Sudden onset panic attacks; scared to death!!!

[pegetto]

Hi Everyone,

I am 30, married, and a mom of 2 ages 13 and 8.  I have been a stay-at-home mom for quite a few years now.  My story really sounds so similar to that of many others.  These panic attacks just came out of the blue, but scared me so bad that now the last couple of weeks they have been constantly recurring.  I've been to the ER 3 times, and my PCP yesterday, all telling me anxiety.  Of course, I've gone through agonizing hell the last 2 weeks believing that they've missed something, that I have some fatal disease, and I'm going to drop dead any minute. 

When I tell you this has been the most awful past week of my life, I mean it, and I know all of you can perfectly relate.  I mean, (in the past) I've held my son while he had a seizure in my arms, and I've had a man die in my arms while I was alone, and even those events did not evoke the horror in me that these present panic attacks and anxiety are evoking.  It has been horrid.

I called the mental health emergency line twice over the past weekend to help me through it because I couldn't get in to a PCP or Psych right away, and I honestly was ready to 201 myself because I thought my body couldn't physically take anymore.  Alas, though, I am still here, and saw my PCP yesterday who started me on 5mg of lexipro and I've been taking a 1/2 of 2mg valium once, sometimes twice a day for the last week which helps a good bit.  I started the lexipro today, so we'll see what happens.  I got the valium from my cousin, who is a social worker and her husband has severe anxiety.  I hated to take them not being under a Dr.'s care at the time, but couldn't get in anywhere, and trusted her advice that they wouldn't hurt me.  I took a leap against my usual principals, but they did help.

My symptoms have been one severe burst of adrenaline, which was the with pounding heart and everything starting to go black, extreme "needles" feeling going through my body and heat, lasted about a minute, and that was the onset.  It happened on Veteran's day.  Since, it has been I guess typical panic attacks which turned into sudden fast heart rate, bursts of heat, palpitations, and tightness in chest.  All which have been checked 3 times in the ER and told I really am fine.  The last 3 days now, especially today, I have had the brain fog and dizziness which now that I got over my fear of heart attack, the dizziness is terrifying me.  I also went through 4  horrible nights of being afraid to fall asleep and when my body would start to get close to sleep I would jump awake feeling as though I might have been dying.  It has been ridiculous!!!

I hope I am not on a long journey getting through this as I am actively seeking behavioral therapy and working closely with a wonderful PCP.

My heart and love go out to all of you suffering through this, and thank you for being here, and I hope to return the favor to all of you.

[sixpack]

hi pegetto

panics can be quite scary.  A lot of folks end up in the ER fearing the worst.  As scary as they may be, they can't kill you.  It seems you need to find some ways to ease these panics and it sounds like you are taking a few steps in the right direction.

 
Here are some suggestions--and I've posted this a few times  on what you can do to help you in your recovery

1. Therapy---meds if you and your doctor feel it is appropriate---everybody is different on this issue.  Remember that meds aren't a cure but a help.
2. self-help books--lots of good stuff out there these days ---Claire Weekes has good books out there that explain how it all works--Hope and Help for Your Nerves .  I read The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck many years ago.  He speaks to people in a variety of ways.  He has a few other books too.   
3.  Exercise---even if you don't want to.  At first you are likely to feel miserable and panicky feelings are likely to bubble up OR rush at you.  It is BEASTY (your anxious overthinking) causing this.  But do it anyway.
4.  Eat a healthy diet.  This helps on all kinds areas of your life.
5.  Forums often have helpful advice.
6.  Hobbies--anything that completely immerses you in it and keeps you occupied.  This helps because eventually you'll get snippets of time when you feel good.  These are teaching moments because then you know it is obsessions/anxiety mucking with you.  After a while those snippets turn to hours then days etc.
7.  Don't pity yourself.  You can have a happy life.   As we experience life, we change.  Having any form of anxiety will impact your life just like all life experiences do.  But that isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Even once you are on the road to recovery, you will have a 'new' normal but that doesn't mean you aren't happy and fulfilled.


Welcome aboard.

[pegetto]

Thanks, sixpack!  I actually have the Road Less Travelled, haven't read it yet, but didn't know it was a book that could help anxiety sufferers.  I am definitely going to get the other book you mentioned...I have seen it mentioned on these forums numerous times already.

Of course I will be updated and sharing my progress experience.

[sixpack]

i don't think it is an anxiety book perse but it addresses life issues that could aid and abett anxiety. 

[tigerpaw]

I know you will find lots of support here. Let me remind you you can access the Chat Room, and talk live to some of us here!  A great resource for you. Also you can post your favorite picture in the Members Gallery. Lots to do here~