I've recently began suffering from anxiety/panic attacks. I'm not quite sure where it all began, but my symptoms started with IBS, I guess brought on due to stress. However now its progressed to acid reflux and these "attacks".

I would originally become slightly anxious or nervous regarding something, but now I have become to apoint where it affects my job, my social life, where I go, who I'm with etc. Much of this due to a cancer diganosis for my father and the strain of being 700 miles from my family at this time.

How many of you get beyond anxiety/stress/panic without being medicated? What tips and methods due you use to relieve this stress and regain a handle on your life, emotions, stress levels? I've never been dependent upon medication before for anything and do not wish to start now. I realize counseling is an option, but I'd also like to here any other conceps you may have..yoga, etc..

Thanks for the input!

Hi there! I also choose to try and do this without meds - here' s my story in a nutshell:

I originally started having anxiety after I went to the hospital for chest pains out of the blue. To make matters worse, while I was at the hospital, I had a reaction to a drug called compazine - something called akisthisia which caused me to be very agitated, couldn't sit still, couldn't swallow, etc., etc. My anxiety was sky high after this and made worse over the next couple of months because of endless visits to the doctors to figure out what was causing my chest pains. I kept going to the doctor and saying that I can't breathe and they would tell me I'm having a panic attack.I was finally diagnosed with asthma and possibly acid reflux. It turned out that I was having an asthma attack when I felt that I couldn't breathe!

Even though I was finally diagnosed with asthma, it was like a switch was turned on in my brain and wouldn't turn off. I've constantly been completely anxiety ridden and find it hard to even drive my car or go to restaurants. Sleep has been nearly impossible.

I'm not a person who normally even goes to the doctor so this has been terrible for me. I was on xanax for about a month and then decided I wanted to get off of it. That was pretty hard and another story, but I did. Now I'm working through this one day at a time. I have some meditation CD's I use that seem to put me at ease for a little while. I take St. John's Wort, Ashwagandha, Vitamins C and B, and magnesium to help me with the depression that's followed this terrible anxiety. I'm going to try a new herbal supplement called Clarocet for anxiety and depression.

I think the most important thing for me has been learning to sit with my feelings. This is a buddhist concept as well as something my therapist has taught me to do. It's hard because I get a lot of physical pains to go with my anxiety, but I force myself to just sit and feel everything. Sometimes I'll just watch tv and just allow myself to feel as crappy as I need to feel and now, slowly but surely, I feel a little better every day. I think getting out into the sunshine and listening to music help, too. I'm not completely well yet, but I feel like I'm on my way.

By the way, I am also far away from my family, and I know how that feels!

Mellieb,
Thanks for your information, and it was very helpful! Just to reassure you're not alone with your health diganosis. over a year and half ago, I became sick with the stomach flu, which thus led to a virus called Bells Palsy, causing a facial paralysis, thus ending me up in the ER. Which lead to a 3 day stint in the hospital, because do a required CAT scan they found "something" in showing up on my brain. Long story short, after several MRI's and CT scans they found I had a cluster of extra veins in my brain etc probably from birth, and a tumor on my salivery gland, and that the paralysis was from none of this and entirely seperate virus. To say the least, I have all recovered from the various things, but have ever since been anxiety ridden. :) Leading to IBS, acid reflux, and heart burn.. Oh the joys!! :) So you are not alone!

I also choose to go med free (although I keep a bottle of xanax with me at all times). I haven't taken any meds in almost 2 years. I just try to stay really busy. I do a relaxation technique in which you mentally go through every muscle in your body starting at your toes and concetrate on tightening then relaxing. By the time you get to your head, you can get pretty calm....I also try to picture myself in a "happy" place = which for me is my bed...The main thing is to get your mind off the symptom and on to something else.

asthma should always be considered for breathing problems, even with cronic anxiety sufferers
acid reflux or GERD is quite common for anxiety sufferers, learning relaxation and new ways of calming yourself helps a lot, many carry xanax or similar with them and get enough reassurance from just knowing they are there

more exercise, especially long walks are very relaxing for anxiety sufferers, but the exercise needs to be done in a relaxed way with no excess muscle tension

Hi,

I have always suffered from depression and a mild anxiety. So the docs were quick to say when I went to the emergency room with chest pain that it was panic attacks. They did heart tests, watched me over three days & my heart is fine. Mine also started after my Mother, who was terminally ill was qualified for hospice! Yeah, makes sense that it would be panic attacks! Things is, I am a school bus driver. lol Not a good combination having a panic attack while driving a big school bus!

I am taking medication to dull them. I am also trying some relaxation before I drive! I am trying to make it until the end of school. I am a big advocate of medications. I have been a mental health advocate for years and have seen what they can do for someone who has a limited life!

My Mom has since passed away and I am wondering if the panic attacks will go away now? We'll see.

PS. I had horrible reflux with the high anxiety. I took zantac 150 and that helped alot! When the anxiety goes away for awhile, so does the reflux!

I wish you well and hope we were of some help!


Pam

Well this is how i dealt with mine First I took meds then it was good but meds sometimes mess you up if they are given out wrongly. Well then I had another case of it when I was off meds and my dad helped me throught it and stayed up with me on nights when I felt I was going to "die" When you feel anxious try this : take deep breaths take a seat, if you feel your going to pass out which anxiety really hardly never makes you pass out unless you strongly believe in your head then put your head between your legs it will make u feel better, you got to tell your head " stop it im ok theres nothing wrong" and eat a bannana , they are PROVEN TO RELIEVE STRESS it has to do with seritons ( typo i know) that make you happy. PLease try this and also pray. Remember it says in bible, " Do not fear for i'am with you"
I love you. Get better

I have had anxiety and panic disorder since I was a child and have always remained med free, but along with one of the above posters I always carry xanax around with me just in case and it helps to know I have it there. I only take a very small dosage (0.25 mg) if the panic attack is extremely strong which happens about once every 6 months.

What helps me is, realizing reality, such as rubbing something material around me during panic attacks. Stroking a chair, or fabric, anything of the sorts really helps.
Also, taking deep abdominal breaths, where your stomach extends not your shoulders helps, as long as you do this for a good ten minutes. I also will try and do something to take my mind of off it such as going for a walk, mild exercise really helps. Or sometimes just lying down and concentrating on a good tv program or movie takes my mind off. Hope that helps a bit.

I hear you. I was resistant to meds too, but they have changed my life. Please consider what they can do for you.

What meds do you take benji34, out of curiousity? I know for most people who have hardcore anxiety and panic attacks it's hard to take meds because the meds side effects alone cause a lot of anxiety which just adds to the problem.

I take a low dose of Zoloft 25mg, with few side effects. My dr. had tried forever to get me to take it for anxiety/depression, but I am a vegitarian, heathy etc. and I didn't "believe" in taking medication. I thought it would change me or make me into a zombie. I finally took it because the dr. said it would help my IBS.

Not only did it greatly help my IBS, it is changing my life. I am still me, but I can function and am happy. I wish I'd taken it 15 years ago!

Also, I've learned that all meds affect different folks differently.

My advice is to try meds, you can always go off again, they might really help.

I think the rule of thought is try it for six months for a situational problem & then go off it! I agree, I have seen amazing results in poeples lives using medications. Some people don't even know that life can be that good and mearly maintain there existance!

Pam

I've been through the panic attacks several times for sure. One time in my 20's I was in a full depression and fought back without prescription meds. Don't ask me how for sure. I just know my mom has always believed in the power of vitamins and I do believe they are excellent.

Everyone can have panic attacks. Your stress level alone with what you are dealing with being away from family and family members being sick is enough to do it. Just try to realize that is what is happening.

I always take extra B vitamins and calcium, as that seems to help. I try to have a sounding board when things are really tough, i.e., a friend, etc. I also know that prayer has gotten me through a lot of things. Realizing you are having a panic attack is the first thing. If you can realize what is happening and talk to yourself and know that it will pass, then sometimes you can get through it. Shut your eyes and visualize a greater power having a calming control over you and breath deeply and slowly.

I really don't know for sure what else. Honestly, I don't remember too much of the time in my 20's because it was so bad. I'm sure I should have been on meds, but my husband at the time kept telling me I was crazy and that he was going to take my son away from me. I just know you need a really good strong network of friends and family. Know that everyone goes through this for sure, and it does pass. If you absolutely are not feeling well, as the doctor to prescribe a little xanax and take sparingly. Believe it or not, it can take the edge off of things. Learn to read your body. When you are tired, let the dishes in the sink and go take a nap. Do something good for yourself. Just take the time to love you and take care of you. Things will fall into place.

I tried getting off meds last summer. That was the biggest mistake of my life. I couldn't sleep at all, had 50-60 panic attacks a day, couldn't leave my house, thought about suicide constantly, it was horrible. If my mom hadn't been there to pray with me 4-5 times a day I would not have made it through. All I know is that I will NEVER be off the meds again.