I've had anxiety for 20 years. It began as social anxiety and is now just general anxiety. I never had full on panic attacks, but sometimes would feel as though I was having a harder time than usual breathing. That being said, since having Fibromyalgia it seems a perfect storm is created for a panic attack when my pain level and stress level are both high. It begins with nausea, usually dry heaving, dizziness, weakness, sometimes blacking out briefly, difficulty breathing/not breathing (having to make myself consciously breathe), and disorientation. For me, taking my fast acting anxiety medication (clonazepam) takes care of this, but I need to make sure I'm not going to throw it up first, so I take dramamine as soon as the nausea hits. Now I've tried many natural ways to try and calm myself down: breathing strategies from psychologists and PCP's, Yoga, Meditation, and visualization techniques. These do help in a general sense, but for me personally, they cannot pull me out of a panic attack. If you can go the natural route, of course I'd recommend that, but if that does not work for you try a benzodiazapine, as they are fast acting and work really well. If your primary care doctor refuses to prescribe them, they are refusing to give you the care you need. So, go find a doctor who cares about you, your well being, and your needs as a holistic human being. Many doctors (especially GP's & PCP's) use a cookie cutter mentality. As most of you already know, that does not work for people like us. Remember, statistically it takes 7 years and 12 doctors to even get the correct diagnosis (fibro), so imagine what it takes to find a doctor who understands your needs. Always remember you have to take your health and health care into your own hands, because you are the only one who knows your body best, what you are feeling physically and emotionally, and what you need.

I feel bad for all of us who suffer from fm and don't have an understanding dr. To help us deal with this ..Because there are other things in life that happen to us like the loss of someone dear to us that we have to deal with ! So much pain phisical and mental, sometimes it's too much ...Love to you all ❤️💓❤️

I've had panic and anxiety attacks, of and on, for 30 years... they can be incredibly upsetting & frightening. Over the years I've worked out ways to sometimes minimise them, but even now they'll take me by surprise and knock me off my feet!
Try relaxation methods and calming techniques, also combination B if you're into homeopathic medicine.
I get very panicky if I've to go anywhere unfamiliar, so now I take my phone, satnav, list of where to go at each point in the journey ...often planning ahead in any regular situation, where you normally panic, can lessen the attack xxx

@A MyFibroTeam Member I'm sorry to hear about your difficult journey with doctors on your way to finding your diagnosis. I wish this was not a common story. 😔 I was given amitriptyline, and like you, the side effects were not worth it whatsoever. If I remember correctly, I don't believe it even helped me one bit. It still amazes me so many doctors do not believe fibro exists. It's basically the same thing as saying emotions don't exist because you cannot see them. For example, I may be smiling on the outside all night at a party, but that doesn't mean I may not actually be feeling extremely sad on the inside. Does that mean sadness does not exist because you cannot see the expression on my face, nor run a blood test for it? And we as patients are just suppose to take their word on healthcare...I certainly don't do that anymore for more than just fibro reasons.

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A MyFibro...

I have battled anxiety and panic attacks for 20 years now. I hate the way they determine what I can or can't do in a day. I also take Lorazapam once daily at a low dose to keep it tolerable. I am also claustophoebic so bad weather or closed in places are a stay at home deal for me. It had gotten better over the years but stress or high pain make them worse and more often. In the beginning they thought I had M.S. and then a rheumatologist thought it was muscle related and finally my family dr diagnosed fibro. The worst is so many drs still do not believe it exists and just want to throw antidepressants at me. I am currently weaning off Amitryptilene now as it is no longer working for sleep and I am getting more side effects than benefit.