being a parent and home owner. It can be overwhelming on the most without us even knowing it.

[JC_Mommy in reply to JC_Mommy]

On the body without us even knowing it**

[Dignacio]

Hi, I’m Dee and I am a single mom of three. I think as a wife with a problems in relationship experienced anxiety especially when you haven’t dealt the problem earlier and it consumed too much stress and become anxiety. Like we’re having right now. I had the same experienced with my husband too. I am scared to take any medication as to prev not the feeling of attack but I am not telling you to stop your meds, it’s up to your body how to react to the medicine that your doctor given you. For me, always had an effect so I don’t take them. What helps me most was to clear my mind and. Like you do , use your breath tecniques and really helps right? I had that feeling not liking to drive alone cause of light headed and feeling passing out and heart fluttering. I always pray always while driving alone and it helps a lot. For your heart , try to drink boil water with ginger with lemon and honey to subside. You will see it can help you cause it helps a lot. I drank in the morning and one cup in the evening. make yourself busy and don’t let anxiety take over you ok. Always calm yourself and God Bless you.

[JC_Mommy in reply to Dignacio]

Thank you!