What does a panic attack feel like?

[DontstepontheMomeRaths]

I had an awful episode in the car tonight, was blue lighted to hospital and the doctor thinks it was a panic attack. I've never had one and didn't think my symptoms matched one. I was so scared. I felt so ill and the DCs were in the car terrified.

Please explain to me what one feels like for you and what I can do if it happens again . I'm frightened to drive or leave house.

Glad you got an appointment. Don't be afraid to let it all out.

I probably will end up crying, I do tend to if somethings really upsetting/ worrying me

The doctor in the hospital felt the fact I was terrified and worried for my DCs if I'd been seriously ill and what would happen as a lone parent OTT

I can relate to that. I hate getting upset, I find it really embarrassing and usually ask people not to be too nice to me.

My heart has a dull ache today. I'm clearly more stressed than I thought. Managing to keep the full on terror effect at bay today so far. But it's always at the edge. So strange after being just fine until the sudden attack yesterday. My body is broken

It's really scary DontStep when it just creeps up on you out of nowhere.

The most important thing now is getting yourself some help so it doesn't eat you up and you can continue to be a fab parent to your children.

I found it hard to admit to myself I wasn't coping as well as I thought as I was always the one who helped everybody else. We all have our limits though. Be kind to yourself.

They are utterly horrible, I've had them on and off for years.

I can recommend a book called 'living with it' by Bev Aisbett, it's a great little book that explains panic attacks and I reread it when I start getting stressed as, for me, understanding the physical cycle helps me deal with them

I had a full on one at work a couple of months back. I felt a bit light headed as I was late getting some lunch and then just freaked out stood with my tray in the canteen. I had to be assisted to the medical room who diagnosed that I had high blood pressure and escorted me to A&E where I had an ECG etc. I was mortified. It can be a vicious circle I think as I went on to have others when very stressed. The minute I started to feel a bit odd it would come on. I had to get DH to stop the car driving on holiday as I was convinced I was having a heart attack. It is terrifying.

I have found that recognising it for what is helps enormously, deep breaths and something sweet - hot Tea with sugar etc and a sit down with a distraction til you calm down. I tried candy crush or checking FB. I am menopausal, had a couple of bereavements recently plus a very stressful time at work. It is your body telling you enough is enough I think.

I've just google peri menopausal symptoms and I have 95% of them. I found a list of 35 symptoms and thought oh my gosh yes yes I do that. Really hope GP can help. I was so scared.

Thank you for your support today.

Nerdle I'll get that book

I never like those FB posts that say things like 'depression and anxiety are not a weakness, they're a sign that you have been strong for too long,' but they're true. The people I see posting them tend to be the people who do the status updates then say they'll PM people the reason.

No I don't like those posts and I've had depression. But they're true as you say.

Good luck for your appointment today. Hope your GP is helpful.

My GP appointment's tomorrow not today. Lost track of what day it was. Silly me

Just hoping I'll be ok at work today.

Can you not have time off today just so you don't have that stress to worry about?

Is your job a factor In your stress levels?

I don't think so. It's fairly sedentary. I work in finance for a small business. It's dull quite frankly. But I've had a lot of time off for poorly kids and trying to make Summer childcare fit around work. So I can't really ask for more time off. Or my in tray will be over flowing.

I managed to drive today ok but I'm constantly thinking 'what if'

Well done on the drive in. Keep
busy, the day will pass in no time.

I had phone consultation with GP yesterday and today woke up with itching and slightly swollen face, puffy eyes and wheezy. Phoned pharmacist so as not to disturb GP to see if I can take antihistamine with other meds. She is concerned it may be a reaction so I have another phone consultation today. I'm dreading it, I feel such a time waster!! I even said to her yesterday that I have a fear of taking new meds in case of allergic reaction (I've had two to the main antiBs.) gah!!

Best of luck MomeRaths. I hope the GP comes up trumps .

Does anyone know if it's possible to have mild panic attacks almost continuously? I've spent the last week experiencing wave after wave of that 'rushy' feeling, coupled with lightheadedness and pain in various parts of my upper body. Is this anxiety or something else? They've eased up a bit now, but I'm still not feeling quite normal.

I'd say its stress/ anxiety, Masquerade. Sounds like all the right symptoms without the panic.

Thanks, fackinell. That was what I thought (and better than the alternative, quite frankly). Now I just need to develop some coping strategies .

Random, but I've found singing helps. Seems to help me focus on breathing but I do look a bit of a twat in the supermarket.

I'm now allergic to Omeprazole FFS. No wonder I have health anxiety, I'm allergic to bloody everything. I'm going to end up living in a bubble, aren't I?

The rushy feeling is adrenaline. Exercise helps, as do Epsom salt baths apparently and so does a bit of 'ow's yer father!!' IYKWIM

fackinell keeping busy definitely helps. How's your face now? Might have to try singing

masquerade that does sound quite similar to what I had. Do go and see your GP if it keeps happening.

Lol at how's your father!

portofino the GP said the same as you, recognising it for what it is helps.

Well the GP appointment I booked on the automated service was an error. When I turned up the doctor wasn't in. They could see I was booked in though, apologised profusely and slotted me into an emergency one later in the day. If I'd waited for the next routine one. I'd have had to wait until next week.

I did feel bad for taking up an emergency one though. As I'm not exactly at deaths door.

She booked me in for a blood test to check thyroid and FSH. She said even if it was due to being peri menopausal they try not to give hrt but treat the symptoms you have. Presumably as the side effects of hrt can be risky. Strokes and aneurysm run in my family. I only have a copper coil. I'm not a fan of hormones. Anyway I digress! After a long chat about it all she felt a low dose of anti depressants would help and often women with peri menopausal symptoms are prescribed ADs. I am irritable, I do have mood swings, my pmt is getting more extreme these days, I'm having trouble sleeping, lots of sudden tears lately etc. She felt it would smooth a lot of that out. It won't resolve the irregular periods, nor the night sweats but I'm taking vitamins to try and help there

Thank you for your support, I'm not sure I'd have gone without you lot encouraging me.

Oh well done, Don't!! I'm glad your Dr took it seriously, so many poopoo it. Do you feel better for it? I have my appointment on Friday.

My face is back to normal thank goodness but the asthma is back as is the itchy skin. I really don't know if it's psychosomatic or if I'm now allergic to the Zantac I'm taking but I really don't want to call out of hrs or my GP yet again. My DM is a nurse and said not to take it until I check. I'll leave it until Friday I think. I did ask for advice in chat but no replies.

Oh my goodness. I know it's a bit woo but have you ever tried homeopathy? My Auntie used to suffer dreadfully with allergies, she found it really helped.

Oh that's ok, I'm extremely woo

Not really, what did she try? I had Skye reflexology but that's about it. Wasn't keen on having my feet touched.