Please help

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2006
Please help
5
Fri, 01-20-2006 - 3:37pm

Hello. I'm tryiing to figure out if my symptoms are of a panic attack or something else. It started about 2 weeks ago. I got up from the computer I was sitting at and my back and neck started hurting (dull ache) well I started freaking out thinking that something awful was wrong with me but managed to get home and calm down. The next day I felt kind of spaced out and that night started having difficulty breathing like I couldn't get enough air and thought I was going to die...this lasted a couple of hours. Then it happened again on Friday and I was in school. My stomach started feeling queasy and I began to feel spaced out and left the tech school to go home but when I got in my car I was hyperventilating and shaking and really freaking out thinking I was having a heart attack or something. I've had some mild chest discomfort. So I go to the ER and they did blood work and a CT scan to make sure I didn't have a blood clot in my lungs....but everything came back ok except that my red blood cells were a little low. He told me he thought I had some kind of virus.
Well here it is about a week later and I've still been having these same symptoms every day. ALot of the time they will happen when I go to school and around 7-8pm. It usually lasts for at least an hour and it scares me so bad I've thought about going back to the ER. I don't know what to do. I'm afraid if I go back then they'll just tell me i have a virus or something. It's getting in the way of my life its just been put on hold....i had to go home early from school today again...i need to be looking for a job but I feel like this everyday. Once I begin to have any kind of symptom my anxiety level reaches mountain levels and I completely freak out and think i'm about to die. I've been assuming this is anxiety but all the stuff I read says that a panic attack usually doesn't last this long.
Has this happened to anyone else?? What should I do?

cb7805

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: cb7805
Fri, 01-20-2006 - 3:45pm

Hi & welcome to our community!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: cb7805
Fri, 01-20-2006 - 4:26pm

Hello & welcome to our caring community. If I had these symptoms, I would go back to the ER. Honestly, even a virus should have begun to resolve in this time. You might not be having a panic attack, but anxiety. That can last for days, weeks or even months. We are not professionals. You need to see a doctor who has the ability to diagnose your condition. There are plenty of illnesses out there that have symptoms similiar to anxiety. If it's interfering with your life, then why allow that? You should not be suffering like this. I am so sorry to hear what you're going through. It must be very scary. The quicker you get a handle on this, the quicker treatment can begin. I think that all of us will agree that you'll be so relieved to put this issue to rest & move forward.


I have to agree with Sheri Ann that student life is very stressful. If you get a chance, please take a look @ our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. All of us have periods of extreme stress. Learning how to reduce it or cope better with it, can be a real positive.


I wish you only the best. We care & want you to feel better. Please keep in touch & let us know what you decide to do. Sending P&PT's your way. (((hugs))) jan


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2006
In reply to: cb7805
Fri, 01-20-2006 - 5:14pm

I agree that it sounds more like an anxiety attack then a panic attack.

I would go to your doctor and see what they say, that can put you on the right track.

They can run a couple of quick test. When all test come back ok then you can work on the anxiety.

Stress can cause all kinds of symptoms. And even if you don't feel real stressed out your subconcious can play tricks on you.

I hope you feel better soon.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: cb7805
Fri, 01-20-2006 - 7:53pm
A PANIC ATTACK itself may not last that long
but the anxiety related to it can last a long time!!
If you worry about having a PA it can take over your thoughts!!
Keep trying to do as much as you can that is normal for you---
do find time to do relaxation breathing and read some of the
helpful ways to overcome these nasty feelings!! Keep us posted
as to how you are doing!! We understand and care--- Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: cb7805
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 11:30pm
Hi, cb! I have been wondering how you're doing? Did you ever figure out if it was the flu or anxiety? We'll be glad to give you the support you need. You can learn to cope better with anxiety. We wish you well. Post when you can. (((hugs))) jan