Hi, I have been suffering with anxiety and panic attack...

I have finally found someone who has the same experiences as me. I wish I had read this earlier.If you are still visiting the site I would love to know how you are getting on.I still need help.

I have been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid but get panic attacks because my heart keeps racing (one of the hyperthyroidism symptoms I'm afraid). My GP prescribed me Atenolol (beta blockers) and when I take one it stops the racing and panicky feeling.

I also read on the web that when having an attack, to sit on a chair with your hands on the arms of the chair or in your lap as this enables your lungs to get the maximum air you need. Also breath in for 7 counts and out for 11 - difficult I know when your panicking but it gives you something to think about. I sit downstairs and put a classical CD on and the TV on mute to give me something to look at.

I also bought Rescue Remedy (Bach flower remedy) from Boots. A few drops on my tongue or in a cup of hot water can help.

Also get yourself a paper bag and breath into that and out again. Or cup your hands over your mouth and nose and breath in what youve breathed out, if you see what I mean.

I feel like running away when it happens. You're not going to die even though at the time it feels like it. It will pass but try my hints. Hope it helps.

Kay

I hope this helps.

hi i have been suffering with panic attacks for four years now and when we finaly get over one worry two more turn up it can be silly things like the THINK adverts just had one at 11.30pm 2 night. they are not very nice and i get very very tight chest pains and feel dizzy, i feel like i am goin to die by my heart poppin out of my chest or im going to faint and smash my head. no matter how many relaxtion points i do it just doesnt work i am finaly goin to have my thyorid tested on thursday and maybe be prescribed beta blockers. i have always been perscribe citalopram which helps with depression and anixety and i have been off it now for 5months after bein on them for five years. i hope you find your solutions i think the chest pains is common for evry bdy having a panic attack. they are not nice. im only 19 and i am scared to do many other things like going out i should me enjoyingmy life but its been overtaken by this lifes not fair sometimes but i just keep living on, who knows i may one day wake up and not have panic attacks again.

emma x

[b:35452b9b05]i was diagnosed with overactive thyroid followed by type 1 diabetes then thats when my panic attacks also started.. still got it though..iv had for 7 years now altogether.. i take citolopram for my panic.. i was good at first but now its no use.. i get alot of panicy when going out.. my tummy legs shake.. and feel like screaming but i hold myself and throw myself outdoors .. then its abit ok.. but still feel the fear inside me.. im trying hard to win it.. my gp wants to send to those sessions where people get together and talk about there problems.. i hate those and will not attend.. i have no big problems... but i want them to change my tablets.. there not helping.. [/b:35452b9b05]

[quote:719b5de771=\"sezzie\"]I have finally found someone who has the same experiences as me. I wish I had read this earlier.If you are still visiting the site I would love to know how you are getting on.I still need help.[/quote:719b5de771]

[quote:bb0af9e7fe=\"sezzie\"]I have finally found someone who has the same experiences as me. I wish I had read this earlier.If you are still visiting the site I would love to know how you are getting on.I still need help.[/quote:bb0af9e7fe][color=black:bb0af9e7fe][/color:bb0af9e7fe] hi sezzie i,v just read your experiances and i suffer from all the same things when my attacks start my chest starts to tighten my shoulders and neck start to stiffen upthen i start getting rapid heart beats my arm starts to get pains in it and pins and needles in my hands my legs seem to turn to jelly . But like you i start to think im having a heart attack , i,v also been to hospital several times and had all the same tests you have had which they have said im clear . but it seems not to matter wen you have the next attack .....hope to get a reply back from you soon take care and all the best pete

Hi folks

I too have experienced panic attacks, chest pain & dread feeling (8+ years)

Doc gave me all sorts of pills, beta blockers for the shakes, valium, parkinsons pills etc.

I didn't take them, it was just a physical problem (now sorted with an op). Now I know it's a thyroid problem. Blood tests can indicate it, but not always

However I'm sure the thyroid pills work too.

Believe in yourself and keep pushing for an answer. Good luck, Jane x

Anxiety or depression is not a disease but a symptom

i have underactive thyroide and suffer panack attacks its now got to the stage i wont leave t helps me xthe house look up joe barry its a site and i

The best way to control a panic attack is if you feel one coming on get up and do something bake a cake, anything .

Whatever you do, do not let it get started.

People think they are going to die in one but do not.

I used to get them in the middle of the night, waking up in one.

When I realised what it was.

I thought this is not going to get a hold.

I would get up and make toast and tea.

Tell it in the most offensive way to go.

It will.

The worst thing to do is get on a drug regime especially Valium.

it is just a downward slope then all the way.

Hello

I am new to this forum and would really like to hear how you are getting on ?

I too have developed panic disorder following diagnosis of benign heart palpitations.

I am currently attending CBT and am struggling to see how it is helping me.

I still have the fear when I take an attack that there is something wrong with my heart or brain.

Would be glad to hear from you in reply

hi , ,panic attacks,in the thirty five years of looking after someone,who suffers from panic attacks,(ig Agrophobia) could it be Arterial Fibralation of the heart that causes it,just this morning sat at computer looking about my own health i come across some stuff called Inositol check it out on wikipiedea just might help,oh and if doc offers valium forget it, , all that does stuff is just to keep you calm so your ticker dose'nt go into hyperdrive

I have have had chest pains since having a car crash in May last year, from the seat belt. I was diagnosed with Costochondritis in February after the pain worsened. Its been a hard time because every pain reminds me of the crash. Try not to worry about it because it will make your pain worse. I never had a panic attack until recently where I thought my boyfriend was going to crash into the back of a van. Since then I have been an awful passenger. I also can't sit with the seat belt close to my chest as a passenger.

I feel similar to you as I want a solution, but it seems so out of reach. My advice would be to read up on other people's stories for some self reassurance. I have also had an ECG and i'm 21. I was extremely worried but have been told my heart is 100% normal. Costo is an awful thing, mentally and physically. We all need to support eachother!

hi, im new to this site, im so glad i came across it while looking up the side effects of sertralin, ive suffered panic attacks for years,and they hav completly ruined my life, my gp prescribed proprananol and sertralin, , but the two tablets together make me feel sick, ive stoped the proprananol, i was on a slow release dose, and the sertralin seem to help, ive just spent 2weeks in doors because i could not cross the road to the shops, guess it takes this long for the sertralin to kick in, thank god i had the help of a friend to go shop for me till they took effect!

I have had panic disorder since 1997 , my previous doctor was very unsympathetic and put me on strong tablets for depression which did nothing but make me feel disorientated. Seven years later and no better i moved house and had to change doctor , what a difference ! she changed my tablets to Citalopram and within two weeks i began to feel ' with it ' and a lot better. I still had to battle the each panic attack when it came . When I first had panic attacks i was sure I'd NEVER be able to live a normal life again , they completely crippled me but being a divorced mum of a then small son I knew I had to fight it.

So with determination I managed to slowly resist the longing to get myself down to A & E only to be told ' it's just an anxiety attack ' , I made myself stand in queues rather then turn and get out of the shop even though I felt i was going to pass out , slowly I have my life back.

Even after nearly sixteen years I still get the occasional ' funny turn' BUT I no longer panic so it doesn't turn into a panic attack. I started off having at least 10 panic attacks a day but now I may have one or two a year and I can control it when I feel it coming out of the blue.

So if like I once was ,you are in the early , terrible ,frightening stage of panic attacks/disorder and feel they will never go away and other people who have 'got better' could not be as bad a you , take comfort from a fellow suffer ( and I mean suffer ) you WILL get your life back but you have to help yourself get there.

There are 100's of books on the subject ( I must have read them all ! ) but the paperback book that helped me the most is ' Your Survival Guide To Panic Attacks ' by Bev Aisbett is brilliant !

I have come so far with my panic disorder I know give free help & advise to anyone who needs it so please contact me and I will give you my email address , don't suffer alone xx