am i dying or what?

i have been having the worst axiety / panic attacks ever. it always happens at night. my chest gets tight, i get shaky, irritated, my chest hurts, i always think i'm going to die in my sleep, my heart races, i stay up half the night, (sleepy or not) because i cant seem to calm down. i cry because i cant hardly explaine to my fiance how i feel and make him understand. i have had all the heart monitoring and stuff. my dr. gave xanax that he want me to take 3 times a day and lexapro in the morning. i only take my xanax at night cause i cut hair all day and i don't take the lexapro because i don't want it to make me feel sleepy. i need help. am i nuts. at times i feel like my chest in so full and tight. the xanax helps at night.

Welcome to psychcentral and no you are not nuts.

I too have nightly panic and anxiety attacks. what helps me is taking a long bubble bath before getting into bed. then in bed I listen to some relaxing music and then put on a tape that my therapist recorded during a session of us doing a relaxation visualization.

Hang in there.

DEAR ONE, this is the pits of HELL! I hate to say it but nothing ever works twice for me but the ideas above a great ones! I crank the music as loud as possible or use headphones. I pick one song and play it over and over, some how I know what is next, and that helps, I walk on treadmill, Rip paper, and some one said something to me once but in middle of that attack it felt like a slap in the face but know it helps me..."No one ever died from a Panic Attack" When I heard it in the middle of one I thought "oh yeah come feel the life in my body and mind and tell me this is not the end". Now I am in a different place with them and when comming from me I use it as a phrase I can repeat to my self out loud if I like and it has helped. I am sorry you are having to join this painful club, Be as safe and careful with yourself as possible. You mentioned they happen around same time, I too have a time related TRIGGER, if you will, I start watching the clock and wondering is going to happen this day, oh will I get past these hours, this is come to the problem you are not alone in this, It took my hubby years to understand the way it feels, He got it when I thought of the Fight or Flight idea from Science class you learn in high school. Your mind tells your Body you are going to die and it takes that and makes you feel that way soo strongly that we can not control it. Reach out to us if you can, Rachel

thanks for your input. i just hate this awful feeling. i hate it, i hate it, i hate it!!!! i get to the point that i feel like i cant breath, my chest hurts i feel like it's the final page for me. i try to do a breathing technique but it don't do jack. my attacks last for 45 minutes to 2 hours. <font color="#000088"> </font>

Hi sugar,
I know what you mean. I use to have those attacks too and they were horrible. Sorry you're going through them.
I hope you find something to help relieve these attacks.

i am so sorry that you're having the panic attacks. a lot of us have experienced them and we know what you're going through. i take my xanax three times a day now. i take .05 mg and it really helps me. i wouldn't take it at first but the pharmacist talked me into it. i hope you're feeling better tonight. xoxox pat

Welcome Sugar and ((((((( HUGS ))))))))

Many of us here suffer from anxiety / panic attacks and we are trying to lead as normal of a life as we can - well, as normal as one can with this disorder.
I would have to say that most attacks are due to some unresolved fear or wound being resonated from within us, therefore, we react to it in the present.... as though it was the very first time we ever felt this way.

The treatment of choice that I would recommend for this issue is to seek therapy with CBT to help you heal the wounds that still live within you and to possibly get onto some form of medicine for the attacks.... I am presently on Celexa 20 mg per day for both my mood swings and anxiety attacks and I will never be without the meds again, for I have tried the off again on again of the medicine and I can honestly say that I am better off being on the medicine.... this is coming from 10 years of experimenting, on myself - lol.

Take Care and Good Luck.......

Check out a good book called: Feelings Buried Alive Never Die (by: Karol Truman)
LINK: http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/bo...sbn=0911207023


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Oh BTW -
If YOU do not like to take medicine there is a natural herb that works great for anxiety attacks and it helps you sleep at night..... it is called VALERIAN and can be purchased at most stores.... I presently use it PRN with my Celexa.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

((((((((((((( sugar32210 ))))))))))))))))))

Welcome to Psych Central!

No you are not dying. Panic attacks are very distressing.

Try to make bedtime as relaxing as you can.

Tell yourself that you are safe.

Try to think of nice things (not worries) before you drop off to sleep.

If you do have a panic attack, concentrate on slowing the breathing down.

Hopefully the meds will kick in soon.

Maybe think about getting some therapy in the future.

Thinking of you. Take care.

thanks so much. like said i am suppose to take my lesapro 20 mg once a day and my xanax 1mg 3 times a day. but i dont. i just take my xanax once at 8 pm. i guess i should take it as told huh?

i need to try to find some therapy here in jacksonville.

(((((((((((((( sugar32210 ))))))))))))

I hope you find a therapist. One thing at a time ok.

.....and coming to Psych Central helps too.

Take care.

I would say to take your Lexapro daily (it will calm your insides) and to use the Xanax as needed.... it is the Lexapro that will give YOU the most benefit in the long run and for the better toward your over all life.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

thanks. i will do that. i had a good night last night