Thread: Panic attacks :(

well so far only taken the dosages for two days. it's been pretty good, NO side effects (but passionflower does make you a tiny bit sleepy hehe) oh and chaste tree tastes F*CKING AWFUL!!! *shudder* but hopefully worth it in the long run eh..
Though I only get panicky during PMS, I have been told to take this herbal mix every day.. so yeah. Interesting. I'll definately post back if I feel any noticeable changes this cycle, and if not apparently next cycle should definately be better according to my naturopath. herbs take awhile to kick in

Originally Posted by lea01

Well topic is quite general. I only get panic attacks and depression/anxiety very badly during PMS. It's very frightening, and has been going on for 4 months now. A couple days ago I saw a naturopath and she gave me a mix of herbs, one bottle containing st. johns wort, st. mary's thistle, passionflower and damiana. Another bottle containing Chaste tree (to regulate progesterone- she thinks I dont get enough which is causing mood swings, too much oestrogen) I was wondering if anyone else had tried any of the above herbal remedies, and what your response was to them? Thank you..

Chamomille tea would help your anxiety. Also, magnesium but you don't want to take it at the same time. B vitamins help the mood swings of PMS. I've heard st.johns wort is good for mental health but have never tried it. Exercise is good also.

Exercise can be VERY BAD for panic attacks.
ADRENALINE CAN TRIGGER PANIC ATTACKS. ASK YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING TO EXERCISE.
Now, if a person is not experiencing the degree of panic attacks that necessitate hospitalization, then this may or may not be true. I don't know. That's why I say to ask a doctor, but as I've said many times, my mother was part of a study on panic attacks (the random kind that come with Panic Anxiety Syndrome) and in order to trigger them in her, they injected her with adrenaline.
SO BE CAREFUL. It's not a joke on commercials when they tell you to consult a doctor before starting an exercise regimen. Do it. One little doctor's visit copay could save you a nasty, big emergency room bill.

I have panic attacks all of the time,almost every day. I am taking zoloft and that helps. I am not sure about the herbal things but zoloft helps me.

Originally Posted by Little

Exercise can be VERY BAD for panic attacks.
ADRENALINE CAN TRIGGER PANIC ATTACKS. ASK YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING TO EXERCISE.
Now, if a person is not experiencing the degree of panic attacks that necessitate hospitalization, then this may or may not be true. I don't know. That's why I say to ask a doctor, but as I've said many times, my mother was part of a study on panic attacks (the random kind that come with Panic Anxiety Syndrome) and in order to trigger them in her, they injected her with adrenaline.
SO BE CAREFUL. It's not a joke on commercials when they tell you to consult a doctor before starting an exercise regimen. Do it. One little doctor's visit copay could save you a nasty, big emergency room bill.

I am a sufferer of panic attacks....I have noticed that exercise actually helps my panic attacks....My theory on this is that, things that unnaturally increase the heart rate, such as caffine, can cause these attacks, however, raising your heart rate naturally, through excercise and whatnot actually can help, as afterwards, your body begins to calm down...i hope that makes sense.

When I have my attacks, i noticed that it feels like every muscle in my body tightens up, and i feel paralyzed. That is why I started trying more exercise and it seems to help me.

Of course always see your doctor who has diagnosed these events as panic attacks and get 2nd opinions if necessary from other medical personnel. However here is my experience... I have suffered from severe depressions / anxiety / insomnia / most stemming from Borderline Personality Disorder. My experience is this it took a long time to find the right combo of drugs but that does help, and I completely agree with the suggestion of Chamomile tea is great and I don't think there is any reason anyone couldn't drink it but again ask doctor. I suggest finding a store that sells the 100% Natural Celestial Seasonings brand and purchase the one called Sleepytime Extra which also has valerian. It tastes good and is extra calming and nice.

The exercise comments... I have had panic attacks recently and finally as I said got on the right meds which for panic for me ended up being Clonozapan, but it can in some cases be addictive, again ask doctor it is prescription. Then again on top of that I find it is true for me that jogging is a God-send. I began jogging a couple years ago since it was a goal to make myself stronger after surgery on my bunions to remove them. Anyway, I do prepare in advance for jogging with making sure I've eaten enough, drank well, and if I question having enough energy for the run I eat a Power Bar first, do great stretching before and after for quite a while which helps the anxiety and panic because it's deep breathing if you do it correctly. Then I jog, not super fast just increase the time I do it, if I'm a little tired that day I go slower or less distance, but you should also be aware of your heart rate and keep it lower than you might expect if you have never kept track of it before.

As for the shot comment... I can imagine if I were getting a shot of adrenaline and at a doctor office I would have an attack, however with me, with jogging it is a stress reducer since I hold in tension, anger, and "exhausting myself" as I call it actually makes me feel so wonderfully calm afterward and my insomnia is helped by the jogging also. 3 times a week at least. When not able to take my medications prescribed, the running was the only thing that released all that stress and tension. I wish you the best and if you want a great book on getting in shape and eating right, I will try to find the name of it but it's that 12 day body shaping makeover thing by the guy who did the exercise part of Extreme MakeOver the reality show. His stuff works for me, and I know for others also. Also, biggest thing we all need to do, drink plenty of water.... I know you have heard it a million times but most of us rarely do it. In Care!!!