57 grandmother and mother COPD and lifelong asthma also an oxygen condition that if over oxygenated I produce carbon dioxide

[Debbbruder]

Suffer with panic attacks anxiety insomnia

[BillBruce]

Welcome debbbruder.

I am sure you will find this website very helpful.

Although I am an IPF patient and constant fatigue is one of the results, I to have insomnia so I can sympathise with you. God bless

Bill

[Debbbruder in reply to BillBruce]

Thanks BillBruce xxxxx

[casper99]

Hi Debbbruder and welcome to the forum.

Panic attacks are absolutely terrifying.

I had a few weeks of them about 4 years ago.

They started as soon as I opened my eyes at the crack of dawn and lasted into late afternoon.

I wasn't eating or sleeping either and lost over 2 stone.

Your Docter can give you something for them or, if your on something already, try something else.

It took 4 different meds, before we found the right one for me.

I also had counselling, followed by a 6 week Mindfulness course, then twelve weeks at a wellness group. I also joined this forum and got great support as well as learning about copd. Within 2 or 3 weeks, the panic attacks stopped.

It's an awful thing to go through, so, get your GP's help as soon as you can. xx

[Debbbruder in reply to casper99]

I have been and he has seemed pretty unsympathetic especially as about 5 years ago I had a spinal Tumour and he couldn’t have done enough for me, but seeing him again end of week so I will hang in there, it really is great to get all this encouragement from you guys as I only have young daughters and grandchildren and it’s slot to put on them, I cannot thank you enough your my lifeline truly xxxxxx

[Lizzyblue in reply to Debbbruder]

I suffered panic attacks for over 20 years until one day my resp nurse suggested what the reason could be and sure enough she was right and, since then breathing excersise and telling myself Its not going to ever get me again havent had a

Panic attack

Do you think your tumour is in your Subconcious or can you think of anything else I hope you find your answer good luck

[Debbbruder in reply to Lizzyblue]

No the tumour was benign and removed though it had severely damaged my sciatic nerve.i think it’s feeling so tired you are unable to rationalise and normal behaviour takes a side step xx

[Debbbruder]

Here’s hoping seeing doc this week after a dreadful few months thanks all xx

[Shirleyj]

Welcome to the site debbruder, panic attacks are debilitating. I had them really bad quite a few years ago and my doctor wouldn't do anything. I managed to get over them but it was awful. I now have a lovely doctor and when I started getting anxious, she gave me a low does of amitriptyline, and that helped me, also with my sleep. Hopefully your doctor will listen, we all need help sometimes.. Take care x

[Debbbruder in reply to Shirleyj]

Thanks Shirley x

[SquirrelsHolt]

Hi Debbbruder and its shocking how many of us suffer from panic attacks isn't it. I do and never had anything like it until about 18months ago and now I get them very regularly and they are the absolute worst! Anxiety or depression are all linked together and a visit to your Doctor is 100% the right thing to do. I'm reading about panic attacks at the moment and some people are able to literally get their "heads around it" and seem to overcome them. Well my head won't and so far,I can't...... So I was given anti depressants which to date ,really only touched the sides!! Your post,has made me think about seeing my Doctor and having a look at a different antidepressants and I'll let you know how I get on.

Please do the same and keep us up to date with any developments.

Take care and try and enjoy the remainder of the weekend.

[Debbbruder in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

I was so bad before Xmas with panic attacks I was pinging myself to point of bleeding to focus on something else ...doc still reluctant to help but this week we have it out xxx

[Debbbruder in reply to Debbbruder]

Pinging elastic band to clarify lol Squirrelsholt

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to Debbbruder]

Good luck....i will be trying to get an appt with my Doctors, to change my meds. I'd like to think this year ,I won't be in panic attack mode everyday?!?!

[Debbbruder in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

I will bit for to night would settle for some sleep another side effect lol xxxxxx

[Debbbruder]

Wouldn’t that be blissful god knows we have enough to endure xx

[warwickstag]

Can't add much to the advice on panic attacks but can tell you there is a remedy for carbon dioxide retention. It involves the use, probably overnight, of a "Nippy" PAP machine which forcibly removes the CO2 while you're sleeping. You will need to be assessed for this at your respiratory centre but they are very helpful and allow you to wake up refreshed instead of sluggish because of the excess CO2.

[Debbbruder in reply to warwickstag]

Yes I have had it when I first woke my body was shrivelled and my arms resembled those of trex claws but 3 days physio I was up and walking again x

[Stumpy55 in reply to warwickstag]

I know all about panic attacks and agree with how horrible they are. My panic attack started from going into the toilet in my electric wheelchair, closing the door and then my breathing would start being erratic. From that moment I would get back into my chair and by now on the verge of collapse and the only thought in my mind would be to get outside into the back garden to get some air. My husband bless him would stroke my back and tell me to breath in slowly through my nose and out through pursed lips, but it took me a while to calm down . When your panicking you don't think of what you should do, it deals like trying to survive dosnt it. But since being here and listening to all of you, I've learnt so much. Now I do breathing excersises before going into the bathroom, plus I leave the toilet door open so I can see out. Obviously when we have company we close the middle door so I get privacy. It works for me, it's all about what works for the individual person at the end of the day.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to Stumpy55]

Excellent to read this site has given you advice and its made you change things so that the dreaded panic doesn't rear its ugly head- or if it does,you can gain control a bit quicker. That's what I've found,advice from our family on here is worth its weight,as its given from previous personal experiences.

Great isn't it.....ask and you will learn!!!

[Debbbruder in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Indeed xx

[Debbbruder in reply to Stumpy55]

Indeet

[Debbbruder]

Thanks for that warwickstagxx

[tavymaid]

Hi the more you focus on not sleeping the worse it will get your ending up in a catch 22 situation,don,t go to bed thinking about sleep and try to relax yourself before and when you go to bed.Also during the day go and have a hot relaxing bubble bath get a comfy pillow and warm fluffy throw on your sofa, get comfy and watch a film your body and mind will be relaxed and that should aid a good sleep,its not best to sleep during the day but needs must when your not sleeping at night hope this helps xx

[Debbbruder in reply to tavymaid]

I never nap my no 1 rule