Worrying about Panic Attacks, Help!!?

Question

I am in the mist of finding the right med for anxiety, and panic attacks. In the mean time i have anxiety everyday and worry constantly. i dont want to drive bc i get short of breath and ill just be hanging around my house and i get all scared thinking what if somthing happens to me and i pass out and my son will be all alone and nobody will ever find me. im a single mom and live alone with my son. I get short of breath all the time. The dr says its anxiety, i had pulmonary teat done, chest x-ray, head ct, and last yr an ekg and echo. so im healthy. the doc put me on zoloft and i just started it two days ago. i hate living my life like this.

Answer 1

Anxiety is the symptom of a problem, not the problem in itself. It takes some time to find out if it's hypoglycemia, hyperthyroid, a hormone imbalance related to low progesterone due to having a baby, or a problem with your diet being so high in sugar, that your brain chemistry has been changed.

I was going to suggest a total change in diet (try to go sugar free), and take the supplement 5HTP, which acts exactly like drugs to boost your serotonin, BUT DON'T TAKE IT if you're already on drugs. If you decide to skip the drugs, taking 50-100mg of 5HTP three times each day will offer relief, usually within a few days.

Answer 2

Hello - I have Panic Disorder also. It was almost unbearable until I started on meds. I first tried Zoloft, which seemed to make it worse. My doctor switched me to Paxil and one tablet per day of Klonopin. It has done wonders for me. True Panic Disorder is a biological problem (not psychological). There is no way you can just talk yourself into calming down as the whole problem arises spontaneously from the brainstem which controls heart rate, breathing, etc. Research has also recently found that all sufferers have a mutation on chromosome 15. Please go to the National Anxiety Foundation website and read about it. My personal doctor is the President of the org. and has done more research on this disorder than just about anyone in the States.
I would also print the section about causes and treatment and take it to your doctor. Good luck -- with an understanding and knowledgeable physician you will find the right treatment and life will get much better. People who claim that breathing exercises and meditation will cure this, while meaning well, I'm sure, are totally misinformed about Panic Disorder versus anxiety.

Someone mentioned exercise: this may be beneficial for simple anxiety, it may make uncontrolled panic disorder worse. Lab tests have demonstrated that sodium lactate (which is released in the body during heavy exercise) will trigger an attack in people suffering from PD, but not in others, another obvious clue that the problem is not mental.

Answer 3

On Zoloft to for anxiety too. Just give it some more time to work and maybe you should speak to the MD about giving you something in the meantime to ease your panic attacks like Valium or Xanox start with a small dose because you don't want to Zonk out with your child around. I am sure if you called the prescribing MD he probaly will take of your issues over the phone or ask for an appt this evening. Lifes to short to panic. Stay strong and good luck. Hope the Zoloft works for you....p.s I take mine at night I think it helps me sleep

Answer 4

Panic attacks are a very scary thing, but you are worrying so much about having one that it is causing you to stay in state of panic all the time.You have to try and keep your mind from racing with thoughts about passing out, and no one finding you.When you start to think about all the what ifs, you have got to do something to distract yourself.Call a friend, or read a story to your son, something that will calm you. The zoloft will probably help.Its done pretty good for me.But the main thing is trying not to panic over getting panicked. Good luck,I really know how hard it is. Ive known for alot of years now.

Answer 5

Honey, I know exactly how you feel. I am going through the same thing right now. It's pretty scary. I haven't even been able to eat or sleep for almost a week because of anxiety and panic attacks. My doc has put me on Zoloft(starting today) and increased my Ativan(which I was already on). Have you considered therapy? I will be starting therapy next week. Good luck to you!

Answer 6

This must be incredibly frustrating for you. You need to start by removing as many triggers of your panic attacks as you can. You then can slowly add one of those things to your daily routine as you get adjusted to it.

Part of the reason for you panic appears to be because you are alone with your son and worry that anything will happen to you. I highly suggest if you have any family or friends close by to incorporate them into your life - go out with them more, have them over with you and your son more. If you have a stronger social network around yourself and home you will feel much more secure.

Exercise and diet are also important factors. I do not know enough to tell you what to eat or what not to eat. However, there is some mention of this and other strategies here: http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/article.php?artID=314

Medication should really be used as a last resort. First try adapting your lifestyle before getting a prescription filled. However, it is impressive that your physician has done tests and not just automatically wrote you a script for anxiety. Many doctors would quickly diagnose and give out prescriptions like candy because its easy.

However, you also should keep in mind that a psychiatrist really should be the one to diagnose you with anxiety. A GP has knowledge but not the expertise of a specialist.

Best of luck with this. You would be surprised to realize how many people in the world suffer from this condition. You CAN overcome this obstacle in your life.

Answer 7

I am currently taking sertraline too as this is anti depressant surpose to help with anxiety & panic attack but if you have only just started this medication it can worsten your anxiety for the first 2-3weeks i just wish i could put into your head now what i know about panic attacks after suffering them so severely 5 years ago i was to the point of breakdown i can assure you you are not going to die if you want to find the best medication out there for at least reducing & at best elliminating your attacks then inderal (a beta blocker), or some other form of beta blocker i can assure you with some confidence will at least help with the the panic attacks.

Answer 8

I experienced once what I later thought may have been a panic attack. Although, if that was one I did have, it hasn't happened regularly/again since.

Then again I've never consulted/seen anyone like a G.P. or counsellor about it, due to how would I tell someone about what I experienced. I'm not on medication for that type of matter either. I don't think anyone likes taking medication, but hopefully sooner rather than later the right medication and the right dosage will help with your condition.

Answer 9

try asking about Trazedone. I have been takingit for years and after a few weeks you will feel like a completly different person. Zoloft is a good medicine too. I'm not sure how it helps with anxiety though. I took the Trazedone and Zoloft combined and it worked really well for me.
Hope this helps and all the best to you.

Answer 10

Hi Jen,
I know how you feel, besides meds I would suggest you watch a movie called "the secret"! I have anxiety disorder and panic attacks for a decade now and this movis has done more for my anxiety than anything i have tried so far. I promise it can help. Give it a try!
God Bless
P.S. If you would like to chat sometime my check out my profile for my contact info, it is good for people with anxiety disorder to talk with other people with anxiety disorder