Newbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2005
Newbie
6
Thu, 05-05-2005 - 10:20pm

Hi everyone!

Something strange occurred this afternoon and being an ivillage member for 3 years now, here I am. I went to Home Depot to get some gardening things (soil, mulch, etc.) and felt FINE. I drove and parked the car, went into the store, got to the gardening section and encountered 10 to 12 other shoppers walking about the large open area. None of them looked my way nor made me feel outright threatened, however...

I became very nervous and started hyperventilating. The hyperventilating caused me to be lightheaded and my fingers to become 'claws' for lack of a better term...they curled inward toward my palm and I COULD NOT straighten them out. I left the store as quickly as my dizzy self would allow and when I got back into my car, I relaxed and felt a bit foolish! After 20 minutes or so I drove home (with no problems), walked in my house and into my husband's arms and cried! It truly scared the pants off of me.

I am a shopaholic, don't care about crowds in stores, malls, restaurants...and yet, I freaked out for absolutely no apparent reason. Does this sound like a panic/anxiety attack and can someone explain a cause for it? I'm really confused right now. I'm not sure if I should call my doctor or wait and see if it happens again, on the other hand, I don't know if I want it to happen again!

Thanks in advance,
Tracy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
In reply to: mom_of_3_teens
Thu, 05-05-2005 - 11:16pm

I am not a doctor by any means, but it sound like it could have been a panic attack. Most people have some bouts of anxiety or even an occasional panic attack in their lives. I would see your doctor if this persists. Just remember your not crazy and sometimes our body has wierd responses to stress. Try meditating or deep breathing (breath in thru your nose watching your belly expand and out thru your mouth while your belly goes back in). Those things can help when you feel anxious. Some people find counting to themselves helps too. I hope you feel better soon, and hope this is just a one time thing for you :)

Candie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: mom_of_3_teens
Fri, 05-06-2005 - 12:00am
Welcome!!

Blessings, Suz   Posts in this Community   

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: mom_of_3_teens
Fri, 05-06-2005 - 7:52am

Hi, Tracy! Nice to see you here. I am sorry to hear what has happened. Like Suz, I hope this is an isolated incident. I would probably have a physical by my family physician soon. Just to rule out conditions that can mimic panic. Some would be thyroid, low blood sugar, mitral valve prolapse & more. All are treatable & not dangerous or fatal.


Our community has lots of caring folks who will be glad to share their experiences. Check out our chat schedule. When something scary like this happens, we need to talk about it. That's what our board is here for. Bookmark us to your favorites. Don't be a stranger. We care. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
In reply to: mom_of_3_teens
Fri, 05-06-2005 - 11:24am

Tracy,
I am a new member here. I too was just living my life and was happy as a wife and mother.

I got my 1st panic attack in the middle if the night out of nowhere.

I had recently had a lot of major stressors in my life and from what I understand my body just got knocked out of wack. Its a chemical thing brought on by major life changing events. I am now on medicine and starting to recover. I let it go on too long before I told anyone so my anxiety got out of hand.

I wonder if you've had any changes recently, moving, sickness anything?

It does sound as though you may have had a panic attack, if it were me I would give you Dr a call and just go in and get checked. It can't hurt anything.

Please come to this board if you ever need to chat or have questions, I have been leaning on the girls here for so much lately.

P&PT
Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2004
In reply to: mom_of_3_teens
Fri, 05-06-2005 - 9:20pm
jan hi its nevaeh.i seen where you said mitro valve prolaps can cause panic.i do have that and was wondering if you no why that can cause panic and anxiety.i have heard that b-for but never understood.thanks
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: mom_of_3_teens
Sat, 05-07-2005 - 1:36am
Hi! It seems that having a mitral valve prolapse *can* cause symptoms similiar to panic. Fast heartbeat with palpitations, weakness,