[lostone]

HELLO..
I feel like I'm going CRAZY!! I went three days with breathing attacks!! I finally went to ER last night, they did EKG, CHEST EXRAY, BLOOD AND URINE TESTS, everything checked out PERFECT!! I should be releived huh?
But no, I keep saying well they didn't check my head, what If I have something wrong!!, wouldn't you know that today, I have had dizzy spells!! What can I do, how do I get over this!!!! It is ruining my life,

[samsara]

This is part of my daily routine. My panic attacks take a different form, but this seems to help.

You just sit comfortably somewhere and count your exhalations silently. Inhale, ONE, inhale, TWO, inhale, THREE etc until you have completed thirty six breaths. If you get lost on the count, start over. If you can't keep track of the count for that long, you can do four blocks of 9, at one time or throughout the day. Or 9 blocks of 4 if that is all you can keep track of. You will get better at it as you go along. Allow your breathing to occur naturally. Over time, your breathing will become easier, deeper and more rhythmic throughout the day, and I would expect breathing attacks to gradually taper off. Mental chatter should also subside.

Sorry you are going through this. Panic attacks can be a real drag. My last one was tachycardia - I had a pulse of 191 for a period of about 10 minutes. Like you, I went to the ER and spent a $100 co-pay to confirm that there was nothing wrong with my heart.

[samsara]

This will sound silly, and I'm not going to explain it, but hold each of your ring fingers for 5 minutes each day and grab hold of either ring finger whenever you are experiencing breathing problems. Keep holding until the breathing difficulties subside.

[Myzen]

Hi lostone and samsara,

Yes, the breathing and the holding are proven methods and are included in all sorts of relaxation programmes.

I've often thought that relaxation methods are so widespread (yoga and buddhism for instance) along with various meditations, that simply relaxing ourselves must be an age old problem, and worldwide too.

It does help to know that we are not alone, although it doesn't make the anxiety go away.

Cheers, M

PS - Think of all the tranquilisers that have been produced and consumed, billions of them. The very name - tranquilisers - to make people 'tranquil' - the Spanish name for peace - 'tranquila'.

So much anxiety.

[Lexicon78]

try visualizing a safe place, squeezing a tension ball or something like that.

[jmo531]

I know how you are feeling. Being aware of your breathing makes it so much worse because then you feel like you cant breathe at all.

When a panic attacks comes (this is gonna sound easier then it actually is to do) try to remember that you will get through it. Concentrating on something else and making your mind move on from the fear of the attack will help. Even trying to close your eyes and visualize a calm place. Looking around and naming 5 things you can see, touch and hear helps also. Counting backwards by 7's. All these are standard when trying to deal with an anxiety attack. You just need to find what works for you. Dont be discouraged. Anxiety is a horrible, horrible thing. I know how it can make you feel. If you ever need to talk, I am here.


Huggles,

jen