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I was going to seek professional help for my panic attacks, but I consider it a last resort, as I don't want to take nothing other than over the counter stuff.

I don't take anything either. My therapist is a psychotherapist too. We do mediations and hypnotherapy. I originally went to get my eating compulsion (since the fire) under control. Ha it was a tip of the ice berg. It is a place I can be me, not super mom, not dutiful daughter. I can cry, I can look for me, the real me. I don't have to be the warrior there.
I know all the talk, I know the relaxation techniques, but doing it by myself was taking too long, because she asks me questions and holds up a mirror I can move faster.

Dan, I think having some understanding of the mechanisms behind anxiety is calming in itself. There have been quite a few posters on here in the past who reported improved anxiety and even panic attack symptoms after being on cpap for a while. I was never a particularly anxious person, probably just appropriate to life's challenges. For some reason that all changed several years ago.

Untreated sleep apnea was surely a contributor, and ongoing life crises and stress put me in a state of being stuck in high gear that I was unable to get out of. Never had a panic attack, just always felt on the verge 24/7. Everyone's causes, pattern, and solutions are different. For me, an observant brother saw that I needed a total break from my daily life. He footed the bill to send me and 3 friends on a getaway, something I had not done in many years. In fact, a few structured weekend church retreats were the closest I'd ever had to a fun vacation in over 35 years. On the 3rd day of my getaway in a chalet in the mountains of Tennessee, a feeling washed over me, a sense of all tension releasing and draining from my body. The anxiety's relentless hold on me was broken. Had it not been, my next step would have been to get some professional help before I crashed and burned, as I saw that coming.

I don't know what will help your occasional panic attacks. Some others are better qualified to speak to that. I do know cpap treatment has helped smooth the frayed edges of my nerves. Hopefully you will soon be reporting fewer and less distressing episodes and encouraging others with your words of experience.

Kathy

Kathy,

You have such a wonderful way with words!

kteague wrote:For me, an observant brother saw that I needed a total break from my daily life. He footed the bill to send me and 3 friends on a getaway, something I had not done in many years.

And what a great brother! It's so nice when people take care of each other like that.

~ DreamOn

I had another great night, no mask removals. And, I felt great after 7+ hrs of sound sleep. I think I'm actually getting used to Dan on CPAP. I've just returned from a 12 mile bike ride with my visiting college daughter, she kept up with me
My mask and I have come to a truce - No more leaks and I wont burn it in the fireplace . I've said it before, I didn't get to my current condition overnight and I know it's going to take some time. My road to recovery has given me renewed energy and I'm not as much as a grump lately. I believe my episodes with anxiety/panic attacks will diminish in time. I'm glad that I started this thread and everyone filled it with helpful advise and encouragement to me and others here.
Thanks, Dan

Dan on CPAP wrote:I had another great night, no mask removals. And, I felt great after 7+ hrs of sound sleep. I think I'm actually getting used to Dan on CPAP. I've just returned from a 12 mile bike ride with my visiting college daughter, she kept up with me
My mask and I have come to a truce - No more leaks and I wont burn it in the fireplace . I've said it before, I didn't get to my current condition overnight and I know it's going to take some time. My road to recovery has given me renewed energy and I'm not as much as a grump lately. I believe my episodes with anxiety/panic attacks will diminish in time. I'm glad that I started this thread and everyone filled it with helpful advise and encouragement to me and others here.
Thanks, Dan

Hi Dan. How nice that you were able to enjoy an active day with your daughter!

That is really wonderful news! I'm so glad that you're feeling better. Sometimes it does take some trial and error to find the right mask type, fit, and adjustments so keep working on that if needed. It sounds like you're tackling the challenges as they come up. You should notice even more improvement in the way you feel as time goes on. Full nights of restful sleep can make all the difference -- I know!

Be sure to give us periodic updates on your progress. I'm glad you started this thread too. I think it's going to help a lot of people.

~ DreamOn