Having really bad panic attacks - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

least · 03-26-2008, 05:41 AM

They are getting worse and happen every day. I had made it to 11 days sober then slipped. Now back on day three. I have no cravings, the thought of drinking makes me feel sick, but don't know how to calm myself while in a terrible panic. It feels like I'm having a heart attack or something. My shrink won't give me ativan anymore so I have nothing I can take to stop them. He put me on neurontin for the anxiety but it doesn't seem to help anymore. Has anyone got any suggestions? I've gotten so desperate that I'm taking OTC sleep aids just to get that drowsy relaxed feeling. I feel like I'm in overdrive and can't stand it. I don't want to drink but want to dull this panic til I can't feel it so much anymore. This is awful. I just want to go back to sleep but am too agitated to fall asleep.

mike_mass · 03-26-2008, 06:05 AM

Do you use caffeine or eat junk food/high carb food? If so, stop.

least · 03-26-2008, 09:39 AM

No, I don't drink coffee anymore. And no junk food. No sugar either.

***nandm*** · 03-26-2008, 10:39 AM

Does your doc know about the alcohol problem?

Are you on an anti-depressant? If so some anti-depressants can increase anxiety, welbutrin had that effect on me. If not then you might consider talking to your doc as some anti-depressants also act as anti-anxiety agents.

Good luck. You can do this. I fight with chronic anxiety. I have klonopin that I take when it is bad. But I also have PTSD which creates much of the anxiety issue. Don't know if that makes any sense or not.

least · 03-26-2008, 02:05 PM

He knows about the alcohol problem. He just won't give me any tranquilizer-type drugs cause they can be addicting. But I don't care, I just want these panic attacks to stop. I can't do anything when I'm in a panic.

frstnm · 03-26-2008, 02:17 PM

Celestial Seasonings : Herbal Teas

I use tension tamer, sleepytime and mood mender for anxiety and trouble w sleeping

***nandm*** · 03-26-2008, 03:44 PM

I would definately talk to him about an anti-depressant since he will not give you any specifially anti-anxiety meds. Sometimes anxiety can be a sign of depression and once the depression is treated the anxiety goes away. Just a thought.

***Morning Glory*** · 03-26-2008, 11:38 PM

I agree with nandm. Go talk to the doctor.

Alcohol withdrawal can produce nervousness, rapid heartbeat, confusion, high blood pressure, and panic as well as other symptoms.

It would be good to have your blood pressure checked and ask for help with the panic attacks.

least · 03-27-2008, 04:17 AM

I'm on a med for depression, also meds for anxiety and bipolar. my doctor knows about this, he just won't give me a med to calm me down. I've had a problem with anxiety for some time now. It's just getting worse. My dear ol' dad (not) has told me to just "take a deep breath and get thru it". Not very helpful advice but then, he intellectualizes everything cause he thinks he's the smartest guy on the planet.

I'm seriously having some big problems with anxiety that I cannot just "will away". I will try those herbal teas first. (tension tamer, sleepytime, and mood mender) and see if they help. I just can't stand always feeling like I'm on the verge of a heart attack or a complete mental collapse. And the current circumstances of my life are anything but calm: unemployed and broke.

***nandm*** · 03-27-2008, 08:14 AM

Ironically I can totally relate to what your dad says. I too at one time believed it was all a matter of just breath and get over it. That people experiencing it were just drama queens. That is to say until I experienced it. Then it was OMG this is real, it isn't just in the head, it isn't just get over it. I was stunned at how powerful these things can be.

Since your already on an antidepressant and meds for the other mental health issues the only other things I could suggest would be
*maybe consider a different doctor? is this on a psych doc? If not he/she may not be understanding the depth of anxiety.
*have you tried yoga or meditation? I know it sounds silly but it helps me a lot with my anxiety. Especially if I do it when I get up in the morning. I only started it a few weeks ago but I can notice a difference on the days I do not do it. Here is a link to one site
Yoga Postures Step-By-Step - Featured Asanas
Also lots of good yoga and meditation stuff in this thread. I update it daily with more http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...editation.html (Eliminate Mental Clutter Through Meditation)
A good easy yoga video for beginners is "am yoga for beginners". If you want I will find out who it is by and post it for you. Here is a link for amazon.com where you can get a used copy for as low as $3.50. Amazon.com: am yoga for beginners

Hope you find something useful out of that. Do hang in there as it took about a year for my head to stop spinning when I got sober. Unfortunately for me the PTSD set in at about 3 years sober and I have been dealing with it for the past 4 years. Some days it really sucks.

Hope you find some of this useful

Toomutch · 03-27-2008, 09:20 AM

Least,
I am sorry you are experiencing so much pain. Anxiety and panic attacks are every bit as bad as full blown depresson, I know because I have both.
I have family and friend that question all the meds. I am on, but it is not for them to judge. If they ever felt what I felt without my meds, they would take them too.
I have ativan that I take for anxiety, and would be lost without it. That is one of the reasons I have not told my doctor about my alcohol problem because I'm afraid he will quit prescribing me ativan, as well as vicoden that I take for pain from fibromyalgia and rhuematoid arthritis.
2 of my children have inherited some of my anxiety and they have sleepy time tea before bed like Frstmn suggested.

sticker · 03-27-2008, 02:42 PM

I feel lucky to have the Dr i do, hes been working with me since my early days in recovery. Knowing all about my past addiction problems he is very cautious about what meds he will give me...i know where your coming from the first yr was bad...constant panic attacks, but working closely with my Dr we kept trying different things until we finally found a combination that we were both comfortable with. yea there is stuff out there that are better and stronger...but I'm not willing to risk going back into my addiction for ANY reason. Good luck Least....hope you are able to find some peace.

least · 03-27-2008, 03:12 PM

I"m afraid there is no help for me, I'm beyond help. It 's only a mater of time.

barb dwyer · 03-27-2008, 10:34 PM

Least -

it's hard .. hard-ER ... when we have to find solutions on our own.

I';ve been reading about your anxiety and have been waiting for someone to say that severe - SEVERE anxiety comes with detox from alcohol.
But it goes away. it's limited. IT's a physical response and then when the liver and other organs begin to clear out - it lessens.

As alcoholics - we have to learn to live without the depressant we've been overdosing with nightly for however long it is that we've been doing it.
That takes time.
It takes committment.
It takes perserverence.

There's no way that I know of around that fact.
IT's straightforward, and simple.
Pain in the a$$ and not what most want to hear but I'm being honest.

I had the shakes so bad, I couldn't drink out of a styrofoam cup for at least a week.
I'd shake so hard, I'd grip the cup harder, and boom! snap!
I'd break the cup.
Coffee..everywhere.

What the thing is, too that I'm seeing is - you're already drinking with so many other medications .. this is not just alcohol withdrawal we're talking about here.

I'm trying to help you realize that from what I am reading
isn't that the doctor isn't 'denying' you relief ...
he/she is not saying 'no I say no relief for you' ...
they ... CAN'T.
Legally - they probably can't give you anything else.

So it boils down to an old AA saying ...

You've simply ... got to WANT this.
You're gonna have to WANT to quit ...
AT LEAST as much as you WANT to drink.

Do you?

least · 03-27-2008, 11:03 PM

Yes, but I'm so afraid of the panic. I can't handle the panic. I feel like I'm about to fly off the face of the earth. I'm scared to death. I feel like I'm not going to live thru this. I've never been so afraid. I'm afraid I'll die. I want to stop drinking but am so afraid to feel this panic. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm sorry

barb dwyer · 03-27-2008, 11:17 PM

I know, hon.
I do.

*hugs*

I remember.
And you've got this PLUS a disorder.

I'm trying to help ya get psyched up here, not doing very well, huh?

Prime for the fight and all that

sweetie don't be sorry - LOL
I just thought if you could separate out one from the other,
it'd help?

least · 03-27-2008, 11:34 PM

I do appriciate your help. I just feel so out of control I've never felt this bad before in my 56 years. I would give my right arm for a few ativan. but my shrink won't give me them anymore and I feel like I'm coming unglued. I'm glad that you understand me. I don't understand myself most of the time. I feel like i'm letting down my kids, myself, andmy dogs. I don't know what to do anymore. thank you for trying. you understand. that helps.

03-26-2008, 05:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
least Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,864	Having really bad panic attacks They are getting worse and happen every day. I had made it to 11 days sober then slipped. Now back on day three. I have no cravings, the thought of drinking makes me feel sick, but don't know how to calm myself while in a terrible panic. It feels like I'm having a heart attack or something. My shrink won't give me ativan anymore so I have nothing I can take to stop them. He put me on neurontin for the anxiety but it doesn't seem to help anymore. Has anyone got any suggestions? I've gotten so desperate that I'm taking OTC sleep aids just to get that drowsy relaxed feeling. I feel like I'm in overdrive and can't stand it. I don't want to drink but want to dull this panic til I can't feel it so much anymore. This is awful. I just want to go back to sleep but am too agitated to fall asleep.
	__________________ I'd rather live in my van with my dogs than live in a mansion without them. Sober since 7/14/08 Whatever happens, I won't drink today.

03-26-2008, 09:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
least Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,864	No, I don't drink coffee anymore. And no junk food. No sugar either.
	__________________ I'd rather live in my van with my dogs than live in a mansion without them. Sober since 7/14/08 Whatever happens, I won't drink today.

03-26-2008, 10:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
*nandm* Life the gift of recovery! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home is where the heart is Posts: 4,559	Does your doc know about the alcohol problem? Are you on an anti-depressant? If so some anti-depressants can increase anxiety, welbutrin had that effect on me. If not then you might consider talking to your doc as some anti-depressants also act as anti-anxiety agents. Good luck. You can do this. I fight with chronic anxiety. I have klonopin that I take when it is bad. But I also have PTSD which creates much of the anxiety issue. Don't know if that makes any sense or not.
	__________________ NOTE: All Big Book quotes are from the First Edition of the Big Book History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, however, if faced with courage, need not be lived again. - Maya Angelou

03-26-2008, 02:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
least Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,864	He knows about the alcohol problem. He just won't give me any tranquilizer-type drugs cause they can be addicting. But I don't care, I just want these panic attacks to stop. I can't do anything when I'm in a panic.
	__________________ I'd rather live in my van with my dogs than live in a mansion without them. Sober since 7/14/08 Whatever happens, I won't drink today.

03-26-2008, 03:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
*nandm* Life the gift of recovery! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home is where the heart is Posts: 4,559	I would definately talk to him about an anti-depressant since he will not give you any specifially anti-anxiety meds. Sometimes anxiety can be a sign of depression and once the depression is treated the anxiety goes away. Just a thought.
	__________________ NOTE: All Big Book quotes are from the First Edition of the Big Book History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, however, if faced with courage, need not be lived again. - Maya Angelou

03-26-2008, 06:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
mike_mass Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Worcester Posts: 804	Do you use caffeine or eat junk food/high carb food? If so, stop.

03-26-2008, 02:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
frstnm Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MetroWest MA Posts: 874	Celestial Seasonings : Herbal Teas I use tension tamer, sleepytime and mood mender for anxiety and trouble w sleeping

03-26-2008, 11:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
*Morning Glory* Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 1,193	I agree with nandm. Go talk to the doctor. Alcohol withdrawal can produce nervousness, rapid heartbeat, confusion, high blood pressure, and panic as well as other symptoms. It would be good to have your blood pressure checked and ask for help with the panic attacks.
	__________________ Pro 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

03-27-2008, 04:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
least Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,864	I'm on a med for depression, also meds for anxiety and bipolar. my doctor knows about this, he just won't give me a med to calm me down. I've had a problem with anxiety for some time now. It's just getting worse. My dear ol' dad (not) has told me to just "take a deep breath and get thru it". Not very helpful advice but then, he intellectualizes everything cause he thinks he's the smartest guy on the planet. I'm seriously having some big problems with anxiety that I cannot just "will away". I will try those herbal teas first. (tension tamer, sleepytime, and mood mender) and see if they help. I just can't stand always feeling like I'm on the verge of a heart attack or a complete mental collapse. And the current circumstances of my life are anything but calm: unemployed and broke.
	__________________ I'd rather live in my van with my dogs than live in a mansion without them. Sober since 7/14/08 Whatever happens, I won't drink today.

03-27-2008, 08:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
*nandm* Life the gift of recovery! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home is where the heart is Posts: 4,559	Ironically I can totally relate to what your dad says. I too at one time believed it was all a matter of just breath and get over it. That people experiencing it were just drama queens. That is to say until I experienced it. Then it was OMG this is real, it isn't just in the head, it isn't just get over it. I was stunned at how powerful these things can be. Since your already on an antidepressant and meds for the other mental health issues the only other things I could suggest would be maybe consider a different doctor? is this on a psych doc? If not he/she may not be understanding the depth of anxiety. have you tried yoga or meditation? I know it sounds silly but it helps me a lot with my anxiety. Especially if I do it when I get up in the morning. I only started it a few weeks ago but I can notice a difference on the days I do not do it. Here is a link to one site Yoga Postures Step-By-Step - Featured Asanas Also lots of good yoga and meditation stuff in this thread. I update it daily with more http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...editation.html (Eliminate Mental Clutter Through Meditation) A good easy yoga video for beginners is "am yoga for beginners". If you want I will find out who it is by and post it for you. Here is a link for amazon.com where you can get a used copy for as low as $3.50. Amazon.com: am yoga for beginners Hope you find something useful out of that. Do hang in there as it took about a year for my head to stop spinning when I got sober. Unfortunately for me the PTSD set in at about 3 years sober and I have been dealing with it for the past 4 years. Some days it really sucks. Hope you find some of this useful
	__________________ NOTE: All Big Book quotes are from the First Edition of the Big Book History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, however, if faced with courage, need not be lived again. - Maya Angelou

03-27-2008, 09:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
Toomutch with a new light in my eyes Join Date: May 2007 Location: A very busy place Posts: 1,813	Least, I am sorry you are experiencing so much pain. Anxiety and panic attacks are every bit as bad as full blown depresson, I know because I have both. I have family and friend that question all the meds. I am on, but it is not for them to judge. If they ever felt what I felt without my meds, they would take them too. I have ativan that I take for anxiety, and would be lost without it. That is one of the reasons I have not told my doctor about my alcohol problem because I'm afraid he will quit prescribing me ativan, as well as vicoden that I take for pain from fibromyalgia and rhuematoid arthritis. 2 of my children have inherited some of my anxiety and they have sleepy time tea before bed like Frstmn suggested.
	__________________ Don't fight with the pillow, but lay down your head And kick every worriment out of the bed. ~Edmund Vance Cooke

03-27-2008, 02:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
sticker Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saint Peter MN Posts: 128	I feel lucky to have the Dr i do, hes been working with me since my early days in recovery. Knowing all about my past addiction problems he is very cautious about what meds he will give me...i know where your coming from the first yr was bad...constant panic attacks, but working closely with my Dr we kept trying different things until we finally found a combination that we were both comfortable with. yea there is stuff out there that are better and stronger...but I'm not willing to risk going back into my addiction for ANY reason. Good luck Least....hope you are able to find some peace.
	__________________ Clean means never having to say Im sober

03-27-2008, 03:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
least Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,864	I"m afraid there is no help for me, I'm beyond help. It 's only a mater of time.
	__________________ I'd rather live in my van with my dogs than live in a mansion without them. Sober since 7/14/08 Whatever happens, I won't drink today.

03-27-2008, 10:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
barb dwyer same planet...different world Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: butte mt Posts: 7,074	Least - it's hard .. hard-ER ... when we have to find solutions on our own. I';ve been reading about your anxiety and have been waiting for someone to say that severe - SEVERE anxiety comes with detox from alcohol. But it goes away. it's limited. IT's a physical response and then when the liver and other organs begin to clear out - it lessens. As alcoholics - we have to learn to live without the depressant we've been overdosing with nightly for however long it is that we've been doing it. That takes time. It takes committment. It takes perserverence. There's no way that I know of around that fact. IT's straightforward, and simple. Pain in the a$$ and not what most want to hear but I'm being honest. I had the shakes so bad, I couldn't drink out of a styrofoam cup for at least a week. I'd shake so hard, I'd grip the cup harder, and boom! snap! I'd break the cup. Coffee..everywhere. What the thing is, too that I'm seeing is - you're already drinking with so many other medications .. this is not just alcohol withdrawal we're talking about here. I'm trying to help you realize that from what I am reading isn't that the doctor isn't 'denying' you relief ... he/she is not saying 'no I say no relief for you' ... they ... CAN'T. Legally - they probably can't give you anything else. So it boils down to an old AA saying ... You've simply ... got to WANT this. You're gonna have to WANT to quit ... AT LEAST as much as you WANT to drink. Do you?
	__________________ "When banks fail, it is seldom bankers who starve." 'Going Postal', Terry Pratchett

03-27-2008, 11:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
least Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,864	Yes, but I'm so afraid of the panic. I can't handle the panic. I feel like I'm about to fly off the face of the earth. I'm scared to death. I feel like I'm not going to live thru this. I've never been so afraid. I'm afraid I'll die. I want to stop drinking but am so afraid to feel this panic. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm sorry
	__________________ I'd rather live in my van with my dogs than live in a mansion without them. Sober since 7/14/08 Whatever happens, I won't drink today.

03-27-2008, 11:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
barb dwyer same planet...different world Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: butte mt Posts: 7,074	I know, hon. I do. hugs I remember. And you've got this PLUS a disorder. I'm trying to help ya get psyched up here, not doing very well, huh? Prime for the fight and all that sweetie don't be sorry - LOL I just thought if you could separate out one from the other, it'd help?
	__________________ "When banks fail, it is seldom bankers who starve." 'Going Postal', Terry Pratchett

03-27-2008, 11:34 PM	#17 (permalink)
least Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,864	I do appriciate your help. I just feel so out of control I've never felt this bad before in my 56 years. I would give my right arm for a few ativan. but my shrink won't give me them anymore and I feel like I'm coming unglued. I'm glad that you understand me. I don't understand myself most of the time. I feel like i'm letting down my kids, myself, andmy dogs. I don't know what to do anymore. thank you for trying. you understand. that helps.
	__________________ I'd rather live in my van with my dogs than live in a mansion without them. Sober since 7/14/08 Whatever happens, I won't drink today.