HELP! Anxiety/panic attacks? ?

Question

Okay, the other night I was with my boyfriend and all of a sudden I became very fixated on my heart beat and I always tend to 'trip' myself out into thinking there's something wrong but last night, all of a sudden my heart started beating so fast that I thought it would burst and I felt all tingly and almost a burning sensation in my chest and the more I freaked myself out, the worse it got. My boyfriend tried to calm my breathing down telling me to relax and take very deep breaths and after a while of doing that, I managed to be somewhat okay but the entire night I had this 'heavy heart and chest' sorta feeling and it never went away until I fell asleep and woke up this morning. I had even felt this great deal of sadness come over me and I just remember the whole time, the feeling was that of someone trying to hold back the tears. What's going on? I honestly thought I was dying, having a heart attack, I was about to go to the hospital because I freaked out so bad. Can someone relate to what I'm saying? Had the same experience? Feelings? Hope someone can help me out. I hope it isn't anything more than panic attacks.

Answer 1

Oh, I totally understand. In April, I went to get fitted for contacts and out of no where, I felt nauseated and like i was about to pass out. I drank water, cut the visit short and went home. When I got home, my heart started racing, I tingled all over, went numb in my extremities and called my husband to come home. I dealt with it the rest of the night, but for the next 2 weeks, I was in and out of urgent care clinics, ER, and waking up with the dreadful feeling of having to get up and being sad. Finally I got to see my regular dr. and he ruled out some causes of panic attacks. first, he thought i had a mitral valve prolapse, since i fit the criteria and it's hereditary, but i tested negative. then, he thought maybe my thyroid was overactive, but it wasn't. Finally, we came to the conclusion i was suffering from anxiety. I got on Lexapro and xanax and after about 2 weeks, i started feeling better. i know you don't want to hear this, but that was nearly the worst month of my life. i occassionally had suicide thoughts, etc. i have gotten into counseling and thanks to these meds, i have my life back. i suggest you get in with your dr asap and find out the cause and if it is anxiety, get on an anti depressant. i sympathize with you and hope you get better.

Answer 2

Hey hun,

I've suffered from panic attacks since i was 11 so i completely know what you're going through. They got really bad when i started college, but since then iv been able to keep them under control.

Usually if you have had a big change in your life maybe, or sometimes you can just feel anxious or worried about something, it brings them on.

I did go on beta blockers a while back when they got really bad and these really helped. Kalms are also good to take when you're out and about or if you've got a busy day ahead, just take them in the morning for the day.

Bach Herbal remedies are also really good, iv always got my herbal spray on me. Theres plenty of things on the market now for panic attacks, its a really recognised condition.

If you feel you need help, just go to the doctors and he/she can prescribe you some tablets maybe to help keep you relaxed.

Through college i also saw a counsellor which helped.

Feeling the heaviness on your chest is a common part of panic attacks, sometimes i just get that feeling without actually having the panic attack if im just feeling worried about something.

If you feel a panic attack coming on, lie on your stomach because this is supposed to help. I also download meditation music onto my ipod and listen to it when i feel panicky and it really relaxes me. Talk to your boyfriend about it and im sure he will support you. I couldnt have done it without my fiancees support, and lately i havnt had one in about 3/4 months.

Good luck, hope i helped, message me if you need any more help!

Answer 3

Here's a technique that I learnt to help me get through my panic attacks quickly...

I simply repeat the words 'cream cake' over and over in my head as quickly as I can without stopping.    You could use any word or words you like really but that's what I chose (because I like cream cakes).  It apparently works because it doesn't give your brain time to process the panicky thoughts and so helps you to relax again.  Seems strange I know ... but it works for me!

There's also a free ebook that I found really useful called 'Get Rid of Panic and Anxiety for Good'. If you want to take a look you can find it at: http://curepanicattacks.premiergold.info...    Even though I got it for free it has helped me absolutely loads!

Answer 4

First of all know that you are not alone and you can get help.  Talk to your doctor about this, as there are many options to help you with this.  I have suffered in the past with anxiety and the recent round of Botox injections has caused them to increase to a paralyzing pace.  Although I am not one to take medication, I tried some herbal therapy at first, it is the only relief that I have for the next few months until the botox is out of my system.

Take care.