If The IRS Challenges, What's The Point??

[momofsix]

I also have panic attacks...Lately I have been okay but last year around this time it was horrible, I went to my doctor to talk to him about it...I also have Mitral Valve Prolapse. He said that my panic attacks were because of that...He put me on Inderal LA...but I don't think it seemed to help at all ( I lost my insurance so I couldnt get it anymore). He would not put me on any anxiety medication which I felt I really needed, I was so upset I left the doctors office crying because I felt like he didn't believe me. Anyways...I have not been back to the doctor in 9 months because I was without insurance and now I have insurance so I am wondering if I should get back the Inderal LA

If you get a chance to read the book, do it...it gives tons of great suggestions for diet and things to control symptoms, and also listed some things that are "symptoms" that I never would have thought of-like a hypersensitive startle reflex! I'm on a beta-blocker since my valve repair, and my heart beats so normally now I don't even notice it! That was weird for me because I always noticed my heart b/c it was WAY out of rhythm all the time
Yes, panic attacks can definitely be related to hormonal changes.
One thing that really helped me during attacks is doing something that requires concentration and physical activity, like typing on the computer. Even if I was too shaky to type correctly, having to really concentrate on what I was doing, and concentrating on my fingers and not my heartbeat would really help me. Also try to breathe slowly, don't let yourself hyperventilate-that makes it even worse! One thing that did NOT help was DH rubbing my back and trying to make me relax, not sure why but that kind of stuff never helped.
If the inderal helper, by all means do what you need to do. I would find a different doctor if yours was not very compassionate about it. Panic attacks are actually quite common, and he should have known much more about them and how to help you. Do you go for echoe's ever? Do you take antibiotics before dental appointments? These are things. that are common for those with mitral valve prolapse, and you should ask about them if you're not. (BTW surgery is NOT common at all, i was one-in-a-million, so don't even worry about that!)

[marniewon]

If you get a chance to read the book, do it...it gives tons of great suggestions for diet and things to control symptoms, and also listed some things that are "symptoms" that I never would have thought of-like a hypersensitive startle reflex!

I had no idea of this symptom, but back when I was battling panic attacks constantly I really did have a big startle reflex. To the point that I could even see someone coming toward me, but for some reason if they moved too fast or something else equally ridiculous, I would jump, then go automatically into "fight or flight" mode - aka panic attack!

BTW, which book are you talking about?

[momofsix]

I had no idea of this symptom, but back when I was battling panic attacks constantly I really did have a big startle reflex. To the point that I could even see someone coming toward me, but for some reason if they moved too fast or something else equally ridiculous, I would jump, then go automatically into "fight or flight" mode - aka panic attack!

BTW, which book are you talking about?

Oh sorry! I mentioned it in an earlier post.

http://www.amazon.com/Mitral-Prolapse-Syndrome-Dysautonomia-Survival/dp/1572243031/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295387892&sr=1-1

[Bizzymom1111]

OH. MY. GOSH! This! Me....Yes!! I've never ever heard anyone describe their panic attacks the same as mine felt before, but you just did!! I don't get them much anymore, but there was a time that I did all the time! And like legomom said, they come out of nowhere!

Do you have acid reflux? When I went to the doc once he told me that that "skip a beat" feeling could be caused by acid reflux also. I get that all the time. Drinking more water DOES help. So does staying away from too much salt and sugar. If you don't already, switch to RealSalt brand salt. It's seasalt and so much better for you. Spice up your meals (as seasoning on top, not cooked in the meal) - not only will it help your heart, it will help your metabolism!

I know we all kind of got of track here, but if anyone else has any hints/tips that work for their panic attacks, I would love to hear them!!

I also get panic attacks! Totally happens for no reason sometimes too. I've been pretty good this last year, but I had some VERY bad episodes with it about 4 years back- I even hospitalized myself- I felt like I was going to die. I'm currently taking sertraline for it and have been on it ever since my initial episode. I'm afraid to go off it. I don't want to go back to how bad I had them. It was horrible.I also have Ativan in case I get an attack, but I haven't used that in about a year. I've gotten better at talking myself out of them if I feel one coming on. What I do is try to just keep myself distracted. I used to sit and stew over every little thing(I was a major hypochondriac) but now I just try to ignore these things bc I know nothing is actually wrong. I also swear by lavender. Not imitation lotions or sprays but pure essential oils and spray. I have a bottle of lavender spray that only has lavender and water and it instantly calms me down. you can literally feel your pulse slowin down!! Anyways- it is nice to not feel alone. I swear I thought there was something seriously wrong with me in the head, but it's reassuring to know that other people experience these things too.