Does anyone have anxiety/panic attacks?

Does anyone else suffer from this? I've always been a nervous person but over the last year or two it's got a lot worse. I feel like this every day now, my heart races and I get a weird feeling in my chest, my hands shake so much I can't keep the food on my fork, my hands are always clammy and I just feel generally scared. Sometimes it feels like my heart is going to burst or something. A few months ago I went to see a doctor about depression, it took a lot for me to get the courage to go because I was embarrassed about it and found it hard to talk about it. Anyway, after I'd spoke with the doctor I felt a lot better that I'd gotten it of my chest. She prescribed me with Fluoxetine pills (prozac) I was taking them for 1 month. I felt OK at times but most of the time I would just feel shitty, the pills made me feel sick. I was supposed to go back after I'd finished the months supply of pills but regretfully I didn't. I still felt uncomfortable about going even though I'd already been once. I felt like I was wasting their time and that depression is not a valid reason to take up doctors time, I know it is a valid reason to see a doctor but depression makes you feel worthless and that you don't deserve to be helped, like you're a burden on everybody. Another reason I don't like talking about it is incase people think I'm doing it for attention or sympathy, I would hate it if people thought that, that's why I kept it bottled up for so long. These days I feel more anxious and worried than depressed, I can't understand why I feel like this because there's nothing for me to be scared of. The only thing that stops me feeling like this is booze, I don't feel nervous when I'm drunk. I'm really trying to cut booze out completely because booze makes you do silly things especially when you feel down. I know booze isn't the way. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an alcoholic, I don't drink all the time but when I do I don't know when to stop and get myself really fucked up. I think I'm going to have to go back to the doctor because this isn't going to go away on it's own.
Does anyone else have a problem with anxiety or get panic attacks? If you do, what things do you do to take your mind off it? I always try to read a book or something but I find it almost impossible to concentrate. Watching TV helps take my mind off it a little. Do you take any drugs for it? if so, which ones? I'd just love to wake up in the morning and feel normal and not feel like freaking out all the time. I know this isn't a life threatening illness but it's still a pain in the ass and I want it to go. I feel a bit silly for posting this on here but I feel more comfortable than I would talking with someone face to face, you can't really get embarrassed on the internet because nobody can see you.

Hey bro-

I hear ya. Look to the medical / health boards for help with this one. I did and got tons of help.

You definately need to talk to your doctor. Tell him prozac isn't working for you, and he'll try to give you some other pills. Check webmd.com to find out the side effects of other prescriptions, and ask your doctor about the one that you think suits you the best.

good luck man.

peace.

-Dirt Dogg

I get them, it feels like your going to die, just doom all over the place. Get a new prescription, ask your dr. for some xanex. Pop one when you feel shakey and it will fix you right up. Barring xanex, smoke a fat blunt whenever you feeling wierd.

Please,Please talk to your Dr. Depression is a real biological problem that can improve with treatment. Depression can also be a symptom of other ailments. I was being treated for depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It turned out that I have MS and these are symptoms of my condition. With medical help it will get better. There is a medication that will suit you and help with the hand tremors. All the Best, May you feel better, Kuu

i don't have panick attacks but i know someone who does. the only thing i can tell you to do is to keep in contact with your doctor. if those drugs make you feel funny in anyway-tell your doctor. monitor what you eat also. and try your best to get some exercise...even walking around your building/house and getting some fresh air in your lungs has been reported to help. don't give buddy. i'm here for ya...

Thanks so much for the replies, very much appreciated.

O.D.B- I didn't think to look on the medical board, thanx. About the exercise thing, I used to do weight training a few years ago before I started drinking and shit and it does make you feel good in yourself. It feels good to know that you're fit and strong. I think I'll try and get back into it.

What I don't understand is I can feel absolutely fine one minute, then all of a sudden I'll feel like shit. I don't know what sets it off. Nothing bad has happened to me, I have no problems at home, I have no reason to feel like this.
I'll go see the Doc again and try and get something for the shaking and nervousness. I really want to get this sorted out, I feel bad for my family having to put up with my bullshit.

Thanks again for the replies everyone.

I have had 3 anxiety attacks in my life.They were the worst feeling ever and they were all in situations where i was very uncomfortable.My first was at 17 when i got my licence i broke down in a really bad crime area really late and was by myself.There were about 20 asian men around me and my car and were looking at me like they were gonna do something and some of them did even have weapons.I was so scared i started shaking and i could not breathe and was almost like i was suffocating i thought i was gonna die from lack of oxygen.Most women will have at least one panic/anxiety attack before they reach 30 and it is not so common in males.I had one after a bad operation as soon as they woke me i was scared and didnt know wher i was.I had one 7 days ago when i did a preg test also.But i have anxiety most days on a smaller scale.My hands shake and i do find it a bit hard to breathe but i am used to them now.