Some Panic Attacks can be brought upon by a fear. For example Hannah has a fear of heights especially bridges. Whenever she gets near a high bridge especially if she has to cross it she gets a panic attack. Some Panic Attacks just come because of a situation coming on. For example, say you are not a speaker and you have to give a speech - this could cause a Panic Attack. Some Panic Attacks are of a build up inside. Say you have had fiances problems, more expenses come in that you weren't expecting, and they seem to get keep building. Some Panic Attacks just all of a sudden come on. Your are just doing your normal work or sometimes you can wake up with a Panic Attack. So they can come in several ways.
Sometimes they only last for a few hours and pass. As someone suggesting maybe crying or screaming, or resting and think of pleasant thoughts may help it pass. Praying to the Lord will well help it pass. But sometimes it doesn't pass in our time.
Hannah and Marilyn have both given me their permission to use their names in here and tell of their Panic Attacks. When we were children and Hannah use to have Panic Attacks, I thought she had those to just get out of work sometimes. Our Mother always use to say that Hannah wasn't well when she had one of those attacks. Being a child, you don't understand, and she always looked healthy to me. My never having had a Panic Attack didn't help either.
When I got older and my Mother started teaching me medicine, one of them that she brought up was Panic Attacks. She explained to me about Hannah's situations and that she couldn't help those when they came on. Hannah was not trying to get out of work - it just happened. Most of the time, they would only last for a couple of hours - at the most. But today when Hannah has one, it can last a few hours or weeks even a month.
I will tell you the Amish medicine ways we use, but I want you to know that if you follow these you are doing so at your own risk.. Also, if Panic Attack does not stop after a few days, then you should seek a doctor as Marilyn did.
Marilyn was told the two things she should change are cigarettes and caffeine. The doctor also told Marilyn that one of the hardest times to quit smoking is during a Panic Attack. She advised Marilyn to cut smoking as much as she could and to cut back on caffeine. Although Marilyn drinks diet, caffeine free soda, she drinks coffee from morning to night like Elmer does. She also doesn't believe in caffeine free coffee. Says caffeine free coffee doesn't taste like regular coffee. We tested her blind folded and she can tell the difference between coffee with caffeine and without caffeine. Anyway the doctor advised her cut down on drinking coffee.
With the doctor's permission, I advised Marilyn as I do Hannah to drink tea made from peppermint, catnip, skullcap, goldenseal, black cohosh or blue vervain before bedtime. Hot tea is well but with this hot weather an ice tea would be fine. Marilyn like's peppermint tea the best. Also, I advise to rub the feet well with vinegar water before going to bed. Also tell her to replace fear with strength and confidence.
When you go to bed or take a nap try thinking of no evil of your neighbor. Give love and love will be returned. Do not exalt yourself as pride goes before the fall. Consider all the nice things that people do for you and what you can do for others. Think good thoughts that are pure, just and honest. Prayer is the most important. Tell the Lord of your weakness and ask Him for His healing.
If the doctor's medicine and what I said does not work, Marilyn will have to return to the doctor again. There is therapy that will help. One thing that concerns her is if her insurance will cover it or not. Marilyn said this is the first time, she has had Panic Attack so bad and so long.
Just thought I would give your more information on Panic Attacks. I am sure in medical books there is more information than I gave, but I wanted you to have some information.
So far, I have never had a panic attack although I do feel sorry for Hannah and Marilyn.
Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna
28 comments:
I have been praying for you Marilyn. I am so sorry this continues on. I am confident with God's help you can cut back one cup of coffee a day. I know you can cut back one cigarette a day also. You have to want to. I do so hope you want to Marilyn. It will be good for you! And you will save money too. Keep trying Marilyn. I am so glad you have dear Anna's help.
I have a fear of heights, but thankfully no panic attacks. Tom The Backroads Traveller
Good morning, Marilyn. Thank you to Anna for this explanation. I have been to a doctor about a similar problem, but have been able to get mine under control with exercise, proper eating, and medication. I'm a bit like Marilyn, I'm have problems with giving up caffeine. Fortunately, I've never smoked. I will continue to pray for Marilyn.
Good Morning Vickie,
Thank you for your prayers. I really appreciate them. I am trying to cut back on the cigarettes and coffee. Been trying to quit cigarettes on and off for years, but I really want to quit.
I also thank Anna for putting this post on today.
Marilyn
Good Morning Tom,
Glad you never had any panic attacks.
Marilyn
Good Morning Angela,
I use to only have panic attacks maybe once or twice a year, if that. This time, I really got it. I do take the medicine the doctor told me and exercise Pierre with walks. Also doing as Anna told me. Prayers are greatly appreciated.
Marilyn
Hi Folks,
Tom, The Backroads Traveller has great pictures on of the Haiti Auction. If you get a minute, take a run over to Tom's and see them.
Marilyn
Hi Folks,
Does anyone have any vintage ladies, men's or children's handkerchiefs or hankies they would like to sell? I would be very interested in buying them.
If they have age spots on them, that is okay, but I do not want one with holes, other spots, tears, etc.
Most of them are for resale. I want to be honest. They go to great people collectors . Some go to people to give for gifts. If you have any you would like to sell contact me at: lincolnlady1121@yahoo.com Pictures of some of your hankies would be appreciated, but if you can't, we can work it out.
Marilyn
Good Morning Marilyn, so sorry to hear of your struggles with panic attacks. I have had them in the past, usually only for a short duration, and they are no fun. As a ex-smoker, I agree with someone telling you not to try to quit smoking during a panic attack. I was a very heavy smoker, over 2 packs a day, and quitting smoking was not easy (in fact at times, I felt it was one of the hardest things I ever did). But you will be able to do it, and this panic attack will also pass. My sister who is a breast cancer survivor, always reminds me to "Let go and let God". Just a simple saying, but simple is most often the best. You have many online friends who are praying for you. You are in my thoughts. Cathy in Webster
I get panic attacks and they are no fun. It is difficult to explain to someone the issue. I don't smoke but for me the attacks happen when I can't find a solution or handle an issue. Peppermint tea helps a great deal and exercise. At night it is the worse, I just can't sleep but I will try washing of the feet with vinegar.
Hi Cathy,
Thank you for your help. I love your sister's saying. I will remember it and pray it often. I know a lot of people are praying for me. I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Just got more bad news on that car today.
'How was the Haiti Auction?
Marilyn
Hi Gisela,
Sorry you get Panic attacks, too. It is hard to explain it to someone. I have been drinking the peppermint tea and you are right, it does help. Also do exercise. Try washing the feet with Vinegar like Anna said. It does help.
Marilyn
Dearest Marilyn, I'm so sorry about your and Hannah's panic attacks! I suffer from them as well, thankfully, not as many as I used to get. Mine generally happen now in the middle of the night after stress and duress. Folks who don't have them can't understand that you can't just "wish" them away. I'll try the vinegar foot wash.
Thank you so much for bringing the subject out in the open. Lots of strong people like you and Hannah (and me and others) have them.
Carol in SC
Hi Carol in SC,
When I first told Anna about mine, I thought I was the only person in the world that had them. Anna had Hannah come over and talk with me. I found out from both of them that there a lot of people that have panic attacks including Amish, Mennonite and Englishers. After going to the doctor and Anna's help, I thought we should have a post on it. I am so sorry that you have them, too. My last one came while I was in bed. I was fine when I went to bed, but I had it when I woke up and can't seem to get rid of it. Usually I have it once or twice a year for a couple of hours, but this one is hanging on. I hope this post helped you and others. I will see that Anna and Hannah gets everyones comments.
Marilyn
First I'd like to thank Anna for taking the time to explain Panic Attacks. Learned a thing or two by reading.
Then I would like to tell you that I will keep you in my prayers. I too am a smoker and like you I drink coffee from morning to night , they must be two of the hardest habits to break, been trying too for years.
Sorry to hear of more bad news about your car.
Surely things will all work out, hang in there.
Ingrid
Hi Ingrid,
I will see that Anna gets your message.
I really appreciate your prayers. My Mom use to drink coffee from morning until night so I guess that's where I caught it. She didn't smoke so I can't blame the smoking on her - just myself. They are the two hardest things to quit.
Oh, the car problems will pass, i guess. It's just expensive and I need it. I will hang in there like you said and trust in the Lord.
Marilyn
Marilyn, I do not have any experience with panic attacks but have been praying for you. I do have a close friend that used to get them. She is on medication now and doesn't have much problem. A daughter in law has had them in the past few years, but had some treatment and medication too. She has been doing much better this past year. I too am sorry to hear about your car problems. I'm sure it isn't helping. I carry this in my purse, a verse from the Bible. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." On the back side of that paper, I had this quote from someone. "If Jesus word,"Peace, be still" can calm the tossing sea, what can that word yet do inside of me?" My pastor reminds us now and then, that in the Bible God said "Do not be afraid" 365 times. Blessing to you, Marilyn.
Hi dynnamae n,
Thank you so much for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated. Thank you for telling me about your friend and sister-in-law. I will write your Bible quotes down and carry them with me. You are right, the car is not helping. But the Lord will work it out, in His own time. Thank you so much for everything.
Blessing to you and yours,
Marilyn
Marilyn, I am so sorry you are still having problems. It sure doesn't help at all to keep getting more and more bad news about your car. I wonder if deep-breathing and focusing on just breathing in and out helps at all, even if only for a little while.
My mother helped "wean" my stepfather off caffeine by gradually mixing decaf in his regular coffee, little my little replacing more of the regular coffee with the decaf until it was more decaf than regular. Slowly, slowly. It took a while, but it eventually worked. They have a cup of regular coffee in the morning now and that's it.
I would fly around the room on caffeine, so I can only drink decaf. Even 1 cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning makes me really jittery and makes my scalp crawl and will keep me up all night. Stopping smoking was the hardest thing I have done. Lots of failed attempts before I finally quit. One trick that helped me was when I felt the urge to light up I would tell myself to just wait a few minutes before I did. Often I would get "side-tracked" so-to-speak and it helped me to gradually cut down and eventually quit. For some reason it was easier for me than if I were told outright "No! You can't have one!" That would make me think about and want it more! :) I guess that is the rebel in me!
Good Morning Willow's Quiet Corner,
Well I have some good news on the car and bad news on the car. The good news is the car fixed - everything. The bad news is he wants a large sum of money before I can get it. I do thee deep breathing. Anna also said to twist my neck and bring my shoulders up and down for exercise as well as walking.
I cut back on how much coffee I put in the pot when I make it. Use to make it so strong the coffee would march out of the pot, just kidding, but it was strong. I make it weaker now.
Tried quiting smooking a lot of times. Still keep trying. It is not easy. I know a couple of my friends that just made up their mind and quit.
Thank you for your help,
Marilyn
The artificial sweetener in your diet soda may actually be the culprit here. The combination of caffeine and artificial sweetener creates excitotoxins. They are very addictive and destructive. I can personally attest to their effect. When I attempted to quit coffee, I switched to artificial sweetener. Instead of quitting, my consumption more than doubled. Only when I quit the artificial sweetener was I able to quit the caffeine. Unfortunately, very little information is available about excitotoxins.
Stacy
Hi Stacy,
Thank you for telling me. I didn't know that. Really, I don't drink much diet soft drinks because I drink coffee most of the time. My coffee, I drink black. No sweetener or cream or milk. Why ruin a good cup of coffee by putting something in it. I will watch my died drinks.
Marilyn
Marilyn: Stacy is spot on about the diet drinks. Artificial sweeteners are bad for you. I used to drink diet Coke or Pepsi sweetened with aspartame, or "Equal". Gave me migraines and when I quit drinking them they stopped. Of course the FDA says it's safe and doesn't cause problems. I think they need to get head out of their "microscopes" and trust what people say.
When I drink coffee, I drink it strong and black too.
Carol in SC
I take a prescription for panic attacks which I never had until a few years ago when I had a heart attack. After that, some of the meds I was given caused me to be dehydrated. I read online that three conditions often exist in the body during panic attacks: dehydration, lots of lactic acid in the muscles and too much salt. I had my doctor change the diuretic I was prescribed to a milder one and the panic attacks do not occur very much anymore. I avoid salty foods, drink plenty of water, get lots of rest and exercise. I also drink a tea in the evening which I call Tension Tamer. It contains chamomile, spearmint, catnip, rose petals, orange peel, passion flower, and hops; I make it myself from herbs I buy online. I love it and it calms me right down. The prescription med I take is not habit forming, works very well and keeps me steady. Laughter will stop a panic attack. One time when I was having a bad one hate at night I called the nurse's station at our local hospital. I knew her and she knew me. I said, Patty, can you talk me out of this panic attack? She said, YES. I laughed, she laughed, and it was over. Marilyn's sound worse than mine but if she can avoid the physical problems mentioned here, they might ease up a little. I'm sending a prayer her way. Thanks for sharing these stories. I read your blog almost every day.
Hi Carol in SC,
Talking about diet sugar. I am a recovered alcoholic. I haven't been drinking alcohol since 1997. Anyway, a couple of years ago I went to the doctors after having a blood test. The doctor asked me what I had to drink. I said coffee, water, milk, soda. She said no what alcoholic drink did you have. I said none. She asked me three times. I said none, three times. She asked me if I had used any sweetners. At the time I used Sweet - N - Low. She said to stop it. She gave me the names of others to use. She also told me to get a new test in three weeks and come back to her office. After I had the test and came back to her office - there was no alcohol in it my blood. Never had any idea that some sweetners could become alcohol. So I am careful what I use.
Marilyn
Hi Prairie Stitcher,
That was what I was afraid of, if I don't calm this panic attack, I could have a heart attack or a stroke. I don't want them. I have taken the same medicines since the 1980's. The doctor had be take blood tests to see if it was time to change them. But she said no. I drink natural teas with herbs at Jean's or Anna's, but at home I use tea from the grocery store, which I don't think is anywhere near as good as Jean's or Anna's. I very seldom eat fried foods. I don't eat very much salt, either. I am borderline diabetic, so I avoid salt and fried foods. I have never had a panic attack this bad or this long before. Maybe for a few hours, but not days. It is easing up some now. I will try what you said. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Marilyn
There is an awful feeling of dread that accompanies a heart attack. However, online, I read, that panic attacks mimic heart attacks. I know that is true, so having had a heart attack, I'm in a doubly bad state of mind when the panic comes on. I can add a few words to Cheryl's comment, too. I believe artificial sweeteners are really not good. I am diabetic and have settled to using only stevia and, rarely, Splenda aka sucralose. Splenda makes me dizzy and causes hot flashes. Aspartame and acesulphame potassium make me very sick to my stomach....very sick. We should all try to eat and drink as cleanly as possible. Marilyn, I'm glad you're feeling better. I had panic attacks for days before finally asking the doctor to give me a higher dose of medication. It has taken a little time of adjusting and experimenting and paying attention, but I am now almost panic free.
Hi Prairie Stitcher,
Thank you so much. I do use Splenda for sugar. I don't eat like I should. I know that. Being single, I don't cook like I would if I had someone else to cook for. I usually go out to eat at a local diner once or twice a week so I get a good meal. Maybe I do need the medicine changed. I've almost called the ambulance a couple of times with such chest pain and tension. It has gotten a lot better. I don't have the tension as much anymore. The panic comes and goes now. It doesn't stay as long as it did.
Marilyn
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