having a panic attack

I'm trying to type to see if I can try to relax. SO far its not working. I feel like I'm going to faint. It started when I was sitting and eating a popcicle. Out of the blue I felt dizzy. Then I got scared. Then it started. I feel unlike myself. My arm hurts because of the pinched nerve I have. I start to feel numb in my face. Then I start to tremble. I usually have no problems breathing or pains in my chest. I just can't relax. I don't know why I am having these. At least right now. I have to change a diaper though.. I do feel weak. Has anyone ever felt weak? I really hate these. I am so close to calling 911... I have been trying the tense and relax technique. I also took a benadryl. I really hope it kicks in and I can start to relax. Starting to feel aintsy.. My leg wont stop moving... I wonder if I am really sick?

OK starting to breath deeply now. Some of this is helping..

Why me!!?? I am so sick of these!!

I'm feeling better now. I don't know what triggered it. I think I was looking at one of the posts and something triggered it. I am SO sick of living this way. I have had it. I can't stand the fact that I can't function without taking medication. Thats why I haven't taken them. I only take one Benadryl every other day to keep myself from going crazy. Maybe its the benadryl?? Anyone??

Misvenus, I'm glad you're ok now! Maybe you should ask your doc if it might be the medicine. Posts can be triggering sometimes.

benadryl is medication, whether or not its from a prescription... i used to be anti-medication. resisted it for 20 years. then gave in because nothing else worked, and i have to say... i'm glad i did. the trick of course, is finding the right drugs. but, if you don't want them its understandable. if it were me though, i wouldn't just assume and accept that benadryl is morally better or less addictive than any other prescription drug.

by the way, BusPar is for anxiety, and it's not addictive. it's the only anti-anxiety medication that isn't... for some reason it fell out of fashion when all the benzodiazepines (ativan e.g.) became popular. I really like the BusPar, and i don't feel like i'm on drugs as a result of it.

Panic attacks are caused by the fight or flight response of the brain to stressful situations. When our brain senses danger or possible harm it reacts with an “act-now-think-later” response that causes a heightened emotional agitation. This can bring on a panic attack. While understanding the root causes of panic attacks can help prevent their onset altogether, there are also effective ways of controlling them once they’ve begun. One way is called the AWARE method.


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Anxiety therapy technique without medications

I can very much relate to what you are feeling and have felt. Sometimes its just the thought of having a panic attack that triggers it off. But there is always something underlying it and sometimes thats a bit difficult to put a finger on as it may have been to do with your past and your body and mind is just catching up with it. I have suffered with panic and generalised anxiety for years on and off. I have managed to control it to a certain degree but there are certain things that have become a 'trigger' and those things I push myself to do in order to try and desensitive myself, purely because they are not rational or reasonable. For example I feel a rising sense of anxiety when I travel on the underground. This may have been triggered by the London bombings but even so, it didn't affect every other commuter in such a way and it annoys me. I have used public transport for years and it never bothered me before so I make myself do it. I am also 'sick' of feeling like this and I refuse to be conquered by it.

My symptoms have varied so much - its not just textbook symptoms. I have felt weak, dizzy, faint, nauseous, numb in areas of my body especially my face, hot and cold sweats, pains, palitations, feeling like I cannot get my breath. The list goes on. The worst thing for me is a feeling of foreboding. Again its totally illogical in the circumstances.

I lost my dad and my job last year and I have had temporary work since (this recession affects us all). Then I had to go on the tube at the weekend to go to the theatre as my mum treated me. The nearer the time came I felt increasingly anxious, partly because I knew the tube ride would be about 45 minutes. But I refused to be defeated and I was absoulutely fine and I had a wonderful evening. Strange as it may seem to most, I was very proud of myself.

It would be good to get your meds sorted out; something that is right for you. But there is a whole lot more you can do by research and reading.

I wish you all the best. You are not alone at this time.

Antonia