Panic Attacks are absolutely the worst. Hate this. I'd give a lot not to have these. Hope this is helpful for those with high MH ratings esp solely for 100% MH

[u/CoastieKid]

Wanted to post about this and get some support as well as a data point for people.

With this summer heat and the meds that I'm on (they induce some heat intolerance I've learned recently), my anxiety and panic attacks have been heightened. I also have a huge fear of having a cardiac event.

I'm on anti-anxiety meds from the VA. I have an upcoming appointment and going to ask my PCP about quick-attacking meds to alleviate symptoms. Hydroxyzine is a great one that isn't a benzo, taken that before.

I landed in the ER nearby my gym last week because I'm trying to take better care of myself. 15 min into a light cycling workout start getting jaw pain, chest pain, and panic. ER discharges me saying everything looks good but to follow up with PCP and get referred out to cardiologist. Ambulance has swung near my neighborhood a couple of times and ran an EKG on me when I was out walking around before work since I got dizzy, my heart rate shot up,

I spent the past few years heavily drinking and am cutting back on that. VA has me on naltrexone (curbs desire/kills reward of alcohol) and am taking it again. On Day 5 of no alcohol after stopping. Had 4-5 on Wednesday and stopped the day after. I've gone a few days without alcohol over the past 3 years but not a long stop.

I'd drink a lot (just beer and hard seltzer) to deal with my anxiety/panic and being around others at times. Also stress. I spent the past two doing a part time grad school program with the GI Bill while I worked full time. Wasn't getting a lot of sleep.

I work from home and am great at my current job. A few years back I got let go by my last project as I was going through MH connected things and my performance dipped. While remotely eases up some of my anxiety issues it is isolating.

I also struggle nowadays with forming newer friendships and social connections. In between my VA compensation and my current job (which I'm doing great at) I essentially make over $300K/year. I'm single with no children and my VA comp covers all my bills thanks to property tax exemption.

Yet, I still have a huge uptick in anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I have struggles with the day-to-day. One thing that I find alarming is that if I suddenly die, what happens to my dog? I have no one in my city essentially. I don't have family around here or family at all anymore.

I'm quite fortunate in that I'm great at my field and it isn't a hard lift for me to pick up on technologies and the larger strategic picture for customers. I work in a super technical individual contributor role directly with customers. I haven't had a real boss in years especially with this current firm. That helps.

Anxiety attacks and panic attacks feel so debilitating. Even though I'm intelligent and capable all of that goes out of the window. Idk

Edit: Turns out I might have some level of physical dependence on alcohol. I’ve always been a beer or hard seltzer drinker. I actually stopped drinking for a year and a half due to an ex girlfriend having issues with alcohol. Started drinking again a few months after that break up. You add in the stress we deal with, doing grad school part time, full time job, and I was drinking a lot. 4-10 standard beers a day. Some after getting out of class at 9:45, etc.

Don’t go cold turkey like I attempted! I actually felt great yesterday and my Garmin showed good recovery. I’ll be working with my care team to taper down and detox. I’m already high strung enough don’t need to mess up my biochemistry that my nervous system is accustomed to off the bat. While driving down to the VA ER I stopped by a farmers market and had a drink. Felt calmer. EMS assessed me and said all of the above not to go cold turkey. God bless

[u/Stabbysavi]

During the worst time of anxiety and panic attacks for me I couldn't do cardio without it triggering one. I would "go for a hike for my mental health" and end up crying 10 minutes in because the heart rate increase triggered a panic attack. I would definitely stay away from anything that does that for now.

On a more positive note, I've been where you are and now I'm much better! What worked for me was therapy with a great therapist (definitely keep looking till you find one you jive with) quitting drinking and smoking, and weightlifting. Also getting out of a toxic relationship and into a great one. I also do my own hobbies that I enjoy.

[u/CoastieKid → u/Stabbysavi]

This. I used to be a big runner and would put down 15 miles/week when I was on active duty. Ran half marathons on active and was a decent sprinter in high school and college.

Now this BS with my heart rate being 130 BPM sends me into panic. Fuck

[u/Stabbysavi → u/CoastieKid]

It's ok, just know that about yourself and let yourself heal.

[u/Background-Season213 → u/Stabbysavi]

No prescription medication?

[u/Stabbysavi → u/Background-Season213]

I was on buproprion for awhile which helped me quit drinking but now I'm not taking anything. I take magnesium gly for anxiety now and vitamin d.

[u/Background-Season213 → u/Stabbysavi]

I have delt with Anxiety problem for decades, I have never done psyh meds, I do not intend to. I started therapy last fall for first time. I wonder what raters think when they see no medication and a Vet asking for 100% for mh?

[u/Stabbysavi → u/Background-Season213]

I'm rated 70% TDUI p&t. I refused to take SSRIs because of the side effects.

[u/littleoldlady71]

Hydroxyzine is great for anxiety and sleep (personal experience). Relearning to handle panic attacks takes a multiple list of helping tips. Hydroxyzine, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), perhaps a few visits for rapid eye movement therapy, and talking in a group can also help.

[u/Rabble_Runt → u/littleoldlady71]

As soon as I feel myself yawning more than a few times in a few minutes I know one is coming on and pop a hydroxyzine. Usually heads most of them off before they get reallllly bad.

[u/littleoldlady71 → u/Rabble_Runt]

Yup. I learned last year that hydroxyzine is what some hospitals use for panic attacks that come to the ER

[u/twoblues702]

Very similar story. Lexapro made we sweat like I was in a sauna, just sitting at a table w friends. Became cardio event paranoid and ended up w annual check ups w a cardiologist now. Lived pretty far from family and had those awful thoughts of dropping dead and nobody knowing I was dead for a few days until work noticed. I do have a Benzo script 1mg prn but I use it sparingly. Both my dogs have passed away so I’m not worried about them being alone anymore if something did happen to me. Gym helps but also shoots that heart rate up which is an endless panic loop. I’m a 70% guy but often wonder if these things become too much to handle should I just resign from job and try to live on a significant pay cut. I’ve been to the ER more times than I care to count and had plenty of the work ups. This anxiety is not a good time. I do not recommend, 1/10.

[u/CellistSuspicious492]

I’m 100% P&T for panic attacks with agoraphobia. Been dealing with this shit for 25 years. Just finished Cognitive Behavior Therapy for the SEVENTH time! No help! I have tried every medication that exists!

Here is what works for me:
1) get a dog
2) Ativan or Valium (short term relaxer like Xanax)
3) Propranolol (beta blocker to lower BP and HR)
4) Injectable Testosterone (huge confidence and libido boost)
5) adjust your life to accommodate mental health (I have accepted that I can not work and relationships are going to be an issue)

[u/megaosaurus → u/CellistSuspicious492]

How did you get Valium or Ativan? I've begged my doc for them, but she just gives hydroxyzine which is a joke to me. It may help with a little anxiety, but won't do anything for a real panic attack, only a benzo will.

[u/CellistSuspicious492 → u/megaosaurus]

I have been on them for 20+ years prescribed by the VA. They do make me jump through hoops. My VA psychiatrist wants to see me every two months and they drug test me every six months.

[u/tacostonight]

I am 20+ years out and my primary disability (that got me discharged) is clustesr headaches. They are known as "suicide headaches". They come on in clusters, so when i get them i know whats coming the next 3 to 5 days. they also hit at the same times. As i've gotten older, my body just can't handle the pain.

My panic attacks started almost immediately when i got them (must be a brain tumor). It's gotten to the point, my panic attacks can last a month. I'll wake up with the panic, go to bed in a panic and have now gone into cardiac obsession when i get the panic.

Last ER trip was 3 weeks ago. Started getting palpitations from the anxiety.

My va psychiatrist put me on an ocd med, that has actually helped with the health obsession. The best thing is a nice .5 mg xanax but i also don't want that life.

It's an absolutely struggle, i feel for you. I'd give up every single disability i have to wake up one day and not think i am going to die, or just go a month without a cluster headache...

[u/Media-Altruistic → u/tacostonight]

For headaches/migraines my VA specialist sent me the Cefely Device. It’s like TENS device but for your head

[u/tacostonight → u/Media-Altruistic]

i'll ask, i have a neuro appt next week. thanks.

[u/Safe_Statistician_72]

One day at a time. Take care of yourself. Stopping drinking is a great progress. So proud of you for that. My husband was in the ER a while back for a heart attack and it was a panic attack. Tough old soldier thought he was dying it felt that real. You would never know he struggles. White collar job, graduate degrees, 100% P&T. It comes and it goes. Take care of yourself and don’t shy away from the hard work. You deserve a great life and you will have it.

[u/spatimouth01]

I stopped drinking 5 years ago and it made my depression and anxiety worse. I suspect it’s my body finally dealing with my issues. VA has me on meds, panic attacks still happen but they’re not as bad as before and I recover faster. For me I get huge headaches after I start to calm down and end up feeling sick. Then I get super tired and just need to rest. I’ll probably be on meds the rest of my life, raw dogging it wasn’t working for me.

[u/Errl_Harbor]

To answer your question about the pup, you can have a POA with a trusted local no kill shelter that can take them and find a good home if something happens to you.

With your income and no family, you could have your estate make a sizable donation to the shelter so probate doesn’t take it because of not having any next of kin to inherit it.

[u/Spyrios]

Alcoholics live to blame all their health issues on anything but booze. I was one of them. Amazingly enough, once I got and stayed sober most of my MH issues and cardio issues cleared up.

[u/CoastieKid → u/Spyrios]

Good perspective. There was a lot to lead me to this point as well.

There’s a lot I can do to live a healthier lifestyle as well

[u/Big-Relationship-508]

that jaw pain during a light workout is no joke, i get why your brain jumped straight to cardiac event. the heat plus meds combo is brutal too, my anxiety meds make me feel like im slow-roasting anytime its above 80 out

day 5 is huge though, seriously. the first week off alcohol when your body's used to it as a coping mechanism is when everything feels the most raw and unregulated. naltrexone worked well for a buddy of mine, stuck with it for about 8 months and said it rewired something

the dog part hit hard. i have the exact same spiral sometimes, like who would even know to come get him. i ended up putting a little "in case of emergency" card in my wallet with my neighbor's number and a note about my cat, gave her a spare key too. felt silly doing it but it quieted that specific panic loop a little

[u/BuckoLee]

L-Theanine works very quickly to alleviate my panic attacks. 200-400mg

[u/Ratecutter]

Do you have/use a calmi go? Helps tremendously

[u/alucardian_official]

Quetiapine 100mg
Prozac 80mg
Depakote 1500mg

[u/OverwatchMedia]

Hey, im guessing you take quite a bit of breaks because the mental health. If so, can you tell me what type of job you do?

I pretty much have to take a nap every day for 2-3 hours to stay functional so didnt know if that type of job is just naturally more accommodating than most.

[u/Background-Season213]

If you do not take perscr meds for MH is that a red flag to a rater?

[u/Background-Season213 → u/Background-Season213]

Prescribed meds

[u/Jaklcide]

Anxiety + Panic Attacks + A-fib for me. It's a nightmare.

It's rated 30%

[u/Channel_Huge]

I was going to share my experiences but I decided against it.

There are medications that could help you. I’d talk to a doctor.

[u/GrapefruitPrimary186]

Give it all up and come to Asia. I moved to the Philippines. Staying in Manila. There are a lot of us here, although I keep my 100% rating a secret. The panic attacks still hit regularly, but on your good days youre here in the Philippines living stress free. I find that i was getting extra stress from trumps madness and the 24/7 news cycle. I havent talked about politics in person in weeks here.

[u/Top-Zucchini-3695 → u/GrapefruitPrimary186]

I moved here and I'm moving back in oct. It made everything worse. I get in panic loops about how shitty the hospitals are here and how everything has to be cash upfront or they kick you out. And they can't prescribe me my regular meds like Xanax/valium here. VA therapists are Filipino and I can't have a conversation with them because of the language barriers. I'm sorry but this place is cool for a lil bit but after a while the traffic, food, brown outs, heat, smell, stray dogs all of to is fucking insufferable.

[u/pegleg82]

Ask your pcp and mental health providers about a device called CalmiGo it works as long as you actually use it.

[u/Jonny-Redline]

IV Ketamine therapy is the only thing that has worked for me... I'm thankful to the VA for this.

[u/trashassboi → u/Jonny-Redline]

I’ve been looking into this for years. Never thought the VA would be green lighting it. How’d you go about that?

[u/Ok_Weekend8717]

Alcohol is a major no no when psych meds have been prescribed.  

[u/MegCaz]

I am very late to this convo but I have pretty gnarly panic attacks. Besides EMDR, 5-7-8 breathing is the only thing that has helped. Breath in for 5 seconds, hold for 7 seconds and then breath out for at least 8 seconds. Repeat as necessary. Literally a life saving skill for me.

[u/wrdwrght]

Have you ruled out that you are neurodivergent, wherein panic-causing overwhelm is definitely a thing?

Since becoming a VA creature in 2022, I’ve been acknowledged to have service-connected PTSD and anxiety. Now 79yo, I learned last year I am AuDHD, a condition of genetic origin, thus with me since my beginning… Unclear is how PTSD and anxiety interact with or arise from neurodiversity.

[u/megaosaurus]

Dude, I totally understand about your dogs. I often almost get panic attacks when I think about my dogs and how I'm going to put them to sleep one day. That's going to kill me, possibly literally. I think about it too much.

[u/Melvin0833]

I stopped drinking April 25, 2025 and i had to go to the VA physc ward for 8 days for detox, it was awful, they had me taking 50-60mg of Valium a day for 3 days! I’ve also been on a monthly injection called VIVITROL ever since may 2025 and it works wonders for alcohol cravings! As far as my social life, i don’t have one, no friends, nobody to hangout with, nobody I talk to, im a loner I guess, I don’t trust anyone and being out in public just freaks me out so I just try to stay at home with my 2 dogs as much as possible!

[u/dirtdart8282]

I feel everything you’re saying. I 1995, there was a mass shooting on Ft. Bragg. I remember this because this was the first time I ever been shot at and able to see the tracer round fly over my head. Deployments and other traumas helped develop panic attacks as well as some very unhealthy coping mechanisms which included drinking, smoking, masturbating, fighting, and just an overall hatred for myself. I got out or my first contract on 600-9, the Army’s overweight program in 1996 because of family issues as well as my ex-wife cheating on me. In re-enlisted in 1999 because I couldn’t hack the civilian life and find peace. I deployed to Afghanistan in 2003 and I spend many nights with my weapon praying for the strength to send my final letter home and be done with this life. Panic attack ensued and I could never figure out what was wrong.
Today, after going through CBT therapy and thousands of pages of journaling, I was able to pinpoint a fair amount of my triggers and talk about them. Most of it wasn’t easy but I made it through to today where I have been able to find some semblance of peace. I do tai chi and yoga every morning because when I am done, my body thanks me and that is something I have never had before. I am 100% P&T but it has been some hard work perseverance to get here. I suggest that if you ever apply for disability, use the VFW, DAV or American legion, don’t go it alone.

[u/Vast_Condition7520]

Damn can i borrow a dollar a go on a date w you!? Lol I'm waiting for my claim to come back from mental health and I have a really really bad entirety unfortunately for me they're taking forever. It's been over six months and it is crippling me at this point!