Panic Attacks Support Group

hello everyone, im vic 42 year ol man living in massachusetts, well my anxiety started along time ago, i was about 7 when i had some prob or another, you see i was supposed to die when i was 1 day old, but the doc fed me introveniesely and saved my life, the doc said that i will have probbs when i get a lil older, that is what my mother said, so with that in mind, i had a prob in school, and i could never pay attention, i was allways hyper, so i couldnt hear that well either, so i went to have the dr put tubes into my ears, now this is what happened to me,,,, when they gave me the anesthesia, i flipped, i got into a dream,i was floating around in space very frighening,like somebody was chasing me, but all i really saw was black and white, thats what the gas did to me, from there i couldnt go into big places, it just felt weird then, so from there i allways had a prob going outside or in big places, ive suffered many years, until one day i got a panick attack back in 86, so it started than, i was able to controll it 4 many yeasrs, but i just found out about agoraphobia, now im so scared to go outdide cause i know ill get a big panick attack, does anybody know what i should try, and ty,, victor...

Hi Victor

I am sorry you have had so much difficulty.

The agoraphobia is only when you allow it to exist - you can work on it and reverse it and we will help you with that.

Do you take any meds for your panic attacks?

Do you know /use /practice and breathing exercises and calming exercises for panic attacks?

Raoul

thank you raoul, yes i do take klonopin, they are good, but ive been on so much meds i stopped for 2 months now,,and those breathing exersises well they just make me tired, that kinda works when im not in a panick staye, but it really dont help 2 much..i dont know what to do i have to see my doctor monday and im afraid to go and see him,, cause i really dont want to b out of my apt...

Hey Victor

I understand about the brathing exercises.

Have you also tried and practiced the calming exercises?

I am afraid I may not be able to be on much longer for now - I am having difficulties with pain from my sciatica/pinched nerves. I went to th4 gym earlier and am in real trouble now. So if I disappear - please excuse me - Jen will be on soon, I hope she can help. I am absolutely crumbling here. This is so bad I have even taken a few vibrator trwatments and it keeps returning.

raoul

hello raoul, im sorry to hear about your problem as well, i realy hope you get better in some way,, i understand if you have to leave,, i dont know jen but i hope she comes on so we can chat about this,,, my doc is tomorrow and i still dont feel like going, but i do need to tell him whats happening to me, hope the best 4 you, victor...

Hey Victor!

I've been having a bit of computer problems this last few days along with all sorts of other stuff going on, but I should be on and off the computer quite a bit today. I'll see if I can help walk you through this. Most importantly tho, is for you to know that you CAN and WILL get through this! You are 42 years old and have already survived so much, this is "just" another "thing"!

I suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia. I can relate to all of your feelings and fears. For me, the biggest thing that helped me was accepting that there is not an overnight fix. At first, this was quite depressing. BUT, once I accepted, I allowed myself to quit beating myself up for not recovering instantly. It's not a quick process and you are not expected to heal overnight.

As for the breathing and relaxation techniques, you really hit it on the head. Practicing these techniques when we are in a state of panic does not generally work well! It took me months and months of practicing them. My therapist required me to do them at least 12 times a day. Now, they are easier when I'm in a panic state also. My body has been trained and conditioned and now it knows what I'm wanting it to do.

As for going to your doctor tomorrow, just remember that it is just one trip, just a little bit of time out of your day. AND, as a result, you are getting out of the house, you are working for your recovery, AND you are getting the help from a doctor. There are a lot of positives for your trip tomorrow! And, when you are done with it, I encourage you to stop for ice cream, a cup of coffee, rent a good movie...do something to congratulate yourself for doing something hard!

Another note, sort of back to your experiences with the breathing and relaxation techniques... it's ok to feel tired! Really, our brains REQUIRE shut down, quiet time in order to regenerate. Think of your brain as a computer, it needs to reboot on a regular basis in order to reorganize and fix all that has happened throughout the day. You may also want to think of this after your appointment tomorrow. When I first started on my recovery track, I just planned in time after my doctor and therapy appointments for a nap afterwards. It's tough, exhausting work getting out there, working at getting better. Take the time to take care of yourself while you are working at getting better.

I'm glad you are here, please keep writing and checking out the other threads. There is some great advice here that can help a lot. Also, you may want to check out the agoraphobia support group. I am a member over there also. We get a little goofy (cuz, hey, we are stuck at home all the time and we need to let off a little bit of steam also!), but we are also a very serious, helpful, caring group and people are super quick at offering ideas and support and encouragement.

Hugs,

Jen

hello jen, and thank you 4 your support, i didnt make it to the drs that day, i had gotten up early that day and exersized, i thought that whould calm me down, but it didnt,, as soon as the lady came over and said, lets go..... i felt so tired and helpless, so when i feel like that, i just dont do anything and stay home. i knew something bad was going to happen and when i feel like that, there was no way i could go through with it. i was also wondering if i could get something in my mail about to see if anybody has responded to me, i was looking 4 you,, but i didnt get anything in my mail, so im happy i went right to this site today,,,, but 4 the past couple of days, ive been getting up earlier, taking walks around the big building that i live in. and doing some exersizes in my apt, if i can keep this routine up, i hope to get better, a little a day,,, as 4 your pc, i use, advanced system care, its free and it seems to work, + c cleaner, free also, you might wanna download, mallwarebytes, and avira antivirus, they all do a pretty good job, and that all free,,, well thank you hun, i hope you get back soon,,, victor..

Hey Victor,

You didn't make it to the doctor's? Shame on you...20 slashes with a wet noodle!!! JUST KIDDING!!!! You still did well. You got up out of bed, you exercised, you actually talked to the lady when she came to get you. This was a good practice run. Maybe next time, you'll get a little further. You are doing great in getting down a routine, getting up earlier, taking walks around the building, etc. Little by little, see about extending that walk a little further.

This disorder is a tricky beast to overcome. But, that's ok. We keep learning, we keep practicing, we keep going. It's impossible to wake up one day and be ALL better!

Thanks for the input on my computer, I have some things that I run to take spyware off and I also deleted several programs that aren't needed. Over Christmas break, I'm planning on getting very serious about cleaning off other things that I don't need on here anymore either!

Keep up the good work!

Jen

20 smacks with a wet noodle from Jen......ummmmm....I'm not going to the doctor anymore either....LOL. But seriously the exercise thing is great Victor. Good for all the physical reasons that everyone should exercise to achieve. But even more important for us, nice release of adrenaline in a good way makes you focus on something other than your thoughts. I just started this whole thing not too long ago and exercise has been one of my best ways of keeping it under control.

Hey RG, we aren't here for food fights. If you are gonna be a smart alec, I may have to break out something more serious than a wet noodle for you, like maybe a leg of lamb...lol!

Victor, don't be scared... I really won't beat anyone!