chrissy87
01-01-08, 07:25
Hi
So a counsellor at uni told me about this site and so far I've found it useful and reassuring.
I've been having severe (and not so severe) panic attacks for about 6 weeks. I was prescribed diazepam (2mg) temporarily while I tried to organise long term treatment (ie counselling/therapy). It worked very well - I knew I was having panic attacks but I did not feel the horrifying shooting pain down my left arm and chest. It was a weird feeling as I was still feeling the fluttering in my chest and shortness of breath but it was helpful that I wasn't feeling any pain as that definitely made the attacks worse (the whole - I'm having a heart attack thing). I sought another prescription to get me through the 2 week Christmas break (which my doctor was reluctant to give me). About a week ago I can only imagine the medication stopped working and I had a bad attack and as I was home on my own, I freaked out and went to A&E. Since then I've been taking two 2mg tablets instead of one (and they run out tomorrow!) and it still doesn't help much.
Worse yet, there's a waiting list for counselling at uni and the NHS waiting list for CBT is 18 months or something ridiculous. I'm a student and can't afford to go private.
So far, I haven't found anything majorly effective. I've tried Bach Rescue Remedy which didn't work (though I think it's because I didn't believe it would work) and breathing exercises etc.
It's all affecting my work and social life. I barely leave the flat and when I do I spin out.
So that's my story so far. I'm sure it's not much different from others on here.
So a counsellor at uni told me about this site and so far I've found it useful and reassuring.
I've been having severe (and not so severe) panic attacks for about 6 weeks. I was prescribed diazepam (2mg) temporarily while I tried to organise long term treatment (ie counselling/therapy). It worked very well - I knew I was having panic attacks but I did not feel the horrifying shooting pain down my left arm and chest. It was a weird feeling as I was still feeling the fluttering in my chest and shortness of breath but it was helpful that I wasn't feeling any pain as that definitely made the attacks worse (the whole - I'm having a heart attack thing). I sought another prescription to get me through the 2 week Christmas break (which my doctor was reluctant to give me). About a week ago I can only imagine the medication stopped working and I had a bad attack and as I was home on my own, I freaked out and went to A&E. Since then I've been taking two 2mg tablets instead of one (and they run out tomorrow!) and it still doesn't help much.
Worse yet, there's a waiting list for counselling at uni and the NHS waiting list for CBT is 18 months or something ridiculous. I'm a student and can't afford to go private.
So far, I haven't found anything majorly effective. I've tried Bach Rescue Remedy which didn't work (though I think it's because I didn't believe it would work) and breathing exercises etc.
It's all affecting my work and social life. I barely leave the flat and when I do I spin out.
So that's my story so far. I'm sure it's not much different from others on here.