My Day

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
My Day
5
Wed, 01-26-2005 - 8:55pm

Just need to 'talk' a bit. On my way to work this morning a truck in front of me dropped a couple of concrete blocks off the back of his truck. I was behind him in the center lane of an interstate going 65. I saw something fall and there was a cloud of dust----there were cars on both sides of me tho and at that time I wasn't even sure what had fallen.
My right front tire hit it and blew out. The other front tire went flat too and I couldn't control the steering. I was trying to get over to the side of the road----but even tho there wasn't a lot of traffic---I still had trouble getting there. Once there I stopped the car and had my first panic attack in months and months---I don't even remember the last time I had one.
I started crying and couldn't stop then I thought maybe I should get out of the car----but my legs wouldn't support me. The driver of the truck had pulled over (thank goodness) and he came back to see if I was alright. I kept telling him I was ---that I was just upset and scared. It seemed like forever ---but I finally calmed down enough and he helped me out of the car and called my husband for me. (He had already called the police)
Four other cars hit the concrete blocks after I did. The car behind me had torn up his oil pan. I don't know what had happened to the other 3 cars. The amazing thing is that no one was hurt.
I did go to the ER later---just some soft tissue damage---rest and pain pills will take care of it. I was shaky for hours after tho.
Anyway---I am still really mad at myself for falling apart like that. Out of the 5 cars involved- there were 3 women and I was the only one bordering on hysteria. True---being the car right behind the truck--my car did get the worst of it ---but after all this time without a panic attack---and there I was, unable to breath---unable to stand and unable to stop crying.

Thanks for reading thru all this. I just needed to write it out---plus I knew that here---some of you would understand the panic thing.

Debbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: flute54
Wed, 01-26-2005 - 10:24pm

Debbie, I'm so sorry...that kind of thing would be terrifying for ANYONE! I'm so glad you're OK physically. It's completely understandable for you to have felt panicked and scared...it's not silly or weak or anything.

If you only knew the things I've broken down over, especially anything having to do with car trouble...just one instance, I was in the car when my dad once got tapped (literally just tapped!) by the car behind us...although there was nothing more to it, I immediately started sobbing and almost hyperventilating. I was actually on the way to a doctor's appointment to have my blood sugar measured, and the doctor was thinking I might be too upset to have the test that day!

I don't know why I have that reaction and other people don't...maybe people just deal with things differently, and this is one (completely natural) way of dealing with something scary (or in my case, something not even so scary, lol!). So take care of yourself and try not to feel bad about your reaction.

Many hugs,

Rose

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: flute54
Wed, 01-26-2005 - 10:38pm

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((Debbie)))))))))))))))))))))))))))


I know how you feel about the panica attacks, they are the pits.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-1999
In reply to: flute54
Thu, 01-27-2005 - 4:28am

Debbie: I am glad you are OK, and don't beat yourself up because you had a panic attack, most of us would. And whose to say those other ladies didn't wake up screaming in the middle of the night, or go home and just be numb from shock. You may have had the healthiest reaction right away, and their reacation festering may do more long term damage.

Thank God our dear Debbie is OK! Thanks Lord. take care of yourself today, love, Josie.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
In reply to: flute54
Thu, 01-27-2005 - 4:42am

I would have also had a panic attack. It was a reaction to a stressful and very scary situation. I agree with whoever said it that it a better response than to hide it away. You got through it. You're safe, and we are very glad you are.

I think panic attacks for me are linked to when I feel I am unable to control a situation. Stupid things sometimes - like cooking dinner. Or being unable to get my child to sleep. That was one of my absolute worst ones ever.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
In reply to: flute54
Thu, 01-27-2005 - 9:26am
Thank you ALL for replying! You all said exactly what I needed to hear---that the panic attack was a normal reaction. I guess I knew it ---but to be the only one there to be falling apart was so embarrassing. I am off again today due to aches and pains---and plan to just lay around pretty much doing nothing! Debbie