I suspect I am having axiety attacks .....

I have been having a lot of the symptoms that you guys have (from reading the posts) but have never been formally diagnosed with anxiety issues. I did have an axiety attack back in September and went to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. After that (they gave me a shot and the shortness of breath went away after about 10 minutes) it took months for the symptoms to resurface. For the past month or so I have been getting shortness of breath almost daily. I also have noticed that most of the time it seems to start when I get behind the wheel (which I find strange because I do not have any fears of driving). Also, the shortness of breath gets worse when I try to lay down so I have to sit upright. My right arm has been having a strange tingling feeling in it as well, which I suspect may be anxiety. I have always been stressed but the whole axiety thing is new to me. I am prescribed a medication called Nortriptylin (50 MG) which is generic for Pamelor to help with the stress but it does not seem to work for me. I was given 1 script for Xanax (.25 MG, 20 pills) when I had the axiety attack and it worked ok but honestly I took 3 at a time instead of 1 because 1 wasn't really helping. I don't really know what I should do from here. My symptoms seem to be coming more frequently and they seem to be getting worse. What type of a doctor should I see for this sort of thing, and how do I make them understand that I'm not just "shopping" for the good stuff? (Xanax, Valium) Any advice /insight would be appreciated, as I am totally unsure what to do at this point. Thanks.

[Pum]

It does sound like hyperventilation due to anxiety but you should see a doctor to make sure.

Try some self-help measures like daily exercise, meditation (or controlled breathing), eat regularly, practice moderation in alcohol etc.

If these don't help then the SSRI anti-depressants might be the next step.

Good luck

[KTB2006]

Thanks a lot for the input guys. This forum is great! I don't really have anyone in my life who goes through this so I don't feel like I have anyone I can talk to who understands. Just knowing that I can come here and post a question or read about troubles that others are having really helps. You all have a great new year!

[sue-aloo]

Start with a good physical.  Have your heart checked out by a cardiologist if your physician feels it is necessary.  You should always rule out all medical issues first. Then get yourself to a psychiatrist.  He will be able to prescribe you the best meds. for your symptoms.  Don't feel that he will think you are searching for the "good stuff".  They understand that these symptoms are for real and that you truly want relief and to feel like your old self again.  Good Luck and keep us posted.

[sue-aloo]

You are very welcome!  Happy new year!!

[toasty]

you may want to suggest to your doc something along the
following lines - that involves less-potent meds but has worked
quite well for me and the circumstances included.
  
on and off, since the mid 70s, i have been allowed to take
lorazepam - (P R N!!!) - in the 1/2  to 1 mg dosage ranges.
  
usually it was to start a couple days a week with a little
more calm. twenty or so minutes later this little knot in
my tum-tum relaxed. i could _feel_ the change.
  
1/2 mg was just fine with an occassional 1-mg when i was too
lazy to cut the tab into two or felt more anxious than usual.
  
and in about 20 mins, tum-tum relaxed. mid-day anxiety was
(prn) treated approx the same way though _rarely_ on days
that started with lorazapam.

through the 70s and 80s and early 90s things were nominal but
then added grief/stress made me think a bit because my sleep
pattern/cycle changed adversly.

so i changed from wake-up meds to go-2-sleep meds (doc
approved). realize, also, that 2-beers a night (over
3-4 hours) is a diet mandate of mine. the lorazapam  
helped with the sleep but i had to titrate up to  
3.5 mg to get a whole, reliable quality night's sleep.

this surprised me, actually but i'll use that regimen in
the future if the situation seems to suggest it. btw,
4-beers a night was no help. more than that i am not willing
to exceed, and never loraz+beer>2!!

[KTB2006]

Thanks for the input. I don't drink regularly so mixing meds with beer wouldn't be a problem for me. I also do not want to become dependant on any meds to help me function ( I think it is just an issue of pride ) so I am still reluctant to see my Doctor. I have still been having my symptoms since my post about 5 days ago now. When the shortness of breath starts that is when I start to panic. It is one of the scariest things I have ever experienced - even worse than my asthma attacks which are very bad at times. I just wish there was some sort of way that I could flip the switch in my brain that is causing all of this and just RELAX. I know this is not healthy, nor is it serving any purpose other than making me miserable. I have always been told you can do anything if you put your mind to it but I just can't seem to stop this from happening. I may just have to bite the bullet and go see Doc.

[suzi-q]

How great it would be if we could turn that switch off...but for some reason it seems totally unreachable!  Please don't let pride get in your way....anxiety and depression are not signs of weakness....it could truly be chemical imbalances.  The same way you would go to the doctor for the flu or a broken leg you should go to the doctor for this.  There are alternative therapies besides taking medications.  There is behavior modification where they can teach you how to turn the switch off...I never did it, but I know it takes a lot of work and discipline.  There are also alternative therapies such as yoga and herbal supplements.  I was at first very adverse to taking the meds.  But it gave me my life back!  I don't see anything wrong with asking for help.  It takes a big person to do so...and just the fact that you searched for help here, you are not in denial  that something is not quite right and you need to do something about it!  Kudos to you!!!  GO TO YOUR DOCTOR!!

[RO]

I STARTED A LONG TIME AGO WITH FEELINGS OF DANGER , DYING. 4 WEEKS AGO I STARTED WITH MY EYES , FLET FUNNY COULDNT LOOK DOWN OER TELT MY HEAD BACK SLIGHTLY. NOW I GET TINGLIGLY IN MY FACE AND LIKE WORMS CRAWLING IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD AND NUMBENESS FEELING ,TINGLING IN Y HANDS LEGS FEET.  I WORRY SO MUCH . I WEN TO MY DR. HE SAID ANXIETY. I WONT TAKE ANTIDEPRESSANTS, SO I TAKE XANAX. AND I TAKE ANTIVERT.  SAW MY EAR NOSE AND THROAT DR. HE SAID ANXIETY HE CHECKED MY BALANCE ,EARS,LOOKED IN MY EYES. MY BACK IS TIGHT. I SLEEP IN A RECLINER AND WHEN I WAKE MY HEAD FEELS TINGLEY AND NUMB. I HAVE BEEN GOING THRU ALOT OF FINANCIAL PROBLEMS , LOSS OF HOUSE BUSINESS. STARTED OVER AGAIN AND ITS NOT GOOD EVEICTION NOTICE FROM LANDLORD. I WORRY ABOUT MY HEALTH AND THINK ALL KINDS OF THINGS. MY SCALEP FEELINGSLIKE ITS BURING AT TIMES, FEEL A LITTLE OFF BALANCE AND TIGHT SCALP.  I,M REALLY GOING YOU KNOW WHAT!.  PLEASE HAS ANYONE FELT NEASUA AND LIGHT HEADED ALL THE TIME.  THIS IS NEVER OFF MY MIND. I SLEEP AND AWAKE WORRYING ITS REALLY ANXIETY. CAN ANYONE HELP ME.

[positive_aura]

All u guys have to do is to cheer ur brain up....do something fun, go out and enjoy life. Dn't let negative imagination rule ur brain. step up and stop being emotional. anxiety attack start from worries, stress and negative aura. Work ur brain out....think healthy...don't be so weak. **** that anxiety attack. think positive. u'r not that ***** are u? lol...cheer up! goshhhhhh. what can i say? i have so much love for u guys....so wake up and dnt let ur emotion ruined ur daily lives. I LOVE MY LIFE....I'M NOT RICH BUT I HAVE A RICH BRAIN. LOL....positive thinker ROCKS! XOXO

[positive_aura]

all u guys have to do is to cheer ur brain up....do something fun, go out and enjoy life. Dn't let negative imagination rule ur brain. step up and stop being emotional. anxiety attack start from worries, stress and negative aura. Work ur brain out....think healthy...don't be so weak. fck that anxiety attack. think positive. u'r not that pussie are u? lol...cheer up! goshhhhhh. what can i say? i have so much love for u guys....so wake up and dnt let ur emotion ruined ur daily lives. I LOVE MY LIFE....I'M NOT RICH BUT I HAVE A RICH BRAIN. LOL....positive thinker ROCKS! XOXO