Panic attacks since parenthood

[x19sarah89x]

Hello,

About 3 years ago after my 1st child, after an uneventful day and not feeling strong feelings of stress I experienced what I intially thought was a heart attack. I rushed up to a&e with tingles down my left side, racing heart, feeling faint and a strong sense that death was imminent. After a series of tests it was confirmed there was nothing sinsiter and they thought it was a panic attack.

I have suffered from anxiety, been on and off sertraline for 10 years and had a course of CBT 6 years ago. I learn coping mechanisms, changed my job and haven't been on medication for a year now

Currently I have 2 kids under 4, 1 with chickenpox, a job which is not stressful but I am running life and planning a wedding in 3 months. If I was asked I wouldn't have said I felt mega stressed

Last night in bed I felt some chest tightness that I immediately started to worry about. I told my partner and I was up alot in the night worrying that I couldn't sleep which is not like me. The pain wasn't intense or very apparent so I wonder if I made it worse or convinced myself it was

This afternoon, I went out to the shops and felt very light headed and like I was going to faint. I went back to the car and could feel a sense of panic driving, my heart rate elevated, the feeling of choking in my throat came to the forefront. I walked in the door and nothing was stopping it, my heart felt like it was beating out my chest and I felt sick and dizzy and had this insane fear and feeling that again death was imminent. I did some breathing exercises and after 20 mins or so the intense feelings reduced but I still feel myself panicked about the chest.

Is this all a normal part of panic attacks? This is my 2nd in 3 years so nothing something I am used to and is very alien to me. Parenthood is stressful enough but this is a new element for me. I plan to visit my GP so although I am not looking or going to get medical advice, anyone who has experienced these will know how terrifying they can be and I don't know anyone in my circle who has experienced them so I almost suffering alone with it and just looking for a little extra reassurance and information

Hi OP, unfortunately you have described a classic panic attack and I can totally relate and empathise because I too suffer from them, have done since last September. Mine started in relation to a thyroid disorder brought on by stress. I have probably had about 5 major ones mixed in with smaller ones since then. They are utterly debilitating especially when you have small children, my son is only 3. The feeling that you are going to die are completely out of control is overwhelming. I have been on my hands and knees in the street with one of my more epic ones.

Unfortunately also, they have a tendency to creep up on you when you’re seemingly relaxed. I have had one whilst sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea. They strike at unpredictable times which makes them difficult to manage. Panic also breeds panic so a constant living in fear of one happening kind of brings on another. I take Sertraline daily at the moment which was prescribed to me to combat the debilitating panic which for me saved me. However I also had CBT and try to put the techniques into use.

Although you say you don’t feel stressed (I often think and say the same) planning a wedding and looking after 2 little one’s is tough graft! Perhaps subconsciously you have things on your mind and unfortunately it has manifested.

Panic attacks are one of those things I really
feel people simply cannot understand until they have experienced it. Bit like childbirth. You can explain it but until you experience it can’t understand the magnitude of it all.

Have you had all your vitamins checked?

Big hugs and solidarity!! Xx

I have had checks for thyroid and bloods before and all ok but I do I guess suffer from stress and anxiety and do the usual thing of just plouging on and managing thinking it is day to day life especially with kids.
I think both of mine have been on a high magnitude. Yesterday, I literally ran across the road the my neighbour who is a retired GP out of sheer fear of feeling it was the end as the choking feeling was so intense. Both my attacks have been what felt like the worst but I do think like you said panic breeds panic and it is hard to turn off tunnel vision and try to calm yourself down
It is comforting to hear someone else has experienced the same although sad that you have had to deal with that too.
I guess now in the aftermath, you still feel worried and concerned and anxiety creeps in that it will happen again
I plan to speak to my GP monday as with 3 months to a wedding on top of like as a parent of 2, I can't see things becoming less stressful and I really don't want to have to experience that again!🥺

Definitely reach out. I put it off but am so glad that I did. Oh gosh yeah the choking feeling is horrific x