Thanks to all of you

Thanks to all of you who responded to my post. I had trouble with my hard drive and haven't been able to respond. You guys seem like a really nice group and I appreciate all your input. I definitely agree with all of you about getting to the Dr. My problem being that the majority of my adult life I have been without insurance and I've gotten into the habit of waiting to see if whatever is ailing me will go away on its own. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. And I know one of these days I will probably wait too long, but I just am scared to death to put any more financial burden on my husband. He works so hard and I haven't been able to work in quite a few years due to other physical problems - arthritus,fibromylgia (fibromyalgia) and trigeminal neuralgia. So I tend to feel very guilty that I don't help out in that regard. I did have a hysterectomy about 6 years ago and am mostly over any of the 'fun' menopause stuff.....still wear a low dose hormone patch to control hot flashes tho. So I really don't think that has anything to do with these panic attacks. I have calmed down somewhat now and feel a little better thanks to your posts and reading some of the others.  The chest discomfort has gone away and I think that's mainly what I was freaking out about,especially at night when everything seems so much worse. I have lost a few people lately and have had a preoccupation with death for some reason. There's also alot going on in my life that I sooooo don't want to miss out on. My youngest and his girlfriend are expecting a baby in Sept and my oldest son is getting married this summer. And I can't seem to stop thinking I'm going to miss out on all this.  I just don't know why I'm suddenly doing this to myself when I have always been able to just go with the flow. I mean, honestly, I managed to get through a year of my oldest son being in Iraq without freaking out and now that everything seems to be going smooth I'm giving myself panic attacks.  Of course if that's what they are. So anyways I'm hanging in here and if anyone has any suggestions on how to contol this I sure would be thankful........Juddan

[bip]

Im so sorry what you are going threw. My dad died 13 years ago and ever since then I think Im going to die. I remember a few months ago my son got picked to sing in front of everyone and I got to go to see him  What happens if I die I will not see that. I seen it and I just think in my mind. Why did I think Im going to die. It's the worst thinking keep saying to yourself Ill be there.

[louwho72]

I am so sorry you are going through all this... The mind is such a powerful thing. I go through the same thing,, there are times, I just know any min I am going to die,, and yet I dont.. I put my self through hell sometimes, then after it is over I get so mad for doing it...
Self talk dose help a lot,,, my problems is that when those thoughts come into my mind, I entertain them instead of getting them out...
At times I tell my self.. if I die, I die,, there is nothing I can do,, so why worry,,,it helps sometimes..Its like we have to get a grip, or shake ourselves..
Well good luck,,,,

[torque]

I do it too- I always think I am going to die and wont be able to do stuff. I have started this new thing now. My symptoms kind of come and go all day. But when I have bad dreams, I notice the next day is pretty bad. So, I have started talking to myself while I am laying in bed. I tell myself different things, like "I am a strong, HEALTHY woman, I can do anything I put my mind to, I will not let anxiety beat me, I am  a good person" and so on. It seems to work pretty well. I also tell myself- that is it! No more! Tomorrow is going to be a good day, and i will not let anxiety bother me!! This worked for 4days in a row. Then I just found out my husband has already dug a whole for my dog. SHe was diagnosed with cancer 2 weeks ago- and isnt doing any good. He did not tell me he did it. I found out from his mother that he and his dad were talking about it. I havent even talked to him about it. I didnt really know what to say. He told his father that he dug the whole right after he found out. That must have been his way of dealing with it, and not crying .like me. Just thinking about this made me so sad!! But I have already accepted that my dog is going to pass, and probably soon, and I will not let myself have anxiety over this. SHe will be in a better place.

Anyway, sorry for going off the topic there. Try the self talk and list idea and see if that helps at all! Best of luck!!!!