Any suggestions for getting back on track after panic attacks?

Question

I have problems with anxiety quite a bit and once or twice a year I go through a spell with horrible panic attacks. I had a couple of days like that earlier t his week. Normally I can talk myself out of them but sometimes they catch me off guard. I get them so that they come one right after the other so that I just exhaust myself. Finally I get a grip on it, then it takes a few days to feel well again. The thing is when I'm going through that I have a hard time eating or drinking. And I'm thin so I don't need to not eat. But I have a hard time forcing myself to eat or even . I know that the low blood sugar makes it worse as well as being dehydrated.

Anyone else with that problem? If so what have you found that works?

I'm not taking any medication because I have a fear of medication and in fact what triggered this bout was I took an Allegra 24 hour dose and it made me start having anxiety so bad that I just felt like I was out of control. It really set me off.

I don't drink any caffeine because I can't handle it. I used to though. Actually earlier this week the day before this started I decided to drink a Dr Pepper. Being my body isn't used to it I'm sure that didn't help!

Answer 1

Well I have had Panic Attacks for 5 years now off and on,I found this Dr after one late night wandering what I was going to do about living my life this way.How to get around being afraid anyway.I took Buspar at one time and have had thoughts of taking again it is only seratonin pills in which that is what we are lacking when we have panic attacks is what a dr told me.But anyway one night I found this dr who has a hospital for severe people who are worse who cant get out of their house at all.
I read her book from panic to power and it saved me I went a good 2 years without one. I guess I forgot how to sooth myself.
But I had even quit the buspar. Her name is Lucinda Bassett she saved me. Below is the web site for her and her books and hospital.She is the very one who started studies on this instead of saying people like us was crazy she was just like us at one time. :c)

Answer 2

i too avoid meds when i dont have to have them. i had severe panic attacts for years so bad they put me in the hospital. some of the antidepressants will stop the ayttacts from happening if you take them regular. they are not habit forming you just wean off of them slowly.I also have an anxiety disorder from abuse when i was married these meds help that to. ask your doctor which is the safest and best for you. since you are so thin you need to have him start you at a childs dose and build up. i am also very sensitive to meds so they scare me. dont start out with a large dose.try also to get some b 50 or b 100 vitamins to help you replenish what you lose in having these attacts because they can make you so fearfull and really drained

Answer 3

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 4

I do that too, and I am thin as well. Eat a small amount of your favorite foods until you feel less fear about it. I also had a fear of medication and I had to rationalize with myself about it. You can make it through this. Practice deep breathing, and talk about your fears. Get some self-help anxiety CD's and use them. They really work. Fear is just fear. Don't let it win.

Answer 5

yes heres some suggestions.

1.) avoid low blood sugar. eat throughout the day, not just 3 large meals, but instead just small snacks throughout. that alone may do it. take a multivitamin if you have a incomplete diet.
2) plenty of water.
3) exercise, even if its just outdoors walking. you need exercise, and being outdoors is a natural tonic imo.
4) get some Xanax to have on hand for when all else fails. take one before a major stressful event like a meeting you have to speak at or something. trust me.. a xanax will help, not cause panic attacks. but dont rely on them. its just something to have available, as peace of mind.
5) find things to laugh and smile about. smiling will cause you to be happy. its self fulfilling.

Overall be proactive and attack this problem like you want it to go away by doing things like i suggested. Dont live your life reacting to this condition, go after it and take charge.

Answer 6

I used to get anxiety when I was in school. Do you drink coffee? If so, you should stop. I found drugs (alcohol) agitate my anxiety, especially coffee. Make sure you get enough sleep too. Exercise. Those things all helped me. Its hard to say what to do when you get an attack. I find the best way to get around attacks is try to do things that prevent them. Usually its best to just stop what you are doing and go for a walk and try to control your breathing.

Answer 7

Yeah, I know your pain, I have been there too. I went to counseling and I had to learn to control the attacks before they controlled me, but even through counseling, I had them. I found out that I have a chemical embalance which triggers them, I was afraid of medicine too, but I have to take it. I tried Zoloft and it was too strong for me, it caused me to pass out . THe doctor put me on Lexapro, it is a very gentle pill and it is only 10 miligrams. It does help you relax and it takes a few weeks to take full effect, but I got my life back.

I would suggest you talk to your doctor, he/she will help you get on the meds that are best for you
If you need to go to the ER. Panic attacks can lead to other complications

Answer 8

For your low blood sugar, you must eat good amount of sweet stuff and sweet fruit juices. Start taking one tablet of MENTAT (By Himalaya an Herbal Health Care company in India) twice a day to get benefit from further attacks. Munch 50 raisins daily and take quarter tea-spoon cinnamon powder after breakfast to strengthen your brain. Take care and be in good health.

Answer 9

Splash Cool water on your face immediately. Take a few breaths and hold it in to the count of four. Then exhale completely. Play your favorite music while sitting down and listening to the lyrics. This works, and you will recover your stable self. PDQ!

Answer 10

Curious, I too have panic attacks and can bring one on just by thinking, what if I have a panic attack, oh god, here it comes, etc.

I too have a medication phobia which makes it hard to treat real medical problems

Will you email me and we can talk about it. That would be so nice to have someone who understands. It can be debilitating