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Q: Anxiety Attack story
asked by: jry7188 on July 24th, 2008
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ok let me start this off with saying how messed up i have been and can be. this goes out to whoever wants to hear someone else's weird story of inner delimmas. ok. well i have gotten to the point in my life where i dont care how people see me, because i am who i am no matter what, take me or leave me. ok. the weird thing about me is that i have had anxiety really bad and trust me it gets worse as you get older, it may change, but the intensity of it can only get worse. there is treatment and things one can do for it, but let me tell you, i have had panic attacks since high school. anyways, i dont wanna tell a sob story, because thats not my intentions. i just feel like sharing this interesting slab of information that has come from within myself to the outside world, kind of. so...i dont seem messed up yet.. so why did i say am i so messed up earlier? because anxiety attacks will alter anyone's brain if you're not careful. youll lose all feeelings in your hands and feet, youll start breathing incredibly fast, your heart will pound out of your chest, and then your vision can get blurred, and sometimes if you are not in a place where you can control it you can actually fall out, or in other words black out and forget whats going on around you, basically its a huge step away from reality and not a pleasant one. thats why i refuse to do drugs, even the herbal ones, because i know if i get high, the possibility of me freaking out subconciously (this is also from self experience) is increased to a point that i know i will probably have an attack so bad that i'll start running a false alarm fever and even start puking. its really embarassing, but not really anymore, because i just think the human body is a strangely incredible thing. Ok, so does anyone have any questions on anxiety attacks etc? I'm sure I can answer just about anything.
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lil_scorpio
replied on July 24th, 2008
Experienced User
I have some questions
Thanks for the post, helps a bit, but I have some questions. I have never had an anxiety attack before, not until May of this year. I was worried about loosing my job, etc and it just happened. I felt like my throat was tight and I couldn't breath, my heart was pounding, I was horribly dizzy/lightheaded, tingling hands and feet, quesey stomach.

Is it normal to feel dizzy/lightheaded? How can I control this to where I don't freak out? Since May I have lost my job (in June) and I have had a couple more "attacks" and I HATE it! The worst part is feeling dizzy and like I can't breath.

Also, you talked about herbal drugs (weed I'm assuming). I smoked a lot when I was a teenager and NEVER freaked out. I've only smoked about 3 times in the past 5 years. It seems like the last two times I did I totally freaked out, kind of like a panic attack, and I've never done that before. Do you think that could be leading to me having attacks now? I know it sounds strange, but maybe like I triggered something and now it's easier to have a panic attack?

Any help would be greatly welcome.
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Cabal
replied on July 26th, 2008
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I might have some advice for you lil. Firstly yes it can be a normal side effect of anxiety to feel dizzy/lightheaded and I experience the exact same feeling you do of not being able to breathe and the heart racing aspects of it. Don't worry it's nothing seriously wrong with your body or anything it's just a natural reaction that's started to occur to uncomfortable situations. I strongly suggest talking to a doctor about the anxiety as there are several medicatitons you can take either consistantly at night or as needed for a fast acting cure when you do have anxiety flare ups.

If you're not too keen on taking perscription drugs I'd suggest try deep breathing excercises daily and to carry a bottle of water with you as well wherever you go, being dehydrated can also add to the chance of feeling like your throat is dry and that it is difficult to breathe. I can't talk about herbal drugs (weed/pot/etc.) as I never tried it before, but I'd really suggest doctor prescribed drugs if you intend to go that route.
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Users who thank Cabal for this post: lil_scorpio 
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lil_scorpio
replied on July 31st, 2008
Experienced User
Thanks Cabal
Thank you for the advice, makes sense. I try to do the breathing exercises, but I have some ongoing sinus problems and it makes it kind of difficult. I just finished taking antibiotics for a sinus infection, but I still have pressure and a stuffy nose. I think that pressure feelling in my head and face (sinus) is causing me to freak out sometimes, it just adds to everything else ya know?

Anyway, thanks again. I'm not sure about going to a doctor, I want to be able to control this on my own without medication, including "herbal" drugs. I will take your advice though. =)
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tryin2hard
replied on August 1st, 2008
Experienced User
now i got the same thing what lil scorpio said
2 weeks ago on july 19 i took two hits off a joint and freaked out so bad like never before sweatin cold flashes,shakin and the next day when i went to work i didn't feel right so i took some food to the hospital because i was a delivery driver and on the way out going to my car i was like swalling fast like sweatin too and was thinkin about the other day and when i came on to a red light in the turnin lane it hit me big time like heart racin,sweatin,hot flashes and shakin like i was going to die i called 911 and went to the hospital they took some blood and came back and said you had anxiety attack and til this moment i still fear alot that im losin my mind and sometimes afraid to get in my car again like don't want to go out in public anymore all i do is stay in the house and either think alot or sleep or just layin around like my life is gone does it have anything to do with what i went threw or what?
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tomuchspade
replied on August 4th, 2008
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I have major anxiety and occassional panic attacks
I had my first panic attack about 5 yrs ago. My husband had to tell me what it was, he is a nurse. Then I didn't have anymore for about 4yrs. Then something very traumatic happened and I had several panic attacks, so bad that I blacked out a few times. I saw a therapist and was put on so much meds I was like a zombie for about a year. Then I weaned off and just deal with the anxiety. Now I seem to have severe anxiety and major mood swings. My doctor prescribed xanax as needed and I am doing good. I may take it everyday and I may only take it once a week. But my kids don't have to go through the mood swings and deal with me being anxious all the time. My kids are 6 and 12 and shouldn't have to see, hear or go through this with me. So I highly recommend the meds.
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Cabal
replied on August 5th, 2008
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Re: now i got the same thing what lil scorpio said
tryin2hard wrote:
2 weeks ago on july 19 i took two hits off a joint and freaked out so bad like never before sweatin cold flashes,shakin and the next day when i went to work i didn't feel right so i took some food to the hospital because i was a delivery driver and on the way out going to my car i was like swalling fast like sweatin too and was thinkin about the other day and when i came on to a red light in the turnin lane it hit me big time like heart racin,sweatin,hot flashes and shakin like i was going to die i called 911 and went to the hospital they took some blood and came back and said you had anxiety attack and til this moment i still fear alot that im losin my mind and sometimes afraid to get in my car again like don't want to go out in public anymore all i do is stay in the house and either think alot or sleep or just layin around like my life is gone does it have anything to do with what i went threw or what?



Hey tryin, don't worry I won't judge you on trying drugs everyones a little curious about these kinds of things Very Happy. Anyways the drugs can have a more lasting effect on people, whether it be chemical reasons in you or just being your first time trying it it has a far more lasting effect. I've been dealing with panic attacks for a while now and I would definitely say you were showing symptoms of having one, so don't worry you don't have any serious medical problems. I know it can be really difficult after such a traumatic experience to go back out and that constant fear of it happening again is going to feel debilitating, but just work on keeping yourself comfortable at home for now. I had that depressed hopeless feeling in addition to my anxiety/panic attacks as well while attempting to endure a full load at college and it definitely was not easy. I'd recommend don't force it on yourself to go outside until or unless it's to go see a doctor or therapist that you can talk to about it so that you can get the correct help.

If you want to challenge yourself to see if maybe it was just a freak occurance and you might be able to tough it out yourself, just start by going to nearby places you are very comfortable visiting normally. Remember that certain memories or things will trigger your body to feel that unshakeable fear you had before, so please don't feel like you're going insane, you're really not it's just the bodys natural reaction to fearful situations thats triggering your brain to do this.
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