New to Group/My Story

Sometime when I am asleep, I can feel my body having these attacks. They usually happen every 6-8 weeks for 2-3 days in a row and can happen up to 6 to 7 times a day each day. Then they tend to slow down toward the end of the third day.

All of the sudden, I will feel a dream state creeping up on me and then I feel absolute urgency and panic and that I am having a reaction to a situation that does not match my current reality. I feel like I am reacting to a situation (dream or reality) but I can’t seem to get a grip on it which leaves me feeling nothing but fear and panic.

They usually last for 1-2 minutes then subside leaving me in a cold sweat and feeling exhausted and like I need to hide somewhere. These attacks happen to me while I am sleeping, driving, working, playing with my daughter, eating, reading etc. There does not seem to be any consistency to these attacks which makes me feel completely useless and vulnerable to them.

I have been taking Ambien on and off for about 6 years now and recently came across some information saying that Ambien may cause anxiety attacks so I quit taking them immediately. I was feeling great for a couple of weeks and thought that I had figured it out then BAM!!! The attacks struck again.

I am on Fluoxetine daily and take Lorazepam for when the attacks become really intense. I also see a therapist monthly and we are trying to figure out what could be triggering these attacks.

Does anyone out there feel these same symptoms? They are so scary and I need to figure out how to deal with this without letting it get the best of me and I don't want to be on meds forever!

Thanks for listening/reading. This may not make any sense to anyone else out there, but I feel like I am taking control of my anxiety by putting my story out there instead of hiding and letting the attacks control me.

Something I've found that seems to help me a little is; you know when you first feel the start of an attack and you tense your whole body, trying to fight against the feelings? I've found for me when that happens, if I make sure to relax my body instead, the feelings subside a lot quicker and don't get near the intensity they were in the beginning. It's hard to do this at first, but with practice it's really been helping me to get over these feelings faster, with less stress on myself. Maybe if you try it it can help you too?

Just a thought!

Here to talk anytime.

Sandy

Yes it makes sense. That is how I feel when I having a panic attack! I am very anxious these last 4-5 days and it is scarying the crap out of me because 1. I don't want to have a panic attack and 2. I feel like I'm never going to get better! It sucks big time! I come on this website a lot to try to connect with others so I don't feel so alone and share info that might help me or others.

Best wishes my dear!

She was not pleased when I told her that I am still having attacks even with the meds that I am on. We determined that I should get my thyroid checked to see if my panic attacks are due to a physical issues instead of emotional issues.

I googled Thyroid disorders and my symptoms are very similar to those of “Hyperthyroidism”. I am waiting for my doc to call me back so I can schedule a blood test to find out if I am having thyroid issues. I can’t tell you how much I am hoping I do, because they can treat this!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know where I am at today and hopefully I will be getting some answers soon that will help me.

I hope they find a way to help you. I know how you're feeling and I know how nice it would be to finally have an answer.

Here to talk anytime.

Sandy

I know what you mean about getting all sorts of tests to find out the cause of these attacks.

I would love to have another diagnosis besides just good old "panic attacks. As we all know, there are those people out there that have never had to deal with this so they don't believe it is real.

OR even worse are the people that think they know what you are going through and have the "Best Advice" that will cure you because it did for their Aunt, Uncle, Mother, Cousin, etc.

I am preparing myself for there being nothing wrong with my thyroid and that I am going to have to deal with these attacks for the rest of my life. BUT I PRAY that I don't!!

I can't tell you how much support I feel just within the past couple of days by being a part of this group. It makes me feel like I have a place to turn to that supports me with sympathy and understanding instead of supporting me with pity and sympathy.

I wish we could all be rid of these attacks, but at the same time, I am thankful for everyone in this group! So thank you for being there!

I'm glad you're here! There are alot of wonderful people here that are willing to share their lives with us. They are truely a God send!

Do you really want it to be a physical issue? I don't know what I'd rather have. I guess something that is easily fixed without surgery, or medications, or years of therapy! I also have fibromyalgia and alot of people don't think that it is real!!! I have to argue both for my emotional and physical health!!! It's enough to drive a person nuts!!!

I'm very thankful for the support here too!!! They are wonderful people that care alot!!! Now you are part of this wonderful family!!! I hope that your tests turn out the way you want them to.

If there is anything you need, please let me know. Take care!!!

Keep your head up, its just part of the anxiety and its your bodys way of dealing with fear.

I am having mixed emotions about this b/c part of me was hoping these attacks were physicial so I could treat them and that maybe they would go away, but I guess not.

My doc increased me to 20 mg of Prozac (which I started last week) and I am hoping with that, therapy and this website, I can manage these attacks or at least find some tools to use that will help me to deal with them better.

So, the end result here is that my thyroid is fine yeah!!! Now I get to contiue having these attacks on and off without a clue as to what triggers them.

I woke up this morning feeling all anxious and I think it's a combination of the thyroid test coming back normal and wondering if the new dosage of prosac is actually going to help me. So I took a lorazepam and am just going to go about my day and see what happens