Can anyone talk to me about panic attacks vs post viral issues?

[KatyMac]

Spoke to a GP recently and I want to sanity check myself

I had a positive covid test 18th October
Ill for 2-3 weeks - quite poorly

During and since them I have been having breathing difficulties, chest pain and a rapid heart beat - not all the time (& much less frequently now) & exhaustion my oxygen does drop - when I'll it was as low as 90 - now it is generally 96 dropping to 94 during an episode - it stays pretty stable outside of that at 96

Covid seems to have changed the way I breathe much more in my belly and when I get the pain/issues I do dynamic/yoga breathing - slow/steady/counted and I feel calm/spaced out - in pain but not distressed

I get shallow breathing when I exercise/do too much physically - so I try not to over exert myself

I have had panic attacks before (last year from anxiety and previously for other situations) but they have usually been with shallow rapid breathing and a sense of panic/doom/fear

So, is this just a new type of panic attack for me? Is it just post viral?

Do I need antidepressants

I would go with post-viral and do everything you can to support yourself as you recover from Covid - soothing pursuits, gentler breathing focused on the long slow outbreath to calm the parasympathetic nervous system, comforting clothes, company, and activities, gut-nourishing foods to enhance immunity and increase serotonin. And maybe talk to a different GP.

Really, nobody should be giving out medical advice online to individuals. Your GP is the best person to keep talking to.

But yes, it could absolutely be a new way of your body expressing panic. The mind and body are very closely linked and if you are finding that doing the slow steady breathing is calming your symptoms then that is the key thing to keep doing really. It takes time for your system to learn it's safe again so take small steps with building back up. Have a read of The Body Keeps the Score or 'They Can't Find Anything Wrong,' by Dave Clarke if you want more guidance. Both are really excellent and show you just how many symptoms can be calmed down through psychological techniques.

It sounds like post-Covid problems to me.
However, as pp have said, it's best to get a telephone apt with your GP and take it through with them. They will be able to advise you if you need further tests and whether it is Covid or anxiety related.

Btw, GPs are seeing a lot of people with anxiety and post-Covid issues at the moment so they really are very experienced and knowledgeable.

I was depressed/anxious last year and approached the GP for antidepressants as it was obvious (to me and everyone close to me) that they were needed.

I honestly don’t think this is anxiety; I could be wrong but I think (as I have CFS & FM) post viral is more likely

But I often over analyse things

Oh hell I am confused!

I also had covid back in October and was quite poorly for a couple of weeks. Since then I’ve had really similar symptoms - chest pain, racing heartbeat, breathlessness, fatigue. I actually said to my husband that it feels a bit like I’m having a panic attack but I’m not anxious at all! My GP reckoned all common post-viral symptoms and said he has seen this a lot with covid. Definitely best to keep checking in with your GP too but sounds very similar. Nasty virus! Hope you’re feeling better soon 🙂

@Alwaysanewyorker finding someone the sme is a bit of a relief!

I've been advised to postpone my booster, how about you? & are you working?

I asked about postponing my booster too but was advised to go ahead. Wondering whether to wait a few more weeks though as I had quite a strong reaction to the first two jabs and don’t really fancy that again at the moment!

The chest pain and fluttery heartbeat have definitely eased off a bit over the last week or two, fatigue is the main symptom now. The only thing that’s really helped is lots of rest. If I overdo things then the symptoms sort of flare up again. I seem to be able to do a bit more each week though. Back at work but on reduced hours which has helped. Really hoping more rest over Christmas will do the trick!

Hoping your symptoms improve soon. Feet up and lots of rest when you can!

I'm waiting until after christmas; I had a strong reaction too

I was positive on 18th are we at the same stage?

I qas very poorly for about 3 weeks