Posted by Emme on April 22, 2002, at 11:45:09
In reply to What Happens To You During A Panic Attack?, posted by MaKi on January 8, 2002, at 13:45:52
Damn things would sometimes wake me up in the middle of the night. I'd feel an electrical sensation ride up my spine and I knew I was in for it. All the nasty physical flight-or-fight symptoms would come rolling in and all I could do was wait for it to pass. Once things settled down a bit, something easy to read like Winnie-the-Pooh would help me fall back asleep. Sometimes they happnened during the day. For the hyperventilation/CO2 imbalance component, I did something similar to the paper bag idea. I'd take a normal breath and make myself hold it for 15 seconds. Exhale and do it again. And again. Till the pins and needles cleared up and I felt better. After a few months of them, they kinda went away and I only get one every couple of years or so now. For some reason, just getting a diagnosis (and the tip on breathing) from a doctor really seemed to help them reduce in number. Then I went on a 3.5 week vacation and never had another one for a few years. Not that I'm saying a vacation is a panacea, but for me the break seemed to interrupt whatever was going on. Weird.
Emme
poster:Emme
thread:89326
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020416/msgs/103807.html