Anxiety Attack Central. I am in about hour 5 of a big one.

[QMPMom]

I haven't slept and have to get this household up and going in about 90 minutes. I have to be at work in 3 hours.

I just want to sit here and cry. I tried going to bed but did nothing but toss and turn.

I want to sleep but can't. If I went to sleep now I'd be worse off in a few hours than if I don't sleep at all.

This post is full of "I" statements, but right now I can't help it.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

1. Just make it through the day.

Tonight, take a low dose of Benadryl. If your body's right, you'll fall asleep like you were hit over the head with a hammer.

:boring:

[QMPMom]

3. It is very tempting right now to call in and book off sick...but I can't.

When I get off work I am coming home and crashing. And I don't care what I may need to effect the crash. Benedryl sounds good right now. Thanks for your response and understanding.

[Tyler Durden]

2. With you all the way on this one.

Celexa is my friend.

Night terrors never left me, and all I have to do to trigger the black monster is meditate on my own mortality for more than a minute.

Panic and anxiety attacks suck the big Kishko, and don't worry about the "I" stuff. No one who does not try and live through one of those real beauts has any idea what you and I go through.

[QMPMom]

4. Thank you. I really appreciate your response and

understanding. I'm sorry that you suffer through these, too.

[Tyler Durden]

7. You and I know Misery does not love company.

Misery just wants misery to GO AWAY.

Sincerely hoping your misery takes a fast powder. Hang on.

[Spacemom]

5. Panic attacks suck dirt

:hug:

Just take it a minute at a time.

I have horrible attacks in the line at the grocery store of all places.

I hope this one passes soon for you.

[QMPMom]

6. Thank you. This started about midnight when my

husband went upstairs to bed. I've only had one anxiety attack in public - it was in a grocery store where I shopped all the time but that day I had to leave immediately.

[Midlodemocrat]

8. Talk to your doctor about a prescription for an anti-xyiolitic.

Xanax, Valium, etc.

Even 1/2 a tablet will calm you down enough so that you can sleep.

:hug:

[QMPMom]

19. Thank you. I plan on talking to my Dr. ASAP.

[NashVegas]

9. It's a Horrible Cycle, Isn't It?

There's nothing quite like the dread that accompanies those things. I strongly recommend you get some help managing your stress, then go after whatever's causing it.

[QMPMom]

20. Thanks. I totally agree that I need to find the cause of the stress and

go after that. I am making an appointment ASAP with my Dr.

[Mad_Dem_X]

10. Dang, 5 hours?

That *is* a big one. :hug: Panic attacks are the worst.

[QMPMom]

21. Thank you. I got a whole 20 minutes of sleep last night - just in

time for me to get up and get the household up and going before I had to go to work.

[Rising Phoenix]

11. you poor thing

I have horrible panic attacks that last for hours as well. Just remember, this too shall pass.

:hug:

[QMPMom]

22. Thanks. It started to get much better around noon today.

I talked to the Manager at work and was told to cut my work load by 1/3 today and that helped a lot.

[BlueIris]

12. I'm sorry. I had panic disorder in college and the onset was the darkest time in my life.

Not even November '04 through June of '05 can top it.

I'm with those who are posting--get a medical eval and consider meds, ASAP. That's one of the quickest ways to find peace.

[hedgehog]

13. When you go to see your doctor, also ask about an anti-anxiety drug

called Buspar. It's slow acting, but avoids the issues of addiction often associated with drugs such as Xanax. Work with your doctor to make the best choice for you.

[IcyPeas]

17. Have you had luck with Buspar?

I was reading about it and some who have tried it claim it is nothing but a placebo. Doesn't seem to work for a number of people.

[QMPMom]

25. Maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones if the Dr. prescribes it.

[QMPMom]

24. I will ask the Dr. about Buspar. Thank you.

[QMPMom]

23. Thank you. The Dr's. office was closed today, so I am calling tomorrow.

[BluePatriot]

14. I hope you feel better.

:hugs:

I am fond of Kava for anxiety. Spring for a good brand at a local vitamin shop. They can also direct you to a trusted brand that is the root only, no leaves/stems/etc which can possibly cause liver issues. If you try this, take it the first time at bedtime to see its effects.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava

//disclaimer: not intended as medical advice, YMMV

[QMPMom]

27. Thank you for the info and the link. I will look into Kava.

[flamingyouth]

15. I'm so sorry.

I can both sympathize and empathize. :hug:

[QMPMom]

28. Thank you. I appreciate your concern.

[fizzgig]

16. i am sorry you went through that

i sometimes get those types of panic attacks too and i know how awful they are. i hope your day goes as well as it can. :hug:

[QMPMom]

29. The day got better around noon. Thank you for posting.

[fizzgig]

42. i'm glad your day got better

[SPKrazy]

18. Man, sounds like you need some treatment

maybe have your thyroid checked too

:hug:

sorry

[QMPMom]

30. Thank you. I am calling the Dr. tomorrow.

[SPKrazy]

35. Good!

panic attacks are not fun!

had a few myself, but none for 5 hours straight...

although, I felt nearly constant anxiety when awake to the point that it was near panic once several years ago and it was pretty terrifying to tell you the truth...so I hope you are able to get in to see your doctor or get some relief

:hug:

[Beausoir]

26. Wow. I really feel for you. I'm prone to anxiety but have only had one full-on PA.

And that was enough.

Gods...what a scary thing to go through.

[QMPMom]

33. Thank you. It was made worse because it started in the middle

of the night when everyone else was sleeping.

[Beausoir]

36. Yes, I can understand. You must have felt very alone. Hugs to you.

We are always here for you.

[Left Is Write]

31. I totally understand.

It's so scary. I hope things went better later today. :hug:

[QMPMom]

38. Yes, they did, thank you.

[MichiganVote]

32. Anxiety is the body's energy. Walk or run it off. You'll feel better.

[QMPMom]

39. I wish I could have done that. Thanks for the concern and advice.

[MichiganVote]

41. When you move, you lose the anxiety

[slj0101]

34. I hope you're feeling better.

5 hours? Wow. I've had one last maybe an hour tops (when I first started having them). It's the lingering anxiety afterwards that's a bitch.

Just remember you are never alone, though it sure as heck feels like you are. Millions go through the same thing, and many here. We're here for you.

[QMPMom]

40. Thank you. I appreciate your concern.

[QMPMom]

37. UPDATE: Thank you all very much for your kind responses and

concern. I managed to burst into tears about 5 times before my husband drove me to work and I cried all the way to my office. He was a gem and was very soothing and calming.

I burst into tears as soon as I got to the office and unloaded everything on my desk. My Manager was very understanding and immediately took away about 1/3 of my workload for the day. She's a wonderful manager.

I was teary on and off until about noon and, I have to say, that I owe the good part of my work day to a very special person: My Son's EX-Girlfriend. We work for the same company in the same office though I am quite Senior to her. She's a tiny slip of a thing and she and my Son had a bitter parting - they went together twice and broke up twice. But, she was there for me today. She knew I was having a rough day and that, in addition to the panic attack, I was having terrible stomach pain - an offshoot of the panic attack, I am sure. She went to the nearby food court and got me some rice and steamed mushrooms for lunch and that really helped to calm my stomach by having something fairly bland in it. The knawing pain on an empty stomach was horrible.

I am still feeling kind of fragile and my stomach isn't what it should be, but I am much better. I will be heading to bed in a few minutes.

I want to thank all of your for your kind words and concern. It really means a lot to me. You are all very kind and understanding people.