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i think i broke me

  • 10-01-2007 01:11AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭


    i smoked alot of hash/weed in my time. Most nights of the week, it helped me though stressfull times in college, and it helped me settle down and focus on work. I always started to feel uneasy after a few smokes, cant sit still, wanna do something, need to be busy...

    Coming back from hollidays i was getting on a plane and i had what was apparently a panic attack - scared the utter sh1t out of me.

    On christmas day, at 3am, i went to a friends house to bid him a happy christmas with another friend. we sat down and smoked. I had the usual uneasyness... then boom, panic attack. at 5am i couldnt hack it anymore, and i went right to hospital. Where i sweated out the panic attack and ended up getting a prescription for valium. i didnt take it, and i refused to take it in hospital because i believe in mind over matter.

    Now i cant help it. I was in bed the other night, and all of a sudden i started shaking, uncontrolably, but i wasnt paniced. I have two types of attack the shakey one, and the panic one... i had one on newyears also.

    My question isnt 'what should i do'... coz thats taken care of, im going to a counceler n stuff.

    my question is has anyone else had them like i have? Will it go away? its been almost 20 days now, and im still panicing.. every day, most of the day

    ill never touch hash/weed for as long as i live, so help me god


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,787 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    i didnt take it, and i refused to take it in hospital because i believe in mind over matter.
    Sure, but would you refuse crutches if you had a broken leg? Valium is usually prescribed for only short periods of time.

    I had some panic attacks last year, typicly brought on by deadlines and over-exertion. Panic, difficulty breathing, chest pains. It turned out to be asthma. Medication made it all go away.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Will it go away?

    Yes.

    Last Summer, I started having panic attacks; I would then feel anxious all day.. usually because I didnt want to have another one..

    I felt like I was going crazy. I couldnt sleep, couldnt relax, couldnt even listen to music properly; I felt on edge 24/7. This lasted about three weeks or so. (Before this, I was a perfectly healthy happy chap - there was no real trigger to my first attack)

    But then one day, I started dealing with the symptoms; learning to regulate my breathing, trying to keep my mind occupied, and learning to fall asleep mechanically (my Dad is a counsellor, which helped)

    Havent had one since.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 185 ✭✭Pinker


    Yeah mate had them for months,I was 15 or so and mine were also drug induced, I was totally terrified and felt very lonely. I actually couldnt sleep for months nearly went mad, actually probably did!...but I'm 25 now and when i look back i now see how this turned out to be a pivotal point in my life when i realised how precious my mind and brain is, and where i was going wrong in my life,i now dont use drugs.I'm not saying they are good or bad, but I feel my life is enhanced by their absence.
    Nowadays i have a few beers thats it. My sports are how i get my highs from life. Hobbies like hillwalking are great for relaxing and easing that undercurrent of dread or panic.
    so best of luck, you will get through these one day at a time.....and remember dont panic ;) ...by the way they are very very common


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    wow, thanks.

    i know its a common thing, but its good to hear from people who have had them first hand. Honestly, i was feeling sick and scared while i was writing the first post for some reason, but i feel better about it now. i stll havnt told my parents about me smoking weed n all, it would crush them to know it. Do you think me not letting them know is a good idea? I told them im worried about college, and the family... which i honestly am, but i know one definit trigger is the weed.

    i gave up ciggies too - im 23, been on them since i was 13-15, cant remember. Im getting palpitations which are also causing attacks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,787 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    meee again wrote:
    Honestly, i was feeling sick and scared while i was writing the first post for some reason, but i feel better about it now.
    Perfectly natural. Bringing the issue up and having to write it down or talk about it brings up the bad memories. This is a lesser version of a flashback. Ultimately it is healing ("a problem shared is a problem halved").
    i stll havnt told my parents about me smoking weed n all, it would crush them to know it.
    I think in time it might be an idea to let them know. Talk it over with your counsellor. I think they might be appreciative if you said "I gave up tobacco and cannabis, because I realise they weren't good for me. I am getting help. Sometimes its difficult and I waould be grateful for moral support."


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 47,769 CMod ✭✭✭✭Black Swan


    You've cut the drugs and the cigs, and plan to see a counsellor. All good moves on your part. Also look into strenuous exercise. It can really help burn up the stress, improve your health, and help you sleep at night, all good things.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    'yea i didnt mention that i took up playing badminton again. My friend who came with me to the hospital on christmas plays with me, but its not really a work out for me as hes doin all the running around. still fun tho'


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 224 ✭✭Jotter


    same thing happened me with E. I also had allergic reaction, went to docs balling my eyes out he gave me vallium also but I didnt take it and wont take as much as an aspirin since unless I really need it. The trick to panic attacks is to remember that youre not in danger and dont fight against it and it goes away. its **** bec you need to learn this yourself so could take a while good luck anyway!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,495 ✭✭✭Mr. Presentable


    Jotter wrote:
    same thing happened me with E. I also had allergic reaction, went to docs balling my eyes out he gave me vallium also but I didnt take it and wont take as much as an aspirin since unless I really need it.

    Have you managed to battle it away on your own? If so, well done.

    I'm bemused though at how you'll take drugs you got from a stranger, but not take drugs - even aspirin - that are provided to help you :confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭Miss Fluff


    Oh you poor thing. It's a terrifying thing to go through, you feel like you are going to die. Remember that nobody has ever died from a panic attack though and avoid situations where you think another attack might be triggered. This site is good. http://www.anxietypanic.com/

    Pot definitely doesn't help. People can be smoking it for years and years with no problems and sometimes it will trigger something in you which makes it difficult for you to smoke it again (I distinctly recall some particularly hardcore hydroponic from God knows where back in the day :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: ). If you think counselling will help go for it. Beta-blockers work really well too as they are a physiological aid as opposed to anything that tampers with your brain. It slows down your heart rate, hence alleviating the physical symptoms of an attack and yet present no danger of addiction. Maybe have a chat with your GP. Good luck sweetie, it's such a common thing and there is no need to be afraid.

    I haven't had one in years after going through a period of about six weeks some years ago when I was having them constantly. If you need to PM do and chin up, it will get better. Tata for now xx


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,333 ✭✭✭Zambia


    nipplenuts wrote:
    I'm bemused though at how you'll take drugs you got from a stranger, but not take drugs - even aspirin - that are provided to help you :confused:

    Yes this was my thinking too?? :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 224 ✭✭Jotter


    Since that incident I wont take as much as an aspirin! At the time I was 17 and had taken drugs before, it was my second time taking E and it had a horrible effect on me. It has changed my perception of all drugs, legal and illegal, you get out of your body what you put in. Now if I have a headache for example I look at whether Im tired, or need to drink more water etc before Ill take any aspirin or paracetemol.I will take it iif I need it but Ill see if it goes away by itself first. At the time and for about 2 years afterwards what happened to me was horrible and I was told I had post traumatic stress from the incident but now years later I look on it as a good thing. I learned more about myself in those 2 years then I could in a lifetime and I taught myself how to deal with panic attacks to the point where I never get them now. If I feel anxious I just remember that its just a feeling and it will pass and it does. It helps to learn as much as you can about what is happening to your body.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    i started getting panic attacks aswell as a result of taking too many pills on nights out. After a particularly heavy wkend ended up in hospital on a tuesday morning thinking i was having a heart attack.
    Worst feeling in the world. But you should def take the valium, at least when you feel like your about to have an attack. You wont get too attached to them as long as you dont take them all the time.
    I was getting them for a couple of months, even a hangover would trigger them, but they do go away, i think you just need to try and stop thinking about getting one. I was at the stage where i could have a panic attack if i thought too much about it. Not good.
    So my advice would be take it easy, prob a good idea to lay off any illegal drugs, but you should take valium when you are feeling panicy.
    Might take a while but you will get over it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭Steyr


    prob a good idea to lay off any illegal drugs



    No **** sherlock thats why they are illegal.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 213 ✭✭BigWilly


    I was the same for a long time. Am a lot more in control now. Happened when i drank and smoked alot (which I still do). I never ended up in hospital though but one time I almost rang an ambulance to my house after opening all the doors and windows cause i thought I was having a heart attack.

    Now this isn't the greatest idea ever but what I used to do was take a neurofen plus. Just one. Theres a very small amount of codeine in it but it always seemed to be enough to bring me back down to earth.
    There's of course a danger of addiction, so I'll only ever take one if I really need it. Maybe once or twice a month, but in the last year my panic attacks have gone from really bad to manageable. I think I just got sick of them and basically realised that it's all in my head.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    'I used to smoke a lot of weed and hash, and I won't touch the stuff anymore for that exact reason. Shame, used to really like it :)

    I'll handle stress well normally, but if I smoke hash or weed anymore, bam! instant attack. Tried some back in the summer to see if it would still happen, and yep, happened again.

    I've never had a panic attack at any other time, for any other reason - not even close. But no more hash for me :)'


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    'I had panic attacks for a while when I lived away from everyone I knew. One day I was visiting a friend and just had the worst one I had ever had. Imagine yourself at your most helpless. It was the saddest feeling I have ever felt. I felt there was nothing that could make it any better. I couldn't breathe, my chest felt like it was about to just cave in or explode or something. Thankfully I had someone close to me to hold me while I was going through it. The bad ones are the most disturbing experiences you will ever have.

    Stupid thing is they're psychological so it has to come from you to fix it. I had to change my life completely, I moved back to the people I knew, left what I had and just went for it. You're doing the right thing by assessing what you need to change. I haven't had drug related ones ever though so can't really relate on that part but they are seriously unpleasant so I sympathise with you on that front. Just be prepared to change anything you're unhappy with, even if it seems difficult to do. You'll feel so much better for it! All the best.'


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,021 ✭✭✭ChRoMe


    Steyr wrote:
    No **** sherlock thats why they are illegal.

    What illegal drugs do to you have nothing to do with why they are illegal. If this was the case why is tobacco and drink legal?

    The reason these drugs are illegal is because the goverment doesnt collect any tax on them.

    Sorry for going a tad off topic just wanted to point that out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭Steyr


    If you buy drugs from a dealer your helping criminal activity and shame on you for that. You make me sick.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,361 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    ChRoMe and Steyr

    Take your debate to Humanities, the OP did not come on here to discuss the finer points of illegal drugs, he's here to see if anyone else has reacted to them in the same way as himself.
    B


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 815 ✭✭✭Moojuice


    Dont worry, panic attacks are more common than you would believe (in my opinon anyway, it seems a lot of people I know or know of have had some at some stage, mild usually) There have been times when I thought I might have one but I always manage to snap out of it. It is usually when I am worried about something serious (not exams etc but health or someone close to me) but they dont help the situation and can make you even more sick. Once you realise this they are easier to control.
    The problem is that you soon start to panic about having panic attacks...........you have taken some good steps. In a few months to a year you may even be looking back wondering what the hell it was all about! (hopefully)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,354 ✭✭✭secret_squirrel


    here4now wrote:
    learning to fall asleep mechanically

    Just out of interest what does that mean?

    Would it help the OP to expand on that slightly?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,649 ✭✭✭Catari Jaguar


    Miss Fluff wrote:
    Beta-blockers work really well too as they are a physiological aid as opposed to anything that tampers with your brain. It slows down your heart rate, hence alleviating the physical symptoms of an attack and yet present no danger of addiction.

    My dad has to take these, we have a heart condition (aterial fibrilation). The doc is reluctant to give them to me, and I would rather not start taking them. I think don't unless they are REALLY necessary.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭Pablo-El-Vagabu


    meee again wrote:
    wow, thanks.

    i know its a common thing, but its good to hear from people who have had them first hand. Honestly, i was feeling sick and scared while i was writing the first post for some reason, but i feel better about it now. i stll havnt told my parents about me smoking weed n all, it would crush them to know it. Do you think me not letting them know is a good idea? I told them im worried about college, and the family... which i honestly am, but i know one definit trigger is the weed.

    i gave up ciggies too - im 23, been on them since i was 13-15, cant remember. Im getting palpitations which are also causing attacks.

    Sounds like it is a combo of anxiety and possibly the weed.

    Here is what the Wiki had to say:
    "... panic attacks are associated with other anxiety disorders as well. For example, people who suffer from phobias may experience panic attacks upon exposure to certain triggers. People with panic disorder often can be treated with therapy and/or anti-anxiety/depression medication.

    Recreational drugs have also been known to provoke panic attacks in certain people..."


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭Pablo-El-Vagabu


    Ohh and this too:

    "In some people, using marijuana can trigger moderate to severe panic attacks in its users. Panic attacks induced by marijuana usually influence the user to seek medical treatment, where they are then released as having a panic attack. It seems to be genetic as to why some people react this way to drugs such as marijuana and some medications."


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