New Here and Confused

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-24-2003
New Here and Confused
5
Sat, 07-22-2006 - 9:27pm

Hi, all. God I hope someone's on this board tonight. I think I had a panic attack today, but I'm not sure. Quick background...I've been extremely stressed lately....bf had a near fatal accident 3 months ago (he's doing great, by the way, absolutely no life and death worries, few disability type worries, actually) that is leaving us in an LDR for the duration of recuperation, have to get house out of foreclosure proceedings by the end of the month since I neglected my personal business for the first few months after wreck (will make deadline, but only barely), and work at both jobs has been over the top, unbelievably stressful---at my fulltime job, well, I can't even begin to explain, but it's worse than anyone can remember and at my parttime job, all my boss' other employees have quit and it's been just me and her for the last month or so. Anyway..soo...highly stressed. Have a prescription for Xanax, which I use sometimes, but it really impairs my work performance and my driving (and I drive for a living) as well as making me really drowsy (I work swingshift in my fulltime job). So...I try really hard to get by without it. Which is easier to do now that I know my dbf isn't going to die, lol.

Anyway...so...that's been my life these last few months. This morning, during work, I was thinking about things and suddenly started getting upset and hyperventilating to the point of feeling faint and dizzy and seeing stars. I pulled over, of course, and breathed into my cupped hands until my breathing got back to normal. But my heart was still pounding and I felt like I could feel my blood pulsing in my ears. It took several minutes for that all to pass and it was probably 20 or 30 minutes before I felt anything remotely like 'normal'.

You know the crazy thing???? The whole time I'm thinking my god, I think I'm having a panic attack!!!! I should go to the ER. Then I thought...I don't have time for this....I'm too busy! It was the worry that a) I'd be out of work during a time when they soooo can't do without even one person right now (I'm doing the jobs of three of my employees right now who are out of work this week) and b) that it somehow would affect my chances of seeing my dbf on Tuesday, whom I haven't seen in a month and I don't want anything to stand in the way of that.

So...if it happens again....should I go into the ER?? Take a Xanax??? What should I do?? What would they do if I go into the ER???

Lucky

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 07-23-2006 - 12:20am

welcomeHello! Nice to have you in our caring community. TBH with you, we cannot diagnose what is going on here. The stress you've been under might contribute to panic, but you need to see a health care professional to get a confirmed diagnosis. That is the best route. Whether you have time or not, make the time. You need to take care of YOU after all you've been through. Your family dr. can give you a check up & order tests to rule out any problems such as thyroid, low blood sugar, etc. These conditions CAN mimic panic. You will be much reassured to know for certain. They would probably test you for major things in the ER & if your results were normal, send you to your family dr. for follow up & treatment.


Please keep in touch & let us know how you're feeling. Post anytime. Join in our chats & take a peek @ our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. You can learn to reduce some of the stress you're under.


I am glad that your bf is on the mend. That must have been very scary. Take care when driving. Pulling over was a good idea. Anxiety/panic is treatable. Many folks here can attest to that. We care about you. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan





 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-24-2003
Sun, 07-23-2006 - 5:00am

Thanks for responding, Jan!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 07-23-2006 - 11:29am

Since all of us know what anxiety is like, we do try to check the board more often for new posts. Glad I was able to be here for you.


The *out of the blue* attacks have always been the worst for me. I do too much analyzing why they hit & have a difficult time getting back in balance when I can't come up with an answer. Over the years I have learned just to breathe through it & leave it alone. I hope that you were able to get your field work done. You might try putting a relaxing CD in your car or make a CD of positive thoughts that you find helpful to your situation. Some folks sing, sip water, focus on the present, etc. to get through

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sun, 07-23-2006 - 5:37pm

Hi Lucky

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sun, 07-23-2006 - 5:39pm

Hi Lucky, Defintely follow-up with your doc on Monday & get some direction as to how to proceed.

Sheri Ann