RA and anxiety/panic attacks | Arthritis Information

How many of you here have had anxiety/panics attacks with your RA?

It mostly seems to be to do with not being able to keep up with life...feeling I am falling behind in what 'needs' to be done.

I am so prioritized here but it's not helping when all you can manage is one phone call a day or similar and there is no one else to do anything!

I have had them in the past...at different times but they seem more unmanageable at the moment.
I have had them before in the past but haven't had one since diagnosis, but have come close a few times. I've had anxiety wayyy before RA. So does my Mom and two of my children.What techniques do you use for it Goldie, apart from medication?

It's humbling to watch your body betray you, isn't it? All we have though is today. I really can't think future anymore. Sure I have ideas and hopes and I try to move forward. But I can only do that today. Do the best you can now.

I know perfectly well what I think can't do and how something will screw up. I've had a very long list over the years. And I've enjoyed the opportunity to prove myself wrong.

I too had anxiety attacks even in the months before I new that I had RA. I don't know if RA causes it but I think it does contribute. I was feeling anxious, at times I still do, mostly because I am unable to perform my daily routines as I normally did, but also because I at times have no control over my body anymore. But I agree with Mab52 I can't live for the future. All I have is today. Sometimes all I have is the minute I'm in it feels like. I try my best to give all my anxiety to God. Sometimes easier said than done I know.
I had panic attacks and what seemed to be agoraphobia for quite a few years and I don't think it had anything to do with RA. When I was put on Inderal to control high blood pressure, the attacks stopped. I later read that this drug is also used for anxiety. It sure worked and is still working for me. There are also a couple of books that helped me. The author was (something like) Dr. Claire Weekes. I don't know if they are sitll in print.

Ann

I've only used atarax for anxiety and that was quite a while ago. Distraction usually helps. I call a friend or talk with my kids. They have anxiety too and know how it feels so they're helpful. I guess you have to find what works for u. A fabulous book for ALL to read is From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett . The book also has a whole computer program. I have read the book and know someone who works the program daily. Apparently there are oncall counsellors and online help. Program is expensive(don't know how much ) but well worth it apparently.

I think everyone should read the book even if they don't have anxiety. It is very empowering.

To me, there is NOTHING worse than panic attacks, so I wish you all the best.

Hope others will give you more pointers. Distraction is huge for me in managing pain of any sort.

God Bless.

I had middle-of-the-night panic attacks when I was first dx. I think darvocet had something to do with them--at first. A lot of it was also worsened by the fact that I stopped breastfeeding and my hormones crashed. So that is something to consider as well. Once my hormones leveled out and once I got on Lexapro I got better. In the interim, staying mentally busy helped, as did valium and counseling with a therapist. Wish I could offer more! My sister has had panic attacks since about 18. She has tried meds but I think she uses other strategies too--not sure what though.Prednisone gives me panic attacks, FWIW. I had panic attacks way before RA and so does my daughter, my mother, her mother and her mother's mother.

I have a prescription for xannax only taken when needed. It's not so often anymore. Once I got the prescription and knew I had it in my "back pocket" if necessary a big part of it went away.

Deep breathing helps. When you get panicky you are breathing very shallow and that escalates the problem. I need to be by myself during an attack for some reason. I also won't tell anyone...I feel like if I tell someone it won't go away.

Sometimes they cause "urgent" bathroom trips at inopportune times. When I have to go- I have to go NOW. I know where every bathroom is in every store. I have pulled off the road and run into a fast food restaurant bathroom more than a few times.

Diversion does help. I also do the "etch a sketch" when I get focused on bad thoughts and feelings I shake my head hard and pretend I erased it and think of something positive. I think of my "peaceful place" which is on a baby powder beach with a turquoise sea.

I am not on a daily anti anxiety med but my daughter and mother are. I don't see them being able to cope better then I do.

I think it is something chemical- I think it is hereditary.

Hi Cordelia.....Just want to suggest Bach Flower essences for panic attacks. I suffered from them for 11 years and no amount of medication helped (well it did, but was as a bandaid and did not cure me) and then a friend gave me the Bach Flower book! I chose the flowers that I believed related to where my head was and within 4 months I was a different person.

Now I know many people scoff at homoepathic remedies, I was one of them, but I swear they saved me from a nasty fate.

Bach flowers treat a state of mind, not a condition. As much as Rescue Remedy is touted everywhere, the individual essences can provide much better help. If you are interested, go to:

www.bachcentre.com

and check out the 38 flowers and what they relate to. Most Naturopaths and Homeopaths will have all the essences available or have access to them.

Dont expect an overnight cure. Just as we have to wait for RA meds to kick in, the same applies to these.

I still take some essences, and Hubster is on Impatiens and I can tell you, he is a different man!

So, for what it costs and it will do you no harm, give them a try maybe?

Cheers...Lyn

I was frequently getting panic attacks and was put on Ativan, which seems to have helped tremendously! I haven't had one recently and am thinking of weaning off...we'll see.

Take care

Deb

Thanks everyone for sharing. I think this is an issue a lot of us deal with in someway or other but don't talk about often.

In the past I have used techniques like cognitive therapy and deep breathing but I wasn't having much success with them right now. I was too wound up already.

In the end I came up a couple of new approaches for myself...I went outside and stood on the grass and imagined myself being earthed into the ground, I went for a short walk and then later on I started to write all the feeling of fear and anger down, this then led to me drawing my anger, sadness and fear.

I was real proud of myself how I ended up managing it.

Oh, I meant to say, that the Prednisone I am on is a contributing factor at the moment too, making it more difficult to keep calm. Pred can make you so manic and depressed all at once and also I had a heavy period this week just to add fuel to the fire (sorry, men...too much info). I also have panic attacks periodically. Sometimes, I'm in bed and start sweating and feel so weak I can barely get down the stairs. It's a little scary. It is the fear of the unknown, I think.

It's amazing how common this is. Good luck to you all - I hope your treatments continue to be effective.