panic attacks

I have no health insurance and think I really need help with my panic attacks.. I have them in big areas like stores, malls, airports, or basically anywhere there are alot of people and large sized places.. Are there any natural things that I might try to help me with this .. I get things like a rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling.. Im fine when I get out of the situation but Im not liking this feeling anymore.. My daughter is entering school this year and I want to go to every function she has and enjoy it.. I need help to get rid of these feelings ..Please help!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I am not familiar with herbals or over the counter medication, but if you can get a doctor to prescribed xanax, you can use them sparingly and selectively  when the panic attacks occur.

[para-no ID]

What exactly are your thoughts when you have these feelings? Do you think the things people say are actually aimed at you and contain a different (hidden) meaning?

[lissa]

No its a uneasy and nervous feeling.. It isnt that people are thinking anything about me ..

[beanagator]

I used to have panic attacks in places like supermarkets and movies theaters, and it was basically why I didn't go to lectures for two years of university.  I would also avoid situations where I knew I would not have complete control of my environment - at teacher's college once when I knew I was due to present to the class I said I was going to the bathroom and didn't come back!  Something that helped for a while was getting really good at a relaxation technique and self talk.  However, I have found that Aropax (Paxil) has been the best help to me in the past couple of years.  I still get anxious, but I am able to do things I never would have done....go places by myself like the movies (without requesting a seat on the aisle in case I had to bolt!) tutorials and even seminar presentations I have to do or my nursing course.  What has also helped is knowing I am not alone....in catching up with high school class mates from ten years ago I learned that all four of us have suffered panic attacks and extreme anxiety.  At the time I felt I was a freak, and that I was going nuts.  Good on you for coming somewhere like this to talk about it (it ain't easy!) and I just wish there had been something like this for me ten years ago.
beanagator

[CKivlan]

Hi.  I am only 20 years old and I have been suffering from panic attacks for the past year.  I also have no insurance!  I always have to go to the ER and they do absolutely nothing.  I was prescribed PAXIL but it made my panic attacks 5x's worse.  Paxil is more for depression.  I also tried ZOLOFT..... same thing.  I think I am allergic to SSRI's. Doctor finally prescribed me BUSPAR but i have not been able to fill it.  It will probally make me sick like the SSRI's.  The only thing I find to help me is XANAX, and it's so hard for me to come across xanax.  They are not long term though.  Does anybody know of any other medication that might help panic attacks?? BUT not an SSRI?  Does Buspar help?  I leave into the NAVY October 23rd.... and I dont want these panic attacks to prevent me from joining!!!!  I am having a minor panic attack right now and it sucks!!  I get them for no reason.  Not just when i go out into public but anytime for any reason.  Im tired of feeling like $h!T.... please help!

[unsettled]

Panic attacks are very rare for me. I have not had one in years up until a couple of days ago. I had to take a series of computer administered tests. They were given in this room with just a computer and some one way mirrors. I was fine until I got to some hard questions, then I realized I couldn't leave until I got it right. I felt trapped. It was sort of claustrophobic. I felt like I was going to **** in my pants and I couldn't control it. I couldn't hold. Anyways, I passed the test and of course when I went to the bathroom afterwards "no bombs to drop". What a stupid nightmare.

[CKivlan]

HAHAHAHA.... LOL@UNSETTLED.  That was a funny story..... hee hee.  I haven't had a panic attacks in 2 days and I'm grateful.  I guess it is because I haven't been drinking. Every time I get drunk.... the next day I have God's worst panic attack and can't breathe and just feel like I am dying.  Well I have finally come to the conclusion that there is NOTHING you can do for panic attacks.  We are going to live with them forever....till we DIE and I have given up all hope in trying to find medical help.  All you can really do is pop a xanax and just lay in bed and wait till it ends and then wait until the next one comes and so on....etc.!@#$  I am tired of thinking about death and feeling like I am going to die every freaking day.  I cannot deal with it anymore.... Good Luck to you all in Life... I cant take it no more... I am going to take the easy way out.  I have tried every thing else and there is no hope.!

[MLS]

Panic attacks can be helped!!  Believe me, I know from experience.  I suffered from terrible panic attacks years ago when my kids were little.  I had them daily, everyday, all day long.  Anxiety and panic attacks can lead to not going to a particular place but it is not the place you fear it is the feelings when you get there that you feel.  There are many good books out there that can help you.  The ones I read were by Dr. Claire Weekes.  "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" and "Peace From Nervous Suffering."  Anxiety is a natural part of life.  We could never take it away completely.  It is part of our physiological makeup.  Sometimes it gets out of control and we began to experience these scarey symptoms.  Believe it or not,  these terrible symptoms are only trying to protect us.  Your bodies main goal is to prepare you for "preparation" and "protection" from this fearful situation.  Get some good books and see what you can do.  MLS

[jennp]

Im a 31yr old female and Ive had panic attacks for the last 8yrs.
I also had a hard time finding a medicine that was not addictive and that would not make me extremely tired because I had two toddlers at the time.I finially found a medicine that is great!!!Its called Imiprimine.Ive been taking it for about 6yrs now and theres really not any bad side effects.My Dr. said he gives it to
6yr olds for bed wetting.Dry mouth is the only side effect Ive had and its been a lifesaver for me.I was having panic attacks all day every day and now I might have one or two a year!!I started out only taking 50mg a night but depending on how much stress your under you can up your dosage.I take 150mg a night now.Its just a lifesaver for me though.I would highly recommend it to anyone whos having panic attacks.
                                           Jennp
                                           Reeds Spring,Mo.

[forty]

I want all of you suffering from panic attacks to ask yourself one thing,"Have I Ever Died From A Panic Attack'? Right, and you never will no matter how bad you feel. Remember we all are in this world alone in actualality no matter where we are and no matter what the situation is. No matter if your in a crowded supermarket or at home alone the only one that controls your thaughts are you! So the next time you are in the situation that brings on your thaughts of "Oh No"! just tell yourself, am I being rediculous or what, and move on with life.
     I sufered with panic attacts for 3 straight years and thaught I to was going to die, but I never did. In and out of the emergancy I went, and no help just like you guys. What I found out is that knoledge is power and knowing how are body works will allow you to rationally analze what exactly is taking place at that fearfull moment. Yes it is inherited, my mother, sister and brother all have suffered from this imperfect gene that wont kill us, but try to make our life a living hell if we let it. I finnaly was diagnosed with mild depression and Mitral Valve Prolaps that some how can cause these symptoms and was prescribed paxil at 10 mg/day and I am doing just fine now. I have excepted the fact that life will never be perfect but I hold the key to my future happyness.  
     There is so much to say about this but I will some it up with a few key points to remember and you to will take back control of your life from yourself.
1)Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
2)Eat a healthy breakfast (remember hunger mymics anxiety)
3)Talk to yourself in stressfull moments "this is the time that makes all the other times good and get on with life".
4)Rid yourself of a sressfull relationship or way of life.
5)Get at least 3 days a week of exersize (45 minute sessions).
6)Take time for yourself to do something you enjoy at least once a week.
I hope to have helped at least one of you out there with this dredfull but controlable self braught on problem.  
Your friend, Mark