Anxiety/panic attacks

[stellaj]

i posted this in another section but thought i would try here too-

Hi, I wanted to know if anyone has suffered from panic attacks during pregnancy. I used to suffer quite badly with panic attacks to the point i only left the house when i really had too, i have done medication, counselling, relaxation to get to a stage where i am almost 'normal' (except I can't go in cars with other people except DH). It has been almost 18 months since i had an attack. Anyway the last 2 weeks i have had panic attakcs nearly everyday- can't breathe, dizzy- the works and i am 22 weeks pregnant. I'm getting really scared that it is going to start all over again. I am still taking my medication and a herbal tonic thing. Does anyone know anything about this please?

[W & T's sleepy mummy]

Sorry, wish I could be more help! I've only ever had a couple and never when pregnant - only while driving. Some say its how I drive that causes them - LOL!

I hope you are ok - I'll be thinking of you. :)

[babytoo]

Yes....I don't normally suffer from them but has a major one just after Xmas. It was because of the situation I put myself in that I had one but it really scared me. We were camping (first and last night), I couldnt breathe and really had to get my act together by myself as there was absolutely nothing that could be done to get me out of the situation. I couldnt sleep in the tent, it was too hot, couldnt breathe, mozzies, midgies, sand in the bed......i freaked! Basically, I made a conscious decision to get myself out of the attack and managed to do so by breathing and I guess meditation. Never had one before being pregnant but couldnt stand it.....at least I think if I have another one I can get myself out of it

[Imogensmum]

Oh i feel for you- I am in the panic attack stage at the moment- had 13 yesterday- two which caused me to vomit! Not nice-

These all started when i was pregnant and i found talking myself through it really helped! I would feel it happening- the buzz in my head the numbness of my limbs-(those are my start points) and i would start saying to myself "enough, stop, breathe- etc- i am safe- breathe" until i was calm enough to function again!

It really is scary- but maybe talk to your doctor- write down what is happening before each attack- maybe you can pin point a trigger... I don't really know how to help you- i just want you to know your not alone- and anytime you want to talk i a here- (well i'll get back to you anyway:rolleyes: my email is talk2shazza@hotmail.com please email me if you want to vent, talk whatever- just don't feel alone in this)

((((hugs)))) and positive vibes##### your way

Shannan

[Missus S]

Oh Mel you poor thing - panic attacks are the worst!

Years ago I would suffer from them pretty badly, but since finding a brilliant GP who has since fixed up a few health issues I had, I've been really good over the last few years.

I do know that the only time now I feel slightly anxious/panicky is when I am really tired or run down. So it may be that you aren't sleeping too well at the moment being pregnant, like most of us :o So try reassure yourself that probably a lot of it is due to your tiredness, try look after yourself to get a good amount of rest, and remember that you can certainly recover from these attacks - you've done it before.

If you need, talk to your GP or OB/GYN about it, or feel free to PM me anytime :)

[[[HUGS]]]

Missus S

[stellaj]

thanks everyone for the support, its hard to explain to people who haven't had them what a panic attack feels like. I'll keep trying some different suggestions to cope, i'm definately not going to just put up with it.

[hugs] Mel:)

[brooke73]

Hi! Have just found this site and have been browsing. I am hoping that your anxiety/panic problem is better but if not I can wholly sympathise with you. I have not had the problem during pregnancy but did have big problem a few years ago. A couple of suggestions - but only with medical advice! Have you been to a Naturopath? Magnesium is great for anxiety as it has a relaxing effect. I had some tablets I just used to suck on and my symptoms eased quickly. Also, how is your blood pressure? My is always really low and this can cause racing heart. Have lots more experiences if you are still suffering.

Brooke73

[gypsy girl]

Hi, I can fully emphasise with your problem.. I have struggled with this in the past, and am finding that when pregnant, there are lots of anxieties that come with it and its very easy to slip back into panic attack mode, esp when you are feeling a lot of sickness/nausea due to the pregnancy, it reminds you of the old feelings and its easy to confuse genuine symptoms of pregnancy with panic. I recommend a great little book called "Living with IT - A survivors guide to panic attacks" by Bev Aisbett ... it is a very small easy to read book, written with lots of cartoons and humour, but it really hits the point and is very helpful. You can get it at Angus & Robertson. Hope this helps.

[lizzymcfizzy]

I have that book too! Its brilliant.

I have anxiety and am concerned what I will be like when I'm pregnant. I guess I'll just keep doing what I do now (talking myself calm and meditation).

I too find that when I'm tierd I am prone to it even more. I have to think positive thoughts so I don't lapse!


Stella I think you really need to find the cause of your anxiety so you can let it go. Its understandable to have anxiety just by being pregnant, its hard to be pregnant and already be an anxious person!

A new thing that has helped me is self hypnosis. It feels great and it can tinker with your thoughts and help you make new ideas in your subconsious. For example when I do it (with a guided cd I got off ebay) I follow what the CD says but also tell myself "I don't have to breath like that" and "I don't have to get anxious" stuff like that. Whatever works for you.

When I'm in the midst of a panic attack I have told myself that I'm sick of it and I am in charge. My mantra is "Its my choice". I can panic or I can stay grounded. But its different for everyone.


I don't think anyone can understand a panic attack until they've had one themselves!

Like Missus S said, stay positive! You've beaten them before, you can do it again.:hugs:

[stellaj]

thanks everyone for your help. I haven't been to bad lately. I think some of the symptoms of a PA are very similar to pregnancy, which gypsy grl mentioned, which is hard. Eg, dizzy, feeling sick, harder to breathe.

Its good to know that there are others out there going through similar things, you have lots of good things to try to deal with it. Bye:hugs:

[maybe1more]

Hey mel, how are you going darl? Wow 22 weeks already!! Thats fantastic.
I suffer from panic attacks too, i used to get them before i had my ds and they got worst dueing pregancy, they would wake me up from asleep and it would feel like the walls were closing in on me, i either had to go outside in the middle of the night or most of the time i would sit on the cold tiles on the toilet floor because i was dizzy and didnt know if i was going to throw up or faint, the cold tiles seemed to help "shock" me a bit and settle me down. Ive just started to get them again:( and it scared the **** out of me, i find it worst when im by myself, and i feel like someone has just put a tonne of brick on me and i cant breathe. Theres not much that i know off that can help, except the toilet floor, i know it sounds strange but its worth a try, or even a warm to cool shower with the bathroom window open so you can breathe the cool air, yes it sound werid but ive tried everything. Best of luck Mel:hugs:

[No2WhereAreYou]

Hi Stella

What are you taking herbal wise? make sure it doesnt interact with your medication, it can make it worse.
I was agorophobic for four years, it was hard work trying to leave the house.
if you are pregnant I recommend yoga and an ssri - some people dont like to take them during pregnancy but you have to take care of yourself. Talk to your doctor about Cipramil, the safest to use. I use aropax and it has had no case studies against it, just warnings it can cause the baby to have jitters for a few days which is harmless. it can increase your chanvce of having a baby with a heart mumur by...0.1% how little is that??

[No2WhereAreYou]

I really recommend you google her! her books changed my life as well as a counselling session I had with her and another psychologist.

[wannabemum]

I suffered really bad with anxiety and panic attacks a few years ago and it got to the point for me too where I couldn't leave the house (horrible time in my life). Anyway I went to a psychologist (finally) and he specialised in cognitive field therapy which was my life saver. Also I would highly recommend a book called POWER OVER PANIC by South Australian author Bronwyn Fox.

However unfortunately throughout my pregnancy (I am now 20 weeks), I have suffered anxiety over my health, since it hasn't been that great whilst Ive been pregnant. So I have little mini attacks alot whenever I get a pain or a funny feeling in my tummy. Its horrible and I wish I could stop worrying and start enjoying the pregnancy, so it might be a trip back to the pyschologist again for me I think.

Anyways good luck for all the ladies battling with anxiety and panic attacks, they are curable!!!

Also just to let you know I am on half a tablet of aropax (or paxtine) and have been for the whole of this pregnancy. I have to take it for my chronic fatigue syndrome and it also helps with anxiety.

[fludo]

It's comforting to read that someone else is out there taking aropax while pregnant. I want to start TTC very soon, but my doc doesn't really want me to stay on the aropax (I take half tab, 10mg) because it has an increase of 1% chance of having a baby with a heart problem. I've tried Luvox and recently Cipramil, but they haven't worked, at least not on the dose I was taking (1 tab) and I don't know that taking a larger dose of a "safer" drug is safer than taking the small dose of aropax. has anyone had an experience where their Doc has refused to prescribe them AD?

[allgirls]

Hi All

It is so good to read that others are having panic/anxiety attacks as well.

Mine started in hospital with my first baby. I had an emergency c-section and stayed in hospital 7 days in a tiny little room that wasn't well ventiliated. Then being at home for at least 4 weeks to recover before being able to drive anywhere.

I had them again with 2nd bub - and my sister spoke to a herbalist for me and got some bach flower drops. Just a few drops on your tongue - worked wonders for me in hospital as I needed another c-section.

I am pregnant again with bub3 and have been having bad panic attacks again - I'm getting some more bach flower drops again this weekend so hopefully they will help again.

Any thing natural is worth a try.....