Worst Panic Attack
 

I just had the worst panic attack I've ever experienced. It was absolutely horrible, my entire body was tingling like when your hand falls asleep, including my eyes and my face, I was hyperventilating, crying, chest hurt, slurring my words, my tongue would not function, I was extremely light headed and it lasted forever. I tried to wait it out like I always do but it just never stopped, only got worse. I called my dad crying and freaking out, because I felt as though I was going to loose consciousness at any minute or die or something and asked him whether I should go to the hospital or not. I didn't have any klonopin here to help me either.

Honestly his calm voice of telling me not to go to the hospital and that everything was going to be fine pissed me off. I don't know why, but it just did. He kept asking stupid questions and at one point I screamed into the phone JUST FUCKING TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL!! It took about 10 minutes but I did calm down. This panic attack lasted about 20 minutes, and my body is still tingling.

God it felt horrible, I haven't cried in years and all of a sudden I was almost sobbing. I can't take emotional pain AT ALL, I have no fucking idea what to do when I experience it and it has been the cause of 3 out of the 4 times I have been admitted to psychiatric hospitals.

The one drug that does help me cope with it are the benzodizepines, but they are so addictive that I don't want to get hooked on them again. (See drug thread when I was eating 20-30mgs + of klonopin, or 10-20mgs of Xanax almost daily.)

If I have to feel the way I do I don't fucking care, I will be addicted, I have learned all different techniques of dealing with emotional turmoil but none have been successful.

I swear I'm never going to get into a relationship again...

Anybody have any suggestions?

Oh god it's starting up again... oh fuck OH FUCK

What if you manage to take small, controlled doses of benzodiazepines? I realize that it's analogous to trying to get an alcoholic to only be satisfied with a single shot per day, but if a system could somehow be worked out to deprive you of redundant access to it...

Normally, I'm more inclined to say that withdrawal syndromes will be devitalized over time, but that may only be part of what you're suffering from.

That happened to me once while in the car with my dad one night. Freaked me the hell out. I couldn't move, could hardly breath, my body was tingling like crazy, and I was crying. I had to force myself to take deep breaths in order to calm down. It lasted the entire car ride.

I don't know what triggered it, my dad never knew it happened (I kept myself staring out the window, face turned away from him), though I'm sure my eyes were red and my face was flushed. I was under control again once we reached the restraunt.

I know what it feels like, it's not pleasant at all.

Wow, that really sucks. Worst I have had was when I was getting my vaccinations up to date and I saw the needle. There was no need for a detraction because I freaked out, went all numb, and proceeded to almost black out 10 mins later.

Have you tried any other medication?
Actually, antihistamines can be used in those kind of situations.
Lergigan works fine for me, it calms my sore nerves for some (wonderful) hours.

After reading up on it a bit, there are other ways to help with the attacks that don't involve taking pills (in fact, none of the remedies I read up on even mentioned pills).

The most common remedies seem to be changing your diet (like cutting Caffeine and Alcohol, eating balanced meals and such), exercising, and meditation. There's even a few herbal remedies such as Lemon Balm Tea and Passion Flower Tea, which are usually stocked by health stores.

A few sites even mentioned doing things that you enjoy doing more often. Listen to music, draw/paint, read, etc.

tHIS IS freaking crazy. I just made a thread about this like a week or two ago. I've recently suffered the exact same damn thing, but it happened while I was high, and right after I pinched a nerve in my neck. Very frightining. I thought the same things, it's nuts.

I've only experienced it twice in my life.

The closest I've ever gotten to a panic attack were nightmares when I was a kid. I wonder what causes them?

I don't think those count...

http://www.thehealthcenter.info/adul...ic-attacks.htm

I just googled it, but it says a lot.

I had a couple of panic attacks about a month ago, but they weren't too severe. The first one I had was devastating, because I also had a high fever from mono. I went into the ER and they gave me some Xanax. My last one hit out of nowhere, but I was able to quell it without using my Xanax. I just turn everything off, put my head in my hands, close my eyes, and start breathing really deeply. The controlling my breathing part really helped, because the feeling you get when those hit confuses the fuck out of you, and it felt securing to have control over that. Ever since then I haven't had one or a hint of one, but I never want to experience that again. Just my 2 pennies.

Deep breathing always worked for me. If I ever have one in the future, I'll have to see if listening to music helps as well.

Along with the deep breathing, just having someone on the phone or there with you helps a lot. I've been reading into methods, and soothing soft music could help.

Sounds uncomfortable. I don't think I've ever had one...

Dang, Spector, sorry to hear about that. Panic attacks are no good. I had them frequently during grad school. Walking outdoors helped a bit. Physical stimulation and whatnot. I also recommend cutting back the caffiene intake. That step has improved my life significantly. But, yeah, as for genuine medical advice, I'm fresh out. I do empathize with the situation though.

It is indeed quite uncomfortable, to say the least.

Like VD said, cutting back on caffeine or any type of stimulant well help out significantly. A good reason to quit smoking, if you do.

Heh. I have really really bad panic attacks. I'm pretty much sedated 24/7

It's a nice feeling.