Was I right to not go to A&E?

[wouldyoudothistoo]

Had a horrible ‘episode’ tonight - sudden feeling of absolute terror that I was dying and distant/underwater; hands and feet paralysed snd felt very faint/light headed . Heart was a bit fluttery this morning but I’ve also had horrendous acid reflux - constantly coughing - snd GP said wonders if what I’m perceiving as heart palpitations is actually my stomach .

Anyway episode tonight terrified the shit out of me as I genuinely thought I was dying for some stupid reason, and dialled 999 stupidly :

Was seen in A&E a fortnight ago same symptoms and the week before too . They said almost certainly panic attacks but referred for an echo ultrasound to be sure . Have had similar episodes 6 or 7 times in the last year; having never had them before .

I’ve previously had dozens of heart tests (holter; treadmill, echo etc and ECG once a year since age 18; now 30 - slim chance I might have inherited cardiomyopathy so they check regularly) .

All tests came back as normal last time I was seen in A&E, they said if it happened again to dial 999 if worried .

Anyway paramedic rang me back tonight and said still sounds like classic panic attack; said would have thought arrhythmia would have knocked me out and would have shown up on ecg last time . She offered for a paramedic to come round to do an ECG again or to get an appt at A&E for observation for a bit. I said no, feeling stupid as I’ve managed to calm myself down a bit and breathing better and less anxious but now thinking, what if it was an arrhythmia? She said if it happens again tonight they will take me in for tests again …. Am I stupid for saying I’m happy to sit at home just now?

[Gilead]

You poor thing, it’s frightening, isn’t it. You’re not silly staying home, you have a better chance of getting some rest. If it happens again, call them back.
Hope you feel better soon.

[XenoBitch]

Yep, sounds like a panic attack. A&E wont help with that at all.
What would help is working out what triggers them, and working on ways to lessen their severity.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Sounds horrendous OP. I've had similar and I also have reflux and stomach issues - GP has suggested an issue with the vagus (?) vagal? nerve triggers the episodes. I get nausea and an upset stomach with mine too but I recognise that feeling you describe and the fear of it is debilitating. Hugs from me.

[Maskless]

If your heart was in an arrhythmia you would be able to feel it by taking your pulse or hand on chest, you could feel or hear in your ears that you heart was not doing its usual da-dum, da-dum.

[longtompot]

I had my first ever panic attacks this week. 2.30am and I woke thinking I was having a heart attack. It took about an hour for me to get my shaking and breathing back under control (I looked up what to do and for me breathing in through my nose to the count of 5 and immediately breathing out through my mouth for the count of 5 really worked). It was absolutely terrifying. I thought I was going to pass out. I was trying to work out at what point I should call 999. At what point do you know yup this is a heart attack.
I think as the paramedics have said you can call, I would. But also, if you are happy to stay at home then do that.

[wouldyoudothistoo]

Thank you , stayed at home in the end . Woke up this morning still not right, thrown up a few times - think I’m due a period, used to feel like this with periods when I was a teenager . Face covered in spots and period pain . Am due to go down to uni at 3 but not sure I should even attempt feeling like this .

[wouldyoudothistoo]

@longtompot

I had my first ever panic attacks this week. 2.30am and I woke thinking I was having a heart attack. It took about an hour for me to get my shaking and breathing back under control (I looked up what to do and for me breathing in through my nose to the count of 5 and immediately breathing out through my mouth for the count of 5 really worked). It was absolutely terrifying. I thought I was going to pass out. I was trying to work out at what point I should call 999. At what point do you know yup this is a heart attack.
I think as the paramedics have said you can call, I would. But also, if you are happy to stay at home then do that.

they are the most awful, awful feeling - the first one I had I was at home with my mum and got her to dial 999 as I was utterly convinced I was dying (as per last night) . Each time it happens it’s the same strange feeling that I’m going to pass out or die; heart pounds and can’t move my hands and feet until it stops . Absolutely horrible sensation . I would do anything to never have another . I struggle to believe them when they say it’s just panic attacks which can’t be helping matters .

[Sirzy]

Look after yourself. Worth talking to your GP about help for the panic attacks too so you can learn coping mechanisms and if needed have medication to help (I have propananol for when mine hit)

[inigomontoyahwillcox]

Funnily enough I had very similar last night. Proper feeling of dread and panic. Long history of acid reflux and palpitations (also had holter monitor and echo), and am awaiting a gastro appointment for a possible hiatus hernia (been months now - bloody Covid). Have noticed that the palpitations get worse when the other reflux/hernia symptoms get worse, and I also get a lot of globus sensations in my throat which sometimes make me feel like I can't breathe properly - which increases anxiety.

One thing that has helped that my GP suggested is getting a Kardia device, which is like a mini ECG you can attach to your phone, so you can see if you're in arrhythmia or not at any time.