Scotty78
12-18-2011, 09:58 PM
Hello,
Well let me start by saying this is a great site. It's so nice to have a place to talk about this problem.
A little about myself. My first panic attack happened about 4 1/2 years ago at a funeral of a co-worker. I didn't know the guy well but he was pretty young and died of a heart attack. Shortly afterwards my chest started hurting and I was sweating and shaking. I thought I was dying! On the ride home I pulled over and called an ambulance. Needless to say, my girlfriend was scared. At the hospital they said everything was fine and I just had a panic attack. Before this I never even knew I had anxiety.
Since then I've had maybe 4 or 5 more bad ones (one on a plane, one alone at my house, and another in a car with a co-worker). Initially my general practice doctor gave me Lexapro and that helped for about a year but after that stopped working I tried other pills (Celexa & Paxil) but now the only thing that helps is Xanax, and that doesn't work all of the time either. Plus taking pills makes me anxious so I only take it if i really need it, maybe once a week.
The thing is though that some of the time I feel fine without any meds. Some weeks are worse than others. Sometimes I can go drive an hour and be fine, or I can go to a bar and have a good time, but then other days I get panicky just driving to work. I don't understand it. I noticed if I'm occupied playing video games or working on the house/car I forget all about it and I feel fine.
I went to a couple social workers and saw a psychiatrist. They all try to drudge up things from my past asking me questions like "were you abused or bullied in school", "did something happen as a child". They all seem more interested in getting paid than helping me. The thing is though I've had a pretty good life so far. I haven't had anything happen to me that can cause these feelings. That said though, I did do a few drugs in college but nothing super hardcore. I've been clean for about 8 years now but I drink socially on occasion.
I think I may have minor depression as well as my anxiety/panic disorder. I've never been the one to get excited over anything, even if it's something great. I'm just sort of "blah". I tend to see the downside of things rather than the upside. I have a good (although stressful) job, a great (supportive) girlfriend and we just bought a townhouse together, and I'm planning on popping the question soon.
So here's my question: What do you think is wrong, and what should I do? I am not opposed to taking medication, but no one seems to know what to give me? I don't know where else to turn.
P.S. Thank you for taking the time to read this and allowing me to get all this off my chest! Just typing it makes me feel better!
Well let me start by saying this is a great site. It's so nice to have a place to talk about this problem.
A little about myself. My first panic attack happened about 4 1/2 years ago at a funeral of a co-worker. I didn't know the guy well but he was pretty young and died of a heart attack. Shortly afterwards my chest started hurting and I was sweating and shaking. I thought I was dying! On the ride home I pulled over and called an ambulance. Needless to say, my girlfriend was scared. At the hospital they said everything was fine and I just had a panic attack. Before this I never even knew I had anxiety.
Since then I've had maybe 4 or 5 more bad ones (one on a plane, one alone at my house, and another in a car with a co-worker). Initially my general practice doctor gave me Lexapro and that helped for about a year but after that stopped working I tried other pills (Celexa & Paxil) but now the only thing that helps is Xanax, and that doesn't work all of the time either. Plus taking pills makes me anxious so I only take it if i really need it, maybe once a week.
The thing is though that some of the time I feel fine without any meds. Some weeks are worse than others. Sometimes I can go drive an hour and be fine, or I can go to a bar and have a good time, but then other days I get panicky just driving to work. I don't understand it. I noticed if I'm occupied playing video games or working on the house/car I forget all about it and I feel fine.
I went to a couple social workers and saw a psychiatrist. They all try to drudge up things from my past asking me questions like "were you abused or bullied in school", "did something happen as a child". They all seem more interested in getting paid than helping me. The thing is though I've had a pretty good life so far. I haven't had anything happen to me that can cause these feelings. That said though, I did do a few drugs in college but nothing super hardcore. I've been clean for about 8 years now but I drink socially on occasion.
I think I may have minor depression as well as my anxiety/panic disorder. I've never been the one to get excited over anything, even if it's something great. I'm just sort of "blah". I tend to see the downside of things rather than the upside. I have a good (although stressful) job, a great (supportive) girlfriend and we just bought a townhouse together, and I'm planning on popping the question soon.
So here's my question: What do you think is wrong, and what should I do? I am not opposed to taking medication, but no one seems to know what to give me? I don't know where else to turn.
P.S. Thank you for taking the time to read this and allowing me to get all this off my chest! Just typing it makes me feel better!