How many of you...: Question if this is... - Anxiety Support

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Rosiemarie82 profile image
8 Replies

Question if this is really anxiety every day??

I have had at least one "panic attack" every day for 3 days straight now. It's been a year since I have allowed it to force me to the emergency room, but I'm really close today. The chest pain is whack! I did schedule an appointment with my pcp for tomorrow, but that is not easing my mind today. :'(

I have read others' stories that have struggled for years. I HAVE to find a way to cope.

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Rosiemarie82 profile image
Rosiemarie82
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8 Replies
lyd_beechxx profile image
lyd_beechxx

Hello Rosiemarie,

I'm really sorry you're going through this. As someone who has had an extremely on again off again relationship with anxiety, panic, etc. I can say its definitely important for you to speak to other people about it and try to build some coping mechanisms for yourself from that.

Panic attacks are particularly difficult because they can mimic the symptoms of heart attack, I too have experienced this before. But one major thing that helps is practicing grounding as much as possible. But also, if possible, when you're having a panic attack, or feel it coming on, try and go for a walk round your house. Dance. Do some star jumps. Panic attacks are a nothing but a huge influx of adrenaline, so wearing some of that off may help with the intensity. But again, dont do anything like that if its going to make you hyperventinlate more.

But I'm going to be perfectly honest with you - I'm on antidepressants and they help a lot with the panic and anxiety symptoms. They're still there, dont get me wrong, sometimes its situational, but the amount and the intensity have severely dropped since I started taking the meds.

I wished you well and I hope you can find some coping mechanisms that work for you. You can do it - even if anxiety makes you believe you cant whilst speaking to you in your own voice.

Best wishes,

Lydia

Pan20ic profile image
Pan20ic in reply tolyd_beechxx

I’m in the same situation since the Covid virus thing I have never been anxious or had panic attacks before in my life and I’m 70 years old. Doctor has put me on meds and I started taking them Saturday and since then have a panic attack at least one a day starting off with my funny headache as I call it. Do you think the meds are causing me to panic more as I have been told they will take a few weeks to work and don’t think I can wait that long

lyd_beechxx profile image
lyd_beechxx in reply toPan20ic

Well it sounds like you've taken a good first step by speaking to your doctor and getting some meds in place.

I arent a doctor but I know from my own personal experience that you need to use your meds for a month or so before they start to have a noticeable impact. Just stick at it and try to practice grounding (some tips here drsarahallen.com/7-ways-to-... and mindfulness (a good worksheet here therapistaid.com/therapy-wo...

Also make sure you're talking as much as you possibly can to those around you and people on sites such as this. Everyone has different coping mechanisms they build up over time. For me when I feel panicky I like to concentrate on tensing my body then relaxing, also making sure I'm moving about but not so much that I make myself worse.

You can also find really useful info about different forms of medication here:

mind.org.uk/information-sup...

Keep yourself safe and most importantly, keep going! You got this! X

Pan20ic profile image
Pan20ic in reply tolyd_beechxx

Many thanks very reassuring

Rosiemarie82 profile image
Rosiemarie82

So I kept my appointment this morning, and after practically begging for blood work (haven't had any done in a year, since I quit smoking), dr says we will try upping your dosage of buspirone and I want you to try paxil :-o

She said everything I said to her registers as panic disorder, which sucks. So I agreed with her and came home, but curiosity got the best of me so I looked up interactions between those two meds.

....could be catastrophic :-(

I went ahead and took extra buspirone as she told me too, but I am sooooo scared to take the paxil with it.

The pain that I told her about has not gone away, so I'm pretty upset that there was no blood work, or no form of physical exam while I was there.

Timmypliskin profile image
Timmypliskin in reply toRosiemarie82

Yeah it sucks, once they put you in the anxiety induced physical symptoms category, your kind of screwed...

But I've learned that you can actually trust most doctors, if they thought you needed more they would do it.

I would try the paxil, it helps alot of people.

Hi there, I completely understand what you have described. Beginning on 04/04/2020 I had an anxiety attack everyday and ran to the E.R. concerned and quite convinced that I had COVID and was experiencing symptoms. By the 6th day a hospital therapist met with me and explained what was happening since my COVID test was negative and all my other tests were good. He then referred me to a therapist where I have been learning tons about this anxiety disorder, and subsequently OCD, and how to manage it. I was also prescribed a SSRI which I am reluctant to take as well as a medication to keep me calm. The meds help, but the therapy is an added tool to unpack everything I am experiencing and look at t objectively. I don’t know if that’s an option for you, but speaking to a mental health provider may benefit you as well as speaking with your PCP.

Rosiemarie82 profile image
Rosiemarie82

After day 3 of the increased meds I have started to feel a little better. She did mention looking into seeing a therapist but said we would discuss it further at our next appointment. I can see where that would be beneficial, as I felt better just being able to talk to her, and sometimes it makes me feel better just to vent on here. It is somehow calming to know someone understands.

My husband does his very best to comfort me during an attack, but really has no idea what it's like. Plus it makes me feel like a huge burden when he is the only one around to talk about it with.

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