Short version - can panic attacks happen when you think you're relaxed?
I've been having episodes of faintness after a period of intense stress and a nasty virus.
I also have benign ectopic heartbeats which are disconcerting but cardiologist has assured me are safe.
After one particularly worrying faintness spell, a 111 call ended up with me being taken to A&E where I had a load of tests and was sent home with the assurance that all was okay but with a referral back to cardiology - that appointment is next month.
My BP was very high when the paramedics tested it, but came down and has been fine when tested at home.
They told me to go back to A&E if it happened again - it did, same result, lots of blood tests, ECG for several hours and told nothing detected, go home, carry on as normal including exercise.
But the faintness episodes have continued and are sometimes while I'm sitting down chatting to friends. I'm wondering if they're in fact panic attacks - but do panic attacks just come out of the blue like that when you feel you're otherwise relaxed?
The ectopic heartbeats have been more noticeable recently but they come on more if I'm tired, have had a virus or if I'm stressed - and obviously I'm stressed about the faintness episodes. I haven't actually passed out, but need to sit with my head between my legs.
Thanks for any advice, especially if you've had this yourself.
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General health
Do panic attacks happen when you feel relaxed?
Arethesepanic · 24/03/2024 08:59
Theothername · 24/03/2024 12:42
The term panic attack is really unhelpful because it makes it sound like hysteria.
I’ve been sat cuddling and reading stories with my dc, completely relaxed, and my heart just raced for a couple of seconds and I felt a terrible dread that just wasn’t connected to any other thought or anything in my environment.
My gp was completely dismissive of my suggestion that the feeling was caused by my heart racing rather than the other way round (and prescribed relaxation exercises) but I’ve had anxiety induced panic attacks in my twenties and this was something entirely different.
Boombatty · 24/03/2024 15:22
I've woken up in the middle of night with them so yes they can appear at random times! I've also had one when feeling really relaxed, watching a film and dozing off. It's really just a massive dump of adrenaline out of nowhere. For me it's linked to past trauma and ongoing stress.
Boombatty · 24/03/2024 15:22
I've woken up in the middle of night with them so yes they can appear at random times! I've also had one when feeling really relaxed, watching a film and dozing off. It's really just a massive dump of adrenaline out of nowhere. For me it's linked to past trauma and ongoing stress.
SpringingAlong · 26/03/2024 21:39
It might be worth reading up about chronic hyperventiltion. If you are already hyperventilting in a small way all the time then it can be very easy to tip over into being symptomatic. Doctors often don't think of chronic hyperventiltion. If they test your blood oxygen during an episode and it is 100% I think it would be worth asking them about chronic hyperventilation syndrome. Also try holding your breath. If you struggle to hold if for more than 25 seconds, that is a clue. Another good test is to think of something extremely stressful and see if your breathing markedly increases.
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