anxiety attacks

Pretty recently I was having anxiety problems as well. Not to the point where you are at but it was bad none the less. Whether its depression, stress, anxiety, any of those things you just have to let yourself know that its normal and everyone experiences it, just on different levels. Try and put everything in perspective also and just calm yourself down. Works great for me.

 

does she take anything for them? the worst part for me....is my heart starts beating fast as shit, and i get lightheaded almost to the point of passing out....while im riding down the damn road.

 

damn..that sucks. good thing they dont last too long for her.

 

the scary part.....definitely, and not trying to sound like a badass and all...but there really is nothing that im scared of...but this shit gets me.

 

When I had anxiety attacks, I found I could get it under control very quickly by exercising. In the midst of that feeling like I was going to die, I would just drop to the ground and do some pushups. Or run in place or do some jumping jacks. It would end quickly. If you're on the road when it happens, pull over and park. Close your eyes and take some deep controlled breaths. In deep .. and hold. Out .. and hold. In deep .. and hold etc.

Also when it happens, pause to take notice of what is happening. For example pay attention to your breathing .. I bet you will find you are breathing shallow and very fast. The lightheadedness (and tingling in the fingers and toes you might feel) is hyperventilation. Take note of your breath, and slow it down. This alone can really help lessen the severity. Don't try to control the attack or end it. Just slow the breath, and I bet you'll find it ends sooner of it's own accord.

If you find they are affecting your work, is there someone at work you can talk to about this? Perhaps a boss who might be able to put you on some lighter duty until after your surgery? Being afraid that these attacks are affecting your work, and being afraid of the fallout can only serve to increase the likelihood of another attack. That's the insidious nature of anxiety attacks .. they become self perpetuating. Getting that fear off your chest by talking to a supervisor can lessen this stress.

If you find there is not a sympathetic supervisor, perhaps there is a co-worker you can talk with. Or a minister or counselor or doctor. Believe me .. just talking about it can do a lot.

As for meds, there is Xanax. There also is Ativan. But sometimes these meds (especially Xanax) can really zonk you. And you have to be careful as they are addictive. But in the midst of a crisis, an Ativan (generic Lorazapam) can make a big difference .. especially if you are having trouble sleeping. The come in teeny tiny 0.5mg pills. Dose is up to 2 pills. Just taking 1 reduces some of the side effects (tending to zone out) but should be enough to reduce your stress. But again they should only be used on an as needed basis.

Also as for the sinus surgery ... you didn't mention what it is they are doing, but if it's any help ... been there done that. I had FESS or Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (aka the sinus "roto rooter") done about 13 years ago. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, and it changed my life (up until that point I was having major recurring tonsillitis and sinus infections). It's scary when you think about what they're going to do, but it turns out not to be that bad.

Also if you drink a lot of coffee or energy drinks, cut back. If you smoke or chew, cut back. That is if you can .. sometimes cutting back an addiction like nicotine may cause more stress. But at least cut back on the caffeine.

Hope this helps a little, Will. You are not alone with any of this. Keep talking about it.

 

This^^

If your the type of person to abuse pills and things (Not giving you shit, I just don't know) then pills aren't the answer.

Emergancy use though can make em really effective

 

i knew i forgot to mention something. the surgery is since i have a severely deviated septum...they will go in one side and cut/move some bone and such to open the area up..and on the other side, they are using some new tech....a small balloon they put in place and expand,then pull out....all while cleaning out the sinuses. the dr said its really invasive so it shouldnt be too bad.

i rarely use pills to be honest.......mainly advil if i have a major headache, and daily vitamins. even when i had my neck problems/surgery.....the pain pills rarely made any difference for me, so i just didnt take them.

 

Best of luck with your surgery !! I hope everything goes awesome for you

 

thanks man.....im hoping so as well.

 

And in worst case senario, you now have a wheelchair you can turn into a badass personal batmobile jet packs all around!!

 

when the hell did i get a wheel chair??

 

I Said "Worst Case Senerio"

Like if when your put under, and seal team 6 comes in and starts a rave in the operating room...

shit happens

 

hahahaha if you had one is what he saying!!

I got anxiety bad and a few years ago i got into some trouble, turned into 2 1/2 years of court and trial and i would feel fine until they called my name. Then i felt like my heart was gonna beat out of my throat so i talked to a family friend thats a doctor and he mentioned the exercise thing prior to going to court. So (and this might sound stupid) but i had sex everytime right before i left to go for court and it didnt completely help but i was much more relaxed sitting there and once they called for me i could actually speak words and not feel like someone was choking me to death.

 

lol.....gotcha!

 

Yup, everyones got fears. I'm deathly afraid of hieghts, and I work in 200' tall buildings... it sucks but You always make it through

 

Some very good advice here OP. Good luck to you and with surgery! Also, don't forget the power of prayer.

 

Tell ya what.....this lorazepam that they gave me a prescription for seems to help a good bit,although it makes me tired as hell.

 

Part if not all of your anxiety could be due to pending sinus surgery. Speaking from experience, the surgery will be a walk in the park. I have had three of them. The only bad part of any of them was removing the packing from the first surgery. The next two, even though more involved required no packing.
I suffered anxiety for years, I sat down with my doctor and she decided a very mild dose of Sertaline might help. She was right, I still have attacks now and then but they are rare.
Good luck Will.

 

so you take Zoloft daily or just as needed?

 

Its in your head. You get a little flustered, then aggravation, then it all "snow-Balls". Thus equaling a "panic attack". Relax, Take a deep breath. Accept and Realize the fact that death is imminent, life sometimes suck. Accept the fact that your job also sometimes sucks and will give you stress. Mentally prepare yourself for the stressful situations beforehand.

I suggest not to get into pharmaceutical solution. Its a trap. All they want is to keep you coming back. If you feel you really have to take any meds then I would suggest natures own medicine. WEED