I've been having nearly non-stop panic attacks since Friday. It makes it a little difficult to post new info when you feel like the world is closing in on you.

I'll try my best to post while I try to get my anxiety problem under control.

Shit, man. Hope you're alright. No worries on my end.

I was diagnosed with severe PTSD not long after 9/11, so I fully understand...if you haven't tried it yet, give Paxil a shot. It was truly a miracle to me, as it turned me around after just a few days. In the meantime, you're on my prayer list Andrewthony...

Fully understand what you are feeling. Nothing quite like feeling your skin is coming off, that you are about to come unhinged and that overwhelming sense of doom.

Dealt with it in my 20's and it has rarely reared its ugly head until the last month with all these heart issues I have going on.

I drink a shit ton of coffee, have doubled my cigarette intake and, since this is expected to be short term, have a load of Xanax handy.

Truly hope it gets better for you. If you haven't seen an MD, please do so. Also, a therapist can help greatly although psych therapy is expensive and can take months.

Will throw up a prayer for you. Please know that you are not alone in this!

Thanks guys!

A bottle of alprazolam sure does sound nice, but my doc has been with me since my drug addiction days, so he's not going to be RXing me any benzos... not that I would accept them.

Therapy is already going on, as well as escitalopram and trazodone.

No clue what any of that is, but hopefully things are looking up for you!

AJC wrote:Thanks guys!

A bottle of alprazolam sure does sound nice, but my doc has been with me since my drug addiction days, so he's not going to be RXing me any benzos... not that I would accept them.

Therapy is already going on, as well as escitalopram and trazodone.

Therapy, in my experience is the key. The MEDS are a stop gap measure or an adjunct long term. The Lexapro and Trazadone are a good combo. That Trazadome should help you sleep and the max dose is way up there so lots of room to wiggle with adjustments!

Neurontin, off label use, has been used for panic/anxiety along with a gazillion other off label uses.

From a physical side, always stay well hydrated. I drink 150-250 oz water/day but am 6'4", 312#. Believe it or not, many find help with yoga. Not the the stuff you eat or the Hindu guy who hasn't bathed for 30 years or the Cartoon bear; but, the exercise!

Something to try, too.

PM if you ever need to talk and be glad to give you my cell number.

Hang in there, friend.

Lots of stress in my job and I find talking to friends make things much easier. If you need to just talk PM me and i'll send you my cell number my phone is always on. Be well my friend

Ditto on the phone thing, brother. Kinda feel like a dbag for not thinking of that. D'oh!

school and a death in the family has kept me away. Sorry guys. This is proving to be one tough semester.

I have come to realize that even in our small group, life throws some real curve balls at each of us.

Had an elderly lady, a true "Southern Belle," tell me once, "they tell me pain builds character. Well, I've had about enough damned character building, thank you!"

Thanks everybody. Things are calming down now.

I still think about you kahuna, ever since you posted about your circumstances.

I am doing okay AJC. Thank you. I really think a big watch purchase is going to help, he, he,,,

Glad you are okay too AJC.