Does anyone with Fibro have panic

[BrokenBladder]

attacks? I'm wondering if this is common with those of us who have FMS. The reason for my curiosity is that I started having panic attacks back in 1996. Then within 2 years I started with my bladder problems. Then just a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with FMS. So is there a connection?:confused:
At one point I was on Xanax for the aniexty/panic attacks but was never well informed about the drug. One day I decided to stop taking it and see if the panic attacks were gone. Needless to say I discovered what w/d were all about and that scared me.:eek: Now I take all the meds for my bladder and for the FMS but nothing to control the panic attacks. Does anyone on here have any suggestions or just some personal stories?

[champgoof]

if its one thing that I wasn't known for was panic attacks. Absolutely nothing scared me, and not much bothered me... now I find myself having small panic attacks mine came after the pain I figured that it was because of the pain and having to cancel so many plans with friends... I hate making plans ahead of time who knows how I will feel that day.. What if I have to cancel again.. will my friends give me that I understand but I am disapointed look? do you find your panic attacks come at certain times?

[BrokenBladder]

Hi Sophie!! No I can't really pinpoint when the panic attack will come on. Sometimes it will be at the dumbest times while other times it happens when like my ex husband is bashing me over the kids, which makes alot more sense. I will start to shake uncontrollably, breathing becomes shallow, and I also sweat. It's just plain crazy!!
When people look at me I know they must be thinking, "jeez that woman must be on some serious drugs!!" LOL, if they only knew!!

[Tootsie]

What are now called "panic" attacks were known as "anxiety attacks," when I was a young adult. At the time I was first diagnosed with "fibrositis", the term used then for fibromyalgia, I had increasing episodes of anxiety.

The situation at the time was this. We had been married for just a few years, and my husband, was recently discharged from the armed services. We chose to stay 3K miles from our former homes, where friends and family still lived. My husband decided to return to school and finish his education. I was the "breadwinner." Into this mix, came the nightmare of fibro symptoms, an episode of pericarditis and other signs of inflammatory disease.

All lab work was negative, but I was sure I had lupus or one of the other immune disorders. My anxiety increased until one night I could not sleep at all. My husband called my doctor during the night, when I thought I was dying. While he was on the phone, I began trembling uncontrollably. Suddenly, it hit me like a ton of bricks. ALL these symptoms were simply uncontrolled anxiety, and I needed professional help.

The next morning I called the local family counseling agency and made an appointment. After 3, weekly sessions with a skilled and experienced psychiatric social worker, I quit my job. I continued to see her, exploring all the sources, of what was then called "free floating anxiety," and remembering when I had first felt those feelings. As I continued to progress in my understanding of the source of these feelings, I accepted a part time job in a small office with little challenge or political strife involved.

My husband got a full time job, I was pregnant in another year, and life moved on. Periodically, I would return to see the social worker when confronted with a new challenge...another baby, always wanted and welcomed, but with a new wrinkle on my anxiety.

Fifteen years later, I had gone back to work, full time and had such a mild episode of anxiety on my first day, that I almost laughed. I recognized that I would never have another one.

There have been 2 or 3 other times, more recently when I have made appointments with counselors to help me sort through decisions. Most relevant, is when my mother with Alzheimer's Disease lived with us, and I needed to put her in an alternative living situation. Again, a psychiatric social worker pointed out that in my family the old folks always lived with their children. My own grandmother was a significant person in my life and lived with us part of that time, dying abruptly at my parent's home. I had expected my own mother to do the same but it wasn't possible. That was difficulty for me to deal with as I found it impossible to admit that I couldn't do this.

I have never used drugs for any period of time to deal with anxiety or difficult situations. I do not tolerate ANY medication well, although the blood pressure drugs seems to be OK. Talking things out, shedding lots of tears in the process works best, for me. Cheerio.

[suede]

Hi BB.
I use to have panic (anxiety) attacks all the time they finally quit with treatment and therapy.
I am having them once again but not to frequently and not nearly as bad as before, along with many other problems I have been dx'ed with FM.
I haven't really talked about my PA with any of my drs as so many other things have been wrong and they just haven't been to bad and hopefully will stay that way.
I had a real problems with xanax myself back when I was having the PA before, anyway I ended up taking a med called "buspar" for my PA and it really helped me a lot and I didn't have any problems with WD when I stopped taking it.
You might try talking to your dr about this med.
Lots of luck, I sure know how these attacks can effect ones life.
Linda

[BrokenBladder]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I need to see a therapist. I've been putting it off for a very long time and the issue keeps coming up again and again.
Linda, you're right these attacks have had a huge impact on my life!! I hate being in a situation where I just shake uncontrollably. It's not like I can even hide it.

[Tootsie]

Lisa,
I would encourage you to do so. While you may not get total relief, at least you could begin the process and work through it all. I was fortunate to be so needy at the time that it didn't matter that I took an instant dislike, to the woman I was assigned to, at a community clinic, that charged on a sliding scale. Over a period of time I was able to recognize her skill, and ability to immediately confront me, when I was avoiding facing unpleasant and difficult situation.

The Kleenex are always in the top desk drawer! Cheerio.

[Fayelle]

It seems like panic attacks would be a problem with some dealing with fibro if you listen to Devlin Starlynl.....

Her theory is that in fibro the fight or flight switch is not able to turn off so we are constantly on high alert.....Making it feasible that a panic disorder could very well rear its ugly head in our lives as well at times.....

I have Xanax on hand for just those occasions.....Although I have not had any panic issues in many years I am learning to self calm and my outlook on life has changed with the acceptance of things being the way they are.....

I also take an antidepressant, I think it also has some calming effect on my system....

Plus it doesn't help that in fibro we are sensitive to everything and there always seems to be something new cropping up symptom wise and we never know whether to be worried or just take it as a fibro issue.....

Fibro is a very disconcerting affliction to be sure.....

I agree with seeing someone though, panic attacks can be a really crummy thing.......Especially since they are so physical.....

Fay