Newbie to ASAP – Suffering for days
Question:
I am terrified. I’ve been in the midst of an attack for the last three days. On and off my heart pounds in my chest and throat, my head swims, I become chilled and my hands become damp. Am I crazy???? I’ve made some monumental positive changes in my life in the last couple of months with the help of my therapist and prozac. Things are going well and maybe that’s what it is. I know I’m rambling. I wish I could cry, maybe that would help. Has anyone had these attacks last for so long? Please respond. I don’t know where else to turn. thanks.
Yeah, That totally sucks when that happens. I don’t really have the hardcore panic attacks anymore but often I find myself in your situation whitch can last (me) up to a week. Head swimming, rapid heart, ringing ears, depersonalized, the whole bit. I think what you are experiencing is the effects of irrational thinking and an abundance of adrenaline. Nothing more. You are not going crazy, I’ve been dealing with this for two years now and have asked myself the same question over and over. If that was the case, it most surely would have happened by know. One of my biggest phobias is that I will lose my mind and a can almost guarantee that everyone else in this group will say the same thing. It is not going to happen nor do I think it ever has! Practice breathing large breathes into your stomache thrue your nose and exhale thru your mouth. That one usually does the trick for me. Take care, -Lance
Response:
I am terrified. I’ve been in the midst of an attack for the last three days. On and off my heart pounds in my chest and throat, my head swims, I become chilled and my hands become damp. Am I crazy???? I’ve made some monumental positive changes in my life in the last couple of months with the help of my therapist and prozac. Things are going well and maybe that’s what it is. I know I’m rambling. I wish I could cry, maybe that would help. Has anyone had these attacks last for so long? Please respond. I don’t know where else to turn. thanks.
Hi Tulip – yes I *have* had attacks last that long. At my very worst they ran on and on for days at a time. I’ve had people say that was anxiety rather than actual panic – but as I believe the distinction between those two states is subjective and variable, I’m not sure that helps. You say you are seeing a therapist and taking Prozac – have you recent changed your dose of Prozac? This is well known to trigger anxiety in *some* cases, before it settles down and starts doing the job it was prescribed to do. My view, FWIW, is that you really should call your doctor and tell her/him that this is happening. Even if you haven’t just changed your dose – to be subjected to the level of anxiety you are experiencing on this sort of level isn’t right and s/he might very well be able to give you something else to tide you over this terrible period. I think a fair few of us here will know what you are talking about and I bet a lot of us are sitting here wincing in sympathy and wishing you well. Why not give your doctor a call for some extra help? Wishing you well – and please let us know how you get on, — Gary Cooper
Response:
I am terrified. I’ve been in the midst of an attack for the last three days. On and off my heart pounds in my chest and throat, my head swims, I become chilled and my hands become damp. Am I crazy???? I’ve made some monumental positive changes in my life in the last couple of months with the help of my therapist and prozac. Things are going well and maybe that’s what it is. I know I’m rambling. I wish I could cry, maybe that would help. Has anyone had these attacks last for so long? Please respond. I don’t know where else to turn. thanks.
