This is the sort of situation that sublingal Ativan was meant for. It only has a 1 hour half life, and is out of your system in 4. Now I'm not advocating you jump on the drug band wagon, and I for one will never use it again.(I'm an Ativan Addict) It works in less than 15 minutes, and if you only had to fly once a week it would be perfectly safe. As long as that is all you used it for. I once had to go by air ambulance (Lear Jet ). I was terrified as they loaded my stretcher but with the Attivan I enjoyed the trip. There are situations where the advantages outway the dissadvantages and this is one of them. Sorry about your promotion.
I can relate to the feeling. I recently had to leave a flight because I couldn't breathe. Thankfully the plane was still on the tarmac and they let me get off. I was supposed to be training for a new position which involved travel to clients sites around the country. The 1st trip was an hour flight on a small jet. I've flown on bigger jets with some anxiety, but I get through it. This one no way. I froze in the aisle and wouldn't sit down. Finally my coworker said if you're sick get off and I'll go alone. I was so relieved, yet very frustrated and depressed for days after. My promotion is no longer, but I still have a job. My employer was sympathetic and supportive. One of my goals is to be able to comfortably fly, take long car rides and do all the things I have put off because of anxiety or panic attacks.
I know that you said you were okay, but I hope it didn't bother anyone else who might be feeling more like you used to. Thanks so much for your response and encouragement Davit. You do a lot for others in the forums and share a lot of good information/experience!
Oh no! I didn't want what I wrote to set anyone into having an attack. I guess reading about other people's experiences has never made me extremely anxious...I always just think there is someone who understands what its like. I'm so sorry if anyone had a problem!! I would never want that to happen!
Thanks for the comments Davit and Samantha. I feel a little better today and have been trying to reflect on the positive, like both of you said. I think sometimes when you're not feeling as well as you have been, its easy to forget how far you've come. When I was diagnosed, it was affecting every part of my daily life and after counseling/meds/discussing it with my closest family and friends, now I can somewhat predict the triggers and they are much more limited. I'm so thankful for that. I'm also very thankful to have this website as I know no one in my life understands what it is really like, no matter how supportive they are.
Thanks again and I want people to know that it is definitely possible to make improvements, even if they're feeling at their worst. Sorry again if it caused any problems!
Davit is right, you did an exceptional job! You used your CBT techniques and you got through the attack. You do have a great attitude and it sounds like you are refusing to let this prevent you from doing things you love. I hope that you enjoyed your favourite band and that they were good live. Keep working through the program and practicing the techniques.
I think you did exceptionally well. When I still had panic attacks I couldn't even travel with some one else. I had to have my own vehicle for escape, even if I didn't need it. That was a very good description of a panic attack. I felt like I was there and at one time just reading it would have set me off. It is a sign of how well I've progressed. I have to congradulate you on surviving. Well done. You definetly have the right attitude to beat this thing. Isn't it annoying that once the attack passes and your calm you wonder why you had to experience it in the first place. I like the fact you won't let it make you lose out on life. I would almost bet that you have little improvements that you are overiding with your dislike of panic attacks. Good work, good luck. Peace.
In the last few weeks, I feel like I've made some good strides in my daily life, esp with anxious thoughts at night time. Yesterday though, I had my first panic attack in a while. My favorite band was playing three hours from our home and I was so excited to go. I was going with a co-worker and had some anticipatory anxiety before the trip as I've struggled on the last three trips I've taken, but not had a full-blown attack. I felt uncomfortable with lots of muscle tension driving there and then it got much worse as our seats were in the third row of the second level of the coliseum. I felt nervous about the height and being trapped in a situation with a co-worker who doesn't know about my panic and is someone who I wouldn't trust telling. When I started having physical symptoms, I tried challenging my negative thoughts, replacing them with positive ones about how excited I was, and telling myself that it was good for exposure work. As the physical symptoms got worse though, I was holding onto the chair like I was going to fall out of it and couldn't stop thinking, "Please don't have a panic attack. I can't handle it now!" I ended up leaving our seats when I felt scared about not breathing right and called my mom. I returned again and had to leave again. By then it was 35-40 min and the symptoms left in time for me to enjoy when the main group came out (thank goodness!). I find that there is definitely a point that I pass where my brain is not able to think rationally enough to use the cognitive strategies. I think the whole situation was made worse by being with someone who I don't think of as a "safe" person. I'm trying to tell myself today that I did okay by not leaving altogether and by experiencing the situation when the anxiety left, but I'm still bummed that my anxiety seems to be getting worse each time I travel even though I'm trying to practice the CBT technique. It makes me want to avoid going places altogether, but I know that's not the right answer and I know I don't want to miss out on life experiences! Guess I'm just tired...I hope everyone had a good day.
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