Panic attacks and travelling

[icantdothistooscared]

I’m half an hour through a four hour bus journey . Need to make it as have a hospital appt tomorrow at the other end for investigations to rule out cancer . It’s a colonoscopy so have had to fast from 9am today and hardly eaten since Thursday - I’m starving, and had diarrhoea all night (without the prep, that’s tonight’s job!)

I don’t cope well with travel or hospitals, I’m extremely anxious, I’m autistic, PTSD, really bloody tired and keep feeling in going into panic attacks (which make me feel like I’m dying) and getting palpitations and on a crowded bus that’s a nightmare .

I’ve got MN, flavoured water, magazine, and a phone/iPad … how can I make the next 24 hours (this and hospital) manageable? I’ve a relative meeting me after appt, and hospital aware of PTSD and said it’s an all female staff but I’m so bloody scared . I don’t want to lose it on this bus in front of everyone .

I’m extremely claustrophobic and can find travelling stressful but have to commute regularly for work. I find podcasts very relaxing, I like Mark Kermode for movies or This American Life for stories. Also menthol lozenges really help for some reason. Good luck with the journey x

Have you got music/ podcasts/ films/ mindless games on your phone? Something to watch or listen to might distract you. I also have games that need concentration so I am not thinking about whatever is inducing panic, just about the next move in the game. There might be podcasts or something you can download specifically to talk you through the panic and keep you calm so it doesn't escalate so much.

Also, good luck with the journey and the appointment.