Ugh. The last few days have been hellatious. I keep having these terrible panic attacks, worse than any I've ever had before. :(

One second I'm relatively calm, and the next second my heart is beating so hard I can hear it in my ears, my thoughts start racing, I'm filled with this feeling that something bad is going to happen any second, my hands get sweaty, I can't seem to catch my breath... Geesh, I feel anxious even *typing* this!

I've dealt with these before, they seem to come with the seasonal depression, but none of my tried and true remedies are working. I finished off the bottle of Rescue Remedy, gone through half of the homeopathic Chamomilla, tried deep breathing and centering.... Even if I find relief for a few minutes, it seems like I think about our current situation and *bam* I go right back into an attack.

Does anyone have any ideas for dealing with these and calming down a bit?? Maybe a yoga pose or pressure point that might do the trick?? I feel like I'm really just going to lose it if I can't get this panic under control... :(

Thanks, I'd appreciate any (non-condescending) advice or suggestions

My brother has terrible panic attacks, and has found that sprinting really helps. There is some chemical that is released in the body when you exercise vigorously that helps cancel out some of the....oh, crud...what's it called....that your brain produces in a panic situation.

So, when he feels one coming on, or just in the middle of one, he'll take off running. Not super easy with a baby, but maybe do-able.

Please forgive my not knowing the words, lol. When I talk to him next, I'll ask him if he can recommend anything else.

Dh was gettin panic attacks daily for about 6-9 months after Jacob's diagnosis with CF. What helped were a few things. For him indigestion was a trigger and we worked on his diet to eliminate foods and meals that were causing it. (Cut out wheat, and went to smaller meals, mostly.)

Calms Forte by Hyland's works wonders for him. Now when he feels one coming on he can take a Calms Forte (or two, LOL) and it eases him out of it. It is a blend of different homeopathics.

He found that by identifying his triggers he was better able to avoid getting to the early stages of panic. Besides meals, late afternoons when he would try to "relax" and watch TV seemed to bring on anxiety. If he got up and did something that occupied mind and body, he was ok.

Sorry you are going through this Meeshi. :( I know it is a very hard thing to deal with and such a scary feeling.

I got pregnant and for me I have to consciencily take deep slow breaths and picture myself in a calm and satisfying place. Sometimes taking a hot bath helps, sometimes I just have to sit and breath, other times I think I am going to pop my lid but it goes away. It can be so freaky sometimes. My sister has to take meds for hers as they are part of her bi-polar disorder. She would not have a normal life without the meds. I have often wondered if I am headed down the same road as her due to these panic attacks coming at me from all sides since I became pregnant. Talking about them helps too. It is a mental response to something in your brain not functioning as it should be. That is what my doctor said anyway. My sister takes Tai-Chi and she says it does wonders for the attacks. I am presently doing yoga exercise myself and that seems to really help too, plus a well balanced diet from all food groups has helped me a great deal. I have been seeing a nutritionist for my gestational diabetes and the diet they put me on has been fabulous for my attacks. I hope that helps. Diet and exercise I feel are the key and I am going to look into joining a Tai-Chi organization for the exercise and relaxation part. I know how to eat now but need to keep going with this. I hope you feel better soon and something helps you. It is not easy. ((hugs))

I know you are a vegetarian, but what are you eating? Have you eaten more carbs lately or sugars (refined or unrefined?). All of those things affect me in that way.

You might try head stands as a yoga pose. They are the cure-all. :D

I would inspect your diet as a first line of defense even if nothing you are eating has changed.

I've dealt with these in the past, and can second the suggestion of excersize. I always felt like adrenaline was rushing into my system faster than it could metabolize it. Excersize helped to "use" it up. Maybe put on some music and dance with the kids?

Also, I'm assuming you know this already, but I found that any stimulant like things in my diet made it worse - no caffine, chocolate or sugar. just added fuel to the fire, IFKWIM.

Sounds like there is a situation that you are stressed about? Is there someone you can speak to about it? therapist, spiratual leader, good friend who can listen without necessaily commenting too much? I found that sometimes listing out my worst fears about my current situation made them loose their power to cause panic. Don't get me wrong - didn't make everything peechy keen, but removed that "edge" that would sneak up in inopportune times. . .

Good luck. I know what it feels like to deal with panic attacks. . .

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. :( I found that there were no "remedies" that other people told me, that worked for me. I had to find my own.

However, what dreamingmama said about the breathing *does* work for me. I have to just said and THINK about breathing strong even breaths and it does calm me down (except when I am close to the hypervenilating stage).

I used to have it really really bad, was on meds, etc. I was only on the meds for a month before I got pregnant with my first, but they did help A LOT within a week. I got it worse after my 2nd child was born and I still am not sure what I did to get it under control, but I wish I did b/c it's slowly creeping in again.

Take care (((HUGS)))

Thanks for the support and suggestions!

Now that you mention it, I'm sure my diet has not helped the situation... I usually eat a very balanced diet, but for the last few weeks I've been eating a lot of cheap and filling things like toast and pancakes, crackers and the like... $$ has been impossibly tight and I guess I've been trying to save the "good stuff" for the girls...

And the attacks are definately exacerbated by the fact that J still hasn't found work and rent and bills are swifty approaching and our savings is down to nothing. Every time I try to sit down and think of a solution, I just feel another suffocating attack coming on...

It's about 10 degrees out and snowing right now, so a jog isn't an option, but maybe I should go turn up some funk and dance a little. I haven't been all that active since we got that cold snap, and I'm sure that doesn't help either.


Just trying to get through, minute by minute...

(((((HUGS)))) I don't think I have any suggestions Meeshi, but I have been there. If you need to talk, PM me. Anxiety is a tough road.

Kimberlee

curling up in a ball? screaming, pulling out your hair, maybe? ;)

Sorry- I have gone through the same thing and humour helps me tremendously.

The last 2 months, my attacks have been much increased, and here's what helps...

I second the calms forte from Hylands. It helps me sleep too.

Eating well is a MUST...cuttign down the sugar, taking a multivitamin, eating whole, and/or raw foods, makes a huge difference.

If I feel one approaching, it helps me to get into a pitch-black room, lay down flat, and just breathe. ONLY breathe.

I hope those help...hang in there!

Sit down on your drum and bang til your arms are sore :)

OK, maybe not quite *that* long, but enough to get into your place of communion.

(((Meeshi)))

I'm so sorry you are dealing with panic attacks...

gives me chills just thinking of some Ive had. The *only* thing that ever worked for me was to call someone and have them "talk me down" Just talk continously about anything and everything. Sometimes it takes 1-2 hours.

I tried everything I could think of, breathing just made me hyperventilate, distractions, getting up and outside, baths, dark rooms, diet mods, rescue remedy...

Could never pinpoint triggers, I would wake from sleeping and have one...

I hate to be on meds all the time, but I was put on paxil finally, and havent had one since. that was 6/02


sending thoughts for peace...

Ugh, panic attacks are the worst!! I send lots of hugs. When I used to get them pretty often I tried Skullcap, either the tea or tincture & that seemed to work really well. Healing-calming vibes sent your way, mama.

Vitamin supplements (food based) should help your brain control mis-fired signals.

Breathing and relaxation exercises while you are not in a panic attack should help you control them when you do have one.

I think it is quite managable once you decide the panic is not such a scary thing but something to ride with and observe without judgement of yourself.

Meeshi, first off, I'm sorry life is so stressful for you right now!

DH had a real problem with panic attacks right after DS#1 was born. Way too many life changes for him at once, then a friend died suddenly from a heart attack :( It was a very dark time for him and nearly ended our short marriage. He was medicated, which helped, but he also found that meditation, breathing and dark places helped. He developed a 'mantra' of sorts. I can't remember it now, but it was something to the effect of "this will NOT take over". He would repeat this to himself, sometimes a hundred or more, until the panic subsided. Also, he would lie down on his stomach.

He had this relaxation tape too that helped. He said that sometimes hearing a strangers voice helped. I can see if I can dig it out if you think it might help?

I think dancing to lively, upbeat music is a great idea!

Yoga!!!

I would do several sets of sun salutations...(if you don't know a good rotation, pm me and I will list out the poses) this honors the earth and yourself and helps to get centered. Yoga positions that are seated help to ground and calm.

Specific poses:

Siddhasana-Perfect Pose (this is just like lotus pose but one foot is parrallel with the other in front of you cross-legged) with hands in a mudra- bring pointer/index finger to thumb for mental clarification. This asana purifies the 72,000 channels of the body and aids in concentration and is great for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and blood pressure, plus it is gentle and easy to do.

Padmasana- Lotus pose- helps with the same things as above as well as digestion which will help if it is the culprit (or what you have been eating).

Muktasana- Liberated pose, also called Easy pose- this is basically sitting cross-legged... put your hands into a mudra and breath deeply.

Gaurakshasana- Cowherd Posture- this is sitting with your feet together (sort of like a butterfly) kwim? This pose normalized blood pressure and aids in concentration.

Hasta Padangusthasana- Hand -toe pose. Stand with legs together. Lift left leg gradually to side and hold your toe with your left hand. Gradually stretch the right arm to balance, resting the weight of your body on the right foot. Look straight ahead. Repeat with right leg and use a wall for support if needed.


Ardha-Matsyendrasana- Half Spinal Twist Posture-
Aids and improves digestion ( all twisting poses do this)

All standing poses will also aid in concentration. Most of the poses above are very similiar- sitting in lotus and breathing deeping stimulate chakras which in turn aid in grounding and concentration.

You said that breathing wasn't working for you for very long. Maybe you are not doing the right pranayama??? A good one to use is alternate nostril breathing ( or sun and moon breath), but becareful not to hold it for too long, which can cause blood pressure to rise...Left nostril breathing is moon breath and induces cooling and right is sun breath and induces heat. Women tend to use moon breath more than sun- which can cause an imbalance, you can feel this most in mid-afternoon if your right side is more stuffy or harder to breathe out of - then you need to plug off your left side and breath through right. hold it, then release through right nostril several times. Take a cleasning breath and repeat. Or if you are not plugged up at all, or don't notice it, use alternate- breath in through one side, plug off nose, and then release breath through the opposite nostril, repeat several times alternating which side you start on...


Oh , Shirshasana (standing on your head) is a great pose for improving the brains functioning, boosting the immune system, and stimulating the endocrine glands, but be sure NOT to do this pose when you are in the middle of an anxiety attack where you heart is racing...it can raise blood pressure very easily- which is the opposite of what your body needs to happen during an attack- you want to focus on calming the body and lowering the blood pressure....BUT, it is great and okay to do when you are feeling happy and calm.

HTH!!!

By the way, did you get the Waldorf question answered???