Anxiety/panic attacks

[Suiren]

I have pretty severe anxiety that comes with the occasional panic attack. Mine are apparently worse than your average, though, as mine are so strong that I am unable to move for the duration of the attack (usually 1-2 hours), I don't have the strength to speak, I shake, have hot and cold flashes, extremely high heart rate, extreme nausea, and feel like I'm dying. I have daily palpitations due to the general feeling of uneasiness and anxiety. Since I have stopped drinking caffeine I had a few months of no panic attacks but now I'm getting them 2-3 times a week instead of once a month at the most. I went to the doctor but she won't prescribe any medication until I've seen a psychiatrist, but I can't find any that will see me for a sliding-scale fee (I already have a lot of other medical bills and I have no job and we live paycheck to paycheck with my husband's money). I've called all around and even experimental studies aren't taking anxiety cases.

I'm absolutely at my wit's end, I can't take this anymore. Luckily I have a prescription to take only during a panic attack, but it's not working as well anymore. I've tried regulating my breathing but trust me, it doesn't matter when you're right in the thick of it. I know I'm mostly ranting but I could also use any advice anyone can give me on what to do.

[Suiren]

Tiny update: immediately after writing this post I broke down and called an anxiety hotline. They put me in touch with a mobile outreach center that will send someone to my house tomorrow to do an assessment, and then will refer me to a sliding-scale mental health center that I can afford ($3 co-pay! I'll be sure to give $10 though) for any treatment they can provide. I'm speechless right now.

[Algae]

Good for you for calling for help. I hope all goes well at the assessment.

[Saluki Worship]

Wow, one to two hour long panic attacks- that's horrible! My panic attacks only last for about ten minutes (during which I always throw up, and sometimes pass out). I can't imagine how you cope with such long attacks.

Good luck with the assessment. I hope you are able to find the help you need.

[Latiam]

Yes, indeed. Good luck.
Have the centre suggest books for you to read. They may not be quite as apropos in your situation as someone with classic attacks, but they will help you to understand what is going on and knowledge is power.
See a psychiatrist as soon as you can, primarily because there are classes that teach you ways to deal with the attacks and they know how to get you in touch with them.

Good luck!

PS Look up "Deep muscle relaxation" and try it out. It can help when you're in the throes of an attack.

[Suiren]

Yeah, the sheer length of my attacks makes it one of the worst aspects. And I thought it was normal till I heard normal was around 10 minutes or so. In my case, I really do feel like it'll never end... since time seems to slow down just to torture me. Luckily I have managed not to throw up because of one, that's horrible too.

[Suiren]

So my update was all in vain. Apparently I'm not a serious enough case to be taken on, because I haven't been committed to a mental hospital. But they did ask me to call my insurance and see if a psychiatrist is covered under medical instead of mental (since I know I don't have mental coverage) and turns out, they do. So now I'm trying to get a referral from my primary doctor to see an in-network psychiatrist and hopefully things will get better. I'll post updates as I get them.

[purpleiguana]

Good luck at getting the referral you need. That's just insane that they wouldn't take you on just because you haven't been committed. I'm sure there are loads of people out there who need help but who, because they can "manage" or fake it well enough, are deemed as not deserving of services that they actually do need.

I'll be vibing for you.

[Suiren]

Been calling numbers all day... most are booked until the end of January. Really? It's sad... I did find one that was available at the end of November but it's about a 40 minute drive and when I tried to call the number back to set the appointment it was a fax machine number, so I seem to be out of luck.

[Suiren]

Found a place that's taking me in Friday. Now I need to figure out what anti-anxiety pill options I have to discuss with her. Anyone on a daily med for anxiety that can be used long-term, and wouldn't mind telling me about it? You can PM if you like.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by Suiren

Tiny update: immediately after writing this post I broke down and called an anxiety hotline. They put me in touch with a mobile outreach center that will send someone to my house tomorrow to do an assessment, and then will refer me to a sliding-scale mental health center that I can afford ($3 co-pay! I'll be sure to give $10 though) for any treatment they can provide. I'm speechless right now.

Originally Posted by Suiren

So my update was all in vain. Apparently I'm not a serious enough case to be taken on, because I haven't been committed to a mental hospital. But they did ask me to call my insurance and see if a psychiatrist is covered under medical instead of mental (since I know I don't have mental coverage) and turns out, they do. So now I'm trying to get a referral from my primary doctor to see an in-network psychiatrist and hopefully things will get better. I'll post updates as I get them.

It's too bad you weren't qualified for that first service you posted about, but it's good to know it's available for those who do qualify.

[snoozn]

You may want to look up the different psychiatrists who are in-network. It would be difficult to wait until January, but keep in mind that the first-available may not be the best. We had some disasters picking mental health providers when assuming that in-network implied pre-screened. Depending on how your benefits work, hopefully you could "shop around" and have initial visits with at least a few providers. When we were looking for a psychologist for therapy, we got a few recommendations, and both the ones we thought we might like the best offered an initial visit for free (and they were both in network). Psychiatrists often specialize and you may want to make sure that you are seeing someone who is knowledgeable about anxiety and medication. I would suggest that you write down a list of concerns and questions to bring with you on your first visit. This should give you an idea of whether the provider is a good match for you. Good luck!

[Suiren]

The doctor prescribed extended release Cymbalta for my anxiety/depression and trazadone for my insomnia. I've been on the trazadone before but it didn't work as well as it should have at smaller doses, so I got a larger dose. I'm worried about the Cymbalta because of the possible nausea side effects (nausea is usually my first indicator of a panic attack) but I will try it anyway. I'll keep you guys updated on what's going on, if there is anything new to report.

[Luka_the_Pooka]

I take Celexa for my severe anxiety, and it works fine. I took Paxil for a while, but it made me more nervous and hyper.

Are there any specific triggers for your panic attacks, or do they just hit you with no warning? I used to get them in loud, crowded places, such as Wal-Mart and Winco.

Good luck Suiren, panic attacks are one of the worst things ever. Vibes for you!

[Suiren]

Zoloft made me crazy paranoid. Lexapro made me into a zombie. My panic attacks have no trigger, my heart rate just skyrockets and the rest of the symptoms follow. It sucks, but I hope this medicine will work for me.