[meinct]

My panic attacks are out of control. I shake, sweat, tremble, heart goes through the roof and now, because I'm asthmatic - each one sets me into a major asthma attack. Its to the point where I hyperventilate so bad - I am actually passing out in the panic attacks and when I wake up - I am having such a bad asthma attack I have to call an ambulance. Therapy did NOT help - I was going twice a week until my insurance ran out. 15 different drugs tried did not help. Hospitalization (until insurance kicked me out) did not help. I have books, calming music, self hypnosis tapes, visualizations, friends, crisis line - none help. When they hit, nothing can stop and its at least 3 to 5 times a day. The doctors yesterday scared the crap out of me when they said "if you dont stop this - you may actually stop breathing and die during one of these episodes with your asthma being so bad". How the *&^! to I just stop - someone please tell me! It furiated me that they said that. I'm on 6 drugs for asthma and they dont help when i panic so much. I'm scared of being scared and I really am in great physical danger. The doctors will NOT readmit me and the insurance laughed at my request. What else can I try?

[sabby]

My first thought is.....are your meds causing your increased anxiety??? I know that the meds my cousin was on for asthma would cause him to be anxious and high strung. Are all your meds prescribed by one doctor or more than one? If more than one, do they all know what meds you are taking from the other docs?

My second thought is that maybe you need to change docs and find one that is willing to listen to you and look into your issues more. But my gut tells me your problems are increased by the meds you are on.

I pray you feel better soon....I guess all I can suggest is to keep reminding yourself that the anxiety attacks will go away and don't last forever....do the best you can to ground yourself in the moment, telling yourself you can get through it.

I wish you well!

Hugsss
sabby

[Perna]

I don't know if you've read this: http://bearpaw8.tripod.com/pd.html#Index

It might give you some ideas of how to get a doctor to work with you. I have asthma and can only imagine the added burden of your asthma being out of control and having panic attacks on top of that (or vice versa).

I would see if you can find a women's clinic that does it "all" (including psychiatric) and work with them for therapy and meds, etc. and do a controlled "study" of yourself, figure out what works over time and keep with the same doctors for a bit so you can make forward progress.

[meinct]

My problem is, I have really lousy insurance and effective Jan 1, I will have only hospital coverage - no doctor visits or med coverage at all. My car has been reposessed so I can only work a job on the busline and finding a new job on the bussline with better benefits has just not happened. I cant go to any clinic or specialist at this point - i have no way to pay for it. Every time I need help, I have to go to the hospital because they cant refuse treatment. All the specialty practices are big money and its one thing I have nothing of.

[Perna]

I would start with the fear of fear and find sites online that have ideas on how to work with that and get books from the library, etc.:

http://www.apa.org/topics/anxietyqanda.html

http://www.onestepatatime.com/

http://www.americanchronicle.com/art...rticleID=24910

http://www.anxietycoach.com/

http://www.algy.com/anxiety/

I would also check local resources for support groups so you can meet with others with panic disorder in your community. Call/check hospitals especially and if they don't have a class/group, see if they will start one or know of one, etc. They're usually inexpensive and meet once a week.

Example: http://www.aamas2004.org/panic-disor...ort-groups.php

http://www.anxiety-panic.com/

http://www.encourageconnection.com/

[staciesworld81]

I also have asthma and It really is the meds that can make the panic attacks happen. And im only on 2 different kinds. I also suffer from panic attacks. Usually only at night or early in the morning. Ive been keeping track of my asthma meds and when my attacks happen. The more meds I use the worse and more frequent the attacks are. I do think 6 meds for asthma is quite alot. I take 2 and that seems enough. Its very easy to hyperventilate when you have asthma. Ive wound up in the ER my self. My suggestion is to try to cut back on the asthma meds and start a medicine for anxiety that you can take on a when you need it only basis. Ive also been drinking Acai juice which (supposidly) helps control your asthma and in my case allergies. It has many other benifits as well. So far so good. Good luck to you

[meinct]

Actually - for me, its just the opposite. When my asthma is under control and I remember to take all my meds to control it, my panic attacks are very well managed. If I forget 1 or more of my meds and my asthma acts up - then I get scared because I cant breathe and I have a panic attack. My problem is, for financial reasons, I cant afford all the meds I need to control my asthma so its not under control at this time. I have applied for every program known to man and have been turned down for assistance. I make just a "bit" too much to qualify for aid and cant afford all the meds without it. Its very frustrating.

[FelineHeart]

It could also be a thyroid condition that's making these panic attacks attacks last so long. I'm going through a similar situation only worse and I have suspected for years that it could be something in the glands that's causing these unusual attacks that last for hours and cause me fear all day long. I was told to get my thyroids,parathyroid,pituitary gland and the hypothalamus checked through bloodwork and a good visit to an endocrinologist. You have nothing to lose. Here's something that explains all about how these can effect the nervous system:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroendocrinology
And:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothalamus

[meinct]

Thanks. Thyroids and glands were one of the first things my doctor suspected. He sent me to the top endocrinologist at yale hospital in connecticut and every test was perfect. After I insisted they go further, they finally did a biopsy and it was also perfect. All my glands are in perfect working order.

[FelineHeart]

Wow, wish I could get a doctor that's so good. I'm glad your tests came out good.