Debbie, I read your story about the doctor visit and your question about the paramedics. I've had really bad experienced with doctors myself. I live in NC and it seems like a bunch of small town doctors with no experience. They never want to treat you or see you, then when they do, they charge you a butt load to give you a pill. For starters, I have never seen anyone be "fixed" from a pill, you need to call around to specialists (therapists, psychiatrists) in your area and see which will take your insurance to get you some long term treatment and help. You can contact the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and the Association for Advancement of Behavior to get a list of specialists in your area. Once you have a list, call three or four of the therapists to ask a few questions before making your first appointment. Tell whoever answers the phone (or voice mail) that you are a potential client looking for a therapist, and you want to ask the therapist a few questions. Do not try and disguise what you are doing-there's no need for that! You will be paying them for a service, and are entitled to get the information you need to make a good choice as a consumer. A therapist who is too busy to talk to you for at least a few minutes on the telephone, for free, is probably too busy to be your therapist.....Questions to ask while you talk to the therapist...1. What kind of problems do you treat? 2. What kind of treatment do you offer? 3. Does it include cognitive behavioral therapy (or whatever threatment method you seek)? 4. What is your therapy style like (are you active in discussing things with me, or do you mostly listen?) 5. How many people have you treated with my problem? 6. Do you offer medication if needed? 7. How long is a typical course of treatment? 8. Do you accept insurance? 9. What does it cost? 10. How soon could I have an appointment once I make up my mind? 11. How long have you been treating these problems? 12. What is your professional background? 13. Are you licensed? 14. Where did you get your degree? When you are done calling all the therapists you are interested in, pick from your list the one you feel best about and go from there. I wish you the best of luck :) CANDY

Thanks Becky that gives me some peace of mind. My biggest fear is being here alone with my son and not having help. It must sound pretty bizzare that I have to plan calling the paramedics, hopefully I will not have too, I am just so scared, my husband works alot and I have no car and I am here alone with my little boy, I am praying for the strength. Its very scary to think you are dying, my panics use to last an hour and then I was better, now the anxiety is all day. I take Klonopin but I have noticed it does not work as good as it did, I do take low doses because I fear over-dose of addiction. Thanks Becky, GOd bless, Debbie.

I just read your other message that you are from Florida, I am from Virginia. I feel sure your area has better equipment than the ones in my area. I live in a small town in Virginia. I know its hard but if you can try to relax and see if that easing your pain and heart palps. I know anxiety can cause chest pain, I get the heart palps on occassion and they are scarey.

Hi Debbie, I know how it is planning ahead when you have anxiety. I don't know where you live, but where I live you can call the paramedics and they can check you out with an EEG, check you vitals, and if they are not in the norm, the paramdics can give their opinion whether you need to go to the hospital, but they can't make you go. I think in most cases when they are called, the person is going to the hospital, I just know they can't force you to go. It may ease your mind to have an EEG or wear a heart monitor for 24 hours, I have done both in the last 6 months. It was just anxiety, but I know how real and scarey these symptoms are and it is such a relief to have the doctor check you out, if for nothing else other than to ease your mind. I hope this helps some and I hope you are feeling better. Take Care, Becky

Does anyone know if you call the paramedics can they treat you at home and tell you if you are having a hear attack or do you have to go with them? If I got very bad in the middle of the night I would have noone to care for my little boy and to see me be loaded in the van would frighten him, will they treat you at home, I know this sounds desperate but I have to plan ahead. If anyone has ever called them or know if they can come and check you out and not take you please let me know. Thanks Debbie.