Anxiety Attacks?

Question

Can someone please tell me what are the symptoms of anxiety attacks?
Does Lexapro help with anxiety?
Do Anxiety attacks go away on there own?

I had a Really bad Migraine awhile ago. I had numbness, vision problems and slurred speech. Eversince then I panic when a glare of light hits my eyes or someone takes a picture with a flash. I also feel like i see white spots when I glance at something fast. It makes me so scared that I begin to panic and sweat and get really scared. I hate feeling like this. Has anyone else ever had a migraine like that? I also worry about everything! I was given Lexapro not sure if I should start a medication or not!

I did go to the Dr. thats why I got the Lexapro. I had a tramatic event the day before my migraine and since then I'm scared of another one.

I went to a counsler and she says i'm fine but because I'm so anxious all the time and worry about everything maybe I should try meds.

Answer 1

I take Lexapro for generalized anxiety disorder. So far, it has helped me not be so anxious. I also take small doses of Xanax when I really need it, like on the verge of a panic attack. If your dr gave you the Lexapro then you probably should take it. He prescribed it to you b/c he thinks it will benefit you. But, if you do start taking the medication, don't stop it abruptly. You'll have withdrawal symptoms. Also, the first week or two using Lexapro you will probably feel really tired and sick to your stomach, all of those side effects went away for me. I feel completly fine now and I worry less. It does sound like you have panic attacks. Its almost like post traumatic stress syndrome b/c you're worrying about things in the past and of it happening to you again. Keep in contact with your dr and go with the meds he prescribed. If you have any other questions about the Lexapro you can email me. Its really helped me.

Answer 2

Maybe I can help you out...

I am 37 and I had my first migraine when I was about 20. My dad also has them.

I have found that NutraSweet triggers some of my migraines so now I avoid artificial sweetners. Also, I tend to get migraines during my menstrual cycle.

The worst one that I have had - numbness came from my hand up to my arm, my vision was affected, the side of my face went numb and felt like it was drawn down, and I couldn't talk right. Of course this was temporary and everything went back to normal.

When I get a migraine I see flashing lights, zig-zagging, and they get bigger and bigger until my vision is all distorted. Then the pain comes.

To get rid of the migraine I take Tylenol or whatever I have on hand and I lay down in the darkest, quietest place possible and put a cold washcloth on my forehead and cover my eyes so it is very dark. Then I go to sleep.

I also have anxiety attacks. I have had them for about 12 years. I have only had about 4, but I have to take medication. I am on Lexapro now - 15mg a day. I have been on it for 2 years now (Serzone for 8 years, Paxil for 2 years).

When I first started having them I didn't know what was wrong so I would panic which would make it worse. Now, I just try to relax if I feel one coming on. Sometimes I feel like I am going to have one, but the medication keeps it from coming on.

I worry about everything too. And by the way, since I have been taking medication for anxiety I have less migraines - about 1 or 2 a year now.

Answer 3

l have migraines like that every month or so, l have also had anxiety attacks in the past, anxiety attacks can be caused for a variety of reasons and sometimes for no particular reason at all, mine were, start to feel slightly abnormal and light headed, some times like l was off balance, then short of breath and heart thumping madly, its also made worse as you start gasping for breath nd the lack of oxygen makes it worse, so when you feel like this start taking deep concentrated breaths, blowing in a paper bag helps and once you know whats happening you need to talk your self through it and not panic, it will go away quickly if you try and stay calm, l still every once and a while have a attack come on for no reason, e.g sitting watching TV and feel like a panic attack coming, my daughter and l both suffer migraines from flashing lights, glare and its unfortunately something you just have to put up with, a good tip though, use nasal spray when you start to have blurred vision and will quickly disappear, try to do this before it gets to bad

Answer 4

Anxiety, from what I understand, does not just go away unfortunately. But you can take steps to be able to manage it better. WHo gave you the Lexapro - was it a general med doctor or psychiatrist? Also, have you seen a therapist about this? I don't know you nor am I a doctor, but sometimes docs may give medication (and it helps), but they neglect to dig for the "real" underlying reason you are going through whatever you are going through (sort of like putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound). Also try taking a yoga or a "mindfulness-based stress reduction" class which will hopefully help reduce your anxiety, and definitely try some exercise!

Answer 5

I can relate to what you are going through. About three years ago I started having panic attacks. I would have shortness of breath, dizziness, sick to my stomach, felt detached from my body…really depressed. I didn’t know at the time what they were nor had I even ever heard of them. I went to see a specialist and he informed me that I was having panic attacks. He said that he could prescribe some medication that would probably help me control them. I have always tried to stay away from taking medications if possible and I decided to do some research on my own. Well, long story short, I got in touch with a gentleman by the name of Peter Nagy who offered me a number of tools and methods that I use to this day to control my panic attacks…During the past 2 ½ years I have been able to control my panic attacks without the use of medication. Peters link is below and I do hope he can help you in the same way he has helped me. Good Luck and take care

Judy

Answer 6

i smoke a small amout of marijuanna and do not get them. Taking medication wipes out the pain but you can only retreat for so long. Facing the anxiety producing people or the personality type that triggers it is best. Getting used to the jungle will lessen sensitivity to the anxiety. The drugs will work - I have taken those types before - they stay in your system 24 / 7 once you have been taking them a while. I dont take anything now - just sleep - diet - excercise and ' cognitive therapy ' and thinking that I get from books. I hold a full time job in a group home with 'autistic teenagers' so I must be doing alot of things right. Email me if you want to know more - I dont want you to suffer as long as I had to and still do sometimes -

Answer 7

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 8

I know exactly what u are going thru to a point and between my therapist ,MD and I we are using medications that are Klonopin for anxiety,Trazedone for sleep and PTSD (remember you don't have to have been to war for this because any traumatic event can cause PTSD), Wellbutrin and Celexa also for the anxiety and depression I suffer. I suggest you talk to your dr a little more and also you can visit GNC.com or Walgreens. com and they will also be able to give you a better idea if Lexapro is the right med for u.

Answer 9

Well I was in a serious car excident were I had an anxiety attack. The car excident was so terrible that I felt like I had no control and I couldnt believe what had happened then I couldnt breath or catch my breath. What I was told to help get rid of my attack was to look at solid objects, like a tree or a house it help to take your mind of what you are panicing over. It sound like the simptoms your having are not panic attacks so you might want to consult a doctor.

Answer 10

Did you mention the slurred speech ? Sometimes people in high stress positions have mini strokes. My x-wife was so demanding and kept me going round the clock I got migraines and vision problems from lack of sleep.