Panic attacks I can't do this anymore
Posted , 10 users are following.
I started having panic attacks last year when having to go out the house to a doctors, i couldn't move my hands were clenched shut I couldn't open them I couldnt breathe I was all tingly, my lips and body. 3 nurses had to come to the car and calm me down and help me in. my doctor said it was a panic attack. since then I've been on fluoxetine for anxiety, got taken off them, had to have home visits as I couldn't leave the house, doctor told me this was agrophobia.. Since then I've been to 1 doctors appointment and been referred to mental health. I've seen my phyciastrist about 2 times now, started of mirtazapine 15mg, the next appointment got prescribed 30mg, I've not taken them for about a week now as they made me feel rubbish but coming off them i felt so sick and rubbish too.. I'm not due to see my physiatrist till august and will tell that I don't want to take them as how crap they made me feel.. I know I shouldn't of stopped taking them but I couldn't cope with how crap I felt. I'm due to see my doctor next month (if I manage to go out) I'm completely house bound. Im waiting for a support work which my physiatrist has referred me too but said the waiting list is long.. I've just had a really bad panic attack, my chest hurts and is so tight I can barley get a breathe, crying getting myself in a state and my dad had to help calm me down, i feel like I'm getting nowhere I'm just told to try get out of the house but how can I do this when I go into completely panick mode I'm so fed up of feeling like this I'm panicking everyday some wonder than others but when it's bad it's bad and I can't cope like this it scares me to death and I don't know what to do anymore please if anyone can talk to me and tell me how they cope or just to know I'm not alone I'm sat in tears I'm so fed up
1 like, 23 replies
edwina97301 Guest
Posted
Hi just wanted to say your not alone. You really are having a hard time of it. Glad you reached out here. Inhid muvanxiety for years , hated going out , obsessed over everything, heart raced and shook when had to do what people considered normal stuff. I panic then get really down, worry it's gonna happen again , never ending. I manage better now , didn't want to moan all the time or people think I was crazy so didn't tell. Best thing I did when told doc.now I have bad patches but can mostly cope, know never be gone completely but notice signs and not as scared now I know I'm not alone. Loads like us , talk here as people know how terrifying this can feel. My doc is great , just gives me small amount of meds for when too anxious/panicky.drugs won't cure me but can help alongside ,pushing myself, taking,etc . Think you would benefit from cbt or counciling. Post on here again, some lovely people have great relaxation tips , and how they cope. Talk anytime. Had to reply, don't want you to feel alone( been there)??
Guest edwina97301
Posted
Thank you for replying, I replied to someone below about CBT instead of you, sorry! I asked about CBT as I have phobia of vommiting too, but was told I would be pointless as I can't get out the house. I just feel lost, like I'm stuck in a rot I can never see myself being normal, Im young and can't even be a normal person and and do normal things all I do is cry about how pathetic of a person I am, at how I can't even do the littlest things, I just feel like I'm existing??💔
ZEN. Guest
Posted
Hi Meg,
I have the same panic attacks, hands locked tight shut, pins n needles in arms legs and jaw which also lock, I curl up into foetal position and struggle to breath as I hyperventilate, had to call emergency services 3x in last two weeks.
The site below has some great resources for self help and was given to me by my therapist.
Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.
http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398316-adding-links-to-posts
http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages
su1977 Guest
Posted
Hi Megan,
I'm sorry this is happening to you. It is torture. I feel your pain. I went through a similar situation. I was put on Zoloft for anxieties. Felt fine for 2 weeks then suddenly had a major meltdown as if I was losing my mind. Racing rhoughts, dad and heavy heartbeat, choking....it goes on and on. I was taken off and tried another SSRI but I felt it starting over again. Finally saw a psychiatrist and determined I had bipolar II and it was causing htpomania. Amyway, during my treatment process I started to develop agoraphobia as well. The panic attacks I had experienced made me peterfied to leave the house, especially alone. I was put on a mood stabilizer which did help with the racing thoughts. It did also help alleviate some of the anxiety symptoms but They were still there. I started to leave the home little by little. I would walk out but not too far. I could still see my place and could run back in if needed to. It was a very slow process but I kept moving further and further out. Baby steps mind you. Eventually I was able to go far enough that I couldn't see my place. Agorophobia is very difficult but exposure therapy is really effective in overcoming this. Are you on meds? I think at this point you would be a good candidate for medication so you can leave your home for therapy. Meds don't have to be permanent. But you definitely need to see someone as quickly as possible. The longer you wait, the more challenging it is to get control of this. I would muster up as much courage and strength to see a psychiatrist and have a discussion of medications that can help.
I understand how terrible this is. Its been a year of absolute he'll for me so I can only imagine how awful you feel. But you can get this managed. If you are strong enough to get through these feelings every day, you are strong enough to beat it.
Guest su1977
Posted
Thank you for replying, I really appreciate it. I've seen my physiatrist 2 or 3 times, he comes out to me and first he prescribed me 15mg of mirtazapine, then the next appointment I was prescribed 30mg. I started taking them but they made me feel so drowsy, tired and sick. I stopped taking them last week. And since I stopped I felt awful too. Which I read online a lot about people saying it made them feel really sick, hot sweats and shivering etc. I also have a phobia of being sick so obviously feeling sick is a nightmare for me. I know I shouldn't of stopped taking them but I felt awful. My physiatrist is coming in August to see me again but all they do is weigh me as I've been struggling with eating and basically having a rough time with phobia and anxiety/depression and ask how I'm feeling and if any things changed, then they leave. All I get told is to try and go out but how do I do that when I panick when I get to the door? I'm on a waiting list for a support worker to help me go out but was told this list is very long so maybe at the end of the year or even next year.. my doctor referee me for counselling at hospital but I couldn't go obviously because i can't get out the house, I've got my doctors appointment in 2 weeks so she can see how I am, she did say to me though that she could try and get someone out to come to me for counselling. My phycitrist said about CBT as I asked him about my phobias and he said it would be pointless as I can't get out the house.. so the only way I can get it is if I go out to appointments for it.. I'm just having a really hard time with it all at the moment I just don't know what to do
marleen85993 Guest
Posted
Hi Megan you are dealing with a lot of anxiety.The sad part of drug therapy it makes you feel a lot worse for about 2 or 3 months.You have to stick with it.Also have you a friend or family member that can help you with your agoraphobia.The only way to overcome any phobia is exposure therapy.Trust me it's not easy by any means but the more you set yourself small goals the more you will be taking back control.Also stop being so hard on yourself you are doing the best you can . Take it a day at a time that's all anyone can do.
su1977 Guest
Posted
Medication is tough on you on the beginning. It takes time and many times you do have to change the dose, change the meds altogether or even add another to it. I'm currently on 3 different kinds regularly. The illness you're feeling is from stopping the meds abruptly. That should go away in a few days to a week or so. Psychiatrists only manage medication. Unfortunately they don't offer therapy which is what would be beneficial for you. It is especially tough when you can't leave. Does it being you any comfort when you're with someone? While you're waiting for home visits, I still encourage you to take small steps. You don't have to go far but maybe start by standing in the doorway with the door open. Just look outside and try and not think about the fear but the nice things of the outside. I'm assuming as a younger child you played outside, talked with friends outside.....think of those moments and try and take in that feeling. So that multiple times a day. You're not fully out, just looking outside. Then maybe in a few days take a few steps outside. Every little bit you do is progress and will get you back to where you want to be. This condition takes time but it won't go away unless you try. I would panic as you do but with a little push, I've been able to now leave and even drive to work which is an hour away. I still have progress to make but at least you know if others can conquer this, you can as well. Small steps sweetie, that's what you need to do. Do you have a balcony? Maybe step out there for a few days. Its tough, I know it is, but you are a fighter and you can do this. Maybe have your mother or father stand outside with you for a mi,ute or two each day. You should also find ways to distract yourself as you wit on home services. Perhaps coloring. They have anxiety coloring books that are very detailed drawings so you really have to focus. I did that for many days. I also painted my nails. I would take them off 2nd repai,t. Just any activity that makes your brain focus on anything but the fear. You'll get through this.
su1977 Guest
Posted
Do they offer online therapy? Myabe a Skype session?
jen1978 Guest
Posted
edwina97301 jen1978
Posted
edwina97301 Guest
Posted
Megan and also Jen. Years ago I struggled to get out of the house . Every night I would dread the next day , my head would just go round and round knowing I had to go out. Then try to look normal when I just wanted to get back home. Mum pushed me , poor mum forced me to go out at worst , felt like peopl must be sick of my strangeness and moaning but it's a real illness that needs treating. My great doc gave small amount of meds for when I was in blind panic but monitored how many as didn't want to rely on just meds. Pushed myself over years and talk here for example to people who know exactly how this feels, very reassuring that they have good tips and want you to know lots in similar situation. Talkbanytime. ??
jan34534 Guest
Posted
For a panic attack, you can go to YouTube and search for a panic attack emergency and they will guide you through it. Several to choose from.
There are other audio meditations on YouTube for general anxiety which will completely calm you down. I do this a couple times a day using earbuds.I think it could really help you.
Also do slow deep breathing in through your nose slowly out through your lips as though you're blowing out a candle . Focus on how the air feels coming in and going out. Make sure your belly rises when you inhale to a count of five in and then out .
I can completely relate to what you're going through and I hope you feel better
Guest
Posted
I don't know what to do, I'm trying to get through to talk to someone a helpline just to talk I can't stop crying I feel awful I've not slept I've been crying for 3 days now I just really want to give in
edwina97301 Guest
Posted
Hi. I know that feeling when you just don't know what to do. I didn't sleep for few days once and I thought my anxiety and worry would drive me mad . You do need to keep talking , don't know what Helpline's available. I was lucky mum worked with people with mental illness patients and would sit with me and talk . I felt bad forceorrying her all time but she reasured me she wanted to support me. Have you anyone you can talk to. Your doctor could refer you for cbt, helps lots of sufferers. Don't know if your in Britain ( samaritans ) is a helpline , they may not know a lot about your specific problem but wil be able to listen and offer Kind words of encouragement . Anything until you can see a doctor and explain how this is really getting you down. Wish I could help more. Stick in there, I know how horrid and desperate you feel. Talk here anytime, hope you get more replies??
Guest edwina97301
Posted
I've emailed samaritans, I feel pathetic if I ring up I can't bring myself to do it, because of my anxiety I just feel so pathetic crying down the phone to them. I've not eaten anything since Sunday, I feel so week, can't stop shaking, feel so sick, crying, tight chest fast heartbeat. My boyfriends on nights.. I'm just laid in bed crying💔??
edwina97301 Guest
Posted
I was like that. Hubby works away , didn't want to ask mum round all time. Hours seem like days , head racing , heart racing . Not sleeping. Can get better, you need to see doc as soon as poss. Please call samaritans , they are uuse used to people
Crying down phone, don't even worry about that . They don't have time limits for each call either , they will listen for as long as you need. They are there to help. You definitely need to talk. As i said wish I could help more but please do this . Keep me updated. Here for you anytime . I know this feeling of hell but also know it can be treated and things can get better??
nicole99140 Guest
Posted
Have you tried to text the crisis hotline? It's sooo much better than samaritans. I can't do that one either because of having to speak on the phone. I was having a serious panic attack earlier and on the verge of my second hospital visit in 24 hours. They helped me calm down. Trust me... you are not alone. I'm not sure how private messaging works, but you can message me and I'll talk to you as long as you'd like. I'm in the same position, no one to speak with and I'm on edge, severely. I hope you feel better!!! Try watching YouTube videos, meditating, drawing, journaling... anything to keep your mind busy.
Guest nicole99140
Posted
What hotline? Is it Samaritans? Noones emailed me back yet and I know I'm not going to sleep again tonight😢 I have a lot of adult colouring books and spend literally all my time doing them or playing a game on my iPhone or iPad, I just feel so ill from not eating for days and weak which is adding on to everything, it's just a vicious circle I feel awful I'm just so fed up 😢??
Guest nicole99140
Posted
nicole99140 Guest
Posted
Yes it is & they are available 24/7. They were extremely helpful. Sorry for responding so late. I didn't get the notification for some reason. I hope you got some sleep & I hope you're feeling better. I'll be up all night.. feel free to message me if you need to.
Guest nicole99140
Posted
Never got a reply from them so some help that was lol
I got a phone call the other day about about a support worker coming out to me tomorrow to help me get out, I just hope they actually listen and understand how hard it is for me and that they don't try too fast with me to get me out straight away because I just can't. Every time I see my doctor or anyone for help I always cry and feel so embarrassed and pathetic. I have a lot of reasons why I can't go outside without panicking. Also, did you get chest tightness and feel like you couldn't get a breath? Any nausea? I don't know if that's because of my anxiety, as well as not eating properly, I've gone since Sunday without a proper meal, I've had a few pieces of chocolate and few nibbles of stuff here and there, so probably mostly the reason I feel so sick but did anxiety cause you to feel so sickly? Also feel like I need the toilet more often to much info sorry can this be down to my depression and anxiety and just feeling so run down and rubbish? Thank you for always messaging me I really appreciate it