Feeling stupid, in A&E with ‘panic attacks’

[feelingsobloodystupid]

I’ve had before, been admitted before, waiting on an ultrasound of my heart to rule out heart problems. Under a MH team, waiting to see a psychiatrist, psychologist, support worker and care plan etc etc. Been told might get started on low dose antipsychotic.

Had an episode this morning, heart very irregular and fast, hearing goes funny (like underwater), legs went and collapsed to floor.

Told to go to A&E by crisis team, who have stuck me in a wee room on an admission ward. I feel so stupid, they’re just going to come round and say it’s anxiety again. They’ve done a heart tracing and blood tests. I’ve not eaten today, and not sure what’s happening.

I feel so bloody stupid and useless, I really hate me at times.

You deserve to be checked over, you are worthy of the resources and staff to check all is well, you have done the right thing.

I also suffer with anxiety and the above concerns are always whirring around my head when it starts to affect my physical health to the point I need help. Hope they find out what it is soon and that you can either get the support you need or to be on your way home soon.

Please go easy on yourself OP. 💐 So many of us have been through the same, with countless visits to A&E, and feeling like you should be able to get through it. But panic attacks make no sense. They are felt so completely by our bodies that it’s difficult to understand that it’s really what’s going on in our minds. Citalopram has worked wonders for me.

You’ve done the right thing going. My ‘panic attack’ that i went to the hospital for turned out to be a SCAD and heart attack.

hope you’re ok x

Oh OP, you are not stupid at all! Panic attacks are just as worthy of help as any other illness.

Take care

Mental stress will also cause physical stress. The crisis team told you to go to A and E so that is where you are supposed to go. This isn't your fault, it is an emergency just like someone with a broken leg, or diabetic crisis.

If it is "just" a panic attack then this visit will actually be helpful. If you go for CBT for panic then it will help you to have recently seen a medic who's ruled out heart problems.

HI OP, I started bad panic attacks after I got a diagnosis of high BP (a factor in my DF's death - didn't help that I got the diagnosis on the anniversary of his death). On one occasion paramedics took me to hospital where I was checked over. Apologised profusely when I was given a clean bill of health, at which doctor said they'd rather have someone in and tell them it was a false alarm than have someone not bother them and then have something genuinely wrong.

Thanks, I’m unsure what’s happening/if I’m just waiting to see a doctor.

It’s a horrible, horrible feeling, I wasn’t even that anxious - nurse I saw when I came in said it’s maybe low blood pressure, because of medication. I don’t know what it was but it’s a horrible feeling. Every time I’ve had one before I’ve ended up feeling really spaced out and sleepy afterwards too. Horrible.

Please please go easy on yourself.

watch your self talk. Be kind. It’s life. It happens.

can you nibble a biscuit or have a banana?

there are lots of good YouTube videos on anxiety. Maybe try and look.

so much love. Panic attacks are extremely hard to deal with.
xx

Can you ask anyone to be with you? If you’re a “vulnerable” patient which the hospital may feel is appropriate, you could ask for a friend or relative to wait with you. Do you think that would help perhaps?

I haven’t got anyone with me or anyone that could visit unfortunately, I wish I did. One of the nurses has just said she’ll get me a cup of tea and a sandwich. Hopefully I’ll get away home soon. I’m meant to be seeing my support worker tomorrow and then also seeing my MH team on Tuesday too; if I can get myself there.

I know it's not the same but a virtual handhold from me OP.

Sorry you don’t have anyone with you. I hope that by reading the messages on here, you will see that others are thinking of you.

I am yeah, it’s helping a lot . Nurse came back with a (amazing) tuna sandwich, jelly and cup of tea. Said a doctor will come and see me before too too long.

OP please go easy on yourself. I had a panic attack once and it was really scary. It best to geg checked out. As for not having anyone with you it is pants I know. Virtual hand hold from.Shropshire.

Vasovagal syncope doctor thinks which might have caused a panic attack, because I’d just come out of the shower a few mins before. Interestingly when I’ve had similar episodes before they’ve been when I’ve been eating or moving position.

They said my ECG is normal, just waiting to find out if I’ve got low magnesium or calcium, and going to check blood pressure lying and standing.

My husband had to call an ambulance when I had my 1st panic attack 🙃 it lasted for hrs and I thought I was having a heart attack. Not totally unfounded as I had an operation to close a hole in my heart when I was 19.
All my tests- ecg , blood pressure were fine. You're in the best place . 🫂 🤗

Doctor’s come back round said there is some minor abnormality in my ECG ‘but you’ve had it for ages and I’ve spoken to on call cardiology who think it’s just normal for you and not something we’d be panicking about.’

Of course all that does is set alarm bells off in my head.

But she did say once I get my blood test results back and they’ve checked my blood pressure I can hopefully go home.

That’s good, I hope you will feel reassured and be able to get home soon. Take care of yourself.

Have you ever looked at POTS and dysautonomia?
Also SVT (supra ventricular tachycardia)

It looks like what you are describing and neither if those would show anything once the ‘crisis’ is gone
Both are often misdiagnosed as anxiety….

It might be worth seeing a cardiologist (privately works better too….)

Btw neither if those are life threatening at all. More if a ‘nuisance’ as my cardiologist said.
But they can be controlled through medication!! Which is the amazing thing.

I had supra ventricular tachaecardia for years.

It was finally picked up when I was 'lucky' enough to get palpitations during a consultant appointment! Talk about good timing.

The consultant could clearly see that it wasn't a panic attack as I was completely calm, but with a heart rate of 180bpm!

Yes it’s very hard to pick up.

I even had a 24 hours monitor which pick up the 200bpm stuff but apparently that was normal, my heart was fine so there was no need to do anything
When I went private (several years later), they got similar results but they pinpointed what it was immediately….

I did this once. I felt like such a drainer. The reality is panic attacks are MAJOR. They are terrifying.

Be kind to yourself. 💓

Been there and done that, OP. Please be kind to yourself. Panic attacks are so horrible, scary and often come on with no warning and no external stressful stimuli. I’ve been on escitalopram for a while now (after last having it almost 20 years ago) and I wish I’d have gone back on it sooner. Already feeling so much more relaxed and in control. Wishing you well. 💐