Panic Attacks

Falcman0o7 · 13-04-2010, 05:23 PM

Hi guy's, Seen another thread on depression and it reminded me of panic attacks i used to get.
Has anyone else suffered from them?
When i was 19 i got them, They SUCK!!!!!
I started smoking dope and it made my heart beat that hard and fast that i thought i was going to have a heart attack and die. i suffered with them for 3 years after that. I lived with my dad in the bush here in tas, had no licence, no job and no friends besides dad.
So for 3 years i had panic attacks, depression, and no confidence at all.
i tried to kill myself many times but didn't go ahead ( thank god )
Anyway i tried hard to break the rut, forced myself to leave the house, got a project car, went to the doc, got on some meds ( aropax ) got my licence, got a job and a GF.
boy oh boy was i changed man! 12 years later i'm married with 4 kids and a FT job. Never been happier.

Panic attacks are an instant fear of doom. You can't stop it or control it without trying bloody hard to beat them by yourself.

Has anyone had similar problems?

matty88 · 13-04-2010, 05:30 PM

Man I've had them since I was 12 (21 now) and they suck big time

I do have the occasional one though

ronnyBB · 13-04-2010, 05:30 PM

I only ever got the heart race sometimes if i had a schmoke
It is a terrible feeling but i worked out how to control it with slow controlled breathing as its easy to hyperventilate

SVTVNM · 13-04-2010, 06:54 PM

Been there, still there. I suffer from anxiety disorder/ Paninc attacks I have learnt to control them within reason. All started when I had a major episode about 6-7 years ago casued by work/relationship issues, little known to me at the time it was all coming to a head. I had been having minor chestpains for quiet some time and being a "bloke" did nothing until one afternoon at work they got real bad and instead of going to the nearest hospital 10min away in Bendigo I opted to drive 70klms home and see my doctor. On the way home I was having difficulty breathing and other issues. Anyway got to doctor checked me over had bloodtests to see if I had had a minor Heart attack(mid 20's at the time). All test results came back fine, so my Doc sent me to a Specialist to do further tests to rule out anything else, all was good. That was the only time in 15 years I had time off work for week. During all this it became clear that I had a Anxiety issue we opted to avoid prescription drugs, and deal with it. I did alot of reading up on things and now still have issues but I can overcome the symptons by dealing with it. Since my first episode I still have this fear of being stuck somewhere with no help available, for example I freak out if I get caught on the Westgate bridge in a traffic jam, things like that. The only thing that has stayed wiht me is that I now have whats called an Ectopic Beat in my heart rythym sometimes, can be trigered by stress or if I have a cigarette. It just feels wierd because your heart skips a beat then pause and the next beats starts with a thump in your throat. Sorry to carry on bit this is my experience and I wouldnt wish it on anybody.

Falcman0o7 · 13-04-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTVNM

Been there, still there. I suffer from anxiety disorder/ Paninc attacks I have learnt to control them within reason. All started when I had a major episode about 6-7 years ago casued by work/relationship issues, little known to me at the time it was all coming to a head. I had been having minor chestpains for quiet some time and being a "bloke" did nothing until one afternoon at work they got real bad and instead of going to the nearest hospital 10min away in Bendigo I opted to drive 70klms home and see my doctor. On the way home I was having difficulty breathing and other issues. Anyway got to doctor checked me over had bloodtests to see if I had had a minor Heart attack(mid 20's at the time). All test results came back fine, so my Doc sent me to a Specialist to do further tests to rule out anything else, all was good. That was the only time in 15 years I had time off work for week. During all this it became clear that I had a Anxiety issue we opted to avoid prescription drugs, and deal with it. I did alot of reading up on things and now still have issues but I can overcome the symptons by dealing with it. Since my first episode I still have this fear of being stuck somewhere with no help available, for example I freak out if I get caught on the Westgate bridge in a traffic jam, things like that. The only thing that has stayed wiht me is that I now have whats called an Ectopic Beat in my heart rythym sometimes, can be trigered by stress or if I have a cigarette. It just feels wierd because your heart skips a beat then pause and the next beats starts with a thump in your throat. Sorry to carry on bit this is my experience and I wouldnt wish it on anybody.

Oh mate! That missing heart beat ******** is what i get! you feel it missing that beat and can't breath while it skips and then the big thud and gasp for air. That makes you anxious ay. And yep it happens to me under stress and when i used to smoke. Gave up 6 months ago. having an empty stomach can do it to. Sorry to hear you still putting up with it. The reason i gave smoking 6 months ago is i went a bit far on the beam one night and it bought the bad days back. So i suffered with panic attacks for a couple of weeks. god!!!! but i got it under control thank god...

XR8GRL · 13-04-2010, 08:07 PM

I have been living with them for 20 years, they began when I was 10.

hendrixhc · 13-04-2010, 08:30 PM

I used to get them when ever i would go shopping in large shopping centers.

Pulse would hit the 200's and the room would start spinning. Soon as i got outside i would be fine.

Doesnt happen so much anymore but i try to avoid large crowds and situations where i cant get out eg. traffic jams, line ups etc.

Iggypoppin' · 13-04-2010, 08:40 PM

I've only ever had one, when I was assaulted and woke up in the ambulance, started
freaking out, heart racing and everything a blur, pushed the paramedic away and grabbed my best mate, tried to just get out. Got restrained by the paramedic but knocked my jaw(which had just been broken) and it broke even worse, caused a cut in my gum, and I bled into my mouth and then into my stomach, causing pretty bad vomiting. Had to be held down by my mate and the paramedic until I calmed down. Not fun!

pottery beige · 13-04-2010, 08:44 PM

Gave up choofin'... and they went away......

InfernoSR · 13-04-2010, 10:14 PM

i'm pushing not to have one right now... usually starts with a low moment, followed by many more things going wrong, then no way to vent... this all leads to a break down, highly depressive stage, self harm comes, in lack of concentration, frigidity, anxious, forgetfulness, stronger break down that causes hyperventilating, minor blackouts, twitches of the body and sometimes complete blackouts...

and to think... i'm at the point of trying to hold off the big break down, as everything else has been done...

Franco Cozzo · 13-04-2010, 10:22 PM

When I get stressed out badly, my heart rate rises very high and everything just goes out the window, I struggle to function properly.

gtfpv · 13-04-2010, 10:28 PM

the best treatment for an onset panic attack with fast heart beat is a very cold shower . ( it really does work) especially after a schmoke. and after that never schmoke again !!
age and longevity all reduce them with time , usually a panic attack brings on a flight or fight response and cannot be controlled, over time though the fear of whatever sets this off subsides because you realise that they havent killed you yet , or nobody notices or is concerned about your fear anyway, kind of like the very long version of if you step on that line something bad will happen , after stepping on it 100 times the belief kind of wears itself thin.

Tim27 · 13-04-2010, 10:58 PM

Mine started about ten years ago. I was at a mates apartment in the city. We were about 10 floors up and I went over and stuck my head out the window. All of a sudden I had a fear of heights. Whenever I am up high somewhere, i'm scared that i'll lose control and jump, even though I know I don't want to.

Fev · 14-04-2010, 10:44 AM

I got that heartbeat thing two weekends ago. I went out to a pub, had a good night - didn't smoke many ciggies compared to most outings but had a fair few beers. We walked home, slept on a mates couch and woke up with that weird breathing thing. I think it started after i made a splash on the porcelain with what was left in my stomach(yeah should have eaten more the night before). It didn't end until i went back to sleep that night..
Was pretty worried about it as i'd never had it before but it went away..

StrokedXT · 14-04-2010, 11:01 AM

I started to get them when i gave up the weed after half my short life (30) being a very heavy pot smoker. Was struggling to breathe, concvinced myself i was dying, pains down my left side, the shakes etc ect was the most terrifying experience of my life.

Went to the doc after a few months and a chat with a very understanding boss about how scared i was and did a stack of tests to ensure it was nothing physical then i had to come to accept that i was suffering a mental illness. This was the hardest part for me i was always someone who never seemed to care about anything, never worked myself up etc.

So i took the step and advice to go and see a forensic psych and it was the best decision of my life. After a few chats we honed in that it was my body learning to react to things without weed. I had spent most of my life dealing with things by having another cone instead of processing it, and now my body and brain had to deal with it on its own and it wasnt coping.

I talked openly for the first time about crap I had been through and denied to myself and others how it had affected me, like being held up with a shotgun, loosing loved ones etc etc.

I honestly never believed in mental illness and was always of the "harden up princess" school of thought. If it wasnt for my boss, my awesome wife and family id probably be in a bad way by now but I managed to get through it in a reasonably short period of time so i was one of the lucky ones.

The hardest bit other than accepting what was happening was mates who didnt understand, they always knew me as the guy who nothing got to and could always laugh things off and they just didnt get it which was really dissapointing - even had one make allot of jokes he thought was funny until i told him to ******** off out of my life if he kept it up.

Its tough but there is light at the end of the tunnel, its good to see this sort of thing being spoken about open and honestly as it may help someone who is starting to go through it get help before its to late.

Loosecannon · 14-04-2010, 11:10 AM

It is great to see so many people being public about this issue, as 10 to 15 years ago, there was not as much info, or help for this common problem

I have had them for years, and infact now work in this sector to help such people

It is VERY common, and nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about , we are all human, There is so much help out there,

I am so proud to see a subject like this being raised on a forum such as this

Well done guy's

Falcman0o7 · 14-04-2010, 11:11 AM

I can't believe how many other people have had these problems. thanks guy's for sharing and yeh i hope the comments suggestions from others helps those still suffering. it's not nice AT ALL. YOU are in control, tell it to ******** off! and try your hardest to ignore it by doing something you like and telling it you won't put up with it. Sounds stupid but we can control it in time. Mental illness is serious i think. My misses used to think i was a bit weird until she started getting them. Zoloft helped her after a while although she does at times still get them but can control them. Even my dad gets them. ************ of things.

Falcman0o7 · 14-04-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loosecannon

It is great to see so many people being public about this issue, as 10 to 15 years ago, there was not as much info, or help for this common problem

I have had them for years, and infact now work in this sector to help such people

It is VERY common, and nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about , we are all human, There is so much help out there,

I am so proud to see a subject like this being raised on a forum such as this

Well done guy's

15 years ago mate i had no help at all. I know what you mean, People thought i was nuts.

StrokedXT · 14-04-2010, 11:21 AM

Theres a really good little book i used on dealing with them, its very childish with cartoons etc i will get the name of it when i get home and post it up. Was good for my wife to read and understand as well maybe someone else knows the name.

It was written by a lady who had been through it and concentrates on how to control your thoughts and accept what is happening, was great to try and make yourself read while it was happening as it put a smile on your face. All about how you are in charge and to take control tell yourself or"it" you arent going to be ruled by it and to ******** off etc.

In the end i think it was a good thing i went through it, i got back into my Fords and bought a project car to fill my time, spent more time with my dogs - its amazing how calming it is to go throw a stick around

XR6_661 · 14-04-2010, 11:25 AM

Only time I've ever had one is when I stupidly chewed some acid out on the town. First time ever for any kind of drug and I was also stupidly drunk.

Freaked out big time.

Apart from that, never really suffered from any thing like it...I get stressed every now and then, but a beer or two fixes that. I have to odd choof now too, but I just eat lots and watch peter pan.

greens_tuf · 14-04-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim27

Mine started about ten years ago. I was at a mates apartment in the city. We were about 10 floors up and I went over and stuck my head out the window. All of a sudden I had a fear of heights. Whenever I am up high somewhere, i'm scared that i'll lose control and jump, even though I know I don't want to.

Same here, I'm not scared of heights, and I don't want to kill myself, but it's just something about high balconies, make you wanna jump and fly. I don't take drugs either

And I hadn't drank any RedBull...

gtfpv · 14-04-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fev

I got that heartbeat thing two weekends ago. I went out to a pub, had a good night - didn't smoke many ciggies compared to most outings but had a fair few beers. We walked home, slept on a mates couch and woke up with that weird breathing thing. I think it started after i made a splash on the porcelain with what was left in my stomach(yeah should have eaten more the night before). It didn't end until i went back to sleep that night..
Was pretty worried about it as i'd never had it before but it went away..

THAT IS ALCOHOL POISONING ( DILL) not a panic attack

grandpa_spec_F6 · 14-04-2010, 02:47 PM

I had my first at 19, not that long ago either, scared the ******** out of me, was alone in the kitchen with most of the lights in the house off, tired as hell and stressed over relationship stuff.

Suddenly I felt this incredible sense of doom, felt like something was above me, around me, no idea what it was, I was thinking logically going "there isnt anything there" but my heart was going a mission miles an hour, sucked big time, had a minor one when I was at work in the office alone but that passed as soon as I got outside.

Found out we have a family history of it which is never good to hear, getting off the smokes sounds like a good plan though. Interesting to hear about other peoples stories as well

AC/DC · 14-04-2010, 03:55 PM

Yep, , I have had em, along with Anxiety. Lexapro fixed em for good.......

Used to happen in high populated areas ( shops, concerts, etc ) Dehydration was also an issue.

Then I started with the SVT, ( where your heart beats at over 200. ) in my case I have to go to the hospital and they inject a drug to force your heart to slow down. Most SVT is caused by Caffene, Dehydration, Excessive Alcohol ), and have since been diagnosed with an accessory pathway between the Ventricle and Atrium in my heart.

Im due for a Cardiac Ablation of the pathway in about 2 months.

But the BIGGEST difference was the Lexapro ( small dose ) in getting rid of the Anxiety and the Panic Attacks. with NO side affects.

AC/DC

Loosecannon · 14-04-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcman0o7

15 years ago mate i had no help at all. I know what you mean, People thought i was nuts.

Well done, No your not nut's, infact your post has probably helped others directly, and indirectly , and talking about is a great help

I spent all of my 20's fighting, or trying to understand this, I'm in my 40's now and I can assure ANYONE with this issue, you can get through it, and live a happy life

You will also have a far better understand of yourself as well

When your having a panic attack, you can think your going to die, BUT believe it or not,. nobody has every died from one

NEVER feel embarrassed , ashamed about it, as there is NO reason to!!!!!

I don't know you from a bar of soap, but you have my respect for raising such a important , yet common subject

Falcman0o7 · 14-04-2010, 07:17 PM

[QUOTE=Loosecannon]Well done, No your not nut's, infact your post has probably helped others directly, and indirectly , and talking about is a great help

I spent all of my 20's fighting, or trying to understand this, I'm in my 40's now and I can assure ANYONE with this issue, you can get through it, and live a happy life

You will also have a far better understand of yourself as well

When your having a panic attack, you can think your going to die, BUT believe it or not,. nobody has every died from one

NEVER feel embarrassed , ashamed about it, as there is NO reason to!!!!!

Thank you mate. As ive said i can't believe the response to the topic.
I remember once i was fishing when i was 23, did a bit of a burn out there and got this HUGE panic attack and i had to get out and neel down as i could hardly breath, My heart didn't even feel like it was beating but vibrating. That was the worst i ever had it. brrrrrr...sends shivers up spine thinking about it!

Falcman0o7 · 14-04-2010, 07:19 PM

^^^ That didn't come out the way i wanted it to? LO!

**Stav** · 14-04-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/DC

Yep, , I have had em, along with Anxiety. Lexapro fixed em for good.......

Used to happen in high populated areas ( shops, concerts, etc ) Dehydration was also an issue.

Then I started with the SVT, ( where your heart beats at over 200. ) in my case I have to go to the hospital and they inject a drug to force your heart to slow down. Most SVT is caused by Caffene, Dehydration, Excessive Alcohol ), and have since been diagnosed with an accessory pathway between the Ventricle and Atrium in my heart.

Im due for a Cardiac Ablation of the pathway in about 2 months.

But the BIGGEST difference was the Lexapro ( small dose ) in getting rid of the Anxiety and the Panic Attacks. with NO side affects.

AC/DC

Also here ..my wife has been suffereing its been a dificult illness to understand but yes I came to grips with it about her and can honestly say that lexapro has given her back her smile and mine too. Its a terrible illness but it is controllable with medication and certainly when family partners friends understand a bit better and have patience. Good luck guys.

hendrixhc · 14-04-2010, 07:41 PM

Can i pose the question: A number of people have stated that they have had "Panic Attacks" after smokin weed. Is this what you class as a panic attack?

My thought is that it would be a reaction to a drug or hallucinagen? Despite the fact a lot of people toke and these days weed is more accceptable, this is still a mind altering drug of addiction and obviously cause symptoms as mention here.

Do not take my comments as a shot at anyone, we all make our own life choices, and i chose not to try weed. A mate of mine is now so addicted to the ******** that he hardly remembers me, wants to fight everyone and is so paranoid he thinks everyone is out to get him, including aliens.

I wouldnt want to confuse a panic attack with something else

InfernoSR · 14-04-2010, 08:55 PM

hendrixhc, i for one have not been on drugs of those kinds... Niccotine and caffeine addictions is one thing... but not hallucinogen's... mine dates back to being bullied as a child and growing up being very anti-bully, even to the point where i protected those being bullied... however this has effected me severly to the point where i cannot stand those problematic guys who seem to get everything with ease when i have to struggle through everything...