Hep C Discussion Forum

ucbgal · Senior Member

RE: Damn panic attack!!!

Loopy Lisa · Guru

Hahaha damn, you're right, the dog did feel very special though, she is a bit confused this morning "in your basket!" :P

PS: can never have too many cuddles ;)

Thanks Jill, I considered that this morning as well. It is not too bad to cope with though, I'll take the panic over fever any day ;)

Scruffy, my goodness, I would be in the psychiatric ward having to do that....needles blahhhhh :P

-- Edited by Loopy Lisa on Saturday 5th of April 2014 02:40:55 PM

-- Edited by Loopy Lisa on Saturday 5th of April 2014 02:44:39 PM

Tig · Admin

Hi Lisa,

I'm happy to hear your night ended better than the way this incident started. You have such a nice home support group there and I know you consider yourself fortunate. But there's a bit of a drawback to what has happened. Now, every shot day, your husband is going to expect some cuddling, and the day after will include removing dog hair from the couch.... Didn't think about that did you? Ha, ha!! Just fooling with you, lol! I'm glad you're feeling better today! Good luck....

Tig smile

Scruffy · Guru

With the click pen you will get used to it in no time. I go for shot number 43 today. Its just a thing now I don't even think about it at this stage of the game. Years ago I had two syringes and two vials. One with water the other with the inter. powder I had to mix it and the draw it up and give it to myself so to me the pens are a no-brainer

Best for you.

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

A nice cuddle with hubby and dog was a perfect way to relax and calm down, Lisa, and I`m glad it all ended well! smile

Being able to recognise a panic attack is the key to dealing with them, although they are still very unpleasant. Not getting a good night`s sleep certainly doesn`t help, and it could be that the ribavirin is to blame as it can cause insomnia. You could try taking your second dose earlier, that sometimes helps, and it`s ok to do that. The riba can also cause stomach irritation too, so make sure you take your pills with food, although I`m sure you already know that.

Although it`s quite possible that these symptoms are due to anxiety and will settle down once you`ve got more used to being on tx.

Best of luck!

Loopy Lisa · Guru

Thank you, indeed this morning all is normal again. It certainly makes me appreciate I'm not really having a hard time on treatment to be honest. If the worst bit is a needle phobia it certainly isn't bad - perspective is a good thing. Well counting down for the 11th now, first blood check. I don't expect anything abnormal as my only real problem at the moment is a little sore stomache and I noticed I have a little insomnia. Probably the fact I am only sleeping about 5-6 hours a night attributed to my panic moment, but I don't panic at panic, I know what it is and know I'm not dying, so I just wait for it to wash over. It was quiet cute last night, I was snuggled wih hubby on the sofa,and the dog was allowed (not normally) to snuggle in on the other side hahahaha. :D

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

Good morning Lisa!

I`m so glad you got through the night ok, I really feel for you with the panic attack! I`ve suffered with them myself at times in the past and a full blown panic attack is one of the most scary things ever...you literally feel as though you`re dying! At least you realised what was happening and were able to calm yourself down eventually, and rest assured, you`re not alone in being scared of needles.

I`m sure it will get easier though as you go through the weeks and it becomes part of your routine. I found the best bit was being able to cross another shot off my chart!

Have a nice relaxing Saturday! smile

Loopy Lisa · Guru

Thanks guys, already up for my lovely Riba pill. I even have the pen and can't see the needle, and to be fair I don't feel it. The stupid thing is I don''t even have much reaction to interferon yet so it is purely psychological. I made the mistake of looking up after my biopsy and saw the doctor walk away with the needle. Since then I have become really nervous. First time though I had a panic attack in years, normally it is just that "I hate needles feeling with nerves that pass afterwards." I have more reaction to a panic attack than the med, how about that lol! I only noticed this morning my tummy feels a little sore, not sure if it is the riba pills or the fact I was so worked up last night. But cool, no needle for another week. Back to my husband injecting me, it is far less traumatic for me. Thanks for the support guys :) x

-- Edited by Loopy Lisa on Saturday 5th of April 2014 09:52:22 AM

mindovermatter · Veteran Member

Hi Lisa,

The needle (the auto injector) is subcutaneous and very, very thin. It does not hurt at all.

When you take the injection this time, you will see.

Heck, a mosquito bite stings more.

After a couple of weeks, you will experience lesser fear and gradually it will go away.

Trust me on this :)

-- Edited by mindovermatter on Saturday 5th of April 2014 05:10:41 AM

-- Edited by mindovermatter on Saturday 5th of April 2014 05:12:05 AM

hrsetrdr · Guru

Hi Lisa, Don't feel bad, your not alone on the hating of needles. if I thought that my shot didn't go right I'd get pretty agitated.

hang in there girl! Best wishes, Tim

Tig · Admin

Hi Lisa,

I'm curious if you're using an auto inject interferon pen or an actual syringe and needle? If you're still using the old syringe method, I would explain your fear of syringes and request the auto injector. They are as easy as it gets and don't look like a syringe at all. It might eliminate some or all of that shot anxiety. If anxiety becomes an issue, it could be secondary to the interferon. Be sure you discuss this with your doctor.

Sorry to hear about the panic attack, they're not a pleasant part of any day. Do your best to own the situation that caused it. Easier said than done I know, but try to look at that needle more as a friend than something to fear. It takes practice, but it's going to save your life. Show the virus who's boss and introduce it to your "little friend"...

Tig

Gracie · Guru

Do you have any anti nausea medication? (like gravol). If you take one after your shot, it makes you sleepy. Plus prevented headaches I found. I always did my shot at bedtime too so I'd hopefully be tired which helped to fall asleep.

I hated the shots too. I found if I let the needle sit for half an hour and warm up, then do it really really slow, that I hardly felt it. They do get easier. At first I would lay everything out in a ritual kind of thing, one step at a time, taking about 15 minutes. The last one I practically did with one hand in about five minutes...lol.

Soon you'll be doing it with ease.

Loopy Lisa · Guru

I went for a walk, and I am sipping water and now gonna distract myself with a film or something. It is a long time since I had a full blown panic attack so it caught me a bit of guard. Well that was a free rollercoaster ride, no ticket needed :D

JIme · Guru

Can you go for a walk and get some fresh air to try and calm down a little. A cup of tea or some orange juice?

I have a meditation CD that I listen too sometimes. A few cleansing breaths always seem to help me when I feel like that.

I'm thinking of you tonight Lisa, hang in there.

Loopy Lisa · Guru

Well it is Friday night again and took my shot as supposed to. Tonight I had the most god damn awful panic attack because I have a stupid fear of needles and got so worked up. So instead of going to sleep I am wide awake with the after effects and can't shake that horrible feeling and weird sensations they cause. On the upside I have 22 more to go, so one less to worry about.....

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