Face mask, panic attack?

[DonutDolittle]

3 days ago I had to take ds for a hospital appointment, we used the masks there and this is the first time I've worn one. About an hour into the appointment I started having chest pains and ended up in their A+E department with a crushing feeling in my chest, a fever of 39, clammy and vomitting. Tests done, no heart issues, nothing on chest x-ray, fever went down after 3 hours and my CV test has come through negative. I was sent home and told to talk to my doctor. I feel completely fine now.

Everything got better once I started vomitting and took off my mask. Could this have been a panic attack? I've never had one before and the idea of putting a mask on now causes my heart to race and gives me butterflies. What would have caused this?

What were your emotions? Panic attacks are rarely just physical. There is usually a feeling of intense fear that something horrific is about to happen.

Where was the mask from? Could there be some coating on it that you are allergic to?
Try making your own mask from some plain cotton washed in your usual washing powder and well rinsed. You can smear a small amount of Vicks, mentholatum, tiger balm or olbas oil on the outside to help you breathe (not inside as that can burn the skin.)

I felt very uneasy, but I thought I was having a heart attack so that's not too surprising I guess! No weird feeling before putting it on at all. The mask was the blue ones the hospital have, I'll have to have a look at the fabrics on them. I might buy some masks and try and put them on at home but I'm honestly petrified of dying if I do!

I'll try my own mask too, that's a good idea

I've had panic attacks at swimming pools. The combination of warm, humid air and sensory overload from closed in cubicals and the echo of hard surfaces is too mucb for me.

I don't cope well with warm, humid recyled air. I would struggle with a mask. Even the sight of them doing that vile sucky in-out thing as the wearer breathes is stomach churning. They look suffocating.

A panic attack is entirely plausible.

I don't cope well with warm, humid recyled air

Me neither This has contributed to my decision to try and go grey gracefully.

Its also the perfect breeding ground for impetigo . The bacteria thrives in warm humid weather.

I have claustrophobia and wearing a mask causes a panic attack, similar to the symptoms you describe. So it is plausible.
Even just thinking of putting something directly over my nose and mouth brings me out in a cold sweat.

Seems to be a panic thing, I tried 2 other coverings and the same happened. How strange!

@DonutDolittle - try making one out of really thin silk - the translucent kind that Accessorize make scarves out of. That's almost like wearing nothing but fulfils the rules if you are on public transport or anywhere else you need a mask.

They make me panic too. I can hear my breathing getting heavier and heavier and rushing in my ears. Then my glasses steam up and I have to leave the shop.

Thank you monkey

I've arranged for my mum to take DC to further appointments and cancelled mine until I sort this out. Luckily I drive so can still access most things but I wouldn't want to be challenged at the hospital until I can stop this happening. I've always had an issue with scarfs so it's possibly linked to that as they always give me a suffocation feeling. Even seeing people wearing a scarf makes me feel strangled! It's never been a panic attack response though, that was bloody scary!

I sometimes get panic attacks (not from masks though) and I have a function on my Fitbit which helps me slow down/ regulate my breathing. I'm sure I've seen similar apps for iphone/ android - might be worth investigating?