BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?

14 Sep 05 - 03:43 PM (#1563718)
Subject: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,Mrr

So, the other day I'm taken to the ER with terrible chest pain radiating up into my mouth - but no heart attack; shrink says well, if it was an AA, we'll find out soon enough because you'll have more of them. Great. So today I'm dealing with something and my throat starts to close and my chest starts to hurt... OK, I now believe the first one WAS an anxiety attack, but I thought those went out in the '70's? Is it a flashback or what? What do you do when you feel one coming on, if you do? I'm ignoring mine and trying to relax, it's not getting worse but it isn't going away, either.

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14 Sep 05 - 03:47 PM (#1563723)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson

This is caused by hanging around web forums like this.

See ya.

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14 Sep 05 - 03:58 PM (#1563735)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: CarolC

You could be having an allergic reaction to something you ate or something you were exposed to in your environment. I experience panic attacks (same symptoms you described as well as some others) when I'm having an anaphylactic response to something I ate, something in my environment (like pesticides), and sometimes even my body's own hormones. You could try taking an antihistamine to see if it helps. The best time to do that is right away, as soon as you feel the first sensations like your throat closing up, or your chest starting to hurt. For me, sometimes, it's also shortness of breath, a tingly feeling in the skin of my head or a sensation of pressure in my head or dizziness and/or vertigo, and/or feeling like a great weight is pressing on my chest. And of course, the sense of anxiety and/or panic.

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14 Sep 05 - 04:25 PM (#1563757)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: number 6

Inability to swallow .... First encountered it flying back from Atanta one time when the pilot announced we were at 37k feet.

sIx

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14 Sep 05 - 05:31 PM (#1563799)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: The Fooles Troupe

You must FORCE yourself to relax... :-)

It seems to me that many AA may in fact be due to a physical cause that causes the body organs to react, heart beat faster, etc. This has to be due to Adrenalin, of course, but exactly what is the cause you have to figure out.

I was getting them for a while before I realised one cause was the next door neighbour's son pulling into their driveway with the "boom-tisch" machine turned up, and it was the bass beat that my heart was responding to. Once identified, it was easy to cope with.

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14 Sep 05 - 05:38 PM (#1563803)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: Rapparee

I found that keeping my mouth moist helped with stage fright or just plain fright. If nothing else conjuring up enough spit or looking for a glass of water gives you something else to think about.

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14 Sep 05 - 06:07 PM (#1563818)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: M.Ted

Anxiety Attacks are generally called "Panic Attacks" these days, and, though it is not always true, someone who uses the old terminology may not be familiar with the current ideas about treatment--

Also, consider the possibility that CarolC mentions above--that there is some allergic reaction thing going on. The symptoms of a panic attack can be pretty close to those of an allergic reaction, because your body releases a lot of the same hormones in response to fear as it does in response to toxins and allergins--When you think about it, when your breathing is suddenly impaired, fear is the natural response--

If your throat is closing up, and your chest is hurting, you could very well be having an anaphylactic reaction-- you need to see a doctor, most likely an allergist, who can help prepare you to deal with it the next time it comes up--it is important to know what to do, because in some cases they can be fatal.

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14 Sep 05 - 06:33 PM (#1563832)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: CarolC

The other thing I do after I've started having an anaphylactic reaction is drink a glass of water with 30 to 40 drops of tincture of chaparral (and continue to do it several times a day until I don't feel any more symptoms). I start feeling some relief almost right away, but it can take a day or even a few days for it to completely clear out. You can get it at health food stores. If they don't have any in stock, they can order. I find this brand to be particularly effective.

Chaparral

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14 Sep 05 - 06:43 PM (#1563836)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,been there

If you are female and perimenopausal or menopausal, a decrease in hormones can cause anxiety attack symptoms. If you are male and in midlife or older, a drop in testosterone can cause the same. Other hormonal imbalances, such as a thyroid imbalance, could also cause such symptoms. You might consider consulting with the appropriate doc--gyn or endocrinologist.

Also, extremely subtle forms of bipolar disorder that don't involve mood swings or major psychological symptoms can mimic anxiety attacks. They can also suddenly increase in midlife when other physiological changes are taking place. A very savvy psychiatrist can help.

In any case, anxiety attacks are the pits and they are no joke when you are in the middle of one. It may take some sleuthing to uncover the cause of yours and the best course of action. Take them seriously. Good luck.

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15 Sep 05 - 01:31 AM (#1564021)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: Pauline L

I have a friend whose doctor told her that she was having anxiety attacks and medicated her for them. The meds didn't work. She had congestive heart failure and nearly died. I suggest that you get a second opinion from another doctor. He or she might know more about medicine than your friends on Mudcat.

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15 Sep 05 - 09:54 AM (#1564236)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: The Fooles Troupe

... but can you get High on Chaparral?

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15 Sep 05 - 09:58 AM (#1564240)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: Tam the man

I suffer from these attacks, I don't get them often, but when I do it's terrible, and because of this I can't work because I suffer from Anxiety, you get people that make a fool of you or they just think that you're a lazy git.

I wonder if they would think that if it happened to them

So I know what you're going through.

Tam

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15 Sep 05 - 10:23 AM (#1564258)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: Jeri

I've had panic attacks solely from physical causes - Prozac. I knew what they were, had an idea what was causing them and just rode them out.

I've had them because of stress, and those seem a bit easier to turn off. I've had just a little bit of traning on meditation, and getting my mind to shut up and stop that manic gibbering 'voice' works. The likelihood that it will come back is greatly diminished if I can find something to do that requires a sort of semi-mindless concentration: gardening, cleaning stuff, beadwork. Deep breathing helps, and some physical exercise actually makes my heart slow down.

The best thing is to determine, along with your doc, what starts these and do something about that. It's so much better to prevent the symptoms than deal with them after they occur,

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15 Sep 05 - 12:53 PM (#1564366)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,Peter Woodruff

Yes! Mrr I've experienced the very same symtoms. My supervisor at work wasn't taking any chances and insisted I take an ambulance ride to the hospital. I was rushed to the hospital one March day from work with chest pains. In March the potholes are very pronounced in the state of Maine and as we rode over every one of them over Witch Spring Hill, the EMT tried to find a vein to stick a needle into...not good. He poked and poked with no satisfaction. I was restrained the whole time, but my howling in agony only made the EMT probe more frantically. It turned out that I was experiencing an esophagal spazm caused by acid reflux. The spazm had subsided by the time I reached the hospital, but the black and blue spots on the inside of my elbows lasted weeks.

Peter

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15 Sep 05 - 02:54 PM (#1564463)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST

I agree that they can be triggered by the being in the same situation, even when you are not in the same 'frame of mind' as when the first one happened. During a real stressful period of my life a few years back, mainly due to coping with the death of a parent after a long and distressing illness, I had my first panic attack.

I just happened to be in a smallish room at a friend's workplace with venetian blinds on the window. I remember it was sunny and the slatted glare coming through the blinds began to 'flash', thereon followed a full blown panic attack. I had never had one before and thought I was dying, and am not prone to melodrama usually. Getting out into the fresh air and deep breathing and water controlled it, but it was damn scarey. Over the next twelve months I had to revisit that same room approx monthly, and everytime I sat opposite the venetian blinds it started again. I couldn't get my breath and my heart raced.

Eventually like Jeri I decided to try and be 'bigger' than the panic attack and forced myself to ride it out, all the time telling myself I could do it. It sounded so crazy I hadn't told anyone except the friend who worked there and had seen and helped me previously. It took a few shaky attempts until I could walk into that room and know I would be ok. Never had one since, but could spot the warning signs now, and would probably head out into the fresh air immediately if I felt one coming on.

But having said that, it only worked for me because it was a panic attack with no medical cause as such, well apart from stress. As others have said it may be worthwhile trying to determine if there is an underlying medical condition causing them. Good luck.

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15 Sep 05 - 03:15 PM (#1564481)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,Martin gibson

Ask professionals instead of web forum losers.

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15 Sep 05 - 03:26 PM (#1564494)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,Takamine Yamaha

I would if I could ever find myself a "professional". Until them web forum folks will do.

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15 Sep 05 - 03:32 PM (#1564498)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: Tam the man

so we're losers then

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15 Sep 05 - 04:34 PM (#1564538)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,Martin gibson

takamine Yamaha

you are a piece of japanese junk posing as a guitar. You are good for being a sushi tray.

If you can't find professional people to deal with a serious health problem, then you are indeed a loser.

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15 Sep 05 - 04:51 PM (#1564550)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: Charmion

If you can't find professional people to deal with a serious health problem, you probably live in the country or small town far away from big metropolitan centres. Or you could be one of those unfortunates whose doctors retired without finding another doc to take over their patients. Or perhaps you don't have the kind of job that comes with decent health insurance.

I could keep this up all day.

Martin, don't you have something far more diverting to do?

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15 Sep 05 - 06:19 PM (#1564621)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,mg

You of course need to rule out cardiac etc. causes...but if you have a drop in blood sugar from not eating steadily your body will try to adjust and send a squirt of adrenaline and then poof...panic, anxiety, etc....Also, I have heard they are often releated to inner ear disorders and ear infections. But of course, there is reason to panic...the sitation in New Orleans, the world in general..but make sure you eat protein at each meal and snack and enough of it and rule out other causes. mg

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15 Sep 05 - 07:59 PM (#1564696)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: The Fooles Troupe

Ah! the old Mudcat Troll is out of Levenworth again and at his best as usual - of course Somerset Maugham once commented, "Only a mediocre artist is always at his best."

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15 Sep 05 - 08:02 PM (#1564700)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,Takamine Yamaha

Martin Gibson,

My dry cleaner advertises himself as a professional. I can find better help here thankyou.

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15 Sep 05 - 10:23 PM (#1564789)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: M.Ted

That's not really Martin Gibson--of course, Martin Gibson wasn't really Martin Gibson, so I suppose it doesn't really matter. For the record, I re-read my post, and, not withstanding PaulineL or the fake Martin Gibson, I suggested, not once, but twice, that our friend see a doctor--actually, two doctors, one who specializes in dealing with Anaphylactic shock, and someone who specializes in dealing with panic attacks.

I also re-read other comments, and found that they tended to be either advice similar to mine, or personal accounts of similar experiences--neither is considered practicing medicine without a lisense-

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23 Sep 05 - 12:09 AM (#1568967)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,Debbie

Well, I have been having the same problems. My so called "panic attacks" are also accompanied by a sore neck, headache and tight chest. My dr. doesn't seem quite as concerned as I am. Anyone else have the same symptoms?

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23 Sep 05 - 12:30 AM (#1568977)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: CarolC

What part of your neck gets sore, Debbie?

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23 Sep 05 - 12:31 AM (#1568980)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: Donuel

"Only a mediocre artist is always at his best."
Thank you. I was thinking I might enter a primitive phase to break up the monotony.

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23 Sep 05 - 12:38 AM (#1568983)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: LadyJean

I started having them in college, where they ruined my social life, and didn't do a lot for my classwork. I had a terrible time with them until I was 26. My father died. My mother needed me. I had to be there for her, so I started ignoring the damned things, and they went away, until mother and I were in England. Then I had a couple of real beauties, one on the way to see the Mary Rose. I wish I knew why. Jet lag, is a possibility I suppose, since I didn't consume Marmite.
Once you know what they are, they're easier to deal with. I got rid of one of them by trying to remember how to dance the Sean Truibhas.
(A complicated Scottish dance I did, very badly, in my youth.)
Now seeing the words Martin Gibson on a posting again almost triggered one. Those are words I only want to see on guitars.

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23 Sep 05 - 01:03 AM (#1568994)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: The Fooles Troupe

Donuel,
one of my ex-girl friends says she wants to be monotonous now...

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23 Sep 05 - 01:08 AM (#1568996)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: The Fooles Troupe

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23 Sep 05 - 11:01 AM (#1569197)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: Janie

May I suggest the "Anxiety & Phobia Workbook" by Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D. New Harbinger Publications, "Don't Panic" by Reid Wilson, or "The Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns, MD. garden variety panic (non-PTSD) is relatively common. Cognitive-behavioral techniques are probably the most effect way to learn to manage and prevent them. You might be able to do it on your own closely following the exercises in the first workbook mentioned. Or you might want to consult with a good cognitive-behavioral therapist.

Janie

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23 Sep 05 - 12:40 PM (#1569292)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST

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23 Sep 05 - 12:44 PM (#1569298)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: GUEST,Mrr

Ooh, Marmite as an antidote, I'll have to see.

Of COURSE I saw doctors - the ER folks said my cardiac enzymes were "way normal" - the regular doc I saw after said my platelets were low but on retest they were fine; I've had a cardiac stress test, it's fine; and it hasn't recurred yet, although I am really stressed out (3 years of unemployment can do that to you). I have been referred to a "stress clinic" since they (the several doctors) can' find anything wrong... physically, that is.

But I also look for advice from friends... so thanks, all. Well, almost all!

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24 Sep 05 - 01:08 AM (#1569675)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: LadyJean

I wasn't thinking of Marmite as an antidote, I was thinking of it as a cause. Come to that it might have been the English bologna. English food can be wonderful, especially pub lunches. But English Bologna can ruin your whole day.

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24 Sep 05 - 07:25 PM (#1570013)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: The Fooles Troupe

I thought the English went to Bologna for a holiday by the seaside.

Bugger Bologna! It could ruin your whole holiday!

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27 Sep 05 - 08:31 AM (#1571396)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: The Fooles Troupe

Musta been a breakout from Leavenworth...

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27 Sep 05 - 02:59 PM (#1571661)
Subject: RE: BS: Anxiety Attacks - back in fashion?
From: M.Ted

Sorry I doubted you, Martin, but any idiot can post as GUEST,Martin Gibson--You're the only one who can post as member, Martin Gibson--

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