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Original poster

Had a horrible episode tonight - what was it?

36 replies

whathappenedtonight · 25/09/2020 21:06

Sitting watching TV and all of a sudden I couldn’t catch my breath, heart racing/fluttering, feet and legs went numb, felt like I was passing out and I had an overwhelming sensation that I was going to die .

I’ve calmed down now, sort of, but still feel very strange and off . My legs aren’t quite with me yet and head feels fuzzy . When I checked my pulse it was 150, it calmed down now but I was so convinced I was going to die .

I’ve had a horrible day; hospital appointment at 10am during which had a lot of difficult information to process ... then home to help my grandmother over the phone with stuff, booking her place at church and talking to her so she doesn’t get lonely, then to help my mother as her tumble drier broke, and tripped the fuses in her kitchen ... three hours trying to figure out what had short circuited first and then sorting her insurance and stuff and trying to buy a clothes horse as she’s no dryer now .. then fixing her mobile phone, sorting her medical appointments, cooking tea, phoning grandmother again to make sure she’s alright and then home to mine .

And then that happened tonight ...

I haven’t got a history of heart problems, I’m not yet 30 even, but felt so terrified and overwhelming sensation of doom. I can’t settle at all now, as I keep thinking it’ll come back, but absolutely exhausted . Does it just sound like a panic attack or something more concerning ?

OP posts:
justaweeone · 25/09/2020 21:09

Sorry you have had such a stressful day
Sounds like a panic attack
Have you eaten or drank much today?

omg35 · 25/09/2020 21:10

It sounds like a panic attack to me

Dontsayyouloveme · 25/09/2020 21:10

I think it sounds exactly like a panic attack, especially after the day you’ve had! They are awful awful things though.. someone I knew said he’d rAther have a heart attack again than experience another panic attack!

Original poster
whathappenedtonight · 25/09/2020 21:13

I ate a sandwich about 11am after hospital - forgot breakfast - and then bit of fish and few chips at 7ish ...

I can echo that sentiments, it’s not a feeling I ever want to have again, I genuinely thought I was dying and had seconds left .

OP posts:
acatcalledjohn · 25/09/2020 21:15

Another one for a panic attack. To a lot of people having the first one it feels like they are having a heart attack (I've only seen them, not experienced them myself) and numbness in the extremities is also a common symptom.

Be kind to yourself, allow yourself to rest.

Thanks
deflationexasperation · 25/09/2020 21:16

Op I had this too, I was so scared.
Sorry for tmi but have you had bowel movements?. I think it could be panic attack but also something about the vena cava vein and it being constricted...

CandleWick4 · 25/09/2020 21:19

Another one for a panic attack OP, sorry I hope you feel better Flowers they can be overwhelming and make you feel like you’re dying.

Aquamarine1029 · 25/09/2020 21:19

Absolutely a panic attack. Please don't worry too much. All it is is a massive release of cortisol hormone (fight or flight), at a really inopportune, often completely unexpected time.

I know how horrible it feels, but you need to get up and get moving to burn it off. Sitting still only makes it last longer. Walk, dance, bounce up and down, sweep the floor, anything to keep moving. You will soon calm down, I promise.

toomanyspiderplants · 25/09/2020 21:45

agree panic attack, exact thing has happened to me. The instinct is to fight it...but actually the best thing to do is accept it and "float " through it! look up dr claire weekes if it happens again..she explains it brilliantly

Original poster
whathappenedtonight · 25/09/2020 23:26

Thank you Flowers, I’ve managed to watch TV for a bit - just wishing I could settle off to sleep now ... too much stress in one day I think . Hopefully tomorrow is a better day !

OP posts:
Original poster
whathappenedtonight · 26/09/2020 22:29

The same thing happened this afternoon . Had an ECG done at casualty as pulse was irregular and given Valium to try and calm down . I’m absolutely terrified I’m going to die, doctor said my ECG totally normal and they’re pretty sure it isn’t a heart problem but they will check with GP on Monday . I can’t sit still for fear I’m dying or that that feeling will come back .

Had a nice psychiatric nurse on phone for half an hour trying to calm me down and doing breathing and stuff . Very hard on your own . HR was up 160 and BP 160/100 .

OP posts:
toomanyspiderplants · 26/09/2020 22:36

Sorry you had another attack. Please look into getting "self help for your nerves" by Dr claire weekes. .it really helped me.

Viviennemary · 26/09/2020 22:37

I agree that it sounds like a panic attack.

Pushmepullyou · 26/09/2020 22:39

Self help for your nerves is amazing. Enabled me to cure myself of panic attacks after 10+ years of them

MushMonster · 26/09/2020 22:45

I was going to say call the doctor or go to A&E. It could be panic attacks, but this needs to be checked. I hope it is nothing serious and you get back to yourself soonFlowers

cloudylemonade13 · 26/09/2020 22:46

It does sound like a panic attack, probably brought on by physical and mental exhaustion after today. Have you tried the Headspace app? I highly recommend it for calming your mind (and body) down and it should distract your mind from your fear about it coming back. Hope you feel better

Original poster
whathappenedtonight · 26/09/2020 22:55

@MushMonster

I was going to say call the doctor or go to A&E. It could be panic attacks, but this needs to be checked. I hope it is nothing serious and you get back to yourself soonFlowers
I actually dialled 999 the second time, I felt so stupid, they got a paramedic to call me back which helped a bit, they arranged me for to be seen at A&E but so so scared .

Even with the diazepam I’m still trembling and can’t sit still in case it happens again . My cousin had episodes of what they called VT and had to have a defibrillator fitted and I’ve spent years and years worrying the same thing will happen to me .

OP posts:
frustrationcentral · 26/09/2020 23:01

Ah that sounds awful Sad. I remember my first panic attack like it was yesterday - it was 9 years ago. I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. I have found they've got better, mainly because I can now convince myself they're nothing sinister.

Hope you're feeling better soon x

Tiredpigeon · 26/09/2020 23:05

Panic attacks are terrifying and the effects can last days, especially shakiness and fatigue. They often come out if nowhere too. Try to rest. I found beta blockers really helpful so something to consider when you speak to your GP.

MitziK · 26/09/2020 23:18

Another one agreeing it was likely to be an anxiety attack (with good reason, you've had an awful day).

As a practical guide, when they hit, the best thing to do is get down before you fall down. Sit on the floor with your back against something (like a wall or the sofa) and lean slightly forward - or if that's too much, lie down with your knees up, your hands on your upper belly and try to breathe out slowly, as if you are whistling without making a sound (or panting when you're getting through a contraction if you've had kids). Don't try to get up quickly, stay for as long as it takes and then slowly turn onto your side and push yourself up gradually.

They pass. They're horrible, but they always pass.

In addition, not going without food, making sure you aren't dehydrated and taking time just to 'be' rather than rushing around all over the place can reduce them, as can betablockers.

Original poster
whathappenedtonight · 27/09/2020 12:33

@Tiredpigeon

Panic attacks are terrifying and the effects can last days, especially shakiness and fatigue. They often come out if nowhere too. Try to rest. I found beta blockers really helpful so something to consider when you speak to your GP.
Yes that’s what I’m finding, my legs are still shaking . I’ve managed two slices of toast and a drink but still in my pyjamas from yesterday Blush . Need to haul myself into the shower and clean clothes I think . I thought I knew everything about anxiety but this is another level .

I keep thinking of all the problems and things in facing and all that the hospital said . I phoned my GP surgery on Friday said I didn’t feel I was coping, hospital were talony about all sorts and renal damage and all manner of things, they said they’d talk to GP for me, then called back saying GP said nothing she can do, not her job, it’s hospitals responsibility now and call them instead .

I’ve got the option of calling a CPN 24/7 now, and they said they’d sit with me over the phone and talk me down whenever I need it, but I’m terrified that feeling will come back and I won’t survive it this time . I can’t get that thoughts out of my head .

OP posts:
LemonySippet · 27/09/2020 13:41

Hi OP, this happened to my 11yo DS a few months back, we were absolutely terrified as thought he was having a seizure at first, he was screaming and shaking and shouting that he was going to die. We called an ambulance and spent hours in A&E where they did an ECG which was normal. We've found over time that using the Calm app and a weighted blanket (we just got a cheap one off ebay but it's brilliant) helps to ground him, stop the shaking, and we can talk him down. He's had a hell of a year and it's not really surprising this has happened. Hope you find something to help soon.

Original poster
whathappenedtonight · 27/09/2020 18:15

@LemonySippet

Hi OP, this happened to my 11yo DS a few months back, we were absolutely terrified as thought he was having a seizure at first, he was screaming and shaking and shouting that he was going to die. We called an ambulance and spent hours in A&E where they did an ECG which was normal. We've found over time that using the Calm app and a weighted blanket (we just got a cheap one off ebay but it's brilliant) helps to ground him, stop the shaking, and we can talk him down. He's had a hell of a year and it's not really surprising this has happened. Hope you find something to help soon.
Thank you Flowers, that must have been terrifying and yes, exactly my experience on Friday/yesterday . Screaming down the phone to 999 that I was going to die . The call handler very patiently explained if I was screaming I wasn’t dying . Horrendous . I’ve never felt terror like it in my life . I’m feeling very spaced out and weird today and constantly on edge in case it comes back, but will get there slowly .
OP posts:
BewilderedDoughnut · 27/09/2020 18:54

I had my first panic attack early this year, I instantly knew what it was and have had them regularly since. I can observe them objectively now, it doesn't stop them being horrible but it gives me more power over them. Therapy is helping. They started because I was repressing things from my past.

spiderbride · 27/09/2020 19:00

This definitely sounds like a panic attack, and you're not the only person who's called 999 for one (I get chest pain with mine, bit disturbing). In fact a few years ago over Christmas I was having them constantly and, like you, was given Valium. Make sure you're taking senna or something too - it will plug you up like nobody's business!

Controlling my breathing was the best way I found to break the cycle. YMMV. Make sure you're hydrated and getting enough calories too. Might sound odd, but those fruit baby food purees can be a godsend, as can cup a soup etc - anything you can drink.

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