Anxiety help please

[freakedoutinVirginia]

Im pretty sure that Im experiencing anxiety attacks, but i want to post what's happening to me, and get some opinions cuz im tired of feeling this way. On Friday Dec. 22nd I was at work, doing my paperwork just like any other day at work, when i started feeling a slight pressure in my head, but there was no pain. Then I start thinking, "Im going to die." I started getting light headed and it seriously felt like I was leaving my body. I just kept thinking, "This is it. I am really going to die." and then I looked at the picture I have in my office of my daughter and then I start to think " Not now, I have to live to see her first christmas, and her first birthday and to see her graduate school and go to college. No im not going yet. I wont go." I was having trouble breathing and got all shaky, and then the feeling starting going away. After it went away I was pretty shook up and couldnt write anything because my hands were shaking too bad. Ever since then, I have an "episode" once or twice a day.

I have been under ALOT of stress lately because my husband lost his job two months ago and I has financial stress and emotional stress. Wondering if im going to be able to provide for my daughter and pay the bills, and if my husband was ever going to find a job. Well, he did find a job and my stress level went from extremely high to medium. and then that same day i found out some good news about a bill that we are two months behind on, and my stress level went even further down. That next day is when I had my "episode" so im thinking it could be because of that.

I talked to my mom on Christmas and told her what I had been going through and she enlightened me on some of our family medical history and some other reasons that might have caused it. I do have an appointment to see a doctor about this, but i just need some re-assurance i guess until the appointment. That and I want to make sure that im not "reading" too much into this like my husband says I am. any advice?

[freakedoutinVirginia]

Hey, I just wanted to let everyone know that i got my thyroid results back and they were normal!!! Thats so awesome! And some other good news is that my panic attacks have gone down from two a day to one every other day, so im happy about that too. Now if they would just completely stop. I just thought that I would let you all know.

[freakedoutinVirginia]

Look, when I made the comment about the counselor, I didnt fully explain the money situation. See, If I had the money to pay my bills that I am TWO months behind on, I wouldnt be questioning the money issue with a counselor. My daughter, thank god, has medicaid, which pays for EVERYTHING so, yes I would get her help, but if I didnt have that, then sadly, I wouldnt be able to get it for her because I simply cant afford it. Its not that I dont want to get the help, I do, its the whole money factor. Here, services arent free and you have to pay for what services you recieve up front. Thats why im stressed. If my husband had a job we would be able to afford things, but he cant find one cuz no one is hiring. Thats why I have been having these panic attacks. IM not putting my health second by choice. I barely had enough money to get our rent paid for the month, and groceries. So, its not the question of if I want the help, because I do, I just simply dont have the money. But as soon as my husband gets a job and we get caught up on bills, then you bet im going to get counseling. AND to Klanac, Thanks for the information. I really do appriciate it, and if anyone is wondering, I have not taken any of the klonopan's. I am trying to not have to resort to taking them. I am hoping to beat this without medicine.

[klanac]

I have had anxiety for 8 yrs. and it comes and goes. Billie Jean Sahley started the Pain and Stress Center in TX ( you can look that up) and she has written books about it. She cured herself with amino acids. She said no one has a Prozac or whatever drug deficiency but they do have amino acid deficiencies. She sells  them, however, they are all included in a product called Lewis Lab's Brewer's Yeast which is available at any health food store or vit. cat. I started to sprinkle two heaping Tblsp. into juice in the am and again in the pm. This also contains all of the B-vitamins important for nerves. This product doesn't contain Taurine which is the most important amino acid in your heart and contributes to your heart muscle's contractibility and the regulation of its rhythm and it prevents brain cell overactivity. I take two 500mg a day , one in am and in pm. Then Susan Weed in her book recommends Oatstraw Tea in the a.m. and p.m. to calm you and it will make the heart palps. diminish or disappear. These all have helped me very much and also not eating any sweets. They make anxiety worse. Be mindful and always concentrate solely on what you are doing, not letting your mind stray to anything stressful. Whatever you think of , that is how you end up feeling and the anxiety will return. Live in the moment you are in and forget the past and don't worry about the future. If you are particularly anxious, take a few more spoons of the Brewer's yeast. It is good for you.

[JSGeare]

If you read this thread from the top, you will see, I think, that your symptoms were so severe that you even bumped this up to get more attention. And then, as you read down through, you'll see how you started to feel better, to the point now that the cost of therapy may keep you from getting it. Question for you: would you pay for a child to get it? I'll bet the answer is , "yes." But not yourself?

And if what your doctor said was "let's see how it (the Klonapin) works..." I start to get a little nervous twitch. What WORKS is your brain making whatever adjustments it needs to make so you're back to being a fully functional human being, not haunted by Mr. P. The Klonapin just helps keep the symptoms under control so you can live something approaching a "normal" life. Side effects? Who knows? I didn't experience any. That doesn't mean there weren't any; I just didn't feel anything bad because of the drug. Others had their own experience, and your milage will vary.

So - I'm beggin' you -get at least 3 or 4 consults. OK?

[Luli12]

The only problem I see is that everytime you take a pill, there is ALWAYS side effects.  Maybe you should try to go to a support group or something, or try to calm urself down somehow, someway.  I was told I was suffering from Post Traumatic Panic Disorder. My doctor wanted to put me on pills, but I refused.  Granted, I deal with this almost everyday.  I have gotten, a little, better.  I coach myself, talk myself out of it.  I sat my family down, told them I needed their support and help, EVEN if it is in my mind.  Because, sadly, that is where it's at.  Mine started when I lost my mother in 04, and then my brother in 05.  Though from the very beginning to now, I've improved some.  So there's hope.  IF i had the money, I would go to a counselor, just to talk, but I can't.  I just talk myself out of whatever symptom I am going thru at the moment.  And yes, its very scary sometimes.  But I've read enough online from other sufferers and other blogs that say that it is better to not start taking any drugs at all and try to work it out another way.  Anyhow, that being said, I truly hope the best for you always. :)

[JSGeare]

Counselors not cheap? How much, then? $75 per hour? Look at how you spend your money -and ask youself how much YOU are worth -without insurance being factored in. Don't let the money get in the way, OK?

[freakedoutinVirginia]

Np. I will let you guys know about the thyroid test as soon as I find out the results. the doctor did suggest that I talk to a councelor, but i have to find one that accepts my insurance, cuz councelors are not cheap. lol.

[Venora Moonwind]

let us know how the thyroid test came out.
love Venora

[JSGeare]

Thanks for the update. The doc's opinion sounds about right to me, and Klonopin is the standard drug to treat it. Now that things have calmed down a bit, you migth want to talk with someone about the stress you've been experiencing -since that is what's really behind the episode.

[freakedoutinVirginia]

correction, the medication is klonapin.

[freakedoutinVirginia]

well, i had my appointment today and the dr. said that it is more than likely a panic disorder brought on by stress. She prescribed Klonopaxin and instructed me to take it as needed, and come back in a month to see how its doing and how im doing and she will be able to tell more then. I also had some blood drawn to be checked for a thyroid problem. So, we will see. I do feel better now. Hopefully I wont need the medicine, but if I do, I hope it works and doesnt cause any bad side affects.

[JSGeare]

One reassuring lesson you may take from your experience is that you thought you were going to die.

And you did not. Here you are. You appointment is just 2 days away now, so you have some hope on the horizon. I'm guessing you'll get some medication -and I'm hoping -really, really hoping- you will also get some talk therapy with it. I believe there is a good chance you'll find that the stressors of the moment -the husband, the job, the bills -etc., are mixing in with whatever predisposition there may be in your family to create this really awful situation. Meanwhile, Bartlett's hypnotism may give you some relief; otherwise, do your best to understand that your body is sending out emergency flares in the form of very powerful and profound sensations. If you've never had anything like this before, it may be "situational," so that when the stressors are handled and life returns a bit more to normal, you'll be basically free of the problem.

Please tell the doctor you have been on this site (print out this material if you like) and please stay in touch.

Know this: you will get better!

[sbarlett]

Hello SarahEH and Virginia,
First of all, I will pray for you in hopes that you get the proper treatment possibly without drugs. Drugs can sometimes cause further problems with side effects.  I am a certified hypnotist. I suggest that you take your time and be very selective in choosing a doctor or therapist.  

It sounds like things are now heading in the right direction for you.  

May you and your family receive God's richest blessings!

Steve

[freakedoutinVirginia]

I am so glad that Im not the only one that has had this. Now i dont feel so alone. What has helped me so far, is I try to either concentrate on my daughter and how much she needs me, or if i can, I call someone and just talk to them and that gets me through it. If my doctor is able to help me out or offer some advice for me, I will definately post it so that it may help you as well.

[SarahEH]

I've definitely experienced the sort of thing you're talking about - that feeling that you're going to die, and there's nothing you can do about it. I'm really glad that your daughter gives you something to focus on and gets you through - I hope your doctor can help you get it more under control. I have to say I still get these episodes too, and I struggle to deal with them myself, so I'd appreciate anything else anyone has to offer too.

[freakedoutinVirginia]

I have an appointment on Jan. 3rd. The episodes that I have had since then havent been as bad. Now they are seeming more like anxiety attacks. I have been reading more about anxiety and symptoms and I have alot of them. I went to anxietycentre.com and looked at the symptoms there, and I have quite a few of the symptoms that are on there. I have like two episodes a day. thanks for the advice. im hoping that when I go to the doctor that he will be able to help me. I had thought about going to the E.R. but most of the E.R. doctors at my hospital are quacks.. they think they can fix a sore throat with Vicoden.

[cdaniels]

Next time you're having another episode go to the ER. I don't know when your appointment is, but I wouldn't wait unless you absolutely have to.

I've never experienced what you've detailed; however, it sounds like it's just the stress getting to you. I think you'll be fine. It's most likely stress, but it doesn't hurt to make sure.

[freakedoutinVirginia]

bump, some help would be appreciated. please