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I feel like I'm dying all the time

I had my first panic attack 3 months at the age of 42 is that normal? Had some real bad knees after that. Went to the er chest ex Ray EKG blood work twice. All come bake normal. Dot have bad ones any more but I do get lightheaded and feel like I'm dizzy. But I can't get the feeling that I'm dying all the time out if my head I do take med for anxiety. I'm scared to go anywhere by myself. I have a 2 year old son and I want to see him grow up. How do I stop feeling this way?
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7359862 tn?1390320080
I take the Gabepentin also for sleep, it works well
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Avatar universal
I hope it works to. I start march 12th that's as soon as they could see me.
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480448 tn?1426948538
"Most of us on here have no idea why we got this idiotic disorder, but you've got real reasons to work on"

Boy is THAT true!!

Hopefully the therapy will be what you need!
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Avatar universal
You're on a lot of meds -- are these all for anxiety?  Because you have definite recent stressful events going on, I'd have thought they would have sent you to therapy to work it out first before putting you on a bunch of meds to see if that would work.  Most of us on here have no idea why we got this idiotic disorder, but you've got real reasons to work on but it seems they just tried to sedate you.  Pursue the therapy and try to work this out.  As for physiological causes, hormonal imbalances are a big reason for people who get anxiety later in life, especially the thyroid.  
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Avatar universal
Thank you nurse girl I start therapy next month.I hope it helps. This has helped out some by knowing that I'm not alone out there.
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480448 tn?1426948538
It sounds like you've been through an AWFUL lot in the past year.  Experiencing anxiety after all of that stress is not abnormal, on the contrary, it's very much something to be expected.  Sometimes, our bodies get to the point where they really can't take much more, so the stress presents itself as anxiety, or panic as in your case.  

Picture a large tall pitcher of a beverage, lemonade let's say.  The pitcher represents YOU and the lemonade represents all of your life stressors.  If you keep pouring and pouring the lemonade on top of what's already in the pitcher, it's going to eventually overflow, right?  Well, that overflow is your panic and anxiety.

I think it would be a good idea to get yourself in therapy, if you haven't already.  If you don't have a history of anxiety, I cannot see any reason why you cannot work through this, accept it for what it is, anxiety related to a lot of very tough, stressful situations, losses and changes...and hopefully you can walk away from it.  The thing is, the longer you experience anxiety and panic, the more likely you will develop chronic anxiety, because more or less, you become conditioned.

That's why it's important IMO to really jump in and start working with a therapist who can help you accept this for what it is, and start learning how to dismiss those feelings of panic when it rears its ugly head.

Take care, keep us updated!
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Avatar universal
I'm the same way everyday I get the dizzy light headed feeling. I try to tell my self that I'm not dying sometimes it works sometimes it don't. I haven't had a real bad panic attack in a few weeks.
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Avatar universal
Thank for getting back with me.Here are meds that I am on 300mg of gabapentin,1mg guanfacine both are taken at bed time,5mg of buspar twice today. .5 mg Xanax as needed I try not to take those if I don't have to.
I have had a physical two mths ago had blood work done the to my vit. D came back low so I take one pill a week for that.
With in the last year a have lost 3 jobs had to move in with my brother, my step dad died of a heart attack 5 mths ago so we moved down to try to help out my mom then all this at happened. The first time it happen they called 911 thought it was a heart attack. Had blood work done EKG chest ex ray all came back norm. The I started having them once a week it seemed like I couldn't get a dr to see me where was at so moved back in with my brother because there was a clinc that would help me on a slider fee payment plan.
I start seeing a therapist in March.
What other thing that might be wrong with that acts like panic dis so I can have the look for that.
My girlfriend has been a big help and my brothers girlfriend has been to. Those about the only to people that don't poke fun at me. During the day I don't have anyone here to and that scares me I'm afraid that something will happen while they are not here.We put are son in daycare two weeks ago I have had him everyday since August last year that was hard on me but I know it's good for him just scared that I won't see him agin.
    Thanx for the help I'm glad I found this it shows me that I'm not alone!!
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7359862 tn?1390320080
Your not alone. I am 43 and had my 1st panic attack 3months ago also. Ive always been a anxious person, always stressed to the max, working about every little thing, yes including death. I obsess over worst case items all the time. Now that I look back on my past Ive had anxiety for periods of months before but never knew what it was. I finally had every test done and it was decided I have severe panic disorder. 3 months ago was my 1st and hopefully my only actual panic attack. But since that day almost every day I am dizzy and lightheaded. I keep telling myself Im fine and it's all in my head and do breathing exercises. Some days are better then others, I know now this to shall pass.  I have a 2 year old also and I try and focus on her smile and giggles, read her stories, play with her, it helps get my mind off things. I try and go out and do as much as I can to push myself and show myself I CAN DO IT, and Im fine. I was really scared at first and thought I was dying. I felt like it. But the more I research and especially read post on this forum, I know Im normal and I will be ok and you will too.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Hello and welcome! To answer your first question...to experience the onset of an anxiety disorder at your age IS a little bit out of the norm.   MOST people who have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder experience the onset of symptoms in their late teens, early 20's.  

(I'm glad you clarified the "knee" comment, btw, lol, I was confused about that.)  :0)

You said this started about 3 months ago.  Was there anything major going on in your life at that time, or before?  Any big life changes (marriage, divorce, moving, lost job, new job, etc)?  Anything overly stressful occur?  Relationship issues?  Money problems?  Health concerns?

Fear of dying is a common one among anxiety sufferers.  So, that's nothing out of the ordinary.  Are you focusing on certain illnesses, or just the thought of dying in general?

Have you seen any mental health professionals yet about the anxiety?  Have you tried any treatment approaches (therapy, meds)?  Your profile says male, is that correct?  Any other pertinent background on you?  Any medical conditions or medications you take?  Any drug/alcohol use?  How's your support system, family and friends?  All good there?

Hopefully we can help you sort through this a little bit.  The good news is, anxiety IS manageable for most people, the bad news is, it takes some time to get it to a more manageable level.  I would just make sure to rule out any other possible causes for the anxiety first, including a medical cause, have you had a thorough physical with lab work recently?  If not, that's definitely a necessity.  There are a lot of conditions that will mimic anxiety and panic.  It's important to rule those possibilities out before proceeding.  While your results from the ER are reassuring, I would still recommend a physical if you haven't had one.

I'll keep my eye out for your reply, so hopefully I can get a better picture of what's what for you.  I'm glad you found your way here!  Hang in there, you're among people who totally understand how awful it is to deal with anxiety!
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Avatar universal
Omg,I, feel the same way. I am starting Zoloft tomorrow so hopefully this will help me because I want to live a normal life again. I'm only 24 and its horrible. Hopefully your meds, start to work and those ugly thoughts subside. hopefully the same for me also
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Avatar universal
Not knees.  I ment bad ones
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