Panic attacks - started up again

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-1999
Panic attacks - started up again
9
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 4:03pm

Apparently my cycles are starting to cycle down and it's possible I'm going through the beginning stages of menopause! What's up with me lately? First it started a few weeks ago when I went to this BIG festival and got a hot flash, felt panicky and couldn't seem to digest my lunch very well. I thought it was simply something I ate. Then this past Thursday a similar thing happened again when I was out to dinner with a friend. I didn't get a hot flash, I was more cooler than hot but I was shaky, my legs were tingling and shaky/weak and my arms too. My heart rate seemed elevated too and before dinner was over I needed to excuse myself to use the restroom and use it I did! Again, I thought maybe I just can't process certain foods anymore or maybe after all the spinach I ate before the big E-coli scare, maybe I have a bug or virus in me that doesn't like creamy type foods anymore. Both times I had a creamy type of food, first time it was a chicken pot pie and Thursday it was butternut squash ravioli with a pink sauce. I thought maybe my digestive system can no longer handle cream and/or butter maybe???

Thursday night though I was very nervous. I wasn't sure if I could drive home. My friend had me follow her and when I got to a certain point we agreed I would flash my lights at her if I was okay to go home the rest of the way. Well, luckily my parents live between the restaurant and my house so I got halfway home and stopped at my parents house. I had to take a pitt stop for 30 mins. Then I felt really dumb, they drove me home, one in my car, the other in their car, so that I would have my car at home to drive to work in the morning. I called in sick. I didn't really have diarrhea (sp?) sort of but really (hope you aren't eating now) but just didn't feel right. Then all weekend I was having panic attacks. I didn't want to leave my place and I DIDN'T want to drive, but I did. I forced myself to get out and lead as normal a life as possible. When I'm driving and feel panicky I either whistle to the radio, sing or literally talk to myself (look at that pretty house over there - now that wasn't a full stop at the stop sign Mr. BMW - Mr. Squirrel be careful crossing the street, etc.) followed by telling myself I'm a confident, capable, successful woman who can handle anything life throws at me, etc., all so that I distract myself from the panic attack and breath. If anyone were to notice I don't have one of those Blue Tooth ear pieces to talk on the phone they would think I'm nuts.

Monday morning I spoke to a few ladies at the gym and at work and I've come to the conclusion that I might be going through the beginning stages of menopause. Man, if this is it IT SUCKS! I called up one or two doctors to find out between my arthritis meds and such if I can take any of the over-the-counter herbal type things. One advised against it. Of course this is after I purchased 2-3 things that cost around $30 total. A sort of spray to help me sleep (spray it on the tongue), another eye-dropper type small bottle to help calm nerves (squirt into a drink or directly on the tongue) and oil of evening primrose gel pills.

BIG SIGH!

So today Tuesday I saw my therapist for my usual hang-up issues and we discussed how to squash the panic attacks - again. I thought they were over from a few years ago but this time it might be more hormonal than psychological. Of course SHE doesn't think it's menopause but deeper issues (which I agree I have a few) but I still think it could be peri-menopause. I'm speaking with my Gyno on Oct. 31 to see what she suggests. I'm feeling a better today. Yesterday it was like a cloud lifted (thank goodness) and the panicky feeling and heart fluttering just stopped. Over the weekend I got my period so of course add it all up and I'm just out of whack! My period is ending now so I'm guessing my body is going back to normal so to speak.

Okay, enough venting here. If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear from you. I've visited some menopause web sites and the board here to get some ideas of how to cope and to share some stories and laughs. I haven't been to I-Village in awhile since some new bosses came to the office but maybe during lunch I'll visit more often and post my thoughts until I can get a handle on my emotions and health.

Take care, talk to you soon,
Bennie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 4:11pm
Wow. You have some great coping techniques AND you use them!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-1999
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 4:30pm

Thanks - you see since my panic has subsided quite a bit over the past day and a half I'm convinced that it's a pre-menopause thing with me. Here are a few other reasons why I could have experienced them if it's not hormonal:

I just finalized my last will and testament
My dad is retiring in December
I just celebrated my 45th birthday

All this could add up to realizing I'm getting older and closer to death (????) I'm not trying to be negative and morbid but it's possible all of this is in the back of my mind. Add to it all the recent school shootings and N. Korea with the atomic or nuclear bomb and maybe I'm just stresed out.

Bennie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 5:34pm

Hello, Bennie! Nice to see you;) Sorry to hear that the anxiety/panic has started again. You have dealt with it successfully in the past & I am certain you will get your balance back. It's all in the coping. Please check out our *coping tips & tricks* folder below.


I happen to agree with Dharma. My anxiety is always high @ period time. In fact, that is usually when I'm plagued with an *out of the blue* panic attack. Those can be the worst. Then, the fear starts nipping @ my heels & like you, make me uncomfortable & begin planting seeds of doubt.


Please do talk this perimenopause over with your dr. Self diagnosis isn't a good idea. Nor is self medicating. Though many folks believe that herbals are not dangerous, they have active ingredients just like prescribed medications. If you are on meds for arthritis, that $30 worth of herbals you bought, may cause serious interactions. Here's some good info: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhpanic&msg=20954.1&ctx=4096

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 6:37pm

Hi Bennie, it's nice to *see* you!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 6:38pm
Yes, I am the same way.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 6:41pm

(((Bennie))) As a 45 y.o., I can tell you that is probably part of it.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-1999
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 10:42am

Thanks everyone for replying.

Don't worry, I won't be doing any self medicating and I won't be trying out any of the herbal products I've bought either. I'll talk to my Dr. and see what she suggests and go from there. It might be a matter of a few things, prescribed meds, doing some meditation, avoiding the hard news and crime TV drama type shows and to try and ease up putting pressure on myself to be perfect (you know what I mean), just take life easier for now. Of course I don't expect myself to be perfect but we tend to be harder on ourselves when we do stupd things like compare ourselves to the thin supermodels and actresses that are shoved in our faces on TV and magazines.

Thanks again, I will check back in here to let you know how I'm doing.

Bennie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 10:54am
I think you nailed it! You are thinking about a lot of stressful things which will definitely contribute to those feelings.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 12:13pm
"avoiding the hard news and crime TV drama type shows" These are a huge trigger for me, along with scary/ horror movies. You have alot of good insights into what is causing this anxiety, Bennie. That's great! Keep in touch. (((hugs))) jan