Adrenaline attacks..
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi. Desperately seeking some words of encouragement. The last few weeks I have been suffering crippling panic attacks. I have never experienced anything like this. My first one came out of the blue while standing in line at the grocery store. I had to leave my cart and walk out of the store. The panic attacks have happened ever since. I have tried several times to go back to the store, I am fine when i get in But the min it comes to checking out, My adrenaline floods like someone is holding a gun to my head. I get extremely panicky , a HUGE adrenaline surge. It also happened today while i was driving. I got stuck in a red light and my adrenaline went through the roof. It was terrible. Theres obviously a link to a grocery store line and a line in traffic.. I dont know what it is.? I Now dread leaving the house because doing so seems to induce these awful adrenaline attacks As a Result, I think im developing Agrophobia. As much as i want/need help, My panic is so intense that I dont think Id last 2 minutes in the waiting room to even see the Doctor. What in the world do you do at that point...? If youre too anxious to see the MD?? Oh this is just awful.
I have had general anxiety for years now But never ,ever like this. I have always been able to control/ calm myself with breathing excersises, distracting myself etc. These attacks however; feel completely out of my control. I almost think maybe its peri menapause or a thyroid issue. It just feels like its something wrong and beyond my control. I dont know.
I have suffered a traumatic amount of stress. Wondering if its all now catching up to me. My mom died of cancer pretty suddenly. She was my Best Friend, My rock, My world. I have been having nightmares about her almost every single night. The type of dreams you so vividly remember the next day. It makes me physically ill. Following my moms death I lost 5 other family members. Basically in 11 months, I lost 90% of my family. The remaining few all became greedy pigs and its just been total and utter hell. Add all this onto the stresses of everyday life, Maybe this is the result but Im feeling so helpless. What am i gonna do if i cant go to the store for a loaf of bread. I dont have mom and dad to save me, I have no family, just myself so i really,really need to find a way to get better.
I do have a script of lexapro 10mg that my MD gave me like 8 months ago, Because of all the lovely horror stories about side effects, i have been too afraid to take it. I need some words of wisdom/encouragment... Something!
0 likes, 5 replies
mark45877 Mc4102
Posted
Hi Anne I'm so sorry for your loss and current situation. I'm going through a similar situation at the moment I've suffered from anxiety for the past 6 years. Lately it has gone to a another level I also get those adrenaline surges. I've only been getting these lately what scares me they send my bp through the roof. I've had all the tests over the years and all have been good. I've had 5 medicals this year! I take an Ativan in an emergency which have been a lifesaver but I know they are addictive so they are a last resort. I've decided to start Zoloft today. Like you I've read all the reviews and they can be frightening but I've got to do something this is not a way to live. I've tried breathing mindfulness etc but they help but to be honest I need medication. I'm sorry I can't offer more help but I think you need to give the meds a go. At least to be able to get to the Drs. Your post really touched me.
Mc4102 mark45877
Posted
Hi! Thank You! Sorry to hear you're struggling with anxiety like I am. I wish they would test the neurotransmitters and prescribe medication according to what you were deficiant in. I would feel better if the Doctor could actually confirm that I was low in seritonin etc before taking a pill. I think anti depressents have a bad reputation because they are often over prescribed. If they same approach was taken to let's say Diabetes. Prescribing insilin without actual medical testing to confirm, I think youd have the same scenario. A lot of the struggle with anxiety could be eliminated if they would just develop more adequate testing. Its 2017, We are so medically and technologically advanced in everything other than mental health issues. I tend to believe its because of the pharmaceutical companies. Im sure they would see a decline in profits if there was an actual test for anxiety, depression vs this trial and error nonsense. Anyways, I cant stand this feeling. I have dealt with anxiety for years and this feels like something beyond my control. I do believe that theres an underlying issue going on.. Whether it be my hormones, thyroid or maybe I am just simply deficiant in seritonin. Its more than just "worrying"causing these physical sensations. I am nervous to try the Lexapro only because I am afraid of feeling worse. I ask myself what exactly I am afraid of And I guess it would be the worst case scenario of ending up in the emergency room. There is such shame and embaressment when it comes to Anxiety disorders. If I fell and broke my arm, I would not feel embaressed to go to the ER But anything anxiety related makes me feel like A total freak. Why is there such shame asdociated with this condition?? Anyways, I too think I need medication to take the edge off so at the very least, I can go have bloodwork without having a full blown panic attack. Theres a few books that have helped previously. I should prob dig them out and start re reading them myself instead of obsessing over my anxiety and feeling helpless.
mark45877 Mc4102
Posted
Hi Anne I started my setraline 3 days ago after having the prescription for 3 months . I haven't noticed any side effects yet. I'm only starting on a 25 mg dose for the first week. So far so good. Just to let you know I was convinced I must have had something wrong with me thyroid etc but all checked out fine. My last complete bp and urine tests were only last week. All perfect. I also get those horrible adrenaline surges that's the only way I can describe it. It makes me want to run away. It's so hard to believe that's it's anxiety doing this to us and not some horrible physical disease I was convinced my kidneys were failing because of my high bp surges when anxious. Everything has checked out fine. I hope you are feeling better.
jmcg2014 Mc4102
Posted
Theres not necessarily a link to the red light or store, it is more likely that you associate panic with those places because it has happened there already. And your not developing agoraphobia, that's not how it works so forget about that. Ask your dr for referral for Psychotherapy, theres no need to take meds if you'd rather not, therapy is s good alternative
carole28488 Mc4102
Posted
Hi, anne: I'm so sorry for all your losses, sweetie. That, alone, can be devestating..I began having panic attacks out of the blue 40 yrs. ago. I was also at the grocery store and all the sudden this hot rush flushed all over my body. I had to leave my cart...hadn't even gotten to the check out yet...and drive home. driving was easier on me than being at the store.
The next one I had was when i was out walking with my neighbor. I used to walk 3 miles a day. All the sudden I sat down on the curb and I was as white as a ghost. She ran home to get the car and I sat on the curb. I had three cars stop to see if I needed to go to the hospital.
I finally had had enough. I saw a great doctor, and today, I get one occasionally, but you have to get on the correct meds..I call it a coctail of meds. I take Luvox, xanax and cymbalta all in one day. That keeps it under control, but even now...when I'm busy I seem to be fine, but when I lie down to just relax, all the sudden my heart rate goes up to around 104. It is a very hard thing to control, and I wish you all the good things in life. Don't let anxiety take over your young life. I often wonder how I would have turned out had I not had this anxiety/depression problem. I'm single now and growing old alone...It is hard for any man who hasn't had this disease to understand that it causes eating disorders, depression and just sheer madness....God bless, sweetie...Please see a good doctor and get help...don't waste any time....HUGS.