Silver hair

[silverhair01983]

Hi I have severe emphysema which I can just about deal with , but what I can't deal with are the panic attacks that I have in 12 hours I had 3 ambulances out to me and the wife can't deal with the panic either does anyone have the answer please??.

[Pam1952]

Hello Silver Hair. Is your GP aware how severe your panic attacks are? If you're already receiving treatment for them, it's obviously not working too well. Other than medication and counselling, you could try relaxation techniques, meditation......and some people find acupuncture useful.

Hope you find something that helps.

Pam XXX

[silverhair01983 in reply to Pam1952]

Many thanks Pam when the panic attack Start's and I can't beat it I take a lorazapn tablet and put under my tougne but it some times beats me and my wife calls the ambulance will have to see docter when I can get an appointment

[Pam1952 in reply to silverhair01983]

I've been having them for 40 years but had some very useful therapy in my 30's to help me deal with them. It took the fear out of them for me, and that's half the battle. I wish you good luck, try not to let them get the better of you. 😊😊😊

[stone-UK]

Hi

It's important that you wife doesn't panic, as this will only worsen your panic attack.

Pursed lip breathing is good to control a panic attack.

Concentrater on a fixed object, breath in through nose, hold option, breath out through pursed lips as if you are whistling,

At the same time repeat to self " calm down calm down" until you start to gain control, how you start is up to you , to conclude with shoulders down hands on thigh palms up.

You wife can assist by sitting in front of you and doing a visual demonstration, raise arms up slowly palms up to inhale, lowering hands slowly palms down to exhale, this will assist in motivating you to calm down.

If it's a common occurrence seek medical assistance.

Anxiety and COPD go hand in hand.

I take Lorazepam 1/2 tablet twice a day, there are alternatives, speak with yout GP.

My last non infection admission was 14 months ago.

[silverhair01983 in reply to stone-UK]

Many thanks stone for your advice respritory gave me lorazipan and put it under the tougne when panic occurs doctor does know situation also had counciling but to no avile but did get me oxygen back for me so I take that with a ventalin nabule but will try your advice and hope it works for me thanks again

[stone-UK in reply to silverhair01983]

Hi

Another thought, your breathing can be effected by triggers.

Aerosols sprays, Airfresheners especially Air Wick, some household cleaning products.

Bad sleeping posture can also have a effect.

All from personal experience.

[silverhair01983 in reply to stone-UK]

Thanks stone it's nice to know I have company out there what a wonderful group you all are thank you once again

[Hidden]

All you can do is cam right down and tell your self no you are not going to let it take control as it is only you that can stop them i know it works as i have not had one for over nelly two years now so when you feel it comeing on just say no to your self or out loud do not bang anything just stay cam and sit down on a hard chiar and if you have a pump take it as soon as thats all yougot to do

Good luck

[Hidden]

Hi practise your breathing techniques until they become second nature. Get your wife to learn them too so if you do have an attack you will be less likely to panic. Stone mentioned a good one but there are others on the net so have a google. x

[silverhair01983 in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks for your reply it has been a few years of now and I am getting to the point of not going out after dark or of doing much else , anyway many thanks .

[Hidden]

Hi,you have had some good advice there from our friends😊

The only thing I can add there,take a few puffs from your ventolin puffer,pursed lip breathing,very important,& tell yourself to breathe!!

Also remind yourself that no one has died from a panic attack,scary as it seems at the time!

If your wife panics,this won't help,maybe tell her to go to another room,when this is happening,as her panic will only increase yours!

As others suggested,if you have no Meds.for this to help you,have a word to your Doctor.

Good luck xxx

[silverhair01983 in reply to Hidden]

Hi and thanks for your advice I have some lorazapan to suck when a panic occurs but it seems to take ages for it to work I take oxygen with a ventolin nebule but that does not work every time they are happening more often now . so will try anything .many thanks take care

[onamission]

I think most people with a lung condition suffer with panic attacks I do. I was referred to a PR course not because of the panic attacks but they did cover this subject ask your GP to refer you the help and advice you get is priceless I look at my illness differently now.

[silverhair01983 in reply to onamission]

Hi many thanks for your reply I have been doiningthis for about 5,years now but they never mentioned about panic attack s or breathing as I can remember must ask them on Tuesday .thanks again bee well

[gingermusic]

Firstly your GP must be made aware of these attacks if he hasn't been already. In the mean time the only advice I can give is when you feel one coming on sit and concentrate really hard on just breathing as normally as you can. Breathing into a paper bag may also help.

[Kerrieblue]

Try to remember that you survived the last panic attack and it ended and so will the next one. Look upon it as a ride on a roller coaster, once you reach the top and the peak of panic, the only way left is down and back to calm. Accept it is happening and just breath your way through it, using your inhalers and whatever else helps. Easy words I know, but this approach can help short term.

[jamorro]

Lots of good advice given. Especially the Pulmonary Rehabilitation. I had panic attacks at first as I was terrified that I would suffocate, not be able to breathe. And of course the panic attacks make this worse. The last major one I had the doctor on the phone advised me to use my Symbicort and keep on using it, every breath. That worked. But then Started exercising after I had been to PR and I have not had a major panic attack since. I occasionally get the hiccup of a start to one, but I manage to push it away as I know I will be able to keep on breathing. It is a horrible place to be, for both you and your wife, and I hope you manage to find a way out of this.

[silverhair01983 in reply to jamorro]

Hi and many thanks for your reply kesl well

[dantredan]

I went to Hypnotherapist, she took me through a little scenario where I went for a walk up a hill in the country side. After walking a short distance it suddenly became quite foggy, then as I walked further up the hill, the fog thickened, and it was difficult to see my hand in front of my face. My Breathing was becoming difficult and I began to panic, “Stop” She told me,

“Take a deep breath, and blow like your blowing out the candles on your birthday cake”,

“The Fog will slowly clear, you will be able to feel the sunshine warm on your face, you’ll be able to see clearly down the hill to the little village in the valley below, and you’ll be able to Breath.

Visualise this in your mind. Cast your mind back to your childhood days, when you played with friends in fields of yellow buttercups on a warm sunny day, Imagine yourself on a hill overlooking those children playing, now Purse your lips, and gently blow.

Remember this next time you have a panic attack.

[silverhair01983 in reply to dantredan]

Hi many thanks for your reply if nothing else works for me then I will try to find an hypnotherapist that is able to work with me thanks for your help keep well

[shassh]

I have panic attacks due to my asthma I've had an ambulance on one occasion a couple of years ago, they gave me diazepam to help at the time but I'm now on prochlorperazine 10 mg x twice a day. It really has helped me. It's horrible I also find if I feel the attack coming on just having someone talk to me about anything normal really helps to distract from it, I hope you can get some help you really do have my sympathy

[Peggy76 in reply to shassh]

Hi. Sorry for you & all the panics attacks your having ,wish I could help... I know if you breath in 4 deep breaths and breath out 8 sometimes this help you relax. , try it & let us know how you feel good luck ....warm regards.....Peggy🌹

[silverhair01983 in reply to Peggy76]

Hi many thanks for the advice your a great bunch of people take care keep well

[silverhair01983 in reply to shassh]

Hi many thanks for

[silverhair01983 in reply to shassh]

Hi I am on diazipan suck one when having an attack was the advice I was given but it takes so long to work may be I should see about changing to something else thanks for your help keep well

[silverhair01983 in reply to shassh]

Thank you very much for your reply I am on diazapan I put it under under my tongue when I feel an attack starting but it takes so long to work so perhaps a visit to doctors is due to see if they can change them once again thank you keep well

[undine]

The best 2 tips I have had lately are to move on an out breath (contrary to instinct) but does work in helping to avoid panic attacks and to relax your shoulders when in the midst of an attack or nearing one - this seems to work or at least help as it proves physiologically more difficult to gulp air as we are prone to do when our shoulders are relaxed and lowered viz. not hunched up - anyway they do work well re me and hope with the other suggestions re breathing exercises etc. they might help you too - take care - good luck xxx

[silverhair01983 in reply to undine]

Hi and thanks for your advice I tend to hunch up when I find breathing is hard to do can't help it but will try to remember next time many thanks keep well

[undine in reply to silverhair01983]

hi silverhair yes it is difficult at first but does get easier and whilst you are trying to relax and drop your shoulders you are also taking your mind away from the panic which also helps, keep well xx

[marlee]

Hi I know panic attacks are horrid .I take half a lorazepam when needed .I I know it sounds stupid but knowing I have this to take .has reduced my panic attacks .if I get panicy I just think if it gets worse I can take a half a tablet and half the time just knowing I have medication is enough to calm me down with out really taking the tablet

[silverhair01983 in reply to marlee]

Hi thanks for your reply I am on lorazipan and I put one under tounge as soon as an attack is happening also use oxygen and ventalin nebull but doesn't always work but thanks for advice do keep well

[vere]

Hi Silverhair

Panicking is the worst thing you can do but I do understand why. However, in order to control it, do try a programme called Headspace. It's a very useful tool which you can download for free initially and I have found it very beneficial in calming me down in all sorts of situations including going to the dentist. It sounds as though your wife would benefit from it as well although again, I do understand why she might panic as it can be very frightening.

Also talk to your health teams as they will be able to give you strategies on how to take control of these attacks.

I do wish you well.x