Panic attacks and diabetes

[MinimedPumper07]

2 days ago I was getting my hair cut and I felt a horrible feeling. I could not breathe. I stood up and walked around for a bit and all was well again. I called the doctor and he told me it was a common panic attack, and not to worry about it. It happened again yesterday when I was eating dinner, and again today when I was driving to work. I am starting to get worried and have many many questions. Could this just be the symptoms of a common cold? Will this problem persist the rest of my life? What can I do to prevent it? Over the past few months I have been under a lot of stress in college. I seem to never be able to forget my worries. I pray that this problem I am having is only a phase. The symptoms of a panic attack are very similar to having low blood sugar. I am freaking out right now.

Rant over.

[Cyborg]

You could talk to your doc about an anti-anxiety medication...

[MinimedPumper07]

I'm afraid of that cyborg. I don't wanna be a nut. I don't want medications to mess with my brain.

[Cyborg]

You won't become a nut, but they could help with the panic attacks...

[duck]

There are a few of us who suffer from anxiety here, and when I say "suffer", that word doesn't do it justice. My issue is driving anxiety, and if you knew me, and heard me say "I have driving anxiety", you'd tell me to "shut the **** up". I don't say that to be lewd, I say that because "driving" and "duck" used to be synonymous.

In any case, if you feel you need it, get therapy. I am pretty much against medicating anxieties, especially if the anxiety has just started. I would recommend seeking treatment from a Psychologist as opposed to a Psychiatrist for that very reason. Anxiety can be defeated, but it depends on many things, including how committed to anxiety a person is...

[MinimedPumper07]

do you think its possible to beat this without meds or seeing a professional? Could this just be a phase?

[duck]

do you think its possible to beat this without meds or seeing a professional? Could this just be a phase?

Possibly. But you're asking a guy who felt the same way four years ago and wishes to God he had sought help sooner...These things can become self-feeding vicious cycles.

[Cyborg]

I take an anti-anxiety medication when I need it. I don't take it regularly, but it helps with anxiety, stress, sleep, etc., and I'm not addicted. Being a diabetic, you can probably get one prescribed by your endo or GP.

[duck]

And if there are other things you can do besides take a med, would you take the med? I'm not saying meds are bad or shouldn't be used at all, but if the med fails, then what?

[Funnygrl]

Why not at least get counseling? I've been in counseling for a few months now, and I'm playing with the idea of starting an anxiolytic now. I'm also not a fan of the drug idea, but as my shrink said, for most people that's the start of improving.

[KickStart101]

Hi MPumper:

I had my 1st panic attack when I was preparing
for cataract surgery 2 yrs. ago(needless to say,
I didn't go through with it). Eight mths. later, I
was looking out the window at the sink having
a glass of water when that I got hit by that
feeling again. I checked my sugar but that was
fine. I was Really scared so Hubby drove me to
the ER. The Dr. said I had a Panic/Anxiety
attack. I haven't had one since(Thank God) and
I've done nothing more with it.

You on the other hand have had several in a short
time period and that is worrisome. Maybe you should
have another talk with your Dr. and perhaps he could
suggest some type of therapy/councelling(sp) close
to you.

I don't know about those types of drugs. I didn't
realize as Cyborg mentioned, that they would
work if you just took them occasionally. That is
interesting and may be a help for you. That way it
definitely would not damage or cause your brain to
become dependant on a drug. And they don't make
you crazy or nothing. They are taken to calm and
prevent anxiety in People.

Stressing about it will not help matters. Try to do
things that need to be done to take your mind away
from thinking of it. Or lie down with a warm water
bottle and rest(even nap) if you need to. Go out
and enjoy an activity with a Friend. Or just take
a Kid if you have one or a pet and just run or bike
to enliven your mind. I do that sometimes when
I feel sluggish for no reason. I just hop on the bike
and drive it as fast as I can. Very invigorating and
gets the mind outta the slump and keeps it healthier..

I hope that it is just a phase for you. I don't think
it's a cold. Please seek help if you need it. Help IS
Good and it's Not hard! ;) Have A Great Week-end! :)

[sherry]

I use L-Theanine

[Janet_M]

Hi Pumper,

I have anxiety disorder also. I am on meds for that as well as depression and have been for almost 3 years. I also go to a therapist regularly. I can relate to those symptoms, and it wouldn't hurt to discuss treatment with your doctor. I can tell you it has helped me tremendously. You mentioned you have a lot of stress and that you are in college, and stress is a huge trigger for anxiety. People have a tendency to avoid the situations that they feel cause the anx, but avoidance only makes things worse. If you don't want to go on any meds, that's ok, but you might want to get some books and read up on cognitive behavior therapy or some type of self help method. There is no shame in having anxiety at all as far as I'm concerned... it's an illness. Just know that you are not alone! (((Hugs))),

Janet

[BriOnH]

I take paxil, and am addicted to it. It's not like a narcotic (xanax, valium, klonipin [benzos]), but I can't stop taking it. It helps with anxiety for me.

[Cyborg]

It's not like a narcotic (xanax, valium, klonipin [benzos])


I don't think those are classified as narcotics.

[Funnygrl]

I don't think those are classified as narcotics.
They're controlled substances, but yeah, I don't think they're narcotics.

[Janet_M]

Benzos are not classified as narcotics. They can be addictive, but not usually with people who suffer from anxiety disorder. If you take them as needed for panic attacks, you won't become addicted. I take xanax once in a while, and can easily go months without any dependence. I also am on an SSRI, called Lexapro, which is not addictive, but you have to wean off of them if you wish to stop (to avoid side effects). I don't plan to stop my Lexapro because I have clinical depression and don't want to go back to the way I was before taking them. My best friend takes Cymbalta which is given to daibetics a lot, and she really likes that one. I don't want to change again, but that's my personal decision. You may not need either type of med, but do the research and make up your own mind. All I know is the medication has helped me tremendously. Benzos are good for me, just knowing I have them on hand can keep me calm...

[cat_collector]

Xanax, Valium , and lorazapam are all controlled substances and can be very addictive .
I suffer from Anxiety and Panic attacks but do not take anything , I am considering counseling . I dont want to get addicted to the drugs . I had major panic attacks after my son was born and have been a anxious person most of my life . For the most part they went away but in the past year I have been having them again not as bad bcs I know what they are now . Before I ended up in the ER thinking I was dying . I was given every test known to man and was told not worry so much ...

Tracy

[cheryl]

I used to get numerous a ton of panic attacks, a lot I stopped drinking nutrasweet and all they went away, they came back as when I felt my life was out of control, my diabetes sucked and my world felt like it was crashing down on me.....

I get them occasionally now, around or close to that time of the month, and that is it, I never went on med's I just dealt with it, painfully, and yes they feel like low's and that sucks....I really know how you feel, I have overcome a lot of them, try to sing to yourself or start doing something productive like clean the house or something that doesn't make your brain work too hard....

I walk, go for a jog, sing to myself or just check my blood sugar to tell myself it aint' nothing.....

They do get better, and you don't need drugs if you don't want em....I refuse them....

Cheryl

[grace girl]

I had quite a few of them last year....all related to lows or thinking I was low. When I realized that it was all related to fear of going low I got really serious about making sure that my insulin doses were dialed in and that I knew what to expect. Feeling like I am in control, and not like I'm at the whim of the insulin made all the difference....I haven't had one now in at least 5 or 6 months. I have sensed one trying to start a few times when I realized I was getting low, but I've learned to basically get a grip on myself...deal with the fear, and none of these have actually progressed into a full attack.
I would suggest doing whatever you have to do to get the answer as to what is causing them. There is always a root behind this sort of thing, and in order to truly overcome it, you've got to find the root.

[anxiousgimp]

People have a tendency to avoid the situations that they feel cause the anx, but avoidance only makes things worse.
Too true!

Like Duck and Janet, I wish that I had sought help sooner. For me, it got so bad that I wasn't able to distinguish a low from anxiety at ALL after a while, so I avoided many activities that made me nervous, and when I had to do them, I would purposefully run high. Badddd idea, and many bad A1cs later, I had painted myself into a box that I still haven't been able to remove myself from entirely.

I found a fantastic shrink who has helped me a lot. If you see someone, tell them that you would prefer to work on your issues without medication-- they'll try to give you other coping mechanisms instead. I didn't make any real progress until I went on medication, but a different person might be able to.

[peej07]

I've been suffering from anxiety attacks for about 5 yrs now. I describe it like having a heart attack that doesn't stop. I've found that meds do help as well as keeping a positive out look on things. All of these guys on this forum have helped a great deal with the positive frame of mind. Deep breathing and concentrating on your warm fuzzy thoughts works great.

[DVDBear]

I've had panic attacks and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) for years off and on. I use wellbutrin and Xanax occasionally (although it's been more regular lately - had a beaut of an attack last night). One of the big problems diabetics have is we continue to hear this barrage of alarming news - "diabetes can lead to heart disease, diabetes destroys your eyes, your circulation, yadada". One of the most effective ways to fight panic attacks is once you recognize what they are you can say to yourself "I know this is just a panic attack, it's not a heart attack" or whatever. It tends to lesson the intensity and duration. Unfortunately with having diabetes the little voice in my head says "are you SURE? You have this disease that could cause this . . . it COULD be a . . . . ." It disables a very important part of the process to help come to terms with the panic.

I still haven't figured out quite how to get around it. For the moment I use the Xanax.

[MinimedPumper07]

Thanks everybody. I am trying to get a grip on things but still get them about every other day. This morning after I ran I felt really exhausted, and started to worry that I would go low, which brought on the dam panic attack. SOB they are annoying. What sucks is that they are always different. I have conquered the "can't breathe" symptoms, but now I get these feverish and dizzy symptoms...

Its like there is a little evil person in my head I am playing chess against :(

[shockme]

there is a difference between addiction and dependence and tolerance....you become tolerant of a med and need a higher dose.you become dependent upon a med cuz your body is used to taking it and you will need to wean off it. you become addicted cuz you abused the med and are now addicted....i was on morphine and norco for my back..was dependent and weaned off-no problems trish

[RobiJo]

You mentioned you're in college... your college may have counselors/therapists on staff. My small college had two. You could talk to them about anything and everything you wanted. Check out the services at your school. If you or they deem it neccessary they should be able to refer to someone. Good Luck!

[peej07]

I've been having panic attacks about panic attacks lately! Now if that's not a crazy situation....

[MinimedPumper07]

could this be a hyper or hypothyroidism? I feel a lot of fatigue despite sleeping plenty, and also get cold hands and feet sometimes. Does anyone here have a thyroid problem?

[Bijou]

Okay... here we go. :) Aside from being type 1 for god knows how many years I've been Rapid-Cycling Bi-Polar since I was 16 (rx'ed that is). So there are many things that have worked for ME and I have strong beliefes on how treatment should go.

1. You need to find out if this is just a "phase" or something that you will live with for your whole life. This help determine phase 2.

2. Treatment plan. I do not like medication, but I also understand that medication is needed to help, don't be afraid of them. Seek advise of a theripist, or a PHD at this point. Talk with them, see if there are non-medication treatment for the issue. If medication is needed, go to step 3. If not step 4.

3. If medication is determined, off to your phyc MD or my preferance an ANRP (nurse with script abilities for phyc). I highly recommend not seeing your GP. Talk, make sure they understand your issues. Once a treatment plan ask about a time line. How long does this kick in? How long should I be on this? As how often you should follow-up with them? What other treatment options are there?

4. FOLLOW THE TREATMENT PLAN. If you have questions about the plan or the rx or anything, ASK! Keep your follow-up sessions, make sure your rx's are filled. Most important of all, never stop a RX without the guidance of your dr. Remember they can't force you to keep taking them, but you can tell them that you want to stop, I am going to stop, please tell me how to do it safely. (But I would still try to follow the dr's advise.)

That's about all I can think of, aside from unless it is 100% nessecary, stay away from Zyprexa, Seraquol and all other Atypical Anti-Phyciotics.

If you have any questions, just holler... :) and sorry for the spelling... :)

[duck]

could this be a hyper or hypothyroidism? I feel a lot of fatigue despite sleeping plenty, and also get cold hands and feet sometimes. Does anyone here have a thyroid problem?

I'm hypothyroid, and unfortunately your symptoms apply to both hyper and hypo--the only way to really tell is to be tested.

[Sharethesecret]

I used to get major anxiety...tried all kinds of meds... Then someone told me that "magnesium deficiency" is common in diabetics. I started taking magnesium, and all my panic attacks and anxiety went away. I was able to go off all the meds. Haven't had a problem since. Thank You Magnesium!!!

Melissa:D

[MinimedPumper07]

I'm hypothyroid, and unfortunately your symptoms apply to both hyper and hypo--the only way to really tell is to be tested.

Thats why I'm so pissed off. I have signs of both. Is it even possible to have both? I want to get tested but my mom keeps saying "its all in your head". Its so annoying. I am pretty sure something is up and I want to see the doc so bad.

[Sharethesecret]

Thats why I'm so pissed off. I have signs of both. Is it even possible to have both? I want to get tested but my mom keeps saying "its all in your head". Its so annoying. I am pretty sure something is up and I want to see the doc so bad.

Order a home test kit... my husband did it, and when we got the results, we knew thyroid was definitely the problem... came back with high results. There are natural herbal meds you can get over the counter for it too. No doc needed for that.
Not that I'm suggesting you don't see a doctor... but at least you can find out on your own if that's the problem, and then show you mom the results
Home TSH Test Kit (http://roundearth.stores.yahoo.net/hometshtestkit.html)