How do you deal with Panic?

[Dale]

Hi Gerard -- Isn't the information given here invaluable?
I have found doing breathing exercises very helpful as they help you stay in the "present" or "in the moment". There are things like cognitive therapy and the AA credo - "One Day at a Time" and they all help with panic and help you gain a sense of control.
I hate taking drugs too and the thing that always works with me is listening to music and talking to supportive, positive friends. Oh yeah - white wine helps too. I just got ativan and just knowing that I have it seems to help, although I have only taken one! It did help smooth over my anxiety.
Your fears are the same as all of ours I believe. I am having my valve replaced on Jan 14th and my brain is skipping from New Year's Day (cooking a turkey for family) to Jan 16th when it's all over. I can't really deal with thinking about it (la,la,la,) and somehow I just have faith I will be fine. I believe you will be too --
Wishing you a Happy New Year,
Dale

 

[Dina]

Okay,let me clarify...I agree anti-anxiety meds are helpful,just don't
take them everyday. Because that is what I did...started taking them
pre-op 11 months ago,now I am having a difficult time getting off of
them. Can't sleep,eat,I am shaky...a total mess. I don't want to scare
anyone. They are FINE to take for short -term. I just want others to
maybe benefit from my personal experiences..that is what this forum is
for..our different experiences,and you are probably not like me,I have
had anxiety most of my life,your anxiety is most likely due to your up
coming surgery and this is normal. I am not.
Also,I mentioned exercise for the relief of anxiety,but only if you are
permitted medically.
Just wanted to explain my previous post and why I seem biased right now.
Again please take them if you need them...just don't be a dummy and
take them everyday for 11 months like me

 

[Duff Man]

I saw a therapist for a while when I thought I was "up to bat"... the best thing she told me to do was take a slow deep breath in and release it slowly, repeating four or five times. I know it sounds really corny, but my anxiety level quickly drops a few notches when I do it. I have to make an effort to remember to do it though...

 

[Bina]

Dina, you are right....my doc pointed out right away that Ativan was "good stuff" and to only take it occasionally.
David, post op you will appreciate chick flicks for a while. Simple romantic comedy stuff is relaxing. Action films will have to wait.
Practice some breathing techniques in the meantime.

 

[JeffM]

Hey Gerard,

I admire you for discussing this and I appreciate it because it helps me just to see how many others experienced the same thing I did and do. People who know me think I'm as cool as a cucumber but I've had panic attacks since I was 12. I'm 53. Prior to my aortic valve surgery in September, I was on the verge of an attack a bunch of times. A good workout was very helpful but not necessarily what I wanted to do at 3:00AM. For me, researching on the internet helped...well, except for the video of a valve replacement...but even that was good because it enabled me to envision what would actually take place in the hands of skilled professionals as opposed to fearing the unknown. Just my experience. I take a 1/2 a Xanax (now and then a whole one) every now and then, including before flying and at 3:00Am. It works. Oh, I had my first root canal when I was 19 and three more in my 30s and 40s. Also had my wisdon teeth yanked a few years ago. Never had the gas, always novacaine, not because I'm brave, but because those procedures never ended up being that big a deal and they always gave me some good pain killers for when the novocaine wore off. I've always heard the laughing gas is great stuff though. You've heard this before but I'll say it anyway. You WILL be fine. The biggest problem is the fear of the panic attack itself, am I right?

 

[Bionic Man]

Panic and My experience

Panic and My experience

I have serious medi-phobia... unless it's a normal trip to the doc medical stuff freaks me out really bad. I was more afraid of the surgery than I was of dying which caused other problems in my marriage and life in general.

So... how I dealt with it is another matter. Three things helped me.

1) To put it very bluntly I tried to make peace with God. (sounds corny I know) Ultimately I had been carrying some guilt and basically did some serious praying and asking for forgiveness. At some point I felt lighter in my soul... like maybe I deserved to live.

2) I committed myself to live for my wife and boys. I knew it would destroy her if I died (since she's lost her mom and dad). #2 meant that I had to put on a brave show at least.

3) I got electro-stim accupuncture the day before surgery. That helped calm my nerves.

When I saw my wife was much more scared than I was I summoned the will to pretend to be calm.

Ultimately the surgery (for me) was much less upsetting than I expected. The surgeons are incredibly skilled and when they put you back together they secure your rib-cage and test you for leaks so all the work is checked again and again.

People like us who have phobias already and suffer from occasional panics need to be aware of what to expect. For me controling panic is all about that... CONTROL. The more I knew the more choice I made and the more I talked with the doc the more at ease I became with the whole thing.

Another odd thing that helped me feel better was reading a study about Marfans patients. Apparently people with stretchy tissues have damage to a geane that controls fears or the "pragmatic" geane is damaged. So realizing that I wasn't crazy was helpful too.

Anyway.
So many people have been there before you. When you have such low expectations sometimes us nervous folks find results far exceed our expectations.

Let me know how you are.

David

 

[Bryan B]

Ged,

I used to have panic attacks of varying degrees anytime I had to get my blood pressure taken. You could draw blood, give me a shot, check my prostate , but they always take your blood pressure before they do anything else and for some reason I had a phobia about it.

First of all, if you are not doing this already I would ask your primary doctor to prescribe something (Valium, Xanax, Klonapin) on a regular basis until your surgery. This way the medications will act more as a preventative measure than trying to take one dose before an appointment, which might not be enough to prevent the panic attack...only lessen the severity of it.

The good news is that when you get to pre-op on the day of your surgery they are going to start an IV (I know it doesn't sound good) and then they are going to give you an IV dose of Versed (similar to Valium) that is going to make you not have a care in the world. I think the 2 most popular names given to that shot here on the forum are "feel good shot" and "happy juice". I think other appropriate names would be "don't care shot", "babble like a fool shot", "hit on the nurse in front of you wife shot", "cuss like a sailor shot", "truth serum shot", etc. In other words once the pre-op nurse pushes the syringe into your IV you won't have any more anxiety before the surgery...I promise. If they know you have a problem with panic attacks they can adjust the dose accordingly. Trust me...they don't want you freaking out either. You're going to get to the base of the mountain, look up at the summit, and a sense of calm will come over you and you will know that you can climb the mountain and get to the other side.

If you do a search of my user name around late Feb to early Mar of 04 you will see that I was a basket case. The great members here (especially Ross who got the brunt of it because we both had insomnia) kept telling me that the waiting was the hardest part and that a lot of people have a sense of calm come over them a day or two before the surgery. And I'll be damned if I didn't experience the same thing. You're going to do fine Ged. Just look at all of the members here who have similar fears that made it through surgery and are living better lives now. Stay positive! Watch some standup comedy or rent a funny movie. Do whatever you favorite thing to do is. All of this will keep your mind off of the surgery and keep you upbeat.

Ged,

I was the last one to post on your thread about going to the diabetes clinic. I've been know to be what's called in internet forums as a "thread killer".

Please reread my post...especially the parts I highlighted. Asking your doctor to prescribe something for your anxiety NOW will help immensely with everything you will have to deal with between now and your surgery. The key isn't to treat panic attacks, it's to prevent them. Once you get past the surgery you can wean yourself off of the drugs used to prevent and treat panic attacks when you feel you are ready.

But trust me...as someone who has suffered panic attacks (even 8 years before I needed surgery) and someone who has gone through OHS, panic attacks should be treated just like post operative pain. You need to stay ahead of the game. You don't wait until you feel the anxiety to take something because by then you are playing catch up. It's the same with post-op pain. If you wait until you are in a lot of pain before you ask for your pain med you are playing catch up.

Just trust me on this one Ged. I'm speaking from a decade of experience...get your doctor to prescribe something for your anxiety that you take every day whether you feel anxious or not. Then when you do feel some anxiety it will won't be as intense, and you will be able to take an extra dose to keep it in check.

Like I said...10+ years of experience talking. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[Bryan B]

Okay,let me clarify...I agree anti-anxiety meds are helpful,just don't
take them everyday. Because that is what I did...started taking them
pre-op 11 months ago,now I am having a difficult time getting off of
them. Can't sleep,eat,I am shaky...a total mess. I don't want to scare
anyone. They are FINE to take for short -term. I just want others to
maybe benefit from my personal experiences..that is what this forum is
for..our different experiences,and you are probably not like me,I have
had anxiety most of my life,your anxiety is most likely due to your up
coming surgery and this is normal. I am not.
Also,I mentioned exercise for the relief of anxiety,but only if you are
permitted medically.
Just wanted to explain my previous post and why I seem biased right now.
Again please take them if you need them...just don't be a dummy and
take them everyday for 11 months like me

Dina,

Your experience is not uncommon, but I feel the need to share mine as well. I started suffering debilitating panic attacks when me and my wife separated. I'm talking about the kind of panic attacks where you have to pull off of the side of the road because you can't drive. I'm talking about the kind where you are laying in bed with one hand on the phone ready to dial 911 because you think you're having a heart attack. I took Xanax for 2 years along with therapy with my family doctor (this guy was good...pediatrician, internal medicine, therapist, basically a medical guru). As I got better he weaned me off of the Xanax over a matter of a few months until I only carried a small "emergency" supply with me. I traveled a lot with my job and I didn't want to be at 30,000 feet without backup. Same thing when I had endocarditis, surgery, and then sternum problems. I was on Xanax again for about 9 months. It probably took me about 1-2 months to wean down to not taking it at all (but having some on hand). A good doctor that prescribes a benzodiazepine for anxiety for more than a month will also plan a tapering dose to bring you off of it slowly.

There are lots of drugs you can't stop abruptly (beta blockers are a good example), benzodiazepines (xanax, valium, klonipin, ativan) just happen to be one of those drugs. I think all of the alternatives mentioned here are great ones...and ones my doctor suggested and eventually helped me to not have to rely on drugs for my anxiety. It really comes down to how much the anxiety/panic is affecting your life. I would be as bold to say that the majority of people who suffer from moderate to severe anxiety/panic disorder will need to take medication for a period of time until they can get to the bottom of what is causing it through therapy.

After all that blathering...once I went to the doctor and found out that I was having panic attacks and wasn't about to die from a heart attack I never had another full blown panic attack. It was like just knowing that it was my mind playing a mean trick on me gave me just a little bit of power over it. I had multiple issues though and still had a lot of generalized anxiety so it took awhile to get to the bottom of it and kick it to the curb.

 

[zipper2]

Welcome Gerad,i sure think we all go through some sort of panic attacks

and phobias,my first surgery 16 years i was a basket case,omg and now

2nd it's mostly bedtime thinking,fall asleep and nightmares start,then my

panic button comes to life.I awake and experience unexpected episodes of

fear and anxiety (its uncomfortable yes).Guess thats why i'm up at 230

a.m. my time grrrrrrrrr my 2nd surgery is Jan 8th,so entitled to some panic

too i guess.

The way i put it in my brain is panic is the danger button in my brain.

If that buttons pushed by my nightmare,thoughts in bed whatever,

wherever i am and that buttons pushed,im not actually in any danger,

it feels like it though,but its a precieved threat,not a threat that exists

not sure if you get my drift but your adrenal gland releases hormones

and prepares my or your body to react to this precieved threat.So i

always look at the panic button was accidently pushed but im not in

any danger,but it does get me up like now and i don't think about it

anymore,has gotten to where i'm hating to sleep though,cus I do gotta wake up haha!

As i think though regarding panic attacks my 25 year old daughter can

be encouraging her panic @ fear of spiders @reinforced her fear and

panic onto her daughter age 9 (my grandaughter) so the brain in that

way sets off a reaction the two of the girls can't ignore,so i have tried to

tell my grandaughter to think her panic of spiders is the danger button

accidently pushed,but shes not in real danger,it has helped remarkably

seems those darn spiders will show up just yakking bout them for her

I know you and I will both do will with surgery.....no doughts there

The part of being human we are and we tend to panic,very normal

Some need meds and some can put up with it either way,we all have it.

Glad you've found VR as this should help alot,just reading does me good.

Wish i'd had VR 16 years ago that was an incredably difficult time for

my family and I,i wouldnot want to relive the stress,but like i said 16 years

ago was the unknown fear now 2nd surgery is the known fear,back in to the unknown.But VR has made 2nd surgery easier to go into

Can't win good thing we are HUMAN,nice to see you posting here

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[DavesMom]

Hi Gerard,

I can certainly sympathize with you. I've started to have major anxiety/panic attacks over the past few years but maybe I've just been overdoing the Starbucks.

I've had two open heart surgeries and tended to worry not so much about myself but about my family and friends - I fretted about them having to sit in the waiting room and sweat it out during the surgery.

All in all, I think I took both operations pretty well but have to say that I doubt I'll be such a brave little trooper if I'm told I need surgery numero tres. Then it'll be, "Anti-anxiety med? Bring it on! Thanks, doc!"

It may help to focus on the outcome of the operation. Before my second surgery I was feeling pretty awful and whenever I got frightened I thought back to my doctor's comment about how much better I would feel after the operation. I'm sure you will come through this fine and that you'll feel better after it. I agree entirely with those who said that the THOUGHT of the operation is worse than the surgery itself.

Best of of luck to you and a Happy 2009 to everyone!

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[Nupur]

So glad we are talking about this so openly (thank god for this forum). Whenever I have a panic attack, I keep trying to figure out if it is a panic attack or a real issue, and that makes me more panicked. If I am experiencing a racing heart, occasional pain in my chest ( which I suppose I could have imagined), and the feeling of doom, how do I know if I should act on that, or wait to see if it goes away? Some day it might be the real thing?
Do you all veterans who have gone through OHS have some technique to distinguish between panic attacks and cardiac problems? Also, I am amazed at how calmly postop folks deal with their bouts of Afibs, and high heart rates and so on, I would be rushing to the ER for each of those episodes. I hope I have some strength of mind reading and talking to folks here when it's my time.

Gerard, you will come out with flying colors I am sure, and look behind these scary days from the other side of the mountain in no time : )
Nupur

 

[needinfo]

I agree with you there. Best of look with the surgery and hopefully both of us will come through it with flying colours.

I was diagnosed as achild with valve problems and have known all my life I would need surgery. No problem I am prepared...NOT! The time is here and when my cardio said "surgery" at my annual check up, my legs turned to cooked noodles. I know where your at and just know there are tons of people in this world with our same problems and you knwo what? They turn out just fine, and you (and I) will also.....

 

[needinfo]

So glad we are talking about this so openly (thank god for this forum). Whenever I have a panic attack, I keep trying to figure out if it is a panic attack or a real issue, and that makes me more panicked. If I am experiencing a racing heart, occasional pain in my chest ( which I suppose I could have imagined), and the feeling of doom, how do I know if I should act on that, or wait to see if it goes away? Some day it might be the real thing?
Do you all veterans who have gone through OHS have some technique to distinguish between panic attacks and cardiac problems? Also, I am amazed at how calmly postop folks deal with their bouts of Afibs, and high heart rates and so on, I would be rushing to the ER for each of those episodes. I hope I have some strength of mind reading and talking to folks here when it's my time.

Gerard, you will come out with flying colors I am sure, and look behind these scary days from the other side of the mountain in no time : )
Nupur

I can say that when I went to my cardio for my annual check up, I had ZERO symptoms, no pains, no heart racing and thumping, nothing. The minute I heard the word surgery, here come the chest pains, palpatations, thumping and anything else that could go along with it. I know what you mean, is it real or is it memorex?

 

[Wade]

Oh good. I was hoping there'd be a "freak out" thread in here somewhere.
I just found out 2 days ago I get to have my BAV and a section of the root removed/replaced soon.
I've had a couple restless nights and some good panic moments already. I have atrioventricular dissociation that gives me wicked palpitations to even better freak me out. I'll be glad when this whole thing is behind me.

 

[Bryan B]

Welcome to the forum Dave. I was pretty freaked out too when I got the news. I had just recovered from endocarditis and my family doctor told me that I wouldn't need surgery. I "suggested" (nice word for insisted) that I would like to hear a cardiologist tell me the same thing. Unfortunately he didn't. As soon as he came in the exam room, looked at my chart, and listened to my heart for 30 seconds he said "we need to replace that valve". This was like 2 minutes after I met the guy. He sent me for a surgical consult down the hall from him and I was discussing my valve replacement options with a surgeon about 2 hours after walking into the cardiologist's office. Actually I didn't freak out for a few days because I felt numb from the neck up (still suffer that by the way but for different reasons ) from the news. Why don't you start a new thread and formally introduce yourself and share a bit about your condition. You will find that this place is full of information and support. It definitely helped me cope with what I was about to go through and kept me "reasonably" sane.

 

[Braveheart]

Many years ago, I had a rather serious form of cancer. At the time, I joined a therapy group for people who were dealing with life threatening illnesses.

One of the things that I learned in the group was meditation and visualization.
In the group, we often listened to various meditation tapes. The one that I liked the best was "The Healing Journey" by Dr. Emmet Miller:

http://drmiller.pinnaclecart.com/index.php?p=product&id=3&parent=0

I bought it on a casette tape (which shows you how long ago this happened), and practically wore it out. When I found out that I has aortic stenosis, I checked around, and found that Dr. Miller has this material both on CD and MP3. I immediately bought another one.

When I am feeling really crazy, Dr. Miller's words will calm me down immediately. It is designed for anyone who is going through a health problem, no matter what it is. He has a very soothing voice, and the background music really adds to the feeling of peace.

I find that it works better when you listen to it on headphones, with your eyes closed, rather than through speakers.It enhances the intimacy and focus of the situation.

 

[njean]

I'm sure you're all fed up to the teeth with me posting threads about panic and fear. But I'm just wondering if you'd like to share tips or techniques which you use to deal with panic and fear?

For example I have to get a root canal done next week and I'm terrified that i'll have a panic attack.

Today has not been a good day for me emotionally, I was reading a post earlier from a user who went into the details of OHS, such as stopping the heart and cutting stuff etc......an overwhelming feeling of fear came over me as I'll be facing a valve replacement operation very soon. I really don't know how I'm gonna be able to do it. Even as I type now I'm getting butterflies in my stomach and my legs are turning to jelly.

Thanks for listening

Best wishes

Gerard

I pray! I have always turned to prayer to help ease the fears of anything I may be facing! It works for me!

 

[Eva]

Gerard,

Like Norma, I pray and pray and pray and it works for me spiritualy and calms my soul...for stubborn anxious nerves, I take small amout of Xanax (1/4 mg) and it does wonders.

Remember, whoever is 'slicing your heart' is an expert who had done this over and over so mnay times that even though it is scary for us and for us, it is a routine to him and keep good faith that all will go well.

 

[Nupur]

Braveheart, thank you for the name of the book, I will check it out. I was told by my cardio to take some meditation classes. She is advising me against becoming dependent on Xanax. As she rightly pointed out, there will be other things to worry about post surgery as well (the INR), so it is a good thing if I learn techniques to cope. I have heard about all the benefits of meditation, but not really tried it.

 

[Braveheart]

Nupur- What I described is not a book, but either a CD or MP3.

I am a believer in tranquillizers as a stopgap, but, bottom line, I think that people need to learn how to handle their situation from within. Some people get themselves into a lot of trouble by attempting to cope through some outside means, like drugs.

What I have learned, going through my cancer, and now my valve problem, that the worst part of dealing with these situations is the feeling of lack of control of our own lives. IMO, anything that a person can do to gain some modicum of control can be very helpful, and can often make a difference in the medical outcome. As you may have surmised, I am a believer in the mind/body connection, and how one deals psychologically with a problem can have an effect on the outcome of the problem.