the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

[Guest]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

Girly

I used to have these all the time and it was something I knew had to change when I stopped drinking. If I'm to be honest I've been starting off days with pretty much the same thoughts as you describe recently. I'm waking with a list of things to do that's like one thing after another, it seems insurmountable and impossible. Then my brain starts saying "it's too much why not just go get drunk and escape this" or "let's have a drink to get through this". It's been pretty strong Girly and there has been only one way I've managed to stay calm when all I wanted to do was collapse, cry and drink.

I've done it one task at a time. That means just concentrate on the first thing - which for you today would have been "Going to Asda". Once there you would get each item one at a time and not worry if you forgot something. These last few days this is the only thing that's gotten me through. I know when I have given up in the past I was still running around, brain 10 to the dozen with huge lists and worrying about different things ahead of time.

Luckily I've been practising this for a while now but perhaps something to think about.

[rubywillow]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

UK, what's asda? Love any new idea to get me through. I've lost 3 aunts and uncles and one 50+ year friend in 3 months.

[Boss.man]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

I disagree with those who associate panic attacks with heavy drinking. That is just a hangover.

For me, a panic attack was a true sign of withdrawal. They came from the emotional addicted part of my brain, having a tantrum against my logical side. Sometimes they would exhibit after just a day. But the really big ones took 2-3 days to develop. To my emotional brain, the world was coming to and end as he knew it. He was right too. So it wasn't a drinking action that caused the panic. It was the realization in my emotional brain, that my logical brain was going to "change the system".

I went through withdrawals and panics from 2008 August through 2009 May. During that time I would get a week, or two or three sober, but the panic would get me started drinking again. I'd love to say it got easier. It didn't. My May panic attack was my worst ever. My blood pressure hit 210/160 for eight hours, and my heart raced at about 150 beats a minute. I made a will in 24 hours. I put together some quick estate plans and got ready to clock out. I babbled what I really thought to two different people who haven't talked to me since.

Seven days after (without drinking) It was all better. I won't drink again. That agony was too searing to conceive of repeating it.

Some things I found:

1) Exercise helps. Anything helps to get the toxins out and your body past withdrawal stage.

2) Supplements that provide emotional distance and support work well. For me valerian was good. It makes me drowsy and seasick, but also buzzes out some of my emotional angst. I've never tried Topo or more advanced stuff.

3) Don't drink. If you do, you have to go through it again.

4) As you recover, dreams will return the panic. It's like I put my panic in a box for 30 years, and it had to come out night after night. After about three months it got down to a couple times a week. Now about three times a month. It's just my emotional brain still trying to find a chink. Don't give in.

5) Affirmations are good. Anything that gives emotional support, personal support, and feel good vibes. Go watch a good old movie (nothing scary or sad). Travel. Get out of your routine. Read something new. Take a hot bath. Take a long walk. Get good sleep. Eat complex carbs (helps balance sugar), and exercise.

Do you think you are a smart person? So does your brain. It's very hard to outsmart your own brain. Your emotional brain controls your blood pressure, adrenaline, breathing, "fight or flight" and all autonomic systems. Your emotional brain can't speak, has no language ability, and can't even use logic.

If you upset your own emotional brain, it will fight back with all it's tools, which makes you "panic". Google up "Amygdala" and "Lizard brain" to learn more about how your emotional brain works. The Lizard Brain doesn't sleep, which is why nighttime urges can be more difficult than daytime urges.

Fight back by calming your emotions, showing YOU are in charge, and demonstrating to your Lizard Brain clearly that you can provide security and comfort. Eat well (don't diet while stopping AL), sleep well, get a good steady flow of healthy activities and engaging friends. Faith is good at this time, so spend time observing your faith and accomplishments. These are things that will calm your emotional brain.

Good luck.

For a very long and perhaps entertaining account of my experience, I wrote this almost a year ago. Just a couple months after my last detox:
https://www.mywayout.org/community/f8...-ii-35612.html

[akgirl]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

I didn't have time to read this whole thread so I'm not sure if this has been recommended but for me, L-Theanine helped so much. Its natural and works fairly quickly. I was having panic attacs last summer and because I opt for natural instead of meds I called my health store, bought it the same day, and it helped right away.

Good Luck to you :l

[Guest]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

ASDA is a big supermarket chain over here.

Regards the panics I had them inbetween drinking bouts, and they were completely unmanageable whilst drinking. Then in withdrawl came the absolute panics usually out of the blue and for no reason at all - middle of the night, racing heart etc.

Afraid the best chance to deal with these is to stop drinking as AL only makes conditions like this worse.

[girly wirly]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

hi all

thanks for the sound advice. mrs d i will check out that website. i am on a small amount of meds for depression and i am waiting to change to something that will treat my anxiety and depression at the same time, but as i took an overdose last week, the doc doesn't want to change my meds until i've settled down.

took my antabuse today

[spuddleduck]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

girly, i really think your anxiety and depression will get much better without AL. it did for me, i feel better now than i could have even dreamed about a few months ago.

[girly wirly]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

wow, i just re-read this post. although i took antabuse this morning, a little voice is telling me "don't take it tomorrow, then you can drink next week." so i've read last weeks overdose post too and i'll read it again tomorrow to force myself to take that pill! my heart wants to stop al but my head doesn't!

odat.....

[Guest]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

Girly

keep your thoughts on today, on right now. You've taken the AB and are sober now - that's all that matters. Next week can sod right off.:lalala:

[K9Lover]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

Hi Girly!
I am proud of you for taking your Antabuse! I know what a huge step and committment that is. Please don't start thinking of ways to get around it. Just keep taking it and resign yourself to the fact that you just CAN'T drink right now. Eventually it will get easier. Let it work for you.
My thoughts are with you!
:h
K9

[girly wirly]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

thanks gang. i also rang the drug and alcohol team today. the duty worker was out but i was promised a call within the hour. that was 3 hours ago:upset: took me so much courage to call too!

i'll call them back tomorrow. i'm taking antabuse which i ordered from river pharmacy, and what with my mental state being what it has lately, i'd much prefer it was prescribed or in the hands of a health proffesional.

[techie]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

Good decision Girly. I wish only the best for you. Let us know when you hear back. You are in my thoughts daily...John

[Guest]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

Better from your GP. I had a nasty reaction to it 3 weeks after my last drink some years ago. Because it was bought online the DR was very dismissive indeed.

[girly wirly]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

Ukblonde;892893 wrote: Better from your GP. I had a nasty reaction to it 3 weeks after my last drink some years ago. Because it was bought online the DR was very dismissive indeed.

thats what worries me hun. especially since i've just admitted my overdose.i'm worried if anything happens with it and he finds out i've been messing with internet drugs on top of the od on morphine, he'll section me or something!

[Guest]

the hideous anxiety/panic attack i had today.

girly wirly;892909 wrote: thats what worries me hun. especially since i've just admitted my overdose.i'm worried if anything happens with it and he finds out i've been messing with internet drugs on top of the od on morphine, he'll section me or something!

Ermmm I took several overdoses including withdrawl meds, plus paracetamol and they said I wasn't insane enough to section!I even once asked to be sectioned after an OD and they told me I knew what was going on so didn't qualify!