To think this isn't panic attacks?

[mallap345]

I don't know what's wrong with me.
The last few days my problems are back.
10-15 minutes before I leave the house my heart starts skipping beat after beat and I begin to have a hot sweat..I leave the house and feel like i need to run to where I'm going,I'm sweating and my heart is racing and skipping beat after beat.
Then I get here and 5-10 minutes it just stops.
Yesterday was the same and I had 7 hours in my grans fine ..5 mins before I was due to leave it started again.
This morning I woke up terrified because I knew it was going to happen,my hands were icy cold and I felt sick,I was shaking and then bang the skipped beats began and I was sweating.
This can't be panic attacks can it?
I've never heard of people getting skipped beats with panic attacks.
When this starts I need to run or go somewhere but I don't know where,I start screaming and crying sometimes too.
I hate it.

Yes, this sounds exactly like anxiety. You've had a plethora of tests and they've come back saying you're ok - it's the health anxiety telling you you're not.

When I was very ill a few years ago I used to walk for hours - I couldn't sit still, I felt claustrophobic in the house, and walking outside calmed down the feeling of needing to run away. I often woke up in the middle of a panic attack, which is utterly terrifying as you feel like you're dying before you're even fully conscious. I had the feeling of a lump in my throat, strange tingles and pins and needles, palpatations, so many symptoms I can't even remember them all - all anxiety-related. The brain is a very powerful thing. They've all gone away now I'm better.

You need to talk to a trained professional. It sounds like your family aren't supportive, which is a shame but there are people out there who can help. Go to your GP, and if you can possibly afford it look into private therapy now - NHS waiting lists are long.

I would also suggest trying a very low dose of beta blockers again - they helped me hugely. They did make me tired at first but that eased as I got used to them. However, they gave me very dry eyes which scared me (health anxiety), so I only took half a tablet in the morning and a whole one night (with the agreement of my GP), which stopped the dry eyes effect. They should help to stop the cycle of your body's reaction to adrenaline.

Skipped beats with panic attacks is very very common.

I'm waiting for my therapy but I just have this feeling that the doctors are missing something.

This is a classic facet of health anxiety.

I remember your last thread, I hope you get help and support soon.

I just feel like such a lost cause.
I feel like a failure to my family that they have me for a daughter who is like this.
They deserve better tbh.
My dad has said to me lots of times..look at George with a normal daughter and I've got you.
Things like that make my anxiety even worse because it makes me feel like a useless person.
I get told I'm weak and I guess I am but I just want to be normal.

No. Please don't think like that. Nobody is a lost cause. You haven't found the right combination of meds and psychological support. Yet. Keep trying.

Thankyou :-)

How did propanalol make you feel awful? It sounds like it would be a perfect medication for what you are describing and I haven’t heard of many side effects from it

It made me feel spaced out and sickly.
When I was walking my legs felt really heavy.
I just didn't feel good at all.

Are you on any of the Health Anxiety websites on Facebook, there are a few on there.

I used to suffer from panic attacks like the ones you describe, it became self fulfilling because the more scared I became of dying from a heart attack the more panic attacks I suffered from.

Ironically it was depression that sorted them out - as soon as I stopped being bothered about whether I was alive or dead the panic attacks subsided...not that I'd recommend that of course! But just illustrating how much of a vicious circle it can be. I still suffer from anxiety now and get palpitations when stressed but counselling is helping. I hope you find something that works for you, it's so horrible going to bed each night feeling terrified

I tried three different anti anxiety meds before I found the one that was right for me (duloxetine) I think you need to go back to GP and say you want to try some different meds. You do have to give each one about three weeks though to get over the initial symptoms and see if they settled down.

Before I would have that same feeling of the floor dropping away. I remember having to hold onto the furniture to be able to leave my office. Things can improve OP.

I'm not no,Thankyou I will take a look on Facebook now.

That sounds very much like me ..it's almost like I've associated the outside with panic.
So now when I know it's time to go outside my body goes into overdrive.

How did propanalol make you feel awful? It sounds like it would be a perfect medication for what you are describing and I haven’t heard of many side effects from it

Propranolol is a beta blocker - it blocks the effects of adrenaline - the result of which is to lower blood pressure. They’re used to reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. If your BP is normal you can end up with low blood pressure with all the associated symptoms.

Long term use is also linked to higher than average incidence of diabetes.

Oh OP you are NOT a lost cause- ignore your families comments. There is clearly an anxiety issue here- have you asked your GP for CBT for anxiety/health anxiety? In some areas you can self refer for these services.
In some regards when something feels so terrible that it simply must be more than 'just' anxiety, that is a natural train of thought- but that doesn't allow for how debilitating anxiety can feel and how many worrying physical symptoms it causes.

Did you try the medications for a decent period of time ( several months) before abandoning them? As others have mentioned medication is tricky to get the right balance of, and a lot of anti anxiety of mental health based medicines can cause unpleasant side effects ( which is normal sadly) or worsening in the initial stages before levelling out. Is it possible your anxiety over health related issues made taking the tablets something you associate with 'feeling awful' and it has become a self fulfilling prophecy?

I take a variety of medication for a physical illness and i can attest that most medications come with side effects. I always worry before starting one that i will feel worse but you need to rationalise that if you do, nothing is going to 'happen', you will not die, you can stop taking it if the side effects are really unbearable but it is worth keeping an eye at the end goal, which in your case is trying to get your life back to a place where anxiety is not ruling over every day.

Do you have supportive friends? Your family need reminding that anxiety is a very real ailment.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

Above are some numbers and links you could consider having a look at if you felt like it OP, there is help available and you are so obviously not a lost cause. I also agree that there could be an agoraphobic element to this- home will start to feel a 'safe place' if you are unwell or go out and feel worse, that doesn't mean that it is where you need to remain to fend of a panic attack because actually, you CAN take control of panic attacks rather than work your life around them. The brain is a wonderful thing, it just needs time to unform automatic habits and reform positive ones. It's no reflection on your ability to cope as a person, and you sound like you are trying your best but merely struggling.

I referred In June for cbt and I'm on the waiting list ..think it's around 16 weeks long so I'm hoping soon I will be near the top for help.
I tried the medication for about 6 weeks but it was just making me worse.
I'm going to try to go into town this week,because I can't become a prisoner.
I don't know how il manage but I have to try.

Been fine all day ..5 mins before leaving to go to my dads it starts ..sweating and missed beat after beat.
Get to my dads and I can't stop shaking.
I get in and he starts huffing and puffing saying he is sick of this ..I start crying and ask him not to say that because it's making me worse ..still he continues ..my heart is going crazy at this point and beating so fast ..my hands and face are sweating ..he starts shouting at me ,saying he's done with me and I need locking up,panic attack (if that's what it is ) is now out of control ..I'm pacing the floor and crying.
It's calming down now and my hearts returning back to normal (took about 5-10 mins )
I'm sick of my life

Now it's calmed down my dad has said he wants nothing to do with me for my ridiculous behaviour I've just behaved like.
I need locking up apparently.
He's never had a panic attack in his life,he has no idea what this doing to me.

Oh you poor thing, what you are going through are the classic symptoms of anxiety/panic attacks.

When they come on, deep breathing really helps as you are probably hyperventilating with the panic. Just breath in deeply and blow the breath out through pursed lips. Concentrate, in for four hold for two out for four (seconds). If you don't have a paper bag nearby use a scarf, teatowel, a tissue or even your cupped hands loosely over your mouth. It really does help.

I've been there and am still getting the odd attack, but I know it will pass. It is one of the most unpleasant experiences, and only those who have had it/have it really understand.

I have to say this gently though, I think you need to keep a bit of distance from Dad for a while. Just phone him up and keep contact that way. Going to visit him is not helping you in any way judging by your description of his reaction to your attacks.

Wishing you the best.

I would definitely say they are panic attacks/anxiety following my bout earlier this year. Convinced I had heart problems because of similar to you. It took a dr to talk me down from the ‘I’m going to die’ train. It was absolutely awful and not what I had previously experienced as a panic attack

Hey! Joining the chat here.
Started getting BAD panic attacks a few weeks ago, it started with 1, now I’m having about 4-5 per day and I’ve been put on propranolol and anti depressants all for the panic attacks.
I am also having CBT (cognitive bahavioral therapy) which is meant to be really helpful.
In your panic attack opinions, is it normal to feel permanently on the edge of a panic attack? Suffering pretty bad at the moment! Feeling constantly dazed, out of it, feel constantly out of breathe and my heart just feels permanently too fast or too slow depending on the tablets.
In desperate need of reassurance!
Feeling like I’m about to die 😣😣

@Bethwilde it's not normal to feel permanently on the edge of a panic attack in that you shouldn't be feeling that way, but in my own personal experience it's self-fulfilling so the more you feel on edge the more likely it is to happen. I found that AD's actually caused me to have palpitations so went down the counselling route which helped eventually. It's taken a while though. Hope you find the CBT useful

Thanks for your message! Been doctors about an hour ago, and I'm being tested for thyroid and a few other things.
My heart is just permanently racing or I think it is but my heart beat was only 90 when I went to the doctors.
Did any of you really lose your appetite?
I just feel extremely fidgety and I struggle sit or stand still as I get out of breathe and feel funny.

OP I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. I understand a little in that I thought I was suffering from anxiety until a couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed as having an overactive thyroid and that is what’s making my heart hammer.

I don’t know if it helps put your mind at ease, but my resting heart rate when measured at the doctor was over 130. So - whilst I do totally understand it feels awful to be so conscious of your heart thumping away in your chest - 90 isn’t cause for concern i don’t think. It’s not your resting heart rate which is the concern, it is these panic attacks. And I am so sorry you are having them. I hope you get treatment soon.