I suffer from panic attacks and a main "trigger" is afeeling my nose is blocked. This has become an obsession . anybody else experience same

[CARTERKC]

I take amytriptyline mirtazapine for depression and diazepam when panic strikes

[Lucyhobbit]

I have had panic attacks before (although mine are trigged by crowded places, lots of noises etc.), but I was able to learn to control them using cognitive behaviour therapy, I still get them but now they have less impact on my life. I don't know if you've tried CBT before? It was actually my 4th set of CBT (I've had a few courses over the last few years) that finally worked for me, and I think it was because I connected the most with that therapist.

They are awful to experience, but if you'd like to know how I've managed to overcome them then please send me a message.

[CARTERKC in reply to Lucyhobbit]

Thank you for your reply Lucyhobbit I have indeed tried CBT before but unfortunately my attacks increased due to the fact that the appointment was due. My Dr has referred me to an online CBT forum and increased my dose of Mirtazapine and now am crossing my fingers toes and anything else it is possible to cross. My thanks and best wishes to you

[Hidden in reply to CARTERKC]

There are several more treatments that you can try. I live in America

USA..Some of them have a side effect of weight gain so be choosy. Paxil changed my life. After the first 8 weeks of taking it, I never have panic attacks ever again..I used to not be able to leave the house. I had one several times a day even when I was in my own house. My stomach used to hurt as well from the anxiety. Panic attacks were wrecking my life, wrecked my life. I put up with them for about 4 yrs

or so and over time they did get worse..Paxil did nothing to change my personality nor did it mess with my head. We had to change dosages frequently when starting up. I did not build up a tolerance to the drugs, people rarely do. I am dependant on them to not have a panic attack. IF I forget it, I know it...so I keep them by my toothbrush.

I got rid of that not being able to breathe right problem once it was in my system..a lot of people get that with sever anxiety. The valium and the Xanax worked very short term for me. I recently switched over to an organic paxil..I had some breakthrough panic come forth..I am going back to my old stuff again. I used to think that I was a freak..Never heard of panic attacks.. before..now it's common place and my daughter has them, my mom had them at my age and my sister has them...so does a niece..Funny hugh? It must run in families.

[Hjj123 in reply to Lucyhobbit]

Yes please

[Mdaisy in reply to Hjj123]

Just to let you know, as this post is from 6 years ago this member may be no longer active and therefore may not reply.

[Bess]

Yes I am experiencing the same problem, because of bad sleep patterns through the night when I wake I have the stuffy blocked nose and causes me to panic , apparently stuffy nose can also be a symptom of fybro so I have researched , my doctor has put me on a steroid for a short course to help clear the nose problem and diazapan at night to avoid the panic attacks , at the moment the nose seems to be better and I have halved the 5mg diazapan and last night was a good night for me , but I so understand what you are feeling, going to bed was a nightmare for me, it seemed ok in the day but at night it became more and more of an obsession .

[CARTERKC in reply to Bess]

Thank you so much for replying Bess it is so good to know someone else out there understands.My Dr has upped my Mirtazapine from 30 mg to 45 mg split into 2 doses and has given me a nasal steroid spray and refered me to an online CBT FORUM. My thanks and best wishes to you Bess

[chideanna70 in reply to Bess]

I'm having the same issue with the severe panic when my nose gets stuffed. I've been using the netti pot and that helps a little and I slept with a breathe right strip last night because I was so worried I was going to get stuffy and get a panic attack. I can't go on like this ;-(

[Jjudith]

Hi I did have a blocked nose and also post nasal drip which is one of the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome, which two-thirds of people with fibromyalgia have. I used to blow my nose so loudly because I just kept thinking 'one more blow and it will clear' and my husband used to tell me I would cause myself some damage. It was just so very, very uncomfortable and it just went on and on and drove me mad, although I didn't panic I can guess it was enough to drive some people to panic. In the end I went to see am ENT surgeon who found that I had a deviated septum, and I had an operation on that and it did help, I don't have the uncomfortable full feeling now although I do have a very drippy nose and also I still have some post nasal drip, but it isn't so bad. So I would really insist that you have an ENT appointment to rule out any actual problem.

[unio06]

my nose feels dry and uncomfortable all the time like I have dry snot. my main problem is I always feel like i have somthing on my chest and try to cough it up but there is nothing their.

on here I have found so many things linked to fm but also the symptoms of depression and diabetes are similar too so I don't know what condition is causing what problem. thinking of you all on hear xx

[Hidden in reply to unio06]

If I was your doctor and you told me that, I would think that it was stomach acid..reflux going on..I think that you need a 14 day Prilosec dose to

make that go away..that's exactly how reflux feels. Check with your

doctor before you buy it though. =))

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

If you take prilosec, it must be taken on an empty tummy and

then don't eat for about an hour..that's how it works. Also,

don't take iron at the same time..or your vitamin. Take those

things 2 hours after the prilosec. Good luck Unio06

[Hidden]

I had panic attacks so bad that I didn't leave the house. My daughter has the same.

It runs in my family. I suffered for a long long time before I spoke out..the doctor

gave me Paxil..and Xanax -started me out at a super low dose and finally we adjusted

it perfectly. It took 8 full weeks to work for me but when I reached that 9th week,

the panic attacks disappeared for me completely. I never have a full blown one

ever in 9 yrs. I can't believe that a tiny pill fixed that for me.

The good news is that if Paxil works for you, it helps a lot with your pain perception

in the case of Fibro..it helps my RA as well.

Just very recently I switched over to an organic type of Paxil...Not as good, not

nearly..breakthrough Panic and my crabby side shows on me sometimes.

I'm going to go back to the original. I can't go wrong..EXCEPT..I have Restless

Leg Syndrome..and Paxil gets my legs going on me..I can't ever find a

comfortable spot to lay my legs when I am trying to fall asleep..It's the most

miserable of all of the conditions I have. If I sleep 4-5 hours a night, I consider

it a good night for sleeping.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No Xanax was needed after the first 8 weeks of Paxil.

[dreyopolis]

Me too! I just had one. It's like I think I'm going to die if I can't breathe thru my nose. Wow I thought I was the only one.

[jingambor]

Yeah. You are not alone. I was diagnose have panic attack disorder for the past years. I treated prozac combination of xanor or diazepam. Now , I am using Valdoxan if you familiar with this medicine a product from Europe. I notice to myself every time I‘m going to bed to sleep my nose blocked just like I have sinus problem. I talk to my doctor regarding my nose problem but he answer me blocking of nose feeling is a part of symptoms of panic attack. Until now, I am suffering blocking of nosed.

[Mpane]

Hi suffered with panics attacks, when it first happened I thought I was having and allergic reaction too an olive. 😂 then they just kept getting worse till the point I broke down and cried like a baby at the doctors, saying I can't take this any more, the women doctor didn't know what to say me, probably was strange to see a man crying or something.

they wanted to put me anti depressants and also handed me a leaflet for CBT, I knew I wasn't depressed so I threw the tabs in the bin when I got home, I contact the counslin and started weekly calls from a councillor, can't believe the results I'm a change man they really helped me to look one my life style and make some good changes. I was blaming them on all sorts of things like coffee, not eating properly......

if you take one thing from this reply it's should be this, no one has ever died from having a panic attack you will not die!

I know it's a late after original comment was two years ago but I say better late then never.

[Keep-positive]

I am panicking right now and thinking about going to A&E but it seems so trivial. I have severe rhinitis/sinusitis, and currently using steroid drops for nasal polyps. Both my nostrils are blocked and I can't breath. I've tried nasal irrigation, olbus oil and bought a Vicks humidifier but they don't seem to be helping. I also have chronic bronchiectasis, does anyone have any ideas what I can do , I've not slept for weeks for this 😕

[fivesuper5]

Hi..you are not alone. I have suffered with this simce March when I got Rhinisitis...don't know what caused it..it cleared up with Sterimar spray and steroid nose spray but I am sure my obssession of having a blocked nose is making it feel as if it's blocked. I am on Mertazapine 15mg....to help with the anxiety. I never used to feel like this. I can't watch people in a plane on tv because I'm so claustrophobic. This hot weather makes me worse...are you any better now?....Kath...

[fivesuper5]

I feel exactly the same since having rhinisitis. Constantly sniffing for air..deep breaths...can't stand a blocked nose. Anxiety makes it feel blocked. I am on Mertazapine at night. Steroid spray helps. How are you now?

[fivesuper5]

The above was to CARTERKC

[levithebrave]

Been having panic attacks for a year now. The sudden panic of not being able to breathe forced me awake when they first started. After a couple of months I began experiencing full blown panic attacks during the day. Ive been hauled to the ER 3 times since and now I take lorazepam to calm down when it strikes. I don't like the drug. I don't feel depressed, but this medication makes me feel really sad by the 4th hour. I feel like my life is falling apart. Every other night I get zero sleep. I try to sleep but experience heart-wrenching attack after heart-wrenching attack. I can't go on like this and continue with school next week. Im so broken. I take zertec, flonase, use saline spray, breathe right strips, and apply moisturizing ointments to my nose. Nothing takes away the closed feeling. Im seeing my primary doctor on Wednesday. These words are so encouraging. Thanks

[dickard in reply to levithebrave]

Watch your diet, particularly sugars refined sugar and breads. Sugars can cause inflammation and anything to reduce swelling in your sinus cavity might help. I've had attacks for years cutting sugar way down and taking probiotics has helped more than the doctor.

[Nikkitnikkit84]

I'm feeling this right now. A blocked and dry nose and feeling like I have mucus or something stuck in the back of my throat. Was really sick a week ago with the flu/cold and ever since have been feeling like I have a blocked nose and it's making me breathe funny. Especially at night and causing me to go into full blown panic attacks. Reading these posts have actually calmed me down a lot. Atleast I feel like I'm not dying from some weird disease and just need to try to calm down

[Wolf_1]

Hi everyone, I too experienced blocked nose, mucus and trouble breathing at night until I started using Sudafed which completely clears congestion within minutes which in turn helps me to have a good nights sleep. It’s worth a try. I’ve now suffered with SLE, Fibromyalgia, Kidney failure, Kidney transplant, double pneumonia, various bouts of pleurisy and depression for over 15 years now, but there is nothing worse in my opinion than crawling the walls not being able to sleep!

Good luck and good health to all,

Wolf_1 🐺🦋😴💤

[KatEdwards]

I do and obsess over loosing my sense of smell