I have noticed over the past several days that I occassionally have what I think are panic attacks. I feel intense heartburn, heart racing and the need to "jump out of my skin". I didn't really think panic attack until it happened during a really intense MC session last night. In fact I think I am having one right now. WTH? I don't know what is going on with me.

Anyone have experience care to chime in?

Thanks.

Yes, dearest, sounds like a panic attack. Are you on meds? My zoloft has put a stop to those nasty little buggers.

((FF))

Hi Kimmy,

I am on lexapro. It helps with the day to day depression but I think I am on the verge of a breakdown. I have been stuffing a lot of feelings lately and I think I need IC again.

Sounds like it to me. Other symptoms include, cold clammy, feelings of despair, hyperventilating, endless crying episodes, weak in the arms and legs.

Basically our nerves are shot. It is our bodies way of unloading all that stress we have built up inside.

These attacks can hit at any time, anywhere. I warned some of my co-workers. Sure enough it happened in my office (great, I could close the door) but I felt clostrophobic and ran to the women's restroom and collapsed. My GF came in and helped me survive. She craddled me in her arms until I could calm down. Then I lost it in a manager's meeting, at the grocery store, while driving (that's dangerous). Mostly it happened at home.

If you like alternative care options, try shoring up on vitamin B complex. It helps stabilize the nerves. Or you can go to your doctor for meds.

When they happen you have to let them run it's course. I kept kleenex around all the time. Mine went off and on daily for about 3 - 5 weeks, then it tapered down in about 3 months later.

Know this is temporary but don't ignore it. Acknowledge it, let it work itself out, be as prepared as possible and don't be afraid or ashamed when it happens. Take deep cleansing breathes as soon as you are able.

Hope this helps.

Thank you Orchid. Yes, it helps to know I am not alone in this. I will try the B vitamins, I don't really want more meds the Lexapro is enough for me to remember to take. Right now I am sitting in my office with the door closed. I will take some cleansing breaths.

I am having one of those days where I just don't want to do this anymore. I love my H, but being M'd to him is so hard. MC was painful last night and then for his sake I sucked it up afterwards. On top of that I have had to hear FOM's name a few times recently and every time I hear it I get more and more ashamed and sickened at my behavior. I am NOT that person anymore! Arghh.. sorry this has kinda gotten off track.

Don't suck up your tears and fears for others. That encourages conflict avoiders big time.

Instead choose who you will allow to help you release some of that pent up pressure. Hug you children, deep cleansing breathes, go to lunch with a confidant, unload to the MC (that's what they are paid for), post here, talk with your minister, talk with your immediate safe supporters as needed, etc.

You have release valves at your disposal. Use them. It will help you get your heart and mind in sync....when it does, that's when the WS needs to be scared. Real scared. LOL!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

L.

Dear FF,


{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{FF}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I understand how hard this is, believe me, I do....
How long do we have to carry this monkey on our backs????? Some days it feels impossible and overwhelming....to remember what we have done, to re-live the pain all over again, to read here and see others going through it is a constant reminder to me. Sometimes you just need to back away from the situation for a time....you need a break now and then. I know, easier said than done.
And to post here, well.....it's dangerous sometimes, eh?
I know how you feel.....I hope that helps at least a little! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

NOW

Thank you NOW. Yes, some days it seems like it will never go away. In some ways I don't want it to cuz I never want to forget how bad this feels. Why?? Because I know that I will never be tempted again if I remember.

Right at this moment this is what I know:

1. I know my H loves me but I don't know if he will ever forgive me.

2. I have accepted God's forgiveness, but have been unable to forgive myself.

3. Days like today I hate myself. I feel like such a da*mn fool. I was a d*mn fool.

4. On top of the above, I have trigers constantly about my H's A's too. So I have a mixture of self-loathing, anger towards FOM, xOW's, my H.

Some days I think life would be simpler if we let each other go. sigh...sorry for the vent. The heartburn is killing me right now.

Hugs to you {{NOW}}

Heartburn.... hm.... go take care of that immediately. No sense your acid build up in your system has to run it's course without outside help. STay away from acidy foods (tomato sauce, spicy foods, etc.), take medication as needed.

Take care of yourself,
L.

My panic attacks were similar-but I also started having a hard time breathing-it was like I ould not get a deep breath. At the time I didn't know what was going on so I went to the dr b/c I thought I had a respiratory infection. After I started Zoloft-these went away. I had actually forgot I had had them until I read thia thread.....it is amazing at the crap we go through! Hang in there-it will get better.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by faithful follower:
<strong> I have noticed over the past several days that I occassionally have what I think are panic attacks. I feel intense heartburn, heart racing and the need to "jump out of my skin". I didn't really think panic attack until it happened during a really intense MC session last night. In fact I think I am having one right now. WTH? I don't know what is going on with me.

Anyone have experience care to chime in?

Thanks. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Hi hon -

Yes - that's a panic attack, and normally ADs won't cure those - but there are psycotropics your Dr can prescribe that can help - panic attacks are usually temporary - they are signs that your body is undergoing a bitt too much stress for it to handle properly - try Xanax - it works well, and is easy to back off of when you no longer need it...

{{{{FF}}}}

hi. i can relate to pretty much all the stuff here.

i have never really called them panic attacks but now that i read this, it's very clear that is exactly it. i have had heart racing, intense stomach (i don't know what to call it...) it's like having butterflies in your stomach due to the fear of something dreadful is about to happen. but it occurs when i am not in any "real" type of danger. but it would be like fear one might feel if you are walking down a dark unfamilar street at night.

i have also had times when i felt like "I could not get a deep breath" i really hate it when that happens. i'm not 100% sure that is connected to emotions/panic attacks. it will happen for a while and then it will stop for a while. i've tried talking to Dr about it cuz sometimes it will happen frequently for many, days/weeks at a time. but dr. has no clue what i am talking about... i hate when that happens!!

also times when i feel a bit dizzy and of course i am really good at having crying spells <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

have you ever tried benedyrl? that is something my Dr. recommended when she put me on zolft with the recommendation of using that when feeling extra overwhelmed. cuz that is how i explained it, i didn't say actually panic attacks, i just explained how i would feel at times. she wanted me to use benedyrl first because it is non-addictive. i have used it but it basically knocks me out, which of course stops the panic attack but is not a very viable option while at work.

i see it's been a few hours since you first posted. are you feeling any better now?

love to you FF!!! karen

I just wanted to chime in here......I had a major panic attack about 6 months ago while driving (I drive alot for work and was out of town at the time). I had no CLUE what was happening to me and it scared me to death. I drove myself to the local ER and was explained what was happening to me by the doc. I was given something to calm me down, and a prescription for paxil (I have never been on anything prior to that). I still had major panic attacks after that (always in the car) but was more in tune with what was going on and could somewhat get myself out of the "fuzzy" feelings. I look back and realize that I was having "small" attacks for quite sometime before the one that sent me to the hospital. I also realized that certain things would trigger them....grocery shopping ($$), florescent lighting in stores....seems a bit odd but the doctor said this is very common...has something to do with stress and portions of the brain...

You are not alone..and this is very common!

FLT2M said: </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> it's like having butterflies in your stomach due to the fear of something dreadful is about to happen. but it occurs when i am not in any "real" type of danger. but it would be like fear one might feel if you are walking down a dark unfamilar street at night.

</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">YES! I know that feeling very well and it triggers feeling guilty because then I think if something is going to happen I must have done something wrong!

No, have not thought of trying Benedryl. I am so afraid of taking something that will knock me out since when I am home I am responsible for my DS who is disabled. I am going to try the B vitamins first that Orchid suggested and if they continue may need to go see my Dr.

Thanks FL, Sad, Torn, Still and anyone I may have missed, I do appreciate your help.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> YES! I know that feeling very well and it triggers feeling guilty because then I think if something is going to happen I must have done something wrong! </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">ok, that actually made me laugh cuz ME TOO!!!!

i hope the vitamins help. and keep posting here about it all, that might help too. just to know you are being heard can help a ton.

love to you, i have to get back to the lab now!!!! (which means, no access to reading here)

FL, I wish you could know how much your post meant to me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> I started to have another panic attack this evening but managed to distract myself before it progressed.

Hi FF,

I just wanted to chime in and say I used to get terrible panic attacks too. To the point where I could barely drive anywhere and almost lost my job.

For me driving in traffic became unbearable (and unsafe) for me. Sometimes my foot would shake so bad I couldn't operated the gas pedal, and I would be crying and shaking uncontrollable, couldn't function enough to even pull over, out of the traffic. So I quit driving anywhere there might be traffic.

Also at work, whenever I had to meet with business men. It was horrible.

I can't tell you what worked for me, I was on Lexapro but got off. They seemed to have stopped, although I still avoid traffic and business meetings, if I can.

Hang in there FF. I really feel for you. So many of us go through the panic attack hell. People you would never have thought to have them, do.