[mladd1958]

I have been experiencing what I think are panic attacks.
In times of stress, or worry, I will start to feel very anxious. Have palpitations , feel sick to my stomach( often accompanied by bowel movements), and feel the need to leave the area. Often, when I arrive home I feel better.
There is no dizziness, pain, or shortness of breath.
Often, though, the nausea will last a couple of days and I won't eat, which leads to more nausea.
Does this sound like a panic attack?
Is there something I can do to help myself through them?
Can I do anything about the extended nausea?

[smoothy]

Is there a reason you haven't been to an actual doctor yet? All of this can be treated.

[mladd1958]

Smoothly,
Well, here's the thing.. I fear doctors.
However, I have an appointment for a physical in a couple of weeks.
I just wanted to know if others have experienced this, and tips they might have to live with these. They really are frightening.
But thank you for your thoughtful, if not obvious, answer.

[DoulaLC]

Obviously share it with your doctor when you go for the physical, but a few things you can try if it occurs again. Self talk can work well for many people. Reminding yourself that you know what it is, that you are okay, and that it will pass. Get up and get busy doing something. Try some relaxations exercises... slow, deep breathing, feeling your muscles relax... dropping your shoulders, relaxing your jaw, etc. Practice them when you are not feeling anxious or stressed as well so that when you do use them at those times your body will already be programmed to start relaxing. You won't have to think about it as much; it will be more automatic.

[mladd1958]

Thank you for the kind advice, DoulaC. I will put that advice into practice straight away. It's tough though, to tell yourself everything is OK when you're scared as heck...
But excellent advice!

[Wondergirl]

How often does this happen? Do you feel it coming on? If so, what physical warnings do you get?

A friend has panic attacks and feels like he is having a heart attack. He either calls 911 or manages to drive to a nearby ER where he is examined and told how to relax (like DoulaC mentioned). After about an hour or two sitting in the ER, he feels normal again and drives home. He has resisted taking prescription medication, but is tired of these attacks, so will finally accept prescription med help. He has a doctor appointment scheduled for early January.

[mladd1958]

Thank you for your thoughts, Wondergirl. It's sadly reassuring to hear that others struggle with this also- because I really questioned whether I am crazy or whether I'm actually dying from some odd disease..
It happens a couple times a month, but I've gone months without one. I think it coincides with stressful times in my life.
The first thing I feel is severe nervousness, like something bad is about to happen. Then the nausea, palpitations and this extreme desire to get the heck out of there.
Like your friend, I don't like the thought of medication. But looks like it's my best choice.

[J_9]

You just described me about 15 years ago. You are not the only one who suffers from this. I found that my trigger was shopping. It would happen at the grocery store, mall, gas station. It didn't differentiate. I went through many years of this before I realized it was not a physical illness like the flu.

Do you know what your triggers are?

[joypulv]

I appreciate the feeling, having had it just 4 times in my 68 years, each incident in a very different situation, with no identifiable triggers except that all were in crowded places. Yet I can be in crowds with no problem 99% of the time.

I'm a strong believer in the emotional parts of us being very closely tied to the physiological parts. If stress is a general, poorly defined emotional 'cause,' then I see that stress as needing physical connectors. Our physical being varies from minute to minute, so those of us experience panic frequently probably have a physiology ripe for panic more often. I believe that women are much more prone to panic attacks than men, so female hormones might be implicated, in conjunction with hormones both sexes share equally, such as adrenaline. Just one theory. Very complicated subject that seems to need both self-taught techniques and medication.

Are you female, and how old? Can you map your panic attacks? If you menstruate, can you map that too? Just one of many beginning steps to trying to find out what is going on. Yes, you can go months with no attack, but that doesn't mean that this might not be related to unusual chemistry.

[mladd1958]

I was recently prescribed .5 Lorazepam for panic attacks.
I have noticed a lack of appetite with the pills. They work perfectly for the anxiety, not so well for my appetite. I'm wondering if anyone else had has this experience. Perhaps I should add meal shakes in between meals?
Thank you for your thoughts

[joypulv]

There isn't a drug out there that doesn't have side effects, and speaking as someone who usually manages to get the really rare ones, I'm not even going to look up the side effects for Lorazepam. If you tend to be a light eater anyway, talk to your doctor. Talk to your doctor anyway at your next visit. No one should be taking psych drugs without follow up visits, and hopefully therapy, individual or group. Finding the cause of panic attacks is much better than taking drugs, and the effectiveness of many such drugs decreases over time.

If you want to drink a shake as a supplement, that's fine. Or just prepare little 1/2 cup containers of your favorite healthy foods and freeze them for future snacks or 1 cup containers for extra meals. Some people eat 4 or even 5 tiny meals a day instead of 3. Work out a plan that feels best for you.

[J_9]

Yes. Lack of appetite can be a side effect of Lorazepam (Ativan).

Lorazepam (Oral route) - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health

[mladd1958]

I was recently diagnosed with panic disorder and prescribed lorazepam and therapy.
When I get the attacks I get so nervous, my stomach is sick and I have awful palpitations as well as get so fearful.
Often now I hate to leave home.
The medicine is helping, but I feel like this is taking over my life.
I just want to feel safe again, and sane again.
Has as anyone tried the therapy, and was it very helpful?
Thank you for any help.

[Wondergirl]

What happens during therapy?

[mladd1958]

What happens during therapy?

I have not started therapy yet. My first appointment is right after the new year.
I don't know what to expect, but I pray it helps.

[Wondergirl]

I don't know what kind of therapist you have -- master's-level, psychologist, or psychiatrist. He/she might want to go back into your childhood to see if there is a background for these attacks. Or maybe will give you cognitive-behavioral tools and techniques so you can work through the attacks and gradually rid yourself of them. Or maybe both approaches will be used.

Meanwhile, take the meds as prescribed. If you have any problems, report them immediately to the prescribing physician.

[Fr_Chuck]

The meds should start to help soon. As for the therapist, as noted,there are many kinds. Give it time and work with them

[mladd1958]

The meds should start to help soon. As for the therapist, as noted,there are many kinds. Give it time and work with them

Thank you for your thoughtful answer :)

I don't know what kind of therapist you have -- master's-level, psychologist, or psychiatrist. He/she might want to go back into your childhood to see if there is a background for these attacks. Or maybe will give you cognitive-behavioral tools and techniques so you can work through the attacks and gradually rid yourself of them. Or maybe both approaches will be used.

Meanwhile, take the meds as prescribed. If you have any problems, report them immediately to the prescribing physician.

Good things to think about. Thank you for taking the time to answer.

[talaniman]

As you get more help and a better understanding of what's going on with YOU, of course it will get better but it does take some time to get the work done, and the meds correct.