i'm so scared

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
i'm so scared
5
Sat, 07-15-2006 - 7:08pm

hello all,
i'm glad i found this board. i started having panic attacks a week ago, and can't seem to stop. it all started with vertigo, vision and balance problems and then my arm went numb and i ended up in the er. they did a head ct and lab work, ekg and found nothing substantial. my blood sugar, non fasting was 108, which is another sign. i'm so afraid right now that i have ms or als that i feel like vomitting. i'm so jittery and can't even focus, now my finger is tingling and i'm afraid i'll wake up paralayzed, i have to go see my primary this week, and i'm sure i'll find myself with a mri and neurologist. i'll tell you, i've been deathly afraid of doctors all my life since i've always been afraid they'll tell me something bad and that will probably happen. i can't sleep or eat and run to the bathroom every minute, i told my husband i think i have ms and sounded oh so upbeat but i'm a wreck, i have two small children and don't want to end up paralayzed in a wheelchair, i'm 39 years old and have always been healthy up to now. i can't sit still, i'm pacing and pacing and even a drink doesn't help, it makes it worse. any coping strategies...or miracles that i'm healthy would help. i'm sorry to ramble but i'm so scared right now i can't stop the racing feeling i'm having.

thanks for listening to rant
katie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2005
Sat, 07-15-2006 - 7:59pm
Katie WELCOME!! Anxiety and Panic are very scary!!
The symptoms vary from person to person or attack--
you will be OK!! You have to remind yourself of this!
My advice is to tell your doctor what you are experiencing
how you feel etc! The doctor should realize you are in a stressed
out panic state!! There are medications to stop these feelings!
Some are short term and others are for panic disorder which is
a longer illness.
I was feeling so numb when I had panic I could not keep my foot
on the brake petal!! I had to force myself to get through this
for many years until a doctor realized what I had!!
I had been to allergy doctors, stomach doctors, tested for
every imaginable disease. After suffering a long battle when I
was about 40 years old doctors understood PANIC AND ANXIETY!!
WHAT A RELIEF!! call your doc and get some relief!! HUGS!! Judy
check out the coping techniques on this site THEY DO HELP!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 07-15-2006 - 8:50pm

Welcome Katie,

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 07-15-2006 - 9:45pm

Katie, I forgot to add that drinking alcohol WILL increase anxiety.

Sheri Ann

Avatar for caper2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Sat, 07-15-2006 - 9:53pm

I guess I must be very lucky that I got panic attack at home but not outside. My triggers are children and missing cats. I have problem with children from 2-10. It is easier to trigger panic attack by hearing thier own noise than just to see them. If the come less than 4' away, I will be panic too. If I go outside, I am more in control than at home. My land lord has 3 brats. Nobody like them, including my neighbor.

Luckily, I have no panic attack while driving. Otherwise, I might not know how to use cluch and went to shift gear even though I get so used to standard.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 07-16-2006 - 10:28am

Welcome, Katie! You are NOT alone. Many of us with panic have thought that we had some rare and/or fatal illness. The test results should reassure you some. Keep reminding yourself that they were normal, when the frightening thoughts enter your mind.


Have you considered meds or therapy? That combination has been very successful for many folks. Also, we have a *coping tips & tricks* folder below. Take a look @ ways to deal with these thoughts & feelings. You can get better.


I have to agree with Sheri Ann about the alcohol. It also is a depressant & can take you *down* further than you already are. Then you would be dealing with depression along with the anxiety. Not a good scenario.


I hope you find the support you're seeking in our community. Post anytime with questions or concerns. Join us in chats. We care about you & want you to feel better. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan