Need help...question for panic attack sufferers....?

Question

Does anyone know if there is any way to help calm or settle panic attacks and anxiety without always relying on the prescription nerve meds they have put me on. The medicine is very addictive and the attacks could be much much worse if I stop taking it all at once but I wonder if there is any other way to help with this without the medication because it seems the medicine is not working on my regular prescribed dosage and it seems to take more to make me calm and I don't want to become that reliant on it just to be normal.

Answer 1

I too like yourself have an issue with the prescriptions that my doctor provides me. I went to my doctor today and was prescribed Xanax for the first time. I am going through tons right now as well because I"m scared of taking it fearing an allergic reaction, I also have a really bad case of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugars) he thought that I am Reactive Hypoglycemia problem is is that I am skinny as can be and if I cut out Carbohydrates from my diet I"m scared I'll die. I would love to email chat with anyone who has similar situations. I too dont want to rely on meds because of habit forming but once I get adjusted to some meds I"m ok. But I have two small toddlers and I"m self employed so Im under a lot of stress. Feel free to email me if any ladies / women would like to chat. I'd be particularily interested in those experiencing the same sort of panic attacks as myself such sweating, chestpain, feeling like im gonna pass out, and mood swings and if you are an individual who has gotten past them please email me as I'd love to talk to you about how you overcame the severity of your panic attacks. thanks. I want my life back to normal.

Answer 2

I don't know how old you are, but my panic attacks started in high school and I didn't get over them untill my middle to upper 20's, only because I did get on medication, I was put on nerve pills that didn't take care of the symptoms, I still got the panic attacks, they also tried me on a antidepressant along with the nerve pills, I still had physical symptoms, like heart palpatations, and shaky hands, etc... the ONLY thing that actually worked was a tiny pill called inderal, it's a beta blocker, I still take one daily to this day, i'm on such a low dose of it the doctor said it's no big deal,but I do know it works, I know you didn't want to hear about more medication, but it's a thought and it may be all you need, but talk to your doctor, or do research on it, also, self help books, tapes, etc helped through the years, I eventially out grew the attacks, but I still take the inderal because I my hands get a little shaky when I'm nervous, anyway, thats what I know, take care

Answer 3

You do not have to take addictive medications for Panic Disorder. You can take ssri's or snri's which are not addictive. If you are taking narcotics for panic attacks...wean off very slowly.

Other tips...self help book..."the anxiety/phobia workbook" by Dr. Bourne. Avoid caffeine, switch to decaf. Make changes in life that reduce stress.....

Think of life as a bank...if you only make withdrawals you will go broke...deposit good experiences and you will feel rich. Be good to yourself, exercise, go to funny movies, get a new hair cut etc.
You can manage your life with panic/anxiety...just like a diabetic or someone with any other disease. Start with your family doctor, and get to a good psychologist (masters/or phd) and learn to take control of the disorder.

Answer 4

There is a strong correlation between anxiety/panic disorder and low levels of certain vitamins and minerals. There are several things you can do to restore this balance in your body:

1. Take calcium, magnesium, and b-complex vitamin supplements

2. Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates, and instead eat foods low in sugar and containing whole grains

3. Avoid coffee, tea, and cola sodas (or any other drinks with caffeine)

4. Avoid alcohol and drugs, as these tend to use up your bodies supply of important vitamins and minerals when your body metabolizes them

Answer 5

A growing body of scientific evidence has shown that the gut hormone and neurotransmitter Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a 'player' in many cases of panic attacks/disorder.

A common cause of disruption of CCK secretion in the Gut is the autoimmune condition Celiac Disease.

Celiac Disease (CD) is caused by an allergic reaction to the proteins in wheat, rye and barley called glutens/gliadins. This allergic reaction leads to destruction of the lining of the small intestine. One of the many consequences of CD is interference with the secretion of CCK.

It may be prudent to have your doctor test you for Celiac Disease.

Here are a few quotes from the medical literature:

1) "Healthy subjects who panic following systemic cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide (CCK-4) challenge typically exhibit a symptom profile reminiscent of that evident among panic patients." - Depression and Anxiety, 1998;8(1):1-7

2) "Recent evidence suggests that CCK is implicated in the regulation of anxiety. Animal studies support human findings that CCK induces anxiety-like behaviors..." - Drug News Perspective 1998 Aug;11(6):342-9

3) "Sensitivity to the panicogenic effects of cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide (CCK-4) is enhanced in panic disorder patients relative to normal controls." - Journal of Affective Disorders 2004 Jun,80(2-3):285-90

4) "CCK is found both within the brain and the gastrointestinal tract. In the brain, CCK functions as a neurotransmitter. Roles for central CCK include such diverse behaviors and states as anxiety, sexual behavior, learning and memory, spontaneous activity, satiety, and pain." - American Journal of Physiology Gastrointestinal Liver Physiology, 2004;286:G183-188

Hope this is helpful to you. Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 6

Excellent question, since most people are interested in the prescription medicine you're referring to since they're too lazy to fix things on their own. First let me recommend that you find a counselor whom you are sure will work with you the way you want. Way too many will refer you to psychiatrists or other MDs for the very meds you are trying to get rid of. Be VERY UPFRONT with your prospective counselor about your wants, and STAND YOUR GROUND with them if they say there is no other cure other than meds. If they offer no such counseling as you want, LEAVE THE CLINIC!! It might be good to be sure you're going to a counselor that is NOT working under the supervision of an MD, which many are for the purposes of collecting higher fees and getting Social Security payments for clients they can claim have "disabilities". Public programs are the same way. Let me say from the "git-go" that it is no easy remedy, depending on your history of these panic attacks, how old you are and what medicines you've been taking and for how long. Just like cigarette smokers trying to quit, albeit that's a group with a whole set of excuses why they can't quit, and my personal history stands in defiance of their whining and addictive behavior. See if your new counselor would recommend a "work-out" program, like at a health club. If you are in adequate health you can go and get a personal trainer, although at a higher cost, but, once you're off the meds, you'll be able to afford it. Let me also pass on a recommendation from an MD whom I did very much respect. He said, "If you can get people to just go for a walk, several times a week, they'll get over most of their mental health problems. Be sure that they go for this walk with no chore or duty attached to it, like running to the store for milk or to the mailbox or such, and make sure they don't include walking the dog or their kids, or even their spouse or lover, etc.. Make sure they do it JUST FOR THEMSELVES, and that they do it in a secure environment and at a smart time of the day." I looked at him and asked if he wasn't worried about losing his business if they all did as he was recommending, and he said, "No, because it's free and they won't have the 'status' of going to a doctor and having a disorder to cure, and therefore they won't do it." He saw peoples' hypochondriasis clearly, and we both had a laugh. He went on, "You can walk on your own schedule. Start slowly, and when you feel your arms and legs loosening up by your side and underneath you, pick up the pace a bit so that you can feel your heart and lungs straining a bit, but DON'T OVERDO IT. And, as you approach the end of your walk, slow down so your muscles can have a slow cooling off and your heart and lungs can adjust properly, otherwise you could get leg cramps or such." He died an old man, in his mid 80's, about 10 years ago. He was a good ol' country doctor, and one healthy and smart old man, and I never knew an MD I ever respected more, no matter their technical skills. And he was as full-blooded American Indian as one could be, with a very respectable Indian name, living in a very white environment. So, try what I pass on to you, and you might want to have a counselor to work with, but STAND YOUR GROUND on what you want and DON'T WANT with them. They're not gods, although some definitely think so. You're the most important person in this "treatment", so act like it. And God Bless you.

Answer 7

Important to do yoga 20 min a day exercise bur some calories lift waits and eat lots of veggies.

I did the same thing for my brother hes 23 yrs old

Answer 8

Have you been back to your doctor? The meds he/she has you on may not be suitable for you. There are doctors who specialize in panic/anxiety disorders without the use of medication. I would check with your local mental health resource center in your area and see what is in your locality. good luck!!!

Answer 9

Tea is a good remedy, meditational breathing exercizes, and most important think of a happy time or place like a long lost birthday or perhaps the ocean

Answer 10

The most effective approach is available through a self help group called Recovery Inc. Check your directory for nearest one.