OT- think i had a panic attack? help!

[MARCIAKAZ]

To add my 2 cents....Panic attacks and anxiety are not really the same thing. You normally don't feel "anxious", you feel fine. My panic attacks started when I was about 23, and 5 months pregnant. I had them off and on for about 5 years--completely randomly. Dizziness, racing hearbeat, racing thoughts, hyperventilating, cold sweat...I just knew in those moments that I was about to die! Basically, my body was having an adrenaline burst--a fight or flight response--for no apparant reason. I had all the medical tests to make sure I didn't have a problem with my heart, but those assurances didn't help. I gave up caffiene and chocolate, but that didn't help. Finally, I sort of took control of them--whenever I would feel it starting (which, after a few times, you can feel them building up) I would just tell myself literally out loud--I'm ok, I'm fine, I'm not having a heart attack, calm down, get a grip, breathe--and repeat. After using this technique 3 or 4 times, they would stop almost instantly and never go "full-blown". That was 20 years ago. Every once in a while, maybe a couple of times a year, I still get them, but I shut them down almost without thinking about it. You might try this if it happens again. Good luck to you!!

 

[heath-and-javens-mom]

Hi~ So glad I found this thread--Now I know Im not alone! I had my first attack about 3 months ago while on weight control medication. at the time I had no idea what was going on, I was alone with my 2 boys and freaked out. I felt me heart racing up in my throat, Felt like I couldnt catch my breath, but I was breathing fine (it was weird), started shaking, and really truely thought I was gonna die. I quit taking that medication the very next day thinking it may have been a side effect, however I have continued to have smaller type attacks ever since. I did see my doctor right after that first episode and eveything came back fine-although she did not even metion panic attacks (I swear she thought I was crazy-LOL). So since then I have talked with a few people and come to the conclusion that it is indeed a panic attack. I do feel them coming on an dtry to stop them by doing what someone else had mentiond..Saying outloud "quite freakin out silly-you are perfectly fine"! It does help sometimes and sometimes it doesnt.
I also agree that if I think about it or anticipate having one it makes a attack come on faster than if I get it out of my mind and think about soemthing else.
the most recent one I had was about a week ago...while out riding my bike ( i have been trying to loose weight the rightway), I pushed my self by riding longer and faster and started feeling panicky because my heart was racing, started thinkin it was a panic attack and sure enough I got myself all worked up and threw myself into one. I made it home and got in the house and just laid on the couch--It makes me almost "unable" to move...I just want to sit still and pray that it passes quickly.

Okay so I know I am rambeling but I have felt sooo alone this past few months experiancing this, so I am very happy to have found you all! I have even been embarressed to talk with my husband about it because he may think Im crazy too. BTW Im 29 years old and prolly 50 pounds overweight-dont know if that would have anything to do with it though.
I plan on talking to my doctor about the Adavan that was mentioned on this thread- I hate taking perscriptions..they sometimes even throw me into a panic because I get worked up thinking I could have a bad reactiopn --I worry to much I KNOW! BUT if Adavan will help I will sure give it a try!!

 

[disneymomto5]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents to this as well. I have the exact same feelings-panic type attacks and do take medication if I can't get it under control myself. But just as an aside it took about 10 years to diagnose my condition fully, but I have Mitrol Valve Prolapse (basically a heart murmer), and the back flow of blood causes the dizziness feelings. You may want to consult a heart specialist to get diagnosed. I too have to limit caffeine and stress, but that isn't always easy to do. I've been having these "episodes" since I was 28.

 

[MEM]

Finally, I sort of took control of them--whenever I would feel it starting (which, after a few times, you can feel them building up) I would just tell myself literally out loud--I'm ok, I'm fine, I'm not having a heart attack, calm down, get a grip, breathe--and repeat. After using this technique 3 or 4 times, they would stop almost instantly and never go "full-blown". That was 20 years ago. Every once in a while, maybe a couple of times a year, I still get them, but I shut them down almost without thinking about it. You might try this if it happens again. Good luck to you!!

This is the same advice I received over 30 years ago from my old-School family practitioner. He told me to tell myself, out loud, "MEM this is just a brief panic attack and this too shall pass. You are not going crazy nor are you going to die". Or words to that effect. It does work most of the time. The interesting thing about panic attacks is that they often strike when your
life seems to be on an even keel. I didn't have them after my Dad died suddenly this past Christmas Eve. It was not until several months later
that I had one at home and thought I was having a heart attack. DH took me to the ER and I was given a prescription for Xanax after a thorough work-up. I have only taken one of the 20 pills in 6 months but carrying around the bottle seems to work for me like a good luck charm.

I also bought a treadmill and walk on that, briskly, at least 30 minutes a day or up to one hour (after work, when I need to decompress)

 

[akelly]

Hi,
I had a panic attack at the end of last December. I was 35 at the time. I know exactly how you feel when you say you are crying when you read of others reports. I spilled many tears, too, when hearing of others similar stories. It just feels good to know you are not alone and know that others understand.

I have always dealt with very mild depression but nothing like what happened December through early February.

In December I had pneumonia and was prescribed a very strong antibiotic. Come to find out many, many people have had nightmare stories to tell about mental side effects from this antibiotic. I started with a panic attack which became a full-blown major depression episode because I was convinced I was going to die and leave my three girls motherless. I tried to break out of it on my own but nothing worked. My husband spent many hours just holding me and saying he wish he know how he could help.

I understand that anti-depressants are not for everyone and they are overprescribed, however, Paxil was a miracle for me. It worked exactly when and how it was supposed to and I am thankful my doctor hit on the answer on the first try. I know that there are some terrible stories about Paxil side-effects and that suicides have been linked to anti-depressants but for some it works just as it is meant to.

I wish you the best. Thankfully, you only seem to be dealing with the panic attacks, not depression. My advice would be to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each medication and work with your doctor to choose what is best for you. Also, carefully monitor your progress. Perhaps your husband? could help you in that area.

Just know there are a lot of people who truly understand.

Amy

 

[mimif1]

Yep, I have them too. I have them almost every month, right before my cycle. I did have the whole workup after the first one, but nothing showed. I had a hard time believing it was panic attacks as I had never experienced anything like this before. Now that I talk about them, I found out that several of my relatives also have them. They are from the generation in my family that doesn't talk about things like this. I finally decided that this is nothing to be embarrassed about, it's just something I have to deal with. It sure makes it better to let people know when I'm having a hard time. They help remind me during attacks that it will pass, that I've had bad attacks before, the tests are negative, etc...

I have noticed that my attacks go in cycles. Every few months, I have a series of bad ones. It seems that once my "fight or flight" system acts up, I have several fairly close together until everything settles back down. I even went to my friend's house a few months ago to babysit me for awhile during a bad attack. Even knowing what they are, it still can be really scary. I hated asking for help, but just being with another grown-up makes it better sometimes for me. A few things that were suggested that sometimes helps: putting my wrists in ice water and bearing down like you would to have a BM. It helps stop my heart from racing which is one of my worst symptoms. I also cut all caffeine out of my diet and try to get enough sleep. I have worse attacks when I'm tired.

It does help knowing that you're not alone in this. When I started telling my friends that I was having panic attacks, I was surprised at the number of women that told me they had one in the past or have a family member who suffers from them. I used to try to hide it from my family when I was having a hard time. I finally gave up on that and am so glad I did. Now we talk about them the same way as any other health issue.

Disney related, I found out that rides that produce adreneline kick in attacks for me. So this rollercoaster junkie has become a ride weenie and proud of it! It's just not worth feeling bad for the rest of the day anymore.