[Neptune83]

I'm constantly anxious, but when it turns into a full blown panic attack it doesn't just last a few minutes it lasts hours but once it's finally gone I'll feel on the brink of a panic attack for days after. I often have to use Diazepam for a few days after the initial attack to kind of reset myself. Now that I've had my baby, they've been less frequent but the effects are still the same, just as awful, when they do happen.
Is this quite common? Every professional I've spoken to has insisted that a panic attack only lasts about five minutes. Definitely not the case with myself!

[Odee]

"Professionals" don't seem to know crud about how panic attacks really work. I have had ongoing intense anxiety for faarrr longer than half an hour, which is what I typically hear. Five minutes is absurd! The idea that anxiety attacks reach their peak in 10 minutes doesn't seem true either -- I can struggle staving off an attack all day before it happens.

If only panic attacks lasted 5 minutes!

[Neptune83]

Yes exactly! Last night I had a huge panic attack out of nowhere. I dozed off on the sofa and woke about midnight and was panicking in an instant. It hit me like a ton of bricks and didn't go until around 3am. I have felt shaky from it all day today and on edge and this is how it'll probably be the next few days.
These so-called professionals don't seem to have any idea. I have had panic attacks that have lasted less than a half hour, but more often than not they last for hours at a time. Often, they'll go on for ages, then start to subside then after a few minutes they'll come back again. It's absolutely miserable

[123becky]

When the doctors removed my Clonazepam I went into a panic, anxiety attack that actually lasted 2 weeks. It was terrifying and when I could find no resources to control it I was taken by ambulance to the hospital where nurses stood over me and actually screamed at me to stop the writhing and body spasms and notice. I was acting like a child and did not to act like that. I was sent home lost about who to get help from. I was desperate.

[parksguy]

Hope your all feeling better. My attacks come out of the blue usually at work. short in duration, but Light headed and anxious majority of day. Better at night.

Becky, curious why the docs took you off clonazepam. I take it daily, going on 8 years and it helps me function.

Feel free to contact me anyone to discuss further,

PG

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by 123becky

When the doctors removed my Clonazepam I went into a panic, anxiety attack that actually lasted 2 weeks. It was terrifying and when I could find no resources to control it I was taken by ambulance to the hospital where nurses stood over me and actually screamed at me to stop the writhing and body spasms and notice. I was acting like a child and did not to act like that. I was sent home lost about who to get help from. I was desperate.

As a nurse, I am so sorry this happened to you. It angers me that so many professionals do not act professionally...and lack compassion.
As a person, I can relate.
I've gone days in a panic, been ok for months, years even, and then
Wham. And they just look, it's skin isn't torn, it couldn't hurt...or it frightens them so it must be discounted. This is not an easy fix.
I went so many years without meds, I am glad for them now.
They are the only meds I take. The body is fine for no particular reason.

Yes I have long and intense panic attacks as well. I have periods where I am constantly shaking and overbreathing and have multiple panic attacks. I have learned more about what triggers them but I still can't quite control them.
I also experienced the same thing with therapists. Many only know about panic attacks from their books and it seems they don't believe their patients. What would be helpful is if doctors/therapists would accept that textbook cases and real life cases are very different. Each and every one of us is different.
In my case I felt stigmatized..because I had anxiety, I often wasn't being taken seriously. One doctor told me that in my imagination my panic attack lasted one hour when in reality it only lasted 20 mins, because one can not be in panic mode longer than 20 mins. I told him no, it lasted for the entire duration of a train ride - hence one hour - but he still wouldn't believe me. The same thing applies when it came to explaining the intensity of the panic attacks.
Its one of those things you can only understand when you experience yourself. It would be great if more doctors were compassionate. I don't expect it but it's wonderful when someone tells me he/she understands and takes me seriously.
I hope you can find a way to relieve some anxiety. Maybe you could try another doctor who is more understanding.

[Neptune83]

Thanks everyone
I'm sorry that you're going through it, but I'm glad I'm not alone on this. When you're always disbelieved it can be so isolating.
Diazepam is the only thing that provides relief, I'd prefer not to take anything at all, but I've not yet found a way to control them. I too have discovered some triggers such as eating, but that's not all that helpful, unless I just don't eat. Which isn't that realistic. Although, because of anxiety and fear of panic, I have gone weeks and weeks living off dry crackers and water. It helped reduce panic but not the anxiety about having a panic attack.