I Have Anxiety Attacks And Panic Attacks

Having a mild anxiety attack now. Maybe from too little sleep. I am afraid to sleep because I've had a lot of disturbing nightmares these last couple of days. Think it might be the antibiotic I am taking. It's helping my long time ear infection so I am not going to stop taking it. Did not sleep at all last night. Now I awoke from another nightmare and am scared and feeling very alone. Middle of the night. Trying to get up nerve to take a sleeping pill. Anxiety is suggesting a series of unlikely but scary events that "could" happen at any moment. Bad dreams, bad memories, heart pounding anxiety.

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Carla1951 · 70-79, F

I hope you didn't pay the office visit. I am quite proud of my excellent hearing. My Dads side of the family lost their hearing early. It was hereditary. And when my older sister began to loose hers I took the steps to prevent it happening to me.

I worked in a large building that required ear plugs. Many personnel didn't bother as the plugs were uncomfortable. Annually they had a company that would set up a sound proof booth to check our hearing. There would be a lite ping he would send and you would raise your hand if you heard it.
Over the years he knew well my own excellent hearing and would try and trick me to sense or hear something not within their normal test pattern. It was so soft I wasn't sure; so instead of raising my hand I would raise ONE finger.
At the end he would always praise me on my excellent hearing. My reply was that with my family history of hearing loss, I wanted to do all I could to keep it in tact.

Growing up in the 60's and the concerts... The noise was so painful for me. My BF complained and told me putting my fingers in my ears was RUDE. Not a problem. 'I' can hear. I hear with excellence. AND plan to keep it that way.
Today if going to a concert, I will bring my ear plugs. My hair is long and I can pull it forward. Being old is bad enough. Loosing ones senses is not necessary.

Carla1951 · 70-79, F

Sugah, I have those too. I was in a car accident. I was fine but the drive managed to crush my beautiful Truck. In the meantime driving the second car I was unable to concentrate. Always fearful of another collision. So I asked my doctor if there was something to calm these panic attacks. She advised I buy a bottle of St.Johns Wort. WOW. It does. No more out bursts of panic. As long as I take this little capsule. *do look this up, because there are other meds that if taken with, stop working.
Available O.T.C. Completely natural. Search it on Google. Great as long as I remember to take it. I can panic easily.
I get my head crowded with thoughts and worries and they all crash around me. ST.Johns Wart helps me sort through. To know what to keep or put away for later.
But know. My anxiety is MILD. Yours may be more advanced, yet it might be worth a try. It is natural, therefore shouldn't be harmful.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

Years ago I took St.John's Wort to help with mild depression. It did help but then I found something that worked much better for me; Holy Basil in capsule form.

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greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@carla1951: St. John's Wort is natural but it acts as a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor which is to say it works like Prozac. Holy basil is an herb that also gently fights depression but it works differently and I like it better. It sends more circulation and neural stimulation to the part of the brain that processes and remembers happy and calming thoughts.

Carla1951 · 70-79, F

@greenmountaingal: I am writing that down. I've never used Prozac, however I do prefer NATURAL.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@carla1951: Holy basil is good for people who are depressed because they worry too much and have anxiety. Works for me.

JovialPlutonian · 36-40, M

From my experience anxiety is generated from over thinking and procrastination. It wasn't until I learnt to concentrate more on my feelings that the over thinking no longer persisted.

Hope this helps, its actually reminded me that I need to do this again! :)

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

If you read my story under: I Am Angry
You might have an idea why I suffer from occasional bouts of midnight insomnia and anxiety. Actually, for a change, I am caught up and on schedule with what I need to do in my life. Swimming every day helps me a lot. I haven't had a lot of attacks lately. That's why I thought it might be the antibiotic. Three more days of that left. But It's probably just the general stress of my chronic insomnia and some scary memories that still bother me now and then. It's lonely at night when I wake up...so thanks for caring and responding.

JovialPlutonian · 36-40, M

No problem :) Insomnia is still something I do not understand, only that for me going to sleep is more of a form of escapism. I can sleep easy because it's an opportunity for me not to have to think of the issues I'm dealing with in my waking state. I've always on and off suffered from nightmares but I've become so comfortable with it that it no longer scares me. Still intense but I am less attached. Now I seem to just have the most eery of dreams. I would state them but they may freak a few people on here out. Not they I feel ashamed for them as its completely innocent.

ALT4554 · F

Have you tried Melatonin for sleeping? I know this isn't a recommendation, but sometimes I take Nyquil to knock me out when I just can't sleep. I do NOT do this regularly, just when it gets bad.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

Yes, I use melatonin every so often. It's not good to use it too much or steadily because that could inhibit your body making it naturally.

Carla1951 · 70-79, F

May I suggest you look up the medications your doctor has prescribed? As a rule most doctors inform you most possible side effects. Google it. He should have let you know what to be aware of. Things to look for. Reactions to expect. Search this drug yourself. Better to be safe. Might Google your Doctor, see if there are reports against him in his Web. I have seen ads on TV, is it called Varify?

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

I have just changed to a new and better doctor. I do not take any medications on a regular basis (because for the most part I have no chronic issues requiring medications). I just finished a 5 day course of an antibiotic designed to wipe out a very bad ear infection which I've endured for nearly a year ( it wiped out a good part of my hearing); the first 5 doctors I saw at Kaiser refused to treat it saying it was just my age! Finally, I found one who took it seriously and actually examined it and told me it was, as I thought, an infection. I am relieved to be getting rid of the pain, headaches, fevers, ringing in my ears, delirium noises and exhaustion.

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