Community Chat

[gertrudecloset]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

Speak to qualified professionals.  Particularly a psychiatrist first.  Then follow up with talk therapy of your choice.  CBT is one, but there are many other types of psychotherapy that can help as well.

In my state, medication can only be dispensed by a Nurse Practitioner or a psychiatrist.  Clincial Psychologosists and Psychotherapists can not write prescriptions.

Good luck to you.

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Please.....

[manny2]

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@Cakers3 wrote:

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@manny2 wrote:

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@manny2 wrote:

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@hckynutjohn wrote:

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@kinda silly wrote:

This board has been my go to for many years to help center me and know that there are others like me. Even by just reading and not posting.
  I have anxiety and panic attacks and have for 30 + years.
I've been to my primary, ER, endochronologist and currently wearing a heart holter for 10 days to rule out heart. (Although ER did rule that out).
My heart feel like it races, I am on high alert, and I think I am ill when I'm not according to the doctors.  The state of the world frightens me.
I do take anti anxiety meds but they haven't been working for the past month. I spray lavender on my pillow, I do the slow breathing. 

I'm at my wits end.
What has helped you with panic attacks?

@kinda silly 

When, Where, and by whom were you medically Diagnosed with Anxiety/Panic Attacks 30 years ago?

I was diagnosed, in a hospital Mental Ward, by my Psychiatrist and Neurologist, in the mid 1990's. My diagnosis were: Clinical Depression and Anxiety/Panic Disorder. I spent 7+ days in that Mental Institution getting professional help, and have been taking Prescription Medications along with monthly followup visits since.

To answer "what has helped me"? Reading my above is the best I can offer you. And this: Like an addiction, I do not think I am cured. To me I will always consider myself to be recovering. 

I have had 2 heart attacks, and my most recent Echocardiogram shows my heart is presently in Congestive Heart Failure. This is where I am currently and I accept it for what is, and as in the past, do whatever is necessary to once again be able to live my active lifestyle.

Seek professional help. Nothing I have typed here is your answer. I am not giving you Medical or Psychological Advice, I am telling you my experiences with those very dark years of my life.

hckynut(john)🥅🏒 🇺🇸

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Great advice once again @hckynutjohn  You are right, you need the proper medical professional to manage this type of anxiety. A primary care physician can manage a temporary sudden need to quell anxiety. It happens to some people with a death, or a major life event. It’s meant to be temporary.

If it it’s a long-term management you need to be under the direction of a therapist, or psychiatrist. You need both cognitive therapy in conjunction with the meds. Many times, the meds have to be adjusted to the patients level of comfort.

I hope you are taking good care of yourself CHF is nothing to take lightly.

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Not everyone requires cognitive behavorial therapy.  It depends on diagnosis.  Let's not start telling people what their own diagnoses are, since we don't know.  They are only giving us their symptomology and it doesn't mean it's the diagnosis we think @manny2 .  Let's just say they need talk therapy and psychiatric (medical therapy) because that's the right way to discuss this

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I can tell by your response you are not in the medical profession. @gertrudecloset  I would spend more time trying to understand what is posted, rather than putting on your boxing gloves.

You can certainly respond, but I won’t. I never meet people in their comfort zone.

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No, I'm not.  I'd bet my home that you aren't either @manny2 .  If you can qualify yourself to give out medical information you should state what your credentials are when giving medical advice.  Since you didn't, I assume you're not in the medical field EITHER.  That's why I don't give medical advice. 

Even if I were in the "medical field" I wouldn't diagnose someone over the internet on a message board.

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@gertrudecloset @manny2 

Manny did not "diagnose" anyone and I agree with her-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is very effective in treating anxiety disorders.

The purpose is to redirect the negative thoughts/emotions which can trigger an attack.  If medication is needed in conjunction (and often it is) the combination can bring about significant relief.

Manny is also correct that a primary care doctor may prescribe medicatin for TEMPORARY relief and unfortunately we have seen a major uptick with PCP's continuing prescribing meds when the patient needs to move on to mental health professionals for long term care.

Whether Manny is a professional in the field is not your business.  I saw nothing in her post to indicate that she was passing as one.  She gave clear and concise info and in no way diagnosed anyone.

I believe her post was directed in a generic manner.

I've also learned when people post their credentials they are often called "liars" and not believed, too.

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Thank you @Cakers3   You are right on target about my post.  You seem to have a good understanding of this subject.

As you can see by the response I got,  this is called confirmation bias. She picks out what she already believes and disregards the rest.  

Who do we submit our credentials to, the QVC social team? Just kidding....

[ninjawife]

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@kinda silly wrote:

Thank you all. You are so very helpful. I have been under the care of a physician and a psych nurse practitioner and even had one of those tests that shows levels of meds and efficacy. 
I forgot to mention that the doctor thinks it may be exacerbated by menopause or peri menopause or sleep apnea. I will be going for a sleep study if insurance approves. 
I'm going to look into all of your suggestions. 

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@kinda silly Seeing a psycharisit may help more than your psych nurse.  I had delibating anxiety after a series of tragic life events.  It got so bad I became sucidal and was comitted to a psycharitic hospital.  As soon as I was put on the right combinations of medications my anxiety significantly subsided.  As a condition of my release from the hospital I had to go to outpaient therapy but what truly helped was the medication.  This was 8 years ago.  I am still on the medications but I live a calm. peaceful life. 

[kinda silly]

Again, thank you everyone for your ideas and for sharing your experience with this. I just wrote my doctor to inquire about a referral to a psychiatrist as well. 
I will try anything to feel better.

[manny2]

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@ninjawife wrote:

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@kinda silly wrote:

Thank you all. You are so very helpful. I have been under the care of a physician and a psych nurse practitioner and even had one of those tests that shows levels of meds and efficacy. 
I forgot to mention that the doctor thinks it may be exacerbated by menopause or peri menopause or sleep apnea. I will be going for a sleep study if insurance approves. 
I'm going to look into all of your suggestions. 

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@kinda silly Seeing a psycharisit may help more than your psych nurse.  I had delibating anxiety after a series of tragic life events.  It got so bad I became sucidal and was comitted to a psycharitic hospital.  As soon as I was put on the right combinations of medications my anxiety significantly subsided.  As a condition of my release from the hospital I had to go to outpaient therapy but what truly helped was the medication.  This was 8 years ago.  I am still on the medications but I live a calm. peaceful life. 

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 Good for you @ninjawife    It sounds like to stay on top of this, and you are managed by your mental health team. That is the most important thing. They are there to make any adjustments if needed.

Mental health is no different than managing a heart condition, diabetes, or any health condition. The stigma makes it different. That has to change, so people feel comfortable doing what you do to manage their mental health.  

[CalminHeart]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@CalminHeart wrote:

Those are symptoms of an anxiety attack.

Find a therapist who is trained in EMDR therapy. It's excellent at getting to the root of many things including anxiety. It made a huge difference after Mom died and then when I had a period of extreme anxiety. 

Talk to your therapist about medication. Man offices have a psychiatrist who can prescribe. Or he/she could refer you to one. Or he/she could send a letter to your doctor asking that he/she to prescribe them. I know, people don't like to take pills. But it can help with the extreme feelings of anxiety and is worth it, imo.

My son is an MSW therapist and has also been trained in EMDR. He has seen a lot of good come from it.

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They are syptoms of an Anxiety Disorder.  An "attack" would likely be panic.  Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder.

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layperson semantics.

[Hearts4Me]

Hi, I'm actually 'suffering' just like many of you.  In fact, my panic & anxiety are totally overtaking what should be a normal, blessed life. ** I actually went to meet with new CBT therapists on Friday, and I am going to begin a weekly private session with them.  It will be VERY costly, and insurance won't cover, but I cannot continue to affect my days and my family relationships with this anxiety I constantly have.  I have suffered since losing my mom when I was a little girl, and no one provided counseling.  I've been a mess ever since.

Also, I am totally a germaphobe, so OCD is a main issue along with the general anxiety.  Panic attacks are ridiculous and embarrassing and totally unpredictable.

I wish we all could connect and support one another.  No one I know truly understands this terror.   

[kinda silly]

At Hearts4me: I am so sorry you are also dealing with this. It is so very debilitating and I feel like running to the ER every day. Please let me know if you feel that therapy is effective. I’m sending healing thoughts your way.

[Dachsmom]

Anxiety and panic attacks can be crippling.  I struggled with this for many years - particularly the racing heart and hyperventilation. Therapy, counseling, bio feedback did not work for me. It was definitely something bio chemical.  I went from doctor to doctor seeking help from many specialists - including a cardiologist, endocrinologyist and psychiatrist who prescribed antidepressants that didn't work much either.  Finally, my internist prescribed a beta blocker.  This medication completely changed my life for the better.  It slowed my heart and cut my adrenaline.  I also have a prescription for Xanax which I rarely take but it does help if things start to ramp up a bit.  Just knowing i have it is usually enough to make me feel better.  I might also add the following advice.  If your heart starts to beat fast cough several times,  and try to get a few ice cubes and hold them in the palm of your had or on your cheeks.  There is another method called the vasovagal manuever that you can try. You can google it.   Good luck.  I hope you feel better.

[kinda silly]

Thank you Dachsmom for being so open, caring and for helping. I am on Metatoprol and Verapamil for hypertension. I will look into the vasovagal maneuver.