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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by WhatToDoNext on July 31, 2008, at 20:49:12
For the past few days, I've been experiencing this shortness of breath and all day anxiety. I can't seem to control the breathing and it seems to go all day long. And that dreadful feeling in the middle of my chest that goes back and forth to my head. When it's in my head, I get all foggy, can't concentrate, etc.
So, today of all days, I have my Psych appt. I drive down there huffing and puffing away the entire way. My father decides to meet me there as I've tried so many meds like a lab rat and wants to find out what else can be done for me.
On arrival, he sees me with the rapid breathing and I'm having trouble holding a conversation with him. My anxiety was flaring as it had been all day. We get into the Psych Docs office and this is the first time she has seen me like this. She starts suggesting I go to the ER and seek Psych admission. I tell her I'm scared to death as I have full custody of my 2 small children and I don't want to be in a locked unit with a bunch of wackos. Thank God, all of this hasn't impaired my cognative ability to rationalize.
Anyway, my father steps into the conversation and I'm just sitting there listening.
Then out of nowhere, my breathing returns to normal, and the anxiety is 100% gone from my chest. I start telling them, "It's Gone". I feel fine. They both look at me like I'm crazy. I tell them I could go out dancing and I start smiling out of relief. And were all sitting there and thinking to ourselves, "What the Hell just Happened" ?
That is my question in this link.....What the hell happened. I've been having this for 3 weeks without a break. The Xanax and Klonopin havn't helped at all, and I've been overly sedated from all the anxiety I would guess. Boom, it's gone. I didn't take anything before the visit. I just take Klonopin, Xanax and Zoloft, and Propanolol. Hadn't taken anything in hours as I was so sedated on the way down. Once it all let up, I actually felt a surge of energy. I'm still exhausted, but I feel fine and my breathing is fine and no anxiety. Again....I havn't had a break from this in over 3 weeks.
Please give me some insight as to what is going on with me. Even when I have the breathing problem, I don't always feel the anxiety.
Steve
Posted by raisinb on July 31, 2008, at 20:59:55
In reply to All day Panic Attack...........A must Read !!!!!!!, posted by WhatToDoNext on July 31, 2008, at 20:49:12
That's great! It almost sounds like a psychological reaction to having your father take the reins so you didn't have to wrestle with the conversation anymore. Maybe that was calming.
I had shortness of breath from anxiety a few years ago. My doctor gave me asthma meds--Advair and a fast-action inhaler (I think she thought I had asthma, which I do not). But oddly enough, they helped considerably. Maybe it was a placebo effect, or maybe I have very mild asthma that flares under intense anxiety. But it may be worth trying, perhaps.
Posted by Deputy 10derHeart on July 31, 2008, at 22:39:28
In reply to All day Panic Attack...........A must Read !!!!!!!, posted by WhatToDoNext on July 31, 2008, at 20:49:12
>I don't want to be in a locked unit with a bunch of wackos.
Hello WTDN,
I know you are pretty new here, so you're probably not all that familiar with the civility guidelines Dr. Bob asks us to follow. However, I am going to have to ask you not to post anything that could lead others to feel put down, such as members of the Babble community who have been patients in locked psychiatric units. I think it's reasonable to assume they could feel hurt being described with the phrase you used.
These administrative requests are meant to be helpful and educational, and I am writing this post in that spirit. I hope you feel welcome at Babble, and find help here with your questions/issues. I know I have. :-)
I do recommend you take a look at the site civility guidelines in the FAQ (link will appear below) It should help in heading off any accidental violations in the future.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be directed to Psycho-Babble Admin and should of course be civil. Dr. Bob has oversight over deputy decisions, and he may choose a different action.
Thanks...
-- 10derHeart, acting as deputy for Dr. Bob
Posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2008, at 12:13:36
In reply to Please be sensitive/follow site guidelines » WhatToDoNext, posted by Deputy 10derHeart on July 31, 2008, at 22:39:28
That's strange to say the least only things that come to mind is l. the thought of being locked up and have sole custody of your children if it was anxiety may have turned a switch off which leads to number 2 and boy it's speculation could you have some sort of bipolar illness? and three would be what raisinb said. But that fabulous still feeling better? The breathing has that improved? Love Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on August 1, 2008, at 17:03:19
In reply to All day Panic Attack...........A must Read !!!!!!!, posted by WhatToDoNext on July 31, 2008, at 20:49:12
Steve:
That's an incredible story! Thank god your anxiety went away, though. I don't think I could have handled what you went through.
Anyway, I have a high level of floating anxiety too. It seems to just move around my body at all times unless I take antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication. This may sound strange but...could your anxiety be "hiding" in another part of your body now, one that is less noticeable? That is the way it is for me. If the anxiety is in my stomach/colon area, or my back/chest area, it is unbearable. I can't sleep, can't sit still, can't concentrate. However, sometimes, it moves to my legs and calves. When that happens, I don't notice it as much, and I can sleep better, concentrate better, and feel less anxious. The thing with me is that my anxiety never goes away without pharmaceutical aid. It sounds like yours...maybe something just switched off in your body after such an intense panic attack, and that is why it is "gone." But wow, all day panic attacks, that's intense. I totally feel for you. I hope you find the right med or other solution to your anxiety issues.
Chris
Posted by tealady on August 2, 2008, at 2:34:32
In reply to All day Panic Attack...........A must Read !!!!!!!, posted by WhatToDoNext on July 31, 2008, at 20:49:12
yes support is great and makes such a diff.. I miss support too and also am struggling with anxiety at present. on days whichs aren't too bad, if i can turn on a DVD of Tai Chi and do it , it helps, it does the breathing with the movements so it kinbda forces youi to bresthe right.. but on worse days I can function enouhgh to think of it, or how to put on a DVD even or the effort/concentration of doi ng it?..if that makes sense? I think I'm just over whelmed at present and not coping. Hope you are b etter soon, but oif you can get hold of a Tai Chi beginers DVD it may help at times..
Your kids could even do it with you!
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