PANICKING WHEN GOING OUT

David1946

Today I went to bingo my wife as we do on Wed and about 1 and half hour into bingo for no reason I started to feel like the walls were closing on me ( I do not why) and I became extremely frightened I started to panic and sweating like crazy my wife held my hand I eventually started to calm down. Has anyone else ever had this happen happento them?

Iris L.

David, I've been thinking about this episode. Did you think that you didn't recognize anything? That might cause a panicky feeling.

Iris

David1946

No because I've been going to the senior center 8 years .I think maybe it was from all the noise from the blngo players there were more than usual.

Iris L.

Excessive noise could certainly be the cause. Do you think you will avoid noisy environments in the future?

Iris

David1946

Probably not I like going to bingo. I is the only entertainment that I enjoy I will have to take a walk down the hall to clear my head if the noise goes to me.

jfkoc

Please, share with your wife. Together you can come up with a possible solution like letting her know you need a break or need to go home.

David1946

Thank you for your concern. My wife knows when I am acting up and how to get me to calm down when I start to act up. If it was not for my wife I do not know where I would be today.

David1946

I had another incident in the bedroom this morning. I don't know to explain it except the wall just did not look right and I started panicking. I told my wife and she asked why didn't you leave the room? I said I don't know why but the next time I will put my robe on and leave the room.

Iris L.

To use an analogy, your brain is playing tricks on you. If you leave the bedroom, will the next room look strange also? This could be a prelude to wandering if you leave your home, seeking escape from the strangeness. If these hallucinations are causing you much distress, there are medications that can help.

Iris

listb212

I was a caregiver for my mom. She had very early stage dementia, but recently passed away after her husband died. I am so sorry that all of you are suffering so much and dealing with these changes. I truly care and want you to know that I am praying for you.

David1946

Iris L I was having hallucinations and th Dr had me stop the medications (for2weeks)to see if my hallucinations would stop and they did. She then said start the pills again to see if they would start again and they did.I see her shortly and see what she has to say. Also I have an appointment to have a (nuclear test on my eyes) to see if I may have Parkinson also. I will let you know what's up.

David1946

I am having more and more hallucinations again today I was getting dressed and the room seemed like it was closing in in me. I put my robe on and went into the dining room where my wife was. She asked me if I was getting dressed or watching t.v.(I watch the news while getting dressed) She suggested that I watch t.v. only for a15 or 20 minutes then shut it off and then get dressed to see if that helps. She also suggested that if I set off the alarms that we have on the bedroom door( we have these in case I try to wander at night and will wake her up) that the sounds might help me to wake up and stop having hallucinations. Yesterday I was home alone while my wife went to a caregivers meeting and I was in the dinning room working on my computer and again the walls seemed to be closing in on me. To help me change my mindset I went to the laundry room and did a load of clothes and it helped. I can not wait to see the Dr and see what she has to say

Iris L.

It seems like it helps you to stay busy.

Iris

David1946

It sure as hell does.

David1946

I had another "nightmare" again last night in my "dream" my wife took me to a new doctor and some how we got separated and I started to panic when I could not find my wife and at the same time the walls started to close in on me and I started to run trying to get out of there. Then I heard someone yell my name David!!!!!!and this when I woke up and then I asked my wife if she was the one who yelled my name and she said no. So I have no idea who yelled my name and woke me up

David1946

My nightmares have gone from freighting to more humorous. On night I woke myself up by singing Christmas carols and another night I did nothing but go looking for new sheets for my bed. I told my wife and she had a good laugh. I would rather have these kinds of "nightmares" than the frightening ones.

Iris L.

These sound to be more enjoyable for you, David.

Iris

David1946

Iris L Yes they are if I never have another "night terror" again it will be to soon I only want the humorous ones.

David1946

Well Iris l my nightmares are back the last 2 nights I have woken up myself by just SCREAMMING NO NO NO NO for what reason I do not know but it scares the crap out of me.

concerned_sister

David,

I'm sorry you're going through this. When you described "the walls closing in" it put me in mind of a recent conversation with a friend.

She talked of feeling claustrophobic in an MRI. I told her my strategy was always to close my eyes and not open them so I wouldn't respond to any visual cues.

I wonder if you experience this when you're awake can you put headphones on and listen to your favorite music with your eyes closed and let it "take you away?"

I hope you find something that helps you.

Iris L.

David, perhaps fill your mind with kittens and puppies and butterflies and flowers and the like. See what you dream of then.

Iris

David1946

The Senior Center took the seniors to the "Kitty Kat Kafe" all they is try to get people to adopt cats. last week and it helped me to get my mind off my ALZ

David1946

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/204753#Comment_204753

Thank you for your concern I'm willing to try anything to stop what is going on I know nothing will stop ALZ,but if it can be slowed down it will be helpful. My daughter is flying in from Texas for a visit. She knows about the ALZ I just hope I don't act up while she's here.

concerned_sister

David, I hope you have a good visit. She knows about the ALZ. She loves you. She'll know it's the ALZ acting up and not her daddy.

David1946

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/204869#Comment_204869

Thank you

David1946

It's official (have ALZ) my wife put my cell phone and house phone number on my cell. I called the Dr today and couldn't remember either number.I don't like this feeling.

Iris L.

Hi, David. Just like there are work accommodations, there are accommodations that can help PWDs. Do what you can to make your life easier and more manageable! Don't try to remember what can easily be filed in your phone or on a bulletin board or on your refrigerator. It's okay to make lists. And it's okay to keep a notebook. You might want to place your telephone numbers in several places. I do all of the above. I use my calendar and I make a to-do list for each day.

Iris

David1946

I try to remember everything and what we are supposed to be doing daily and I finally realized that I can't do it anymore. Because I've been late to several doctors appointments so now my wife keeps all my appointments. If I got to an appointment she wants me to bring home an appoint card so I do not make any more mistakes.

Iris L.

That's sounds good. Can she accompany you on your doctor appointments? Write down what you want to discuss with the doctor before the visit. Ask questions, and write down the answers.

That's what I do, I have a special notebook for all of my doctor visits with my concerns and the answers and any medications or tests I am supposed to do. I write my appointments on my wall calendar and highlight doctor appointments with a bright color.

Iris

David1946

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/205050#Comment_205050

My wife usually goes with me but the last appointment she had her one. We try not to make them on the same day so she can go with me but this time was a mistake.

Iris L.

I see.