Panic attacks or heart problems?

[notsurewhattodohere]

Does this sound like a panic attack? Sudden fear of dying, absolute terror, Everything feels unreal and like before you faint, hands abs feet go numb/stiff, head shakes, legs go wobbly, heart races/flutters. NHS24 said it’s panic attacks, I’ve been checked by cardiology for heart problems and had a normal ecg just three weeks ago but I’m absolutely terrified, I think I’m dying and can’t get it past my stupid brain that these are panic attacks . I’m alone in house and I don’t want to be I’ll alone, don’t know what to do.

If cardiology have checked you out then it would probably be best to speak to your GP for help with panic attacks.
Propranolol can be helpful and stops the racing heart, panic and feelings of terror.
Sorry you are suffering
Of course if you are really worried something is medically wrong now you do need to seek medical attention.

This track is proven to reduce heart rate and calm you. Could you lie back and play this and see if the panic passes?

www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/neuroscience-says-listening-to-this-one-song-reduces-anxiety-by-up-to-65-percent.html

It sounds like a panic attack and exactly what I have.

They're terrifying to the extent that every time the sun went behind a cloud and the room darkened, I thought it was me dying. I had to ask others, 'is it dark in here'?

They are bloody awful things and until you have, you don't know the fear, the conviction that you're dying. They come out of no-where, with no warning and they spoil life,

But you've been checked. You're ok. You are not going to die.

When you're having one, I probably am too and so are thousands of others. We are not dying. We are having a panic attack.

I've been taken off in an ambulance. I wanted a priest called for the last rites. I was convinced death was upon me, a feeling of doom. Heart racing, dizzy, clammy, breathless.

I had all the tests and you believe they're right but it's not so easy to whisk the fear away. I still get them but try to remember I've had them before, I'll have them again and I've never died or even fainted before.

If you're frightened tonight, do what @Whentheydontmeanwhattheysay has suggested. Keep your mobile with you-have 999 dialed in-you won't need it-but just knowing that one press of a button and help will be there can be a comfort.

Blessings to you.

@SailYourShips

It sounds like a panic attack and exactly what I have.

They're terrifying to the extent that every time the sun went behind a cloud and the room darkened, I thought it was me dying. I had to ask others, 'is it dark in here'?

They are bloody awful things and until you have, you don't know the fear, the conviction that you're dying. They come out of no-where, with no warning and they spoil life,

But you've been checked. You're ok. You are not going to die.

When you're having one, I probably am too and so are thousands of others. We are not dying. We are having a panic attack.

Thank you so, so much and so sorry I didn’t reply last night, I all but collapsed into bed once it stopped and I’d taken my bedtime meds early so flat out . I’m on uni placement today again and again absolutely terrified that another one is coming but hopefully not, I couldn’t cope with the embarrassment . Placement is in a GP surgery so that helps as it’s a safe enough place to be; but I’m so scared I’ll feel that way again, it’s absolutely terrifying and when it happens you feel like you have to scream at everyone around you and tell them all that you’re very ill, even if you know it’s just panic .

I can sympathise with the dark cloud thing too and ears ringing for me as well . It’s plagued me since childhood one way or another, fighting it is so hard . My lovely therapist who I finished with last week gave me lots of techniques to help but they’re hard to push back when they get a grip .

It sounds exactly like a panic attack (I've had maaaaany over the past 20 years).
I'd speak to your gp about anti anxiety meds xx

Panic attack
I’d put my house on it!

I don't know if this will help, but thought it was worth posting just in case - I used to get panic attacks similar to those you describe - and what I found helped me was to start singing something as loudly as I could. Somehow it regulates your breathing and gives your mind something else to do (remembering the words!), and the awful sensations recede.

I hope it gets better for you soon.

Keep trying with therapies : meds until you get this cracked. I suffered from debilitating panic attacks during my 20s (mine was that I was going mad) and I went through about 4 therapists til I clicked with the right one and the right therapy.

I was in a terrible place and from 30s onwards anxiety was not a feature of my life at all, I put it down to the cbt approach and work I put into it.

What was useful in the interim was to recognise the triggers and rather than avoiding it I started just thinking "bring it on" as I knew it could only last a certain length of time and then I'd be so exhausted I'd be able to get on with things. I find you can't stay in the flight or fright response constantly. May or may not work for you

I could have written your opening post..to the letter, back in 1991. I am still here. I went to my gp who was useless. I was lucky I came across a book called "self help for your nerves "by Dr claire weekes. ....she outlines a very simple but incredibly effective strategy. Please get a copy....I do not exaggerate when I say it completely changed my life. They are horrible, but you will get over them.