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About Panic Attacks
by
Robert Betts
(Age: 61)
copyright 03-20-2003
Age Rating: 10 to 127
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For most of my life I've been quite healthy and had few problems; my thanks to God for that.
Somewhere toward the end of 2002 I started having depression and suicidal thoughts. What caused that? I am really not sure but one factor is that a very good friend of mine died on Christmas eve. I am affected every year at Christmas over that. I also spend most Christmases alone and that is not good either. Another factor was a new hoarseness which I developed. I feared it was throat cancer and I have no financial means to seek treatment. I recently discovered that Red Tide, can also cause this. We've had that lately in Florida.
The condition, suicidal thoughts, worsened. In early Jan 2003 I was hospitalized for a few days over it. The fact that suicide is against my religious beliefs made it even harder to deal with the fact I was having those thoughts.
I was put on some medications, SSRI's (Selective Seratonin Uptake Inhibitors) Over the last few months, they have helped, stopped the depression and suicidal thoughts, Praise God !
However in mid January 2003 I suffered a thing which is known as an anxiety, or panic attack. That first one was triggered by my motorcycle, my only means of transportation, stopping dead and refusing to start about 25 miles from home. I had never had a panic attack before this in my life... it was really scary.
Since then, these attacks have been a constant companion. Sometimes they are due to a very stressful event which has no solution but other times they have no cause at all.
My Dr. is trying various different SSRI's until he finds one I tolerate best, ie, has the least side effects. At that point he plans on doubling the dose. That is supposed to help stop the attacks.
What are they like? I shake like a naked eskimo, my heart rate doubles to about 140 and I feel an intense desire to run, get out of wherever I am at. I have trouble concentrating and talking. I feel like I'm just not here, not me. I also feel paranoid, like someone is sneaking up behind me. I get jumpy about that. More than anything it is embarassing. I feel that everyone knows and is staring at me.
Do others who have the problem have the same symptoms? I don't really know.
Total inactivity, total lack of stress seems to worsen me. Some stress, a situation I know I can handle galvanizes me into action and stops or lessens the attacks. Hence when the corp attempted to overthrow the site, I was able to act, rationally and firmly.
So, I need not be treated carefully, with 'kid gloves.' Some stress is fine and actually helps.
Your prayers would be appreciated.
My prayers are that God heal this condition but if He sees fit to leave it, that He please give me the strength to deal with it :)
bob
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05-14-2006 Jane L.
Don't worry! I'LL PRAY FOR YOU!!! ^^
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05-13-2006 BJ Niktabe
Thank you for sharing this, Bob. My husband's twin brother suffers from panic attacks. He doesn't talk too much about them, so this helps me a great deal in trying to understand what he is going through. The next time he calls in the middle of the night and my husband goes to his house, I will be more understanding of his needs. I hope your doctor has helped you find the right medication with the least side effects. God bless you.
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08-17-2004 Sarah B.
I kind of have panic attaks there not as bad. that mst be scary you make it seem even worse in the story than in the chatroom. I hope that the medecations will work fast. I will pray for you. I pray 4 times a day most of the time about different things so i will defineteley pray about you problems.
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04-04-2004 Betty Eskdale
Bob, I can sympathize, and I hope the medications will come to the rescue. You will feel so much better when the correct dosage if used and you will be in control of your life again. It is hard to lose friends to death. I have lost some to suicide, and have written a bit about it. Have faith in your Doctor and I will add you to my prayers. Betty
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04-04-2004 Rena Leanne Erickson
Dear Robbert,
I am so sorry to hear of your illness
or condition... How, ever I can kind
of sort of relate to the symtoms you stated
above. Because my husband also has anxiety
I tink a lot of his, has came from his child hood
and stress! Is, a big factor!!! I also think every One! at some point,or time suffer... from
some type, of a attack! "I know I have" rather,
it be being,behind the wheel of a car, or in a department store! "It's as though, we just let our emotions... take control! And, for mintutes,maybe hours, we leave our bodies... I know
excatly. what you are talking about! And, yes it is a very
"Scary" feeling!!! Depression is another emotion.
we all deal with! What has helped Me!
Is, to sit your self down, with a sheet of paper
and pen, and write the reasonings down what is causing the depression! Then learn to deal with the situation or avoid them all together!
I hope this helps!!! and yes prayer, is one of the biggest!!!! sources.
Stay well!!!
Yur, friend!
~Rena
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05-31-2003 Melissa Bean
I have panic attacks too. Mine are crazy to deal with. first, my heart speeds up, and i shake badly,studder a lot and then i get hysterical and start crying then, i get so nervous i throw up and then i sometimes go into asthma attacks for some reason. it's hard being in crowded places, or being left alone or being anywhere that's not home but with couciling and medication, i am slowly getting better. you are in my prayers. Melynna
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04-30-2003 M.E. (Bunny) Eastveld
Ah, Yes. Panic Attacks. Old friends of mine. My symptoms are not unlike yours, Bob. They start with my feeling out of control, and i start to feel as if my body is heating up to explode (No, they're not "hot flashes")..then I begin to pace. Somewhere in there I get agoraphobic, but also can't stand to be alone. I'm afraid that if I go to sleep, I'll never waken again! I can wear carpets through with just 30 minutes of pacing. (LOL)
Thank God and the pharmaceutical companies for SSRI's (selective seritonin re-uptake inhibitors), and for the anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs) which will be with me for the rest of my life. I have gone off the meds a couple of times, but they always return.
As an ER Nurse, I thrive on the stress of the ER, but when my life seems out of my control, then everything gets to me.
I AM A CONTROL FREAK, with agitated depression, OCD, and an anxiety disorder.
There I've said it. Is this an AA (anxyolytics anonymous) meeting?
Take care, Bob
You can still recover partly, but resign yourself to meds for the rest of your live long days, and then you'll feel and BE more in control. It works.
All the best,
Bunny
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04-02-2003 Tammy Schaffer
Dear Bob, My husbands grandmother passed away christmas day about 10 years ago. Christmas has never been the same for use since. It helps to be with family and loved ones. Be strong and know that you are not alone.
God Bless you.
P.S. Your in my prayers.
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04-01-2003 Pepper Basham
I know what you mean, Bob, and it's good to share with others. You're in my prayers. I went through a period of successive panic attacks during an extreme bout with depression. Thanks be to God I got through it! IT's very scary and uncontrollable. I thought I was going to die. God is bigger than anything and I'll pray His peace to you and comfort.
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03-24-2003 Kay Lee Kelly
I know these quite well, somedays I can not leave
the house.
so I take a pill and chill.
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03-21-2003 Janet Owenby
I am so glad you wrote this and many people do suffer form these exact attacks. My Daughter suffered with them they came on very suddenly when she was a young child and her best freind died she has suffered from them since. I also have a best freind who suffers this Disorder.
Please Bob hang in there and let's hope better medications are on the way. My prayers are with you.Age is not a factor in panic disorder, it strikes at any age.My daughter was only nine.
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03-20-2003 Robert Betts
Male menopause? Well maybe but a bit late, I'm 56 :)
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