Hi,

My name is Matt and I am new to this site. I have recently begun having panic attacks daily and am struggling to cope. This is going to be a long blog because I feel the need to express what has been going on and see if anyone can relate with what is happening or share with me some things that could help me.

My first panic attack was I dont know when, maybe a few years ago, and I didnt know what a panic attack was at the time. My confession here is that it happened after smoking marajuana, and has been occasionaly up until about eight weeks ago. I would have panic attacks after smoking a little too much. Then, as I said about eight weeks ago, it happened when i hadnt smoked. It didnt take more than four days after that and I ended up in the emergency room having just about every single symptom i have read online all at once and it was a truly terrifying experience. Its this event that i believe may be causing my now daily struggle. Since then I have ditched weed because I was parlty convinced this had something to do with it.

Something I have neglected to mention was that previous to my ER trip (maybe a few weeks) I was informed my boss was retiring and i would be out of a job. This was dissapointing because I worked there for 5 years and my boss was like my best friend in a way, and I didnt mind going to work everyday. What doesnt help is this is my fourth week without a job, no health insurance, and no medication to help me cope( not that i even want to be on medication).So this waiting to find a job isnt helping me.

I have had to deal with panic attacks every day, practically all day for the past month.I dont know how anyone could deal with this affliction for any longer than that. I just want it to go away. I went for an interview today, I was dizzy, twitchy, shaky, shallow breathing, and my eyes were glazed over(which i havent seen mentioned as a symptom but it definetly happens), and also I felt "like I was leaving earth" is the best I think I can describe it. Other symptoms include: headaches, heart skipping and/or racing, sweaty palms/feet, bathroom "issues", not wanting to be alone, being startled easily. Even images or conversation on television seems to be a trigger.Tell me about yourself if you like, I think knowing others are going through what I am may help me feel a little better about this situation.

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maddie said:

... Hello and welcome :) Those all sound like symptoms of panic attacks to me, even the "glazed eyes" which I get too: and the derealization ("leaving earth") I'm afraid weed often causes people to suffer like this. As you have discovered, although it feels ghastly as you go through it, a panic attack does not cause heart attacks or death. It's just a horrid temporary inability of your brain to respond correctly to stimuli. It's been "rewired" to panic at all your triggers. One of the things that increases it is fear. Try to breathe deep, accept that it's happening and not fight it. I try to think of it as if I'm diabetic - I imagine if I went giddy I'd think "oh yeah I need a biscuit to up my blood sugar". Normalise it. Once you overcome the fear, then you can start to address the symptoms and retrain your brain again. There is a huge amount of information on this site, and people's personal experiences, to guide you. Exercise, diet, relaxation and breathing techniques all help. Stay off caffeine, nicotine and any other stimulants. A short period of medication may help you just to get on top of it. Good luck finding a new job!

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June 24, 2008
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maddie said:

... Hello and welcome :) Those all sound like symptoms of panic attacks to me, even the "glazed eyes" which I get too: and the derealization ("leaving earth") I'm afraid weed often causes people to suffer like this. As you have discovered, although it feels ghastly as you go through it, a panic attack does not cause heart attacks or death. It's just a horrid temporary inability of your brain to respond correctly to stimuli. It's been "rewired" to panic at all your triggers. One of the things that increases it is fear. Try to breathe deep, accept that it's happening and not fight it. I try to think of it as if I'm diabetic - I imagine if I went giddy I'd think "oh yeah I need a biscuit to up my blood sugar". Normalise it. Once you overcome the fear, then you can start to address the symptoms and retrain your brain again. There is a huge amount of information on this site, and people's personal experiences, to guide you. Exercise, diet, relaxation and breathing techniques all help. Stay off caffeine, nicotine and any other stimulants. A short period of medication may help you just to get on top of it. Good luck finding a new job!

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June 24, 2008
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jaygirl said:

	... Yes I feel like I have had all those symptoms at different times. But you just have to decide that you will get better and beat this 'thing'. There are many ups and downs but you can. Fresh air evryday and a dose of sunshine helps! Trying to keep your mind occupied rather than dwelling on the negatives also helps. Good luck to you !
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June 25, 2008
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jaygirl said:

	... Yes I feel like I have had all those symptoms at different times. But you just have to decide that you will get better and beat this 'thing'. There are many ups and downs but you can. Fresh air evryday and a dose of sunshine helps! Trying to keep your mind occupied rather than dwelling on the negatives also helps. Good luck to you !
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June 25, 2008
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Lizzy said:

... HI, I'm new to this site as well. Your story is very similar to mine. I went to the ER for the first time a little over a month ago thinking I was going to pass out. It has been the start to my struggle with anxiety. I have trouble living my everyday life because of it. I often feel like I am not here, its not so much a dizy feeling just a detached feeling. I also don't have medical insurance so I need to fight this on my own. I also miss a lot of fun things because I am afraid I will have an attack when I go out. I know I need to take the first steep and get out there. Reading different blogs is very helpful in understanding whats going on. Its also good to see I'm not the only one going through this. Good luck finding a job. Keep your head up and I'm sure you'll be fine.

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July 05, 2008
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Lizzy said:

... HI, I'm new to this site as well. Your story is very similar to mine. I went to the ER for the first time a little over a month ago thinking I was going to pass out. It has been the start to my struggle with anxiety. I have trouble living my everyday life because of it. I often feel like I am not here, its not so much a dizy feeling just a detached feeling. I also don't have medical insurance so I need to fight this on my own. I also miss a lot of fun things because I am afraid I will have an attack when I go out. I know I need to take the first steep and get out there. Reading different blogs is very helpful in understanding whats going on. Its also good to see I'm not the only one going through this. Good luck finding a job. Keep your head up and I'm sure you'll be fine.

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July 05, 2008
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wallaby said:

... hi, my first panic attack was also after smoking. since then i have given it up completely. it was the scariest thing because i thought that it had been laced since i didn't know what a panic attack was. i believe it has this effect because it is a depressant on the central nervous system. so is alcohol. after having one margarita, i had a panic attack and i think that it was due to it being a depressant, so i gave up alcohol as well. i really hope this helps, we can get through this with the support of others

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July 08, 2008
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wallaby said:

... hi, my first panic attack was also after smoking. since then i have given it up completely. it was the scariest thing because i thought that it had been laced since i didn't know what a panic attack was. i believe it has this effect because it is a depressant on the central nervous system. so is alcohol. after having one margarita, i had a panic attack and i think that it was due to it being a depressant, so i gave up alcohol as well. i really hope this helps, we can get through this with the support of others

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July 08, 2008
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Harmony said:

	... I have also been struggling terribly with anxiety/depression/panic attacks for the past 3 1/2 months. I am desperate for my old self to come back.... Please know you are NOT alone.
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July 20, 2008
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Harmony said:

	... I have also been struggling terribly with anxiety/depression/panic attacks for the past 3 1/2 months. I am desperate for my old self to come back.... Please know you are NOT alone.
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July 20, 2008
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