Oh, what an exhausting day! And nonproductive. I awoke this morning at 7:30 with the alarm going off (seemed VERY loud to me). That startled me and then I couldn't fall asleep again (I'm currently not working, it's hubby's alarm).
I of course started worrying and forgot to eat. At 9:30 it was getting bad. I walked around, tried to deep breathe, ect. It would almost start to fade and then BOOM! More adrenaline. I've had this for a long time and never went to a doc for it, as my mom had it and just got over hers by herself. Since I was recently told I had Lyme Disease, I've been obsessing over symptoms and treatments, ect.
I felt awful for over 2 hours. Finally I had my husband (he works from home) get the kids dressed.
We went to the ER. They did an EKG strip (I wish it had been a monitor, as now I'm second guessing if they didn't 'catch' my arrthymia in that short space of time!). Labs came back fine. When I went there I told them that I was probably having a panic attack, but felt like I couldn't calm down for the past several hours.
THEN, I was afraid to try the Xanax. I ended up taking about 1/3 of a 25 mg pill.
Ugh... I'm drained, but my heart rate is still in the 90's. Why is that??? I also had only eaten 2 crackers before going to the ER, someone there said they would bring food, but they must have forgotten. It was pretty busy, hence the wait.
Anyone else still have elevated heart after going to the ER? Think it's from the stress.
I'm so afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight, but I'm so tired right now.
Thanks all!
Ocean
Just spent 4.5 hours in ER
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Guest
hey ocean,
of course when i got to the ER my heart rate goes up ive been there 4 times bc i disloacted my shoulder ive never been there for anxiety. and listen to me on this the xanex is to help you so dont be afraid i used to be like that too i would never take it when i had a panic attack and now i do. now i am on klonopin its like a xanex in a way. it sounds like you have nothing to worry about b/c hubby lives at home and you dont work so everything is fine. just keep telling that to yourself. you are calm and relaxed
take a xanex and lay down watch one of your fav movies with the family and fall asleep. good luck. if you need anything else you can send me a private message.
of course when i got to the ER my heart rate goes up ive been there 4 times bc i disloacted my shoulder ive never been there for anxiety. and listen to me on this the xanex is to help you so dont be afraid i used to be like that too i would never take it when i had a panic attack and now i do. now i am on klonopin its like a xanex in a way. it sounds like you have nothing to worry about b/c hubby lives at home and you dont work so everything is fine. just keep telling that to yourself. you are calm and relaxed
take a xanex and lay down watch one of your fav movies with the family and fall asleep. good luck. if you need anything else you can send me a private message.-
Hopeful in WV
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:28 pm
Hi,
Thanks for your reply! I guess I feel defeated in a way by taking the xanax, but most of it is because I'm terrified that it is going to make me feel worse. I re-read my post and it SHOULD say 1/3 of 0.25, NOT 25 mg, eeek!
I first got anxiety almost 12 years ago, then it went away and now I've had it for several years. This is the first time I've ever been to the ER for it. And of course I'm freaking out because we have a $2800 deductible, I'm hoping the hospital will have a payment plan if we explain that we have to meet the deductible first (it's actually a $7400 deduct, my husband's employer puts in the rest, thankfully).
Anyhow, I am going to do what you suggest. I'm going to pick up the family room (it's a disaster as we just moved across the country a couple of weeks ago), give the kids a bath and watch a good movie, maybe a Halloween one that is on tonight?
Take care, I appreciate it!!
Ocean
Thanks for your reply! I guess I feel defeated in a way by taking the xanax, but most of it is because I'm terrified that it is going to make me feel worse. I re-read my post and it SHOULD say 1/3 of 0.25, NOT 25 mg, eeek!
I first got anxiety almost 12 years ago, then it went away and now I've had it for several years. This is the first time I've ever been to the ER for it. And of course I'm freaking out because we have a $2800 deductible, I'm hoping the hospital will have a payment plan if we explain that we have to meet the deductible first (it's actually a $7400 deduct, my husband's employer puts in the rest, thankfully).
Anyhow, I am going to do what you suggest. I'm going to pick up the family room (it's a disaster as we just moved across the country a couple of weeks ago), give the kids a bath and watch a good movie, maybe a Halloween one that is on tonight?
Take care, I appreciate it!!
Ocean
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Guest
Hello Ocean,
It's KristiB...Your heartrate is considered normal if it is 60-100. 60 being on the low side of normal and 100 being on the high side of normal. I use to obsess about my heartrate, I checked it constantly. Do you exercise? I started and it has helped me tremendously with the heartrate issue.
I too have been afraid of the meds. I took something for six years and then my body went through a chemical change and I started having the adverse reactions. I decided then that I was just going to come off it and make it "on my own." For me, it was time. However; I was very frightened. I had withdrawals, though I was going to die, etc. heartrate racing, I then took something for my heartrate, (I have MVP) that created anxiety...it was a vicious cycle. I made my mind up that I was doing it without meds and I COULD get over this.
I'm not suggesting that you NOT take meds, I just want you to know that I have been right where you are and it is not fun, but there is an end and you CAN beat this!!! For me it was distracting myself. I began occupying my mind with everything I could find on beginning life anew, the new me...books on time management, nutrition, exercise, Beth Moore Bible studies, etc. If you have all of this in your mind then you can't worry about other things.
I will be praying for you. I hope I've helped and not hindered.!:0)
KristiB
It's KristiB...Your heartrate is considered normal if it is 60-100. 60 being on the low side of normal and 100 being on the high side of normal. I use to obsess about my heartrate, I checked it constantly. Do you exercise? I started and it has helped me tremendously with the heartrate issue.
I too have been afraid of the meds. I took something for six years and then my body went through a chemical change and I started having the adverse reactions. I decided then that I was just going to come off it and make it "on my own." For me, it was time. However; I was very frightened. I had withdrawals, though I was going to die, etc. heartrate racing, I then took something for my heartrate, (I have MVP) that created anxiety...it was a vicious cycle. I made my mind up that I was doing it without meds and I COULD get over this.
I'm not suggesting that you NOT take meds, I just want you to know that I have been right where you are and it is not fun, but there is an end and you CAN beat this!!! For me it was distracting myself. I began occupying my mind with everything I could find on beginning life anew, the new me...books on time management, nutrition, exercise, Beth Moore Bible studies, etc. If you have all of this in your mind then you can't worry about other things.
I will be praying for you. I hope I've helped and not hindered.!:0)
KristiB
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Guest
Hey Ocean,
I finished the program about two weeks ago, and check back from time to time. I have to say, your post made me giggle a little bit, cause it reminded me SO much of myself! I think the ER staff could have known me by name a few years ago!
Then w/ the xanax... LOL.... I used to work at a pharmacy, and I'd ask my boss (a pharmacist)..."sooo, what if I take a HALF of a HALF of a .25mg....???" LOL, his response to me was... "why dont you just lick the xanax"
Its funny to me now... but I KNOW how you are feeling! I too was afraid to take xanax, and I have a script for .25mg. I dont take them, but get it filled about every two months, just to have fresh ones in my purse for just in case.
Xanax DOES help! I dont take them regularly, so Im not worried about the addiction factor with xanax, only as needed.
I will pray for you, dont be afraid, EVERYTHING will be okay!
I finished the program about two weeks ago, and check back from time to time. I have to say, your post made me giggle a little bit, cause it reminded me SO much of myself! I think the ER staff could have known me by name a few years ago!
Then w/ the xanax... LOL.... I used to work at a pharmacy, and I'd ask my boss (a pharmacist)..."sooo, what if I take a HALF of a HALF of a .25mg....???" LOL, his response to me was... "why dont you just lick the xanax"
Its funny to me now... but I KNOW how you are feeling! I too was afraid to take xanax, and I have a script for .25mg. I dont take them, but get it filled about every two months, just to have fresh ones in my purse for just in case.
Xanax DOES help! I dont take them regularly, so Im not worried about the addiction factor with xanax, only as needed.
I will pray for you, dont be afraid, EVERYTHING will be okay!
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Guest
I am in my second week and frankly, our minds do a lot of damage to us if we do not realize it in time to take a defensive posture. I am unemployed and am awaiting response on a recent deal. I walked up this morning sensing I would begin to worry a lot. Immediately, i did the breathing for 60 seconds ( it works out for me to about 5 cycles to make it enough in 60 seconds). As I write this, I am fine although I sense a little knot in the smock. My next thing is to stretch my stomack muscle just like in the relaxation tape. Every one of these steps have helped me since I learned them. Yes, I do take my med before bed but at much lower dose than the doctor originally prescribed it - he knows this. He said when needed use it. I am not not sure I shouldsay this but the doctor told me that Xanax works quickly but its effect last no more than 2 hours for most people. So he aslo gave me klonopin which he said takes time to work on you (almost 2 hours) but its effects covers you for almost 12 hours. Good luck and much courage!
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Guest
Hi everyone, thanks for writing me! I ended up sleeping 4 hours Sat night, I was very tired yesterday, but still wound up, still afraid to try the Xanax. But I did go and get the script filled. I guess I left out in my original post that I was just diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease, after being sick for 12 years. I believe my panic attacks are due to the Lyme in my brain, I also have brain fog, word recall difficulty, muscle twitches/tremors, and fatigue. I never knew that Lyme could cause panic attacks which mine started when I was 17, a few months after I got a bad flu in July (which is actually what happens after you get bit by the tick), then 6 months later I was told I had mono and after a year they said I had Chronic Fatigue syndrome since I never got better. I just learned to live like this, until a routine dr. physical came up with Lyme. I just saw today that a Lyme activist died from it yesterday. She was 40.
Ugh... I'm 29 years old and for YEARS I told myself I 'just' had anxiety, after all, symptoms of it are panic attacks, fatigue, muscle twitches, ect. The biggest difference between a panic attack with anxiety sufferers is that it lasts usually 15 mins. With Lyme, it goes on for hours.
Sorry I'm so in the dumps today, I keep wondering how much damage has been done in 12 years of being undiagnosed. I may go to Germany for treatment, we can't afford it, but if it's between life and death, there is a doctor there who has actually helped people with Lyme, many from the US have gone with great results.
At least my EKG was normal, lots of chronic lyme die from heart failure and I have no water weight gain, actually I am underweight and still losing. But again, thought it was 'just' from the anxiety, ya know!!!
Oh, and I did lick the Xanax first. Actually hubby did first to prove I would be OK, then I licked it, then later did again and again and by that time some was gone so I figured I couldn't be allergic to it!
Thanks again,
Take care,
Ocean
Ugh... I'm 29 years old and for YEARS I told myself I 'just' had anxiety, after all, symptoms of it are panic attacks, fatigue, muscle twitches, ect. The biggest difference between a panic attack with anxiety sufferers is that it lasts usually 15 mins. With Lyme, it goes on for hours.
Sorry I'm so in the dumps today, I keep wondering how much damage has been done in 12 years of being undiagnosed. I may go to Germany for treatment, we can't afford it, but if it's between life and death, there is a doctor there who has actually helped people with Lyme, many from the US have gone with great results.
At least my EKG was normal, lots of chronic lyme die from heart failure and I have no water weight gain, actually I am underweight and still losing. But again, thought it was 'just' from the anxiety, ya know!!!
Oh, and I did lick the Xanax first. Actually hubby did first to prove I would be OK, then I licked it, then later did again and again and by that time some was gone so I figured I couldn't be allergic to it!
Thanks again,
Take care,
Ocean