Don't understand what is happening to me!!!

[Unhappy_Girl]

For the last 9 years I have what I think are panic attacks. I get heart palpitations, get cold yet sweat, feel nauseous and sometimes my legs feel all tingly or not there. This happens intermittently. Sometimes when we are going somewhere new and sometimes going to a familiar place. Today I had a doctors appointment and only got half way to town and had to turn around. I had been feeling anxious but thought I'd be okay (sometimes it goes away once I'm on the road and sometimes not). The doctor a while ago gave me some medication but when I took it within 15/20 minutes I would have a major 'wave' come over me that was really scary. Does anyone else have something like this and if so what have you done to cope. If I can't get this sorted out it means I won't have much fun in retirement as we were planning to travel around Australia (grey nomad). I'm at my wits end to get this sorted. It is so frustrating and it really upset me today.

[Ggrand]

Hello Unhappy Girl..

A very warm welcome to the forums..

Im sorry your struggling with panic attacks...They are not very pleasant things to happen to us..I often get them and they can be quite frightening..

You’re not alone with turning around when on your way to visit your Dr..It’s something I do at times due to my anxiety....

Im just thinking if a medication review is needed..you said that 15/20 minutes after you took them...put you into a panic attack....Have you talked to your Dr. about what’s happening with the panic attacks....

Please Dear Unhappy Girl...If you do have a panic attack while driving...be very careful and pull over if you can and start some deep slow breathing and try hard to ground yourself with something around you that you see and can focus on..Just my concern for you talking...

Talk here anytime you feel up to it..We are here for you and will try our best to support you and help you when we can..

My kindest and most caring thoughts dear Unhappy Girl..

Grandy..

[Unhappy_Girl]

Hi Grandy

Thanks for responding & your concern.

I'm fine with driving, doesn't stop that. I can continue to drive and calm down or I find once I have turned around I start calming down. Sometimes though the 'sick' feeling can last most of the day (don't eat much then). When I can get to the doctor I will tell him about the medication he has given me to use if an attack happens. They are so intermittent that haven't had to try the medication much (only twice and scared the heck out of me). Looking for a more natural alternative that I can use when I feel the nervousness starting to come on.

Unhappy Girl

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

I see our lovely Grandy has answered already and I agree medications should be immediately referred to your GP if an adverse reaction occurs.

Try a few things. Stop the car and walk around the block, always leave home 15 minutes early for this reason. This is called distraction and it is a major player in the relief of anxiety. Put on some music, even talk to a friend while driving (hands free of course).

You mentioned a Grey Nomad future holiday concept. Perhaps you need this holiday more than you've realised. I built our own caravan and tow it with a vintage car- fabulous holidays we have indeed. Maybe a few days away on a short van holiday is called for regularly too.

In the long term, there is many exercises you can do to help you. Deep breathing can even be done in the car when you leave home, muscle tensioning exercises, etc.

Place in the top search bar-

Anxiety, how I eliminated it

Repost anytime

TonyWK

[Unhappy_Girl]

Morning White Knight

Sorry haven't responded, been so busy here.

Thank you for your suggestions. Will definitely do a search for anxiety elimination.

Unhappy Girl.

[Annie1974]

I dont know where your up to with menopause but I started perimenopause this year and with it came severe anxiety. Also have Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder which means im very anxious and angry and stressed from ovulation until i have a period. Dr started me on HRT which made my panic attacks worse.
If you are of an age to be on HRT maybe thats something to look at in particular progesterone replacement is the culprit in PMDD.
Im now on an SSRI medication  which is for panic attacks, side effects arent fantastic but i have been told they dont last more then 4 to 6 weeks. I have only been on it 5 days.
I use to have problems going to the dr and telling them what the issue was and get all anxious. It got better when nothing i was doing helped and I really need the dr to listen.

[Ggrand]

Hello Unhappy Girl,

Just wanted to pop in and say hello..as well as check to see how your going..,

I have a thread here on grounding yourself title “Grounding yourself what is it and how do we”...It’s all about getting yourself grounded when your feeling anxious or feel an anxiety attack starting up..

There are so many good suggestions about making a small Grounding box/package to take in you car with you which you can also make and keep around your home...in easy access if needed...Also their is a few posts made on which essential oils are good to help you in different ways..you might find something in that thread to help you in a more natural way...Please feel free to comment on the tread if you feel up to it...

I hope you had a good day today..dear Unhappy Girl.,

My kindest and most caring thoughts lovely Unhappy Girl,,

Grandy..

[Unhappy_Girl]

Well and truly through menopause (I'm 58) and only seemed to come on after my husband's heart scare.

I am trying some other natural products at the moment and hoping they will help.

What is SSRI? Might be something I can talk to my doctor about if the natural stuff I'm trialling doesn't work.

[Unhappy_Girl]

Hi Grandy

Thanks for checking in.

I am trying some natural products to see how they go, hopefully will find some success there.

If all works out will definitely let you guys all know.

Have a great Christmas and New Year.

[Annie1974]

SSRIs are anti anxiety meds. Seratonin reuptake, I only lasted 2 weeks the side effects drove me crazy. It does work for most. With my dr i think we worked out mine was an issue with the hormone progesterone, i had to much. So im on estrogen patches to balance me out so far seems to be working.