Hello :)

[Darren & Joey Lacock]

I'm new to these boards, and I have read many of the posts and felt quite at
home here.

I've been diagnosed with Panic Disorder for about five years now. It comes
and goes. There will be months where I feel fine, I'm alive, I'm not
restricted.. then BOOM, panic sets in again. I can't go out, I can't drive,
I can't even get up without fear of fainting from being lightheaded and
shaky, and nervous. I have such severe palpitations that it makes me cough,
and I can feel my heart literally jumping, when I put my hand just above my
left breast I can feel it hammering, then do it's "jump".. or skipping a
beat, which scares me, and sends me into another panic attack. Does this
happen to anyone else?

This month I am convinced I am having some sort of heart problem (although
I went to the dr two weeks ago and she checked my heart and lungs and said
"Everything is perfect.. you need to relax." ) I am supposed to be on
Effexor XR, but I simply can't afford it. It costs near 200 a month, and
with three kids to support, it's no dice. I have Clonazepam as a backup when
necessary.

Nowadays, I fear sleeping, for fear of not waking up. My chest burns all the
time, and so does my back. I grind my teeth. Talk about stress! (Lots of
financial problems, and a troublesome 13 year old stepdaughter are my
stresses.) I have checked on all the heart symptoms (I'm close to being
"grounded" from the internet, I have a habit of looking up symptoms.. :( )
and while I am lightheaded, shaky, and have these heart skipping beat
sensations, my doctor and all the symptoms I look up don't seem to mirror
mine. I'm petrified I've got something wrong with my heart. Of course, every
show I watch it seems has something to do with the heart, and dying, unless
I'm just paying more attention than usual.

Even though my doctor has listened to my heartbeat, my lungs, checked my
blood pressure, etc, and said everything sounds "perfect" - in her words -
(which makes me feel really good for a day or two, no panic, then all of a
sudden.. there it is again.) Is it normal to worry so damn much with this
disorder? If you think your doctor is lying? Argh.

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble.. it helps to know I'm not the only one
out there.

Joey

[Darren & Joey Lacock]

I forgot to mention.. I'm a 29 year old married female with three kids.. 13,
8, and 7. :)

Post by Darren & Joey Lacock
I'm new to these boards, and I have read many of the posts and felt quite at
home here.
I've been diagnosed with Panic Disorder for about five years now. It comes
and goes. There will be months where I feel fine, I'm alive, I'm not
restricted.. then BOOM, panic sets in again. I can't go out, I can't drive,
I can't even get up without fear of fainting from being lightheaded and
shaky, and nervous. I have such severe palpitations that it makes me cough,
and I can feel my heart literally jumping, when I put my hand just above my
left breast I can feel it hammering, then do it's "jump".. or skipping a
beat, which scares me, and sends me into another panic attack. Does this
happen to anyone else?
This month I am convinced I am having some sort of heart problem (although
I went to the dr two weeks ago and she checked my heart and lungs and said
"Everything is perfect.. you need to relax." ) I am supposed to be on
Effexor XR, but I simply can't afford it. It costs near 200 a month, and
with three kids to support, it's no dice. I have Clonazepam as a backup when
necessary.
Nowadays, I fear sleeping, for fear of not waking up. My chest burns all the
time, and so does my back. I grind my teeth. Talk about stress! (Lots of
financial problems, and a troublesome 13 year old stepdaughter are my
stresses.) I have checked on all the heart symptoms (I'm close to being
"grounded" from the internet, I have a habit of looking up symptoms.. :( )
and while I am lightheaded, shaky, and have these heart skipping beat
sensations, my doctor and all the symptoms I look up don't seem to mirror
mine. I'm petrified I've got something wrong with my heart. Of course, every
show I watch it seems has something to do with the heart, and dying, unless
I'm just paying more attention than usual.
Even though my doctor has listened to my heartbeat, my lungs, checked my
blood pressure, etc, and said everything sounds "perfect" - in her words -
(which makes me feel really good for a day or two, no panic, then all of a
sudden.. there it is again.) Is it normal to worry so damn much with this
disorder? If you think your doctor is lying? Argh.
Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble.. it helps to know I'm not the only one
out there.
Joey

[ns]

Joey,

i'm starting to learn it's all about stress and managing it (for me
anyway). are you seeing a therapist? have you looked into getting
government assistance with your meds?

i strongly felt those symptons you described all the time and only
recently have they begun to fade. i still feel anxious after sexual
activity or when i don't get much sleep.

after just a couple days of taking vitamin b complex i definately feel a
difference!

hope this helps.. and hang in there.

Post by Darren & Joey Lacock
I'm new to these boards, and I have read many of the posts and felt quite at
home here.
I've been diagnosed with Panic Disorder for about five years now. It comes
and goes. There will be months where I feel fine, I'm alive, I'm not
restricted.. then BOOM, panic sets in again. I can't go out, I can't drive,
I can't even get up without fear of fainting from being lightheaded and
shaky, and nervous. I have such severe palpitations that it makes me cough,
and I can feel my heart literally jumping, when I put my hand just above my
left breast I can feel it hammering, then do it's "jump".. or skipping a
beat, which scares me, and sends me into another panic attack. Does this
happen to anyone else?
This month I am convinced I am having some sort of heart problem (although
I went to the dr two weeks ago and she checked my heart and lungs and said
"Everything is perfect.. you need to relax." ) I am supposed to be on
Effexor XR, but I simply can't afford it. It costs near 200 a month, and
with three kids to support, it's no dice. I have Clonazepam as a backup when
necessary.
Nowadays, I fear sleeping, for fear of not waking up. My chest burns all the
time, and so does my back. I grind my teeth. Talk about stress! (Lots of
financial problems, and a troublesome 13 year old stepdaughter are my
stresses.) I have checked on all the heart symptoms (I'm close to being
"grounded" from the internet, I have a habit of looking up symptoms.. :( )
and while I am lightheaded, shaky, and have these heart skipping beat
sensations, my doctor and all the symptoms I look up don't seem to mirror
mine. I'm petrified I've got something wrong with my heart. Of course, every
show I watch it seems has something to do with the heart, and dying, unless
I'm just paying more attention than usual.
Even though my doctor has listened to my heartbeat, my lungs, checked my
blood pressure, etc, and said everything sounds "perfect" - in her words -
(which makes me feel really good for a day or two, no panic, then all of a
sudden.. there it is again.) Is it normal to worry so damn much with this
disorder? If you think your doctor is lying? Argh.
Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble.. it helps to know I'm not the only one
out there.
Joey