panic attacks - see GP or not?

[lunarx]

until about 10 days or so ago, i was panic-attack free for about 3 years. now that panicky feeling creeps up more and more often.

i am worried if i see my GP about this, it will come back to haunt me later. i feel i'm able to cope with the feelings for now, at least on good days.

does anyone have experience seeing a GP for anxiety and/or panic attacks? . . . .

how did you beat them last time?

honestly, i dont remember... i wasnt in a good place in my life/relationship... they stopped shortly before i got pregnant with ds.

just wondering if you had medication that sorted you out, you see.

I think it is worth you going to the GP, not least because an underactive thyroid/anaemia can make you feel panicky, so you might as rule out a simple physiological cause first. If you really don't feel up to going to see the GP, then there's meant to be good self-help materials around, and there's a website

www.panic-attacks.co.uk/

that might give you more ideas.

If the self-help stuff doesn't quickly bring about some improvement, then you really should speak to your GP, as you want to nip things in the bud before fear of the panic attacks starts to restrict your life.

Cut out caffeine completely, try and drink plenty of water, try and eat and sleep as well as possible.

no meds last time...

thanks for the link, i'll have a look at it.
i think (maybe?) the panic attacks are my (albeit) twisted way of dealing with the stress in my life right now.

i've cut back on my caffeine a lot in the last few weeks and try to drink 2+ liters of water a day.

i just dont like feeling like i cant cope...

I went to my GP who basically said they could either offer drugs (which I didn't want), or an 18 month waiting list for cognitive behaviour therapy.

I keep mine under control with breathing excercises, lots of water, not too much caffeine/alcohol, regular slow-release carbohydrate snacks etc. Also had a very good book called "Coping successfully with panic attacks" from Amazon. The more I found out about them and what causes them, the easier I found it was to deal with them.

I saw a gp after a panic attack .. now whenever I get referred anywhere it lists panic attack under recent conditions (they print off the last 5) even though I last had one that they are aware of in June 2002 ... it was even listed when I was referred after an abnormal smear .. yes so bloody relevant

I went to the gp

he prescribed valium as a short term measure

I liked having them in my bag but never took them tbh.

you know it is a purely physical response don't you? You CAN and will always be able to control them with deep, slow breathing.

there will be something in your life which is triggering them, you need to look back over the last few months and see if you can decide what it might be.

I bought a brilliant book about anxiety which really helped, will link later.

I saw mine about it, got referred for counselling and it really helped, still feel it creeping back on me too sometimes so I know how you feel. I would definitely see your GP

am seeing GP on april 27th.

i know what is causing the stress and anxiety.. but coping with that, well..is a whole 'nother situation. but slowly, i know i have to remain 'with it' for my son.

thanks for posting everyone. knowing im not alone helps so much...

enid, i would love the book title too please!:)