Question:
I'm a new comer to this group & was wondering if I could get some
explanation as to what a panic attack is.
I guess I can start off by saying what I have experienced & go from there.
I'll try to keep it short. About a year ago while driving to work (at night,
I work midnights) I started losing my breath, feeling very wierd, my arms
were going numb, thoughts of wanting to kill myself (which is definately not
me!!) i thought i was having a heart attack (I'm 39 now)
I made it to work but was to shakey i couldnt cope, went home but was just
dazed & confused. I went to my doctor & she said i had a panic attack. I had
one similar several days afterwards but wasnt as bad and i tried hard to
control myself, after all both times I was driving!!
So that was it, back to the doctor & have been on 50mg of Zoloft since.
Now I was supposed to start weening off the zoloft this month & what
happens, I have one of these attacks at work. So now i'm still on it.
I am going to go see a shrink I guess, i dont want it to get worse, I'm
getting to the point where I am almost scared of driving & going to work. I
feel very strongly that it is my midnight shift that is doing this to me,
because I cant think of anything else that it could be. Is there anyone else
out there that works nights that is going through this??
The zoloft is good though & i have been very reassured that it is a safe
drug to stay on for many years if needed, but i would like to get off it.
Answer:
My first anxiety attack was about 5 1/2 years ago while I was driving.
Like you I thought I was having a heart attack. I didn't want to kill
myself but was sure I must be dying. I had a lot of stresses in my
life at that time so once I realized that it was anxiety attacks I was
having I did go to a therapist.
I also take Zoloft. I started at 50 mg but have decreased it to 25 mg.
I have tried to wean off it several times and each time I have a panic
attack. I don't like taking meds all the time but I believe it is
better than going through the feelings of panic and constant anxiety.
So who knows how long I will take this stuff. I feel pretty good when
I am on it. I do have times when I don't feel as well but everyone has
good and bad days whether or not they have PA's.
Do you have any particular stressful things going on in your life? Or
did you when the panic attacks started? It might be a good idea to
find a pdoc who specializes in anxiety who can help you to recognize
possible triggers.
The one thing about panic attacks is that they seem to strike "out of
the blue" and that is the most frustrating part about them. Because
you don't know when you'll have one you sometimes start to avoid
situations where you had one before. (Like driving, grocery shopping,
eating in a restaurant) It is a vicious (sp?) circle but you know
what? You are NOT ALONE. And you will get through them.
Is medication the only way you are managing? Not that I am knocking it!
I am using three different meds, myself. But I am also doing something
that I did not do the last time I was in remission from panic.
I am now making the effort to learn Cognitive Behavioral techniques.
A few years ago, the med of my dreams rid me of Panic, General Anxiety
and Agoraphobia for just over a year. But it did not last, I started
having breakthrough attacks and didn't have the skills that I have since
gained in controlling the symptoms. Changing my thoughts, correcting my
breathing, muscular relaxation and slowing my heart beat are things I
have become pretty good at, but not perfect. And there are many more
symptoms that I must work with.
I would just like to suggest that you get yourself some long lasting
coping skills before going off of your med. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
has worked for so many. Some without any meds. But I believe combining the
two is very powerful.
