Anyone know anything about anxiety attacks?

[Jeff in Vermont]

Hi everyone

My wife suffers from anxiety attacks, some last all day.

Anyone know anything about them?

Any suggestions?

Advice?

Another site with more info?

Jeff

[duck]

There are many medications that supress the body's chemicals that are released during an attack, allowing the sufferer a milder "attack" that they may be able to overcome, and there are many therapies with therapists for anxiety disorders. It's actually fairly common, unfortunately.

[sparkle9]

Jeff,

I have had 3 fullblown panic attacks - 2 last year and one several years before that. They were so scary that I thought I was having a heart attack. Also, for the last several years I have felt very anxious a lot of the time with various unpleasant symptoms such as insomnia, heart palpitations, inability to think clearly, and forgetting things.

My internist gave me Xanax after I had the 2nd panic attack. It helped a lot but many doctors don't like it because it can be very addictive. I finally went to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with generalized anxiety disorder and depression. I've been on lexapro for about six weeks and it has made a tremendous difference. I feel so much more relaxed, am sleeping better, and feel more able to cope with life. Also, I don't notice any side effects. I still take a very small amount of Xanax at times. My psychiatriat said the amount I take (.25-.5 mg.) is perfectly safe.

Also, a big plus for me is that my blood sugar levels have improved quite a bit.

Hope this helps.

Sparkle

[zookeeper671]

Get her in to see a psychiatrist. As duck and sparkle mentioned, there are medications (SSRI's--Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) that may be of some help.

Best wishes.

[Jeff in Vermont]

Hi all again

I guess I should have said that she reacts badly to the SSRI's.

She also suffers from Fibromalagia (sp?) so it makes it harder to find things that work.

I'm sure my being sick and having a stroke recently hasn't made things easier.

Jeff

[Eri's mom]

I know plenty about anxiety attacks...I suffered from them for years, and I believe now I am over them, thank God!!!

Also, Eri suffere's from PAD...

Basically, they start off and if I would catch them in time(with valium), I'd be pretty much ok, if not, then they would hit and be horrid. Nausea, vomitting, bathroom could NOT be far away...felt like my eyes were burning, my chest was heavy, arms, does feel like a heart attack would I suppose.

They put me on valium for them, and now, thank God, I don't need it.
They also related it to(1) family history, and (2) perimenopause, starting at the good ol' age of 31 or 32, somewhere in there.

Will keep you and your wife in prayer...anxiety is horrible.

[sparkle9]

Jeff,

Not all SSRI's are the same. I reacted badly to Zoloft, but was able to tolerate Lexapro starting at 5 mg. and working up to 10 mg. The psychiatrist told me that Lexapro has very few side effects and also that if it didn't work, we would try something else.

Sparkle

[zookeeper671]

There is also an antianxiety medication called Buspar. I took it for a while. It's non-addictive and basically in a class of it's own. It's not an SSRI and is not chemically or pharmacologically related to the ben-zodiazepines, barbiturates, or other sedative/anxiolytic meds.

I think the most important thing, however, is getting her in to see a psychiatrist. Typically, meds plus therapy is suggested as the best plan of treatment for anxiety.

[lgvincent]

I had one yesterday for the first time. It was really strange. I didn't care for it at all, felt like I was going to leap to the moon.

[KickStart101]

Hi all again

I guess I should have said that she reacts badly to the SSRI's.

She also suffers from Fibromalagia (sp?) so it makes it harder to find things that work.

I'm sure my being sick and having a stroke recently hasn't made things easier.

Jeff
I'm sorry Jeff I've been gone for a while so I just noticed your post. I will
apologize again, I don't know much about anxiety attacks but, plesae I don't mean to minimize it since it is a scary condition occasionally, I'm sure.
But I am more worried about you. You had a Stroke for Heavens sake.
Are you okay? I sure hope that you are not physically injured because of your
stroke. I sure hope it was minimal or less. Was this your first stroke?? And also I hope that you are testing often, eating proper meals and appropriate amounts of meds. plus the cownfownded exercise, fast, about 50 min. a day, can be combined with other exercises at least 5 days a week. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You very much Deserve A week Off , Hun!!!! Take Care!!!!
We Care about You!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup: