I continue to haev panic attacks and they are so painful and so distruptive....anybody have any advice on what to do with panic attacks?
I'm sorry you are suffering from panic attacks. I had them for 3 years and I know they make your life miserable. A friend of mine was housebound and she was treated medically and finally overame hers. I was treated by a psychologist and medication and then told I would have to learn to live with them. I found a hypnotist that cured me in 4 sessions. That was over 20 years ago and I haven't had one since.
Everyone has a different way. You have to trust the person that's helping you. I hope you find an answer soon and get rid of so much stress in your life. I'm pulling for you.
Ya know, if posting your question helps, do it! Call your counselor too, but any distraction could be helpful. Posting is instant gratification of sorts, even if the response isn't immediate, because you feel like you're doing something constructive to get help. It's especially good in the middle of the night, which I've done once or twice, when there's no one else you can turn to. Post away. Lots of people get on the board when they have a panic attack. Helps to talk threw it. You can take medicine and have a counslor and still have a panick attack. I suggest getting on the board and saying help i am having a panic attack. As opposed to how do you stop one. And a big glass or two of water helps clear the adreniline out of your system. Also helps dilute meds that may be causing them. Someone may be on the board to talk to you while attack is in progress. By the time your counsler is in you will probably be done with your panic attack. They are scary arn't they? Sometimes even they are a side effect of meds and sometimes of stress. Anyway different people have different opinions. I guess you have to take the opions you want and ignore the rest. Do not let things get to you. As in people hurting your feelings. It will make you feel isolated and alone and you are not alone. I am here as are others. I never know when i am awake but if i am i will talk to you. hEY EVEN MOVIE STARS GET PANIC ATTACKS. Also guess we should make a foot note hear. Also make sure not a medical cause. Hypoglycimia, low potasium, highblood pressure, sleepapnia. Your body panics when things are wrong. Will wake you up from a sleep thrashing and in pain. Body tries to give you warning to breath eat or what ever. Do not forget the health side. As jode your bloodpressure is to high. I was hypoglycimic and thought it was a little low potasium and RA stuff. I mean we get on the board and say hey do you do this. And people say hey yes i do this to. But really a panick attack can be alot more than that.
Medication is a top way to help with panic attacks. Don't think you are crazy or anything though, most panic attacks for people with RA have nothing to do with emotional problems.
Sometimes you need psychiatric help, but most of the time with RA you don't. Many things can cause the attacks, sometimes it's RA itself, sometimes it's things digested with inflammation on your gut, sometimes it is even gas causing it and other times it could be something tramatic that happened in the past or current day.
I went to my allergist this morning to check my asthma, he said i have two kinds. One from the seasonal changes and one from panic attacks due to stress of being sick and not finding the right treatments and my chemical sensitivity.
He told me to buy a small paperbag, about lunch bag size and breathe in and out in it when i have panic attacks. Something about the type of oxygen that you breathe out going into the bag and breathing it back in will calm you.
Also, some medications can cause stress, anxiety and depression. Even medication for panic attacks can have side effects of depression and panic attacks. It is always best to find side effects of all your meds and keep them on file in case things happen. Oh and gas in your stomache can also cause panic attacks, oddly enough.
My doctor also said that when you get a panic moment, sit down in an area you feel relaxed in like a hot bath or quiet room or even outside. Start thinking of the Corona Beer commercial where everyone sits on the beach where it is quiet and sunny and calm, then he said breathe in slowly and out slowly. Basicly find your little happy place. And if you can, let someone else handle the situation.
There are too many things that cause panic attacks, finding your reason will then bring you to quicker recovery and doctors are the best people to help you find it.
Last thing, never ever ever ever ever feel bad for posting anything and if anyone makes you feel bad for doing so, try and forget what they posted. This is a place to get advice, talk about sickness and life. If others don't like it, they can skip the post.
God bless and i hope you get better soon.
Thankyou!