I just had a panic attack...

[CTyankee]

it came from nowhere. I was getting ready to go out and do a bit of food and wine shopping. Then, I panicked and my heart started beating fast. I regularly take Gabapentin (for nerve pain) and had read that it was good for panic attacks so I took my dose a little earlier. Then: the panic was gone. Will call my doc's office tomorrow to report it.

Now everything is back to normal. But I will postpone the wine for another day...

[Laurelin]

1. Panic attacks are awful

Glad you're feeling better!

[CTyankee]

3. I never had one before, not even when I was going through a bitter divorce (over 30 years ago).

But i had a stressful event a week or so ago when I got the news that my wonderful hairdresser had dropped dead. Perhaps the shock of that stressed me too much and then alluva sudden zapped me. However, I was moving on and things were getting back to normal.
Go figure!

[Laurelin]

8. I think panic attacks can have physical causes

I have had panic attacks when I couldn't catch my breath from asthma and when I went into anaphylactic shock. I mean, they probably saved my life, but they were seriously unpleasant. So it's good to get checked out...

[niyad]

2. huggggggs. Glad all is back to normal. Please take good care of yourself.

[leftieNanner]

4. Those are awful

And very scary. I had on the day after Christmas 2023. Thought I was going to die! Went to the ER.

Didn't die.

Prozac and a year of therapy did the trick.

Feel better.

[CTyankee]

5. I was fearing having to go to the ER (or Urgent Care) whichever. Glad I took care of it at home.

[Xavier Breath]

6. I ended up at the ER with one about a dozen years ago.

I was convinced I was having a heart attack. So, I can certainly empathize with you.

[CTyankee]

7. I'm old and I think I read somewhere that these attacks are more prevalent in the elderly.

The thing is, I wasn't particularly worried about anything. Of course, I worry about everything nowadays (Trump, price of groceries, increase in my escrow account for our mortgage), fear about outliving our savings, taking care of a handicapped spouse. It's a lot.

[Xavier Breath]

9. That was what worried me the most about them.

The doctor said that they can come out of left field, at times when you don't feel stressed. Sure enough I had one about six months later, but (knock on wood) I haven't had one since. Good luck with them.

[XanaDUer2]

13. A few weeks ago, one came flying

Out...I am stressed. Suddenly, I start getting lightheaded and seeing little white lights spinning in my vision. Thats the start. I sat down, took deep breaths, took half a benzo.

[multigraincracker]

10. You might look up Cognitive Behavioral T strategies

for Panic Attack. Very easy, no drug way to deal with them.
Good luck.

[Maraya1969]

11. Eh...... I had my first panic attack at age 17. They continued until

about 5 years ago.

[XanaDUer2]

12. I feel you

Totally horrible. I take Xanax and other meds

[CTyankee]

14. does the xanax "zone you out"? Can you work, drive, go about daily activities when you take it?

[XanaDUer2]

15. Yes, I can.

I'm not sure why. I take it 3x per day. It also helps me sleep, though. Maybe bc I drink coffee in the morning. Sometimes if I'm really stressed I'll take a little more. Life has been very stressful physically and financially the last 18 months.

[CTyankee]

17. Did your primary care doc prescribe it or did you have to go to a specialist?

If mine can't or won't prescribe it I won't pursue it any further. I am trying to reduce stress by avoiding stressful events like arguing with my husband. I just leave the room.

[Clouds Passing]

16. Sorry you had to experience that. They feel otherworldly

And you had the good sense to deal with it effectively.

[electric_blue68]

18. Good luck! They are nasty, and scary! Had fhem off & on for a while.