Was this a panic attack? I have a Drs appointment this afternoon. what to say?

[EventfulDay]

I think I've started having panic attacks of sorts. I have a history of anxiety and depression and am currently being treated with SNRIs.

They aren't typical hyperventilation attacks.

I usually get central or low chest pain along my diaphragm. Its agony and I can't find a comfortable position to sit/lay/stand. a dull central ache remains for the following day. I get a hot flush and have to strip naked
usually get nausea, sometimes I am sick.
Usually lasts 30-60mins and as it resolves I go from having a hot flysh to v v v cold. I also suffer extreme fatigue - and will usually sleep heavily for a lot of the following 24hrs.

I don't have a specific trigger - I often wake up in the night like it, as I did 2 days ago. When I woke at 3:00ish the pain was relatively mild but prevented me sleeping. It became a full attack about 7:30am and lasted until 9:00ish.

I slept all day.

Then yesterday evening it ramped up to full pain again at about 8pm, and didn't resolve until 2am. It was an intense attack and very prolonged. I've not had one like that before. I waI almost ready to call 999. lts getting more and more difficult for me to distract myself and allow it to resolve if I'm on my own.

so I have a drs appointment today to review a repeat prescription. Do I mention this? What to say? I don't want to 'self diagnose' panic attacks and although I'm sure thats what they are I'm sure there are other possibilities.

So would you mention it? What would you say? Would you expect treatment?

[Aquamarine70]

Could it be pain from your gall bladder. I' shad panic attacks but nothing like that. The nausea, vomiting & pain could be problem with gallstones. It could be a hernia or stomach ulcer. My brother has stomach issues with pain lying down at night & has a hiatus hernia. I hope you get a diagnosis.

[Thymeout]

Yes - definitely mention it. Just because you're on medication for anxiety, doesn't mean you can't get physically ill! The pain and lasting a long time doesn't sound like a panic attack to me.

Hope you get some answers.

[EventfulDay]

The first one I had was tentatively diagnosed as a panic attack by a paramedic. He said not everyone gets the classic hyperventilation. When I looked it up there is a whole list with the guidance that 'if you have 3 or more symptoms' it may be a panic attack.

I usually get them during periods of heightened anxiety - but there is no specific trigger at the time of the attack if that makes sense.

[stareatthetvscreen]

i wd say gallbladder too.panic attacks are awful but not painful.

[EventfulDay]

I went to the dr.

she said possibly silent panic attacks, quizzed me on food/indigestion options. Shes given me a months worth of prescription antacid (otc ranitadine has no effect) to hopeflly treat - or if not rule out indigestion.

gallbladder wasn't mentioned - but I thought that was linked to eating fatty food? I don't think there's a link. I had fish and chips for tea tonight and so far no effect....

[stareatthetvscreen]

well hopefully the antacid will help :)