Panic attack!!!

[lumpylumps]

I think I've just had a panic attack! Does anyone have any experience of them??
Please don't laugh at this! I went to bed feeling sick, was convinced I had a bug. This lasted about 15 mins then it felt like my heart was adding an extra beat. This was obviously then going to cause a heart attack & suprise suprise the chest tightness and aching arm started! I felt horrible, shakey & the most horrendous feeling of dread. I've ended up having a bath & am now sat catching up on wild at heart. I feel loads better but daren't go to bed incase it comes back! It was awful, I often get feelings of dread and worry about things beyond my control but this was on a complete different level. Its really scared me.

4 years of them here
Breathe in, hold it for a second breathe out
Distract yourself. I say to myself "ooh hello panic!" and carry on with whatever I was doing
For me tiredness and low blood sugar makes it a lot worse

Lumpylumps have you had PAs before? If not you should really get checked out.

brighthair I get PAs or did. I've been on meds for mine but recently came off it. I find if I'm hungry they get triggered plus pre-menstrally. Tiredness too like yourself.

Yes, lots of them.

Breathe. In through the nose for a count of four, hold for four, out through the mouth for six.

What you describe sounds almost exactly what I experience. You're probably unable to sleep because of the adrenaline, I find a warm drink and some light reading helps.

Do you suffer from them regularly? Have you talked to your GP?

Oh, sorry I didn't read properly.

Yes, you should get checked out. Always ask a doctor about new symptoms.

I get them too. I haven't had a full on one (heart racing, tingly arms etc) for ages - touch wood - but for last couple of days have had that extra beat sensation - I am about to get my period so that's probably why. Feeling anxious, which is why I am still up!!!

It took me a few panic attacks to realise that the feeling of terror didn't mean I was going to die. I know I have to breath it out and I am still practising that bit.

You should visit your GP to get checked over.

Thanks everyone. I managed to sleep in the end but still feel a bit shakey. They used to be quite regular in the early stages of pregnancy although very mild, and I wouldn't have said they were panic attacks but I guess they were. That was one of the ways I knew I was pregnant with ds2 because they came back. I have just come off the contraceptive injection so wondered if hormones were maybe playing a part! (I'm not pregnant!)

Yes could be hormones? Maybe give your surgery a ring or nhs direct? Just to be on the safe side.