Hello
I am new here. I am a carer looking after my handicapped brother I also take care of my dad (80 yrs old)
I haven't had a panic attack in years sometimes I get a little nevrous when I am out but I suffered from "nerves attacks" since I was in high school I thought it was the norm.
I started to get panic attacks after my mom died in 1983 I would go out on my own someone always had to be there when I started working someone walked me to the bus stop and came to get me when I finished in the evenings. I really didn't have a social life my own doing I know that. I always thought I was going to have a attack when I was out on my own and I thought I was going to die silly I know but that how I felt.
With the help of my dad I gradually got use to going out on my own just going to the local papershop was a task but I did it. My panic attacks became
less frequent.
When I was 28 I started going through the early menopause
and again I started have panic attacks I couldn't going shopping in a crowded shops I just wanted to get out of the place. My legs would shake as if I was going to fall, my heart would beat 50 to the dozen, I would go all light headed I would be breathing very fast.
With the doctor sorting out my menopause treatment I slowly sorted my self out with dads help. I always be use to having someone go out with me ie sister going to same school then after she left my cousin. I don't why but looking back now I never was allowed to go out on my own my folks always worried in case anything happened.
Sorry to be so long winded telling this.
Anyhow one morning I thought to myself I can't stay like this forever sooner or later it will be me and my brother and I will have to go out on my own to pay the bills and do the shopping somehow with this postive thinking I starting going out on my own the panic attacks weren't so bad I still can't can't go shopping in a crowded place though.
Just before christmas just gone I went to the local shop but I had to turn back I just couldn't go any further all a suddeny my heart was racing my legs were shaking I had trouble breathing sweat was pouring down my back
when I got home I spent most of the day lying on the sofa it really scared the hell out of me. Now I seem to get them more often the last attack happened last saturday.
Dad's was ill last summer and doesn't get out now he gets short of breath and not very steady on his feet when he his walking and I have been under a lot of stress recently and I seem to be having problems with the menopause, waiting to see the doctors about this and I wondering if this may have trigged it off this time round?
Does anyone have any tips on how I can get back my old self?
I am reading the parts of your Panic Program from the Panic-Attacks.co.uk
website and also waiting the the cd The Panic Prevention Audio Program to pop through my letterbox
Sorry again for this long story.
Warmest Regards
Beverley
help needed getting panic attacks again
6 posts
• Page 1 of 1
by Bliss » Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:48 pm
Hi Beverly!
I’m “Bliss” and this is the first site I have found, with these toppings.
When I read your letter it touched my heart. The simularities are almost frightening.I mean from the way you describe your attaks to the way you excuse yorself even in al etter nobody knows you.
I hope you have been to the doktor because i have no miracle cure. But you are not alone and I would be delited if you would mail me when and if you need or want to. I believe that a lot of understanding comes from talking to people with the same problems.
I am sorry about your mother. I know how hard that can be.I lost mine in `96 as I was only 21.My mother died of cancer after beeing sick for one and a half year.It must be hard for you to care so much for others wilest beeing sick.It was during/after my mother died that I got the attaks. Seldom at first and then every day. I have had them for 9 years now, but luckely it goes in periods.
Well, I just wanted to let you now that I here If you need to talk.
senserely Bliss
I’m “Bliss” and this is the first site I have found, with these toppings.
When I read your letter it touched my heart. The simularities are almost frightening.I mean from the way you describe your attaks to the way you excuse yorself even in al etter nobody knows you.
I hope you have been to the doktor because i have no miracle cure. But you are not alone and I would be delited if you would mail me when and if you need or want to. I believe that a lot of understanding comes from talking to people with the same problems.
I am sorry about your mother. I know how hard that can be.I lost mine in `96 as I was only 21.My mother died of cancer after beeing sick for one and a half year.It must be hard for you to care so much for others wilest beeing sick.It was during/after my mother died that I got the attaks. Seldom at first and then every day. I have had them for 9 years now, but luckely it goes in periods.
Well, I just wanted to let you now that I here If you need to talk.
senserely Bliss
by Nona » Sat Mar 13, 2004 12:49 am
Hi Beverley -so sorry you are feeling so bad with these attacks. I have had them myself so know what you must be going through. Obviously being under stress is not helping, and I really think you need some respite from caring for others. Also you need some others things in your life to be the focus of your attention. This is such a big subject, but there are lots of people who feel like you, and there are also lots of people who know how to help you. I hope you find a good person.
The main reason for writing is to say I am sure that my recent panic attacks were caused by the loss of oestrogen at the menopause - oestrogen is known as 'nature's tranquilliser' - but unfortunately my GP did not tell me that. I think that because very few GPs have any personal experience of the menopause, they are very ignorant on this (of course, because they are either men or pre-menopausal women!). As a short term emergency measure, I found that beta-blockers and tranquillisers were very effective (at the right dosage - very important) but after that you might be helped by HRT (again, short term, just to give you some relief while you sort yourself out a bit). I personally favour more natural products, and have found Vitabiotics Menopace vitamin pills to be useful, as they are specially balanced for women around the menopause, with lots of B vitamins, which are good for the nerves. You also need to look at plant oestrogens, called phyto-oestrogens, which can help. You need some proper advice on this, but there's a lot out there. Also the right diet can help - get information on this.
Finally, take heart, because these feelings will get better, as you know from your previous experience. You need to get some short term relief, so you can think clearly about tackling the stress in your life. Do try to speak to other carers, who know the difficulties you face. It is obvious you are very close to your father, and it must be distressing for you to see him deteriorate, but you have to remind yourself that you cannot prevent the inevitable, because it is a fact of life that everybody has to get old. Just be aware that you cannot be responsible for everybody else's lives, your brother's included, although you can still care for them. You also need to care for yourself and make sure that some more of your needs are being met.
I hope some of this sets you on the road to recovery. You are obviously a very kind and devoted person, but you must get someone to help you as well.
All good wishes, and let us know when you are feeling you've turned the corner!
The main reason for writing is to say I am sure that my recent panic attacks were caused by the loss of oestrogen at the menopause - oestrogen is known as 'nature's tranquilliser' - but unfortunately my GP did not tell me that. I think that because very few GPs have any personal experience of the menopause, they are very ignorant on this (of course, because they are either men or pre-menopausal women!). As a short term emergency measure, I found that beta-blockers and tranquillisers were very effective (at the right dosage - very important) but after that you might be helped by HRT (again, short term, just to give you some relief while you sort yourself out a bit). I personally favour more natural products, and have found Vitabiotics Menopace vitamin pills to be useful, as they are specially balanced for women around the menopause, with lots of B vitamins, which are good for the nerves. You also need to look at plant oestrogens, called phyto-oestrogens, which can help. You need some proper advice on this, but there's a lot out there. Also the right diet can help - get information on this.
Finally, take heart, because these feelings will get better, as you know from your previous experience. You need to get some short term relief, so you can think clearly about tackling the stress in your life. Do try to speak to other carers, who know the difficulties you face. It is obvious you are very close to your father, and it must be distressing for you to see him deteriorate, but you have to remind yourself that you cannot prevent the inevitable, because it is a fact of life that everybody has to get old. Just be aware that you cannot be responsible for everybody else's lives, your brother's included, although you can still care for them. You also need to care for yourself and make sure that some more of your needs are being met.
I hope some of this sets you on the road to recovery. You are obviously a very kind and devoted person, but you must get someone to help you as well.
All good wishes, and let us know when you are feeling you've turned the corner!
by Roger Elliott » Mon Mar 15, 2004 2:55 pm
(Posted by Jill Wooton from RogerE's computer!)
Hi Beverly.
Seemes like you are a very resourceful and strong lady to have had those past unpleasant anxiety issues and have come through them pretty much on your own.
To answer your question, yes panic attacks can be caused by hormonal imbalance. During the menopause a womans progesterone levels fall, leaving the oestrogen levels to run unchecked, this often leads to an increase in adrenalin and cortisol levels which then give rise to feelings of anxiety and panic attacks. The best way you can help this is to eat as healthy a diet as you can, if you email me privately I will send you some futher information on this.
The recent panic attack was possibly bought on by your incresed general stress levels at the moment, so if you practise some relaxation techniques you will find this will lessen the likelyhood of this happening and you will generally feel calmer and happier.
How about setting 20 minutes aside every day to teach that body how feel better? Start by doing what we call 7/11 breathing, that is breathing in for the count of 7 and out for the count of 11. Some people like to do a count of say 3/6 and that is fine, just so long as the outwards breath is longer. It may feel stange at first but practise this as often and as regularly as you can.
Breathing in this way adjusts the chemical balance of the body, so that lovely relaxing hormones are circulating. Pracise with your eyes closed
Once you have found your rhythm imagine a colour or the suns rays working their way over your head and just melting every part of your body, you will very soon get so good at this that even when you just start the breathing you will notice that the body immediately responds by relaxing deeply.
You will notice so many unexpected benifits from doing this, better sleep and and more confidence being just two things.
Let us know how you get on, and have a look at our self confidence site and panic attackssite, you will pick up some futher tips
Best wishes Jill
Hi Beverly.
Seemes like you are a very resourceful and strong lady to have had those past unpleasant anxiety issues and have come through them pretty much on your own.
To answer your question, yes panic attacks can be caused by hormonal imbalance. During the menopause a womans progesterone levels fall, leaving the oestrogen levels to run unchecked, this often leads to an increase in adrenalin and cortisol levels which then give rise to feelings of anxiety and panic attacks. The best way you can help this is to eat as healthy a diet as you can, if you email me privately I will send you some futher information on this.
The recent panic attack was possibly bought on by your incresed general stress levels at the moment, so if you practise some relaxation techniques you will find this will lessen the likelyhood of this happening and you will generally feel calmer and happier.
How about setting 20 minutes aside every day to teach that body how feel better? Start by doing what we call 7/11 breathing, that is breathing in for the count of 7 and out for the count of 11. Some people like to do a count of say 3/6 and that is fine, just so long as the outwards breath is longer. It may feel stange at first but practise this as often and as regularly as you can.
Breathing in this way adjusts the chemical balance of the body, so that lovely relaxing hormones are circulating. Pracise with your eyes closed
Once you have found your rhythm imagine a colour or the suns rays working their way over your head and just melting every part of your body, you will very soon get so good at this that even when you just start the breathing you will notice that the body immediately responds by relaxing deeply.
You will notice so many unexpected benifits from doing this, better sleep and and more confidence being just two things.
Let us know how you get on, and have a look at our self confidence site and panic attackssite, you will pick up some futher tips
Best wishes Jill
- Roger Elliott
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2821
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by midnight ranger35 » Sat May 15, 2004 12:30 am
hi, im ranger. i hate to be the one to tell you but you are agoraphobic. ive been there. the only way to beat it is to make yourself get out and into the situations that scare you. your panic is a learned response. but it can be altered. this will be hard and you may feel a little worse in the begining, but it will get easier and easier. i might also suggest you using a safe person to begin with, but to actually beat it, you are going to have to realize that YOU are your own safe person. good luck.
- midnight ranger35
- New Member
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by Darren » Sun May 16, 2004 4:01 pm
Hi Beverly
Well as you can see you are definately not alone in the feelings you are experiencing. I have been suffering for 6 years and recently became agoraphobic.
I think stress can play a major part in triggering attacks, it sounds like you are the one person holding many other peoples worlds together and that probably causes you alot of pressure even if you dont realise.
There is no shame in turning around and heading home. I have done that alot in my time and when it first started happening i did feel ashamed but why should you? It does seem like you are agoraphobic and this may be worth bringing up with your doctor. I think you need more support with everything you are doing and going through.
Have a look at my site, www.becomeyourself.org it might provide some answers for you also you can email me from there if you need to.
Well as you can see you are definately not alone in the feelings you are experiencing. I have been suffering for 6 years and recently became agoraphobic.
I think stress can play a major part in triggering attacks, it sounds like you are the one person holding many other peoples worlds together and that probably causes you alot of pressure even if you dont realise.
There is no shame in turning around and heading home. I have done that alot in my time and when it first started happening i did feel ashamed but why should you? It does seem like you are agoraphobic and this may be worth bringing up with your doctor. I think you need more support with everything you are doing and going through.
Have a look at my site, www.becomeyourself.org it might provide some answers for you also you can email me from there if you need to.
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