Question
I suffer from panic attacks and so does a friend of mine, we are both drivers. Are we alone? Or do others have the same problem? I take 10 mg of Paxil a day and it helps most days 75% of the time, the other 25% I feel this doom hanging over me.I have had these attacks of & on for 15 years, but the past 8 months or so thay have been realy bad,I have been on Paxil now for 8 weeks and still have attacks now and then.My Dr. has checked me for everything and I'm fine.
If anyone else has this,how do you deal with it?
I used to be an OTR driver,but I can't go back to that the way I feel.Keep your words light and sweet.
You may have to eat them later.
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It really frosts me how Drs. often feel that by prescribing the latest wonder drug that their job is done. Sorry, this just ain't so.
Most panic or anxiety attacks are based in stress.
The stress may or may not have anything to do with your profession as a driver.
Identifying the cause of the stress and then taking action to get past it is as beneficial as the medication.
Take an honest look at your life. Figure out what your stressors are then set about eliminating or reducing them.
Many years ago, I experienced this same situation. I was a critical care nurse with a lot of financial problems and family problems. I was put on Buspar for about 6 months. It helped, but nothing really fixed the situation until I started eliminating stressors.
There is no magic pill.
Keeping you safe, healthy and on the road.
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Thank you Nurse Red I will try that,I sure hope that will help.Keep your words light and sweet.
You may have to eat them later.
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Also, a good walking program really helps. But it has to be what I call a therapeutic walk. Some people just amble along, like they're looking on the pavement for pecans or dimes or whatever. A good therapeutic walk is a walk with a purpose. A good goal is to reach a 4-5mph walk, or a 12-15 minute mile. Do this at least 30 minutes every other day.
If you've never walked for health, or if you're overweight and/or out of shape, go easy on yourself. Start out at whatever level you can do with ease. If it's 200 yards, that's o.k. If you're committed to it, the miles and time will take care of themselves. The main thing is not to start out at such an intensity that you get overly tired or sore and drop out. Start easy, but do it often. Soon, you'll be doing more and more. Remember, the GOAL--not the beginning--is to be able to walk for 30 minutes at about 4.5 mph. But start at your own level, and within 2-3 months you'll be at or near that goal, and feeling better than you ever imagined before your started walking. Walking:
1. Helps to lift your mood
2. Helps you to sleep better
3. Reduces stress
4. Helps (along with diet) you to lose weight
5. Helps (along with diet) to reduce blood pressure.
5. Helps you to look at life in general with more optimism.
It's really hard to explain without actually experiencing the benefits of walking.
And I speak from experience. Eleven years ago I had a heart attack and had to have bypass surgery. This was at the ripe old age of 48. My doctor told me to start a walking program. I didn't listen to him. After a few weeks at home, I became depressed and had panic attacks as you described. The doctor said those feeling were common after a heart attack, but the walking would help. I finally did, at first walking inside a local mall with a friend (actually a female stay-at-home cousin--my wife worked) for about 10 minutes a day. Today, depending on how much time I have on a given day, I walk 30-minutes to an hour and a half every day. And I enjoy All of the benfeits I mentioned earlier.
But be reasonable, walking is only a supplement to good eating and following your doctors advice and counsel.
I know what those panic attacks can do. I feel for you. If you do start walking, make sure you do it with someone you know or around a truck stop or your immediate neighborhood. Don't go out of your comfort zome until the panic attacks are gone.
Good luck
Charles Cox
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Hey Driver! I am guessing you are in your early thirties. I say this because I to had a couple of panic attacks and my doctor has told me he suffered from them as well when he was in his early thirties like I am. All I can offer to you is what he said to me. He said you cannot DIE from a panic attack even though it may feel like you can. Thats all I needed to know. Now they are gone. I work out @ the gym regularly now so that is prolly the solution. But anyway,Good luck to you.
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iTODD: Good point! It's so true.
Charles Cox
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By the way, Driver123, you deserve a big attaboy for admitting your problem with panic attacks and doing something about it. Admitting the problem is a major hurdle for many people. And those who don't suffer needlessly. Congratulations!
Charles Cox
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I have also been having panic attacks, it started when I turned my truck. since then I have had at least one every day. my doctor tried to give me paxil but as of yet I have not taken it.. I am sure my attacks are more about the recent total change in my lifestyle etc
and once I get use to being home I will be okay, my firends haev started calling them the SWIFT attacks lol ( I hope) You are not alone hun B
My heart doesn't have wings it has 18 wheels, chrome, chicken lights,
mud flaps and a super ten........
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Paxil never did diddly squat for my panic/anxiety! The one drug that HAS helped me is Xanax. I usually only take it when I'm ready to sleep and I take a low dosage. Some doctors refuse to prescribe it saying that it's addictive. Not sure that I agree with that, but then I don't always take it EVERY night...just when I need it. I also was in my 30's when I had the attacks. Now I just suffer from anxiety at times and I totally agree that it's brought on by stress.
I also agree that exercise is a BIG help....even if it's just walking. Walking can be as beneficial as aerobics.....research is now pointing out.
Good luck with your attacks. I hope they ease up.
Ms. Mary
aka "Grammy" to Katelyn Elizabeth Lepard as of 2/21/02