Another panic attack!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Another panic attack!!!
7
Fri, 11-25-2005 - 2:45pm

I was doing pretty well lately too. This morning, as I sat here at the PC browsing online stores for deals I felt a sharp pain in my chest. It made me nervous. So naturally the hotflash followed from my neck over my head all down through my arms. I got lightheaded and my heart started beating rapidly. I questioned the chest pain but yet I knew it was digestion related cuz, as some of you know, I've been dealing with acid reflux and whatnot. And I forgot to take my Prevacid yesterday and ate a lot for Thanksgiving. However due to my anxiety about my health I always fear a heart attack.

So as calmly as I could, I walked upstairs and took some Maalox to see if that would take care of the chest pains. It did within about 20 minutes. But the whole anxiety thing didn't leave for a couple of hours. I was just lying in bed trying to relax. I would feel surges of hotflashes, rapid heart beat, and lightheadedness and each time it was weaker. So I guess that's good. But what was so discouraging to me is that today is our family's tradition to decorate the xmas tree and my kids are so excited. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to.

Now, I'm still feeling kinda lightheaded and a bit nervous but I'm trying to just stay settled down. I just wish these panic attacks would stop. Overall it's gotten better but why can't they just stop altogether. That's what I don't understand. It's so frustrating and discouraging. :(

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 11-25-2005 - 3:59pm

(((Bluemarlin_girl))) I am sorry to hear this. It's very common with the symptoms that present with a panic attack to think of your heart. That part will probably never go completely away. @ least it hasn't for me. The belly breathing, positive thinking & relaxation help me to quiet the uncontrollable thoughts & put things in perspective. My health is fair. I have regular physical check ups with my doctor. My heart checks out fine. Taking all of this into account, I won't allow my mind to play tricks on me & obssess that I'm having a heart attack, when I know that in my case, it's anxiety/panic. These are things you will learn to do over time. You must practice when you feel fine, so you won't be thrown & overwhelmed with fears as happened to day.


I know that it's scary. I still have times that I want to reach out to someone to share my fears. The other night, I had lower abdominal pains. Probably just gas, but scary nonetheless. I called my mom & we systematically ruled out all the fatal conditions I thought it might be. I am still here today:) Do you have a support person? Do you have an action plan written out to refer to when this strikes out of the blue? That helps me because I don't always think clearly when I'm terrified.


Did you get your tree decorated? Did you think about pushing yourself just a little & going ahead with your plans but taking it slow? Laying down would've made it difficult not to focus on the physical symptoms. Keeping busy pushes the fear to the back of your mind. You made it through! You should be proud of that & reinforce that victory frequently. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Fri, 11-25-2005 - 5:09pm

We are actually decorating the tree right now. Of course we had to stop temporarily cuz I can't find my ornament hooks. Might have to run to the store for new ones. lol

I had to lie down this morning cuz I get lightheaded when having panic attacks. It's like my vision goes into sensory overload. Kinda like a migraine headache: blochiness, negative after-images, etc and it all makes me kinda dizzy. DH rubbed my back though and that helped me to relax. :) I love it when he is around. :)

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 11-25-2005 - 6:13pm

That's great news! I'm glad you're pushing through with your plans. Give yourself a pat on the back. You're lucky to have a dh that's supportive. (((hugs))) jan


PS I'm *assuming* that your tree lights all worked if you're @ the ornament stage:)


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2004
Fri, 11-25-2005 - 6:27pm

bluemarlin girl when I read your post it could have been me that was writing it. I have been suffering with anxiety for 19 yrs now on and off, and everthing you said sounds just like me, I remember the days when my kids were small and there were times when I would have to go lie down because of panic and afew of thoses times were during tree decorating, I used to feel so guilty! But here I am 19 yrs later still alive and still suffering with panic off and on. I have been using this board for alittle over a year now and I have learned alot and met some pretty special friends, your anxiety will get better, just listen to the advise given and use the support, sometimes this is a life long disorder, but it can be managed with acceptance and support and learning to relax throught the rough times, and for alot of us meds are a big help too. Take Care!

bee (Brenda)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Fri, 11-25-2005 - 8:27pm
lol, funny you should mention the tree lights. One string did not work but fortunately I had new lights purchased last year so it was no big deal. The tree is done and it looks nice. Of course when the kids go to bed I'm gonna have to rearrange some of the ornaments. My 5 year old dd clustered a lot of them in one area. lol

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Fri, 11-25-2005 - 8:31pm
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I think you hit the nail on the head. What bothers me way more than having a panic attack is what it does to my kids and our plans. I also think it's my kids that keep me grounded and give me the will to just keep forging ahead. They are truly an inspiration to me and they have no idea just how much they actually help their mother out. :) God is also a driving force in my life and I try to give my fears over to Him and I know through His grace and love that I will survive.

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2005
Fri, 11-25-2005 - 9:33pm
Bluemarlin, I have had panic attacks for 35 years
in the beginning I was able to somewhat control them.
After being on medication now for 10+ years I wished
I had the chance to have had medication when my children
were young. I did all I could to have a "normal" life
for them but avoided many things that they would have
benefitted from let alone the fact that I myself "lost"
those years to fear!! My life is much richer now that
fear has lost its grip on me! Just thought I would tell
you how I feel!! Take care and be good to yourself! Judy