Avatar Posted by italiannyc 43 days ago (Question)
Im a 23 year old male , I just moved from ny to florida because my parents split up. I had to come down here to live with my grandparents. Basically leaving all my friends, and life behind. Not to mention for the first time in my life, never seeing my mom , dad or bro.

I really need help , i never thought i had a problem and i dont have health insurance. I guess it all start 3 months after i moved here and i woke up panicing, i really thought i was having a heart attack. Ive been to mulitple doctors and have had every test imaginable to prove its not my heart or chest. But till this day i still feel short of breath and tightness. Every doctor thinks its anixety. I just went to the er last night by calling 911 for this, and saw a doctor 2 days prior. Ive honestly been to these places 6 times in the past 2 months because i always feel something is wrong with me.

I was prescribed xanax .25 and lexapro.

Im so scared to take the lexipro because i know the side effects and the increased anixety in the beginning of taking it. The xanax doesnt do much either. Im honestly really scared and wanna cry but i feel my life is ending. I sit in my room all day tryin to breath and cant go anywhere. This never happened to me nor have i ever been like this in my life. I owe thousands of dollars to ERs , and im so broke i dont even know what im going to do.

I feel at any moment im going to call 911 for something thats just non exsistant. Please help with advice. I really need it. I also havent eatten in 3 days because i cant and have no appitite.



Answers

Written by Clyde 43 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

It does sound, from what I have read, that you are indeed stressed out. That is a minimal statement. The main thing now is to see what you are stressed out over.

Is it just the parents and siblings, and being gone from them? That could be and probably is a huge part.

Have you seen a therapist? Can you see a therapist? That definitely would be a big help.

Please try to eat something, that will honestly help. Can you talk to your parents via phone and let them know how you are feeling? The separation is indeed a huge part of your anxiety.

Call your parents and let them know how you are feeling. Ask them if they have ever had anxiety issues--ALSO talk to your grandparents, I am sure they can be of help, and finally, talk to your brother, he may be experiencing the same thing you are.

Best,

Clyde

Written by Chemar 43 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Hi

so sorry to hear what you are going through

I guess I am a little confused as to why you had to move away from your family just because your parents split. Were you not able to stay with one of your parents? or find a place of your own? You mention you are 23 so I guess this is why I am puzzled? Are your grandparents providing support for you? and are there reasons you are not able to live independently yet? Do you have a job or something that occupies your time?

Anxiety and panic attacks can be very very scary and so I sure do understand why you are worried, but honestly it seems a bad idea to be running up high medical bills when the various doctors and ER keep telling you it is just that and not something life threatening

I am not a big fan of some prescription meds, but I also recognize that they are sometimes very necessary, even if just for a while, to help stabilize you. If the xanax isnt helping much, it may be worth just trying the lexapro to see if it helps you.

Have you contacted your parents to let them know what is happening? It really seems you may be happier back in NY and I do hope that you find a way to either return there or establish a better life for yourself. With so many unknowns as to why you had to move...it really is hard to give other suggestions. But I do hope the anxiety and panic attacks begin to subside soon for you.

Written by bellacutie 42 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

I agree with both posts - I'm also confused why you had to move with your Grandparents. Can you move back and live with either parents? Are you struggling because of your parents split or is it you don't like living where you are now?

I want to reassure you that a panic attack will never KILL you. Yes it's a scary feeling but the more you react to it - the worse it gets. The first thing you need to do is eat healthy. The next time you start to feel stressed - I want you to accept the feeling instead of fighting them. You don't need to go to the ER for a panic attack. I want you to learn how to do deep breathing exercises. You take SLOW deep breathes through the nose - breathing from your stomach muscles - not the upper chest. Slowly release the breath through your mouth. Do this repeatedly until you feel relaxed. It's important to remember not to be afraid of the panic attack - fear is what feeds the panic. When you accept the feelings they will lose their intensity.

I also recommend exercising since this is a great stress reliever. Have you had routine blood tests to make sure you're healthy? Cut out all caffeine from pop, tea and coffee. Remember panic attacks won't hurt you and you don't need emergency treatmment. Best of luck, Bella

Written by perpetuallysad 41 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

All of the other posters are very correct in their suggestions, but I wanted to add my experience.

You are most definitely having panic attacks and I have them as well, so I totally understand. You get this tightness in your chest, your face may feel flushed, your heart is pounding, its hard to breathe and maybe even hard to talk (from lack of breath). It sucks. For me there are so many things that can cause this, its hard to avoid it. I do know that the very best way to deal with it is to first, take the xanax and lexipro like you are prescribed. If you are supposed to save the xanax for during the attack, take it then, if you should take it at certain times of the day, do that. You may not think it helps, but I would be surprised if it doesn't. Try the lexapro too. I took that for a good while and it did improve things for me (more for my depression--it was a supplement to wellbutrin). Reading the inserts are freaking terrifying and if I do that before I take a medicine, my anxiety problems usually stop me from taking it at all. You are going to have to be brave and try it. If it makes things worse, you can always quit. But most likely it will help.

The panic attack is your fight or flight mechanism kicking in, so taking yourself out of the situation that is scaring you may help to slow it down. I know now when I start to panic, to stop whatever I am doing and start taking slow deep breaths (I also take a xanax). It takes a bit (15 mins or so) but I do usually start feeling somewhat better.

Going to the emergency room over and over, especially if you go by ambulance! is going to aggravate your anxiety problems by adding huge (and worthless) hospital bills on your shoulders. Call Community Counseling and see if you can talk to someone, they usually have a sliding scale for payment and if you are unemployed, it will probably be free.


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