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ANXIETY/PANIC

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 11/21/2006 1:45 PM (GMT -8)
Does anyone else have problems with anxiety and panic as a result of migraines.  My have increased (which I believe is hormonal) and I always fear a migraine. If I feel a twinge in my heck or a pain in my head or the lighting isn't right I feel like paniced.  Thanksgiving coming and I worry "Am I going to get a migraine?"  "Will I get a stroke someday.?"  Today a went to a restraunt and felt like my neck hurt and thought "oh no."  I came back to my office and had like a panic attack, felt hot, my mind was racing and I was shaking.  Any advice you all could give would be greatly appreciated, even knowing others have the same issues is comforting.  Thanks.---Shari
Posted 11/21/2006 2:47 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Shari,

Yes, I suffer from time to time with A/P too. Thankfully I do not have it as severely as some! I used to be in the grip of fear of the next attack, I suppose part of me still is. I think when I finally accepted that this was going to happen again and again, and I had to find my own way of working through that. I have set out to learn more about the disease and treatments, in an effort to take charge of the heads and not let them take charge of me!!

I have a plan of what I do when I get an attack wherever that may be. If I want to go somewhere and cannot accomodate the head I do not go most of the time. I suppose being on my own with my son has in a way helped me with that as I had to look after him, migraine or not! Yes, that has been tough, but being able to talk to others who understand what I am going through has been a breathe of fresh air to me!

It's hard to ignore the twinges and not think that here it comes again, but I have found that if I find something to absorb myself in, usually for me it is a task that takes concentration, and breathing deeply and slowly that eventually slows my racing mind down.

If this becomes a real struggle for you, it may be a good idea to seek a Doctors advice about it. The Doctor may give you something to help. Talk to the folk over on the A/P board, they are a great bunch of peeps and I know would be only too willing to help!

take care

Ann
Posted 11/21/2006 2:52 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks Ann. I do have a therapist and take Celexa and like you said I have to find my place, clam down and not worry so much. I think the worry just makes my chances of bringing on a headache worse~ God Bless.
Posted 12/1/2006 1:55 PM (GMT -8)
I suffered from panic attacks since I was 18 (30+ years ago) and finally had them under control without drugs when I started getting migranes.  I have the aura that comes right before and become almost blind and what I can see is very distorted.  Now I have panic attacks when the lighting is slightly off, or if my eyes don't adjust immediately.  I become so fearful of driving or being somewhere I can't escape or even at work that I avoid them all.  This is even worse that when I was having regular attacks, because those I dealt with better.  I won't even have let someone take my picture because of the spots in my eyes after the flash - it puts me in a panic.  I know where you're coming from and pray that the both of us can find relief.  All my husband keeps saying is "you know what it is, so why worry".  Not real comforting words.  I know I didn't say anything that can help you, but you are not alone.
Posted 12/2/2006 12:50 AM (GMT -8)
Hi gillispie7,

Welcome to Healing Well. Unfortunately part of having migraines is fearing the next one and it can sometimes rule our thinking!! Our families can quite often say very well meaning things that actually do more harm than good. I have been on the receiving end of this many times!!! Sometimes it isn't possible to understand what a person is going through until you have experienced it yourself!!!

The thing we forget is that our families have their own baggage to deal with watching us suffer, and then torment ourselves about the next attack!!! But you have a 'family' here now that does understand - hang in there! Please let us know how you are getting on.

take care

Ann
Posted 12/6/2006 11:25 PM (GMT -8)

Hi noelygirl,

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles with anxiety and panic. This is understandable, especially with frequent or extremely painful migraines.

Like Ann, I have a plan of what to do if a migraine or anxiety plaques me. I carry enough medication with me to take the edge off a migraine and I don't go far from home if I don't feel well. Unfortunately, the latter is not the healthiest because I tend to stay home a lot more than I used to for fear of a major migraine. But that is more because I don't want to be stuck somewhere with a migraine.

Good luck and know that you're not alone.

Posted 12/9/2006 7:02 PM (GMT -8)
I understand where you're coming from. I fear them terribly! My main fear is not being able to do something I am supposed to. Such as work, spend the day with family, friends... parties, whatever. I HATE having to cancel something I SO look forward to. Then there's work. I fear that I will have to call in yet AGAIN for another migraine. Couldn't even count how many times I have had to call in for a migraine and can probably count on one hand how many times I've been absent because of something OTHER than a migraine. That is mainly my fear because NOBODY understands it UNLESS they are one of us, or are VERY close with one of us. I even catch crap from my best friend sometimes because of mine. But, seriously, you cannot help it. I've had people around that are understanding (luckily) and sadly there are quite a few that aren't. I think they can get over it!!! We have a disease that WE suffer from. Lucky us.

Then, on the other hand... besides the whole "what others think" there is the fear of having one and going through the PAIN. That is my worst... I've gotten over what others think and my main anxiety comes from my own feelings. I go into shut down mode when I get one. But, I'm in the midst of thinking positive about the whole thing. Knowing I am not alone is a MAJOR one for me. And having other sufferers in the family and friends surrounding me, is nice. Isn't it funny how we get together and our most-used phrase is "I KNOW" :)

Like the others, I keep my meds handy and let others around me (wherever I am) know whats going on. That is a major one for me, especially because everyone who knows me have been around me when I have one and are always open to either letting me go home, lay in their bed/couch or offer something to take. Having support is the main thing getting me through all this.

Hope you feel better soon!

Mandy
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