joemc
04-09-12, 14:08
Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and thought I'd post a message talking about some experiences I've had and what I can do to free myself from anxiety/panic attacks.
For me my first full on panic attack was approximately a year ago. It was during a breakup from my 6 year girlfriend and I was abroad at a music festival. Basically I hadn't had much sleep, was worrying about everything back home. I first noticed my heart was racing, almost constantly. It all came to a climax when I was trying to get some sleep and felt a big thud near my chest/heart area. So I got a bit of a fright and my friends got a medic to come and check me over. My heart was absolutely pounding and they were quite concerned so sent for an ambulance. I was checked over in hospital and was told I was fine. It was difficult because I was in Serbia so the language barrier was a problem. After leaving hospital and for the rest of the trip I had some more panic attacks and some really awful experiences. Think I was borderline psychotic at times due to the complete lack of sleep.
After I got home it took me weeks to get over my experience and to get back to work etc. So I would say from last October until July this year I have felt fine and haven't experienced anything like when I was away, no panic attacks or chest tightness.
However, after quite a busy weekend in July this year - I had been out with friends on the Saturday, didn't get much sleep and then was with another friend on the Sunday, again without much sleep and alcohol. When I went into work on Monday I felt okay at first but then ended up having a panic attack. My heart went back to the racing way it was before (this time it wasn't as bad because I knew it was a panic attack and nothing more serious). So after the initial scare and eventually calming down I was sent home to recover. I felt okay the next day but a strange chest tightness feeling remained. It is this chest tightness I dislike the most. It isn't sore but just very uncomfortable and I am always aware of it.
I had one more panic about 2 weeks later, had been out on the Friday night and then was going out again on the Saturday. My friend and I went to the pub and just as we got in, I was at the bar then all of a sudden my heart started racing again and a panic attack ensued. Again this wasn't as bad as the first couple times but being left with the tight chest was annoying.
I have noticed that quite often now if I go out at the weekend, the day after I might not have a panic attack but the tight chest feeling is always present. I'd like to know exactly what is causing this chest tightness. And sometimes I have a weird twinge feeling in my chest. It startles me at first and feel like I need to stand up and end up clutching my chest. I never used to have any symptoms like this going on nights out, before my first panic attack experience and even afterwards.
So I don't understand why all of a sudden I seem to be always getting it. Is there anything I can do?
After my trip when I had my first panic attack I did get some counselling via my GP and it helped a little, I had been prescribed diazepam but I hated the feeling those gave me when I took one to stay calm. I don't want to have to be on any medication but really would like to get to the bottom of it. I guess the obvious thing would be that the anxiety attacks/symptoms only ever appear if I've been drinking, but why has it started now? I have been drinking since university days and never had any problems. Of course I know I should be drinking in moderation but sometimes you have too many by accident.
Does anyone else have similar experiences?
For me my first full on panic attack was approximately a year ago. It was during a breakup from my 6 year girlfriend and I was abroad at a music festival. Basically I hadn't had much sleep, was worrying about everything back home. I first noticed my heart was racing, almost constantly. It all came to a climax when I was trying to get some sleep and felt a big thud near my chest/heart area. So I got a bit of a fright and my friends got a medic to come and check me over. My heart was absolutely pounding and they were quite concerned so sent for an ambulance. I was checked over in hospital and was told I was fine. It was difficult because I was in Serbia so the language barrier was a problem. After leaving hospital and for the rest of the trip I had some more panic attacks and some really awful experiences. Think I was borderline psychotic at times due to the complete lack of sleep.
After I got home it took me weeks to get over my experience and to get back to work etc. So I would say from last October until July this year I have felt fine and haven't experienced anything like when I was away, no panic attacks or chest tightness.
However, after quite a busy weekend in July this year - I had been out with friends on the Saturday, didn't get much sleep and then was with another friend on the Sunday, again without much sleep and alcohol. When I went into work on Monday I felt okay at first but then ended up having a panic attack. My heart went back to the racing way it was before (this time it wasn't as bad because I knew it was a panic attack and nothing more serious). So after the initial scare and eventually calming down I was sent home to recover. I felt okay the next day but a strange chest tightness feeling remained. It is this chest tightness I dislike the most. It isn't sore but just very uncomfortable and I am always aware of it.
I had one more panic about 2 weeks later, had been out on the Friday night and then was going out again on the Saturday. My friend and I went to the pub and just as we got in, I was at the bar then all of a sudden my heart started racing again and a panic attack ensued. Again this wasn't as bad as the first couple times but being left with the tight chest was annoying.
I have noticed that quite often now if I go out at the weekend, the day after I might not have a panic attack but the tight chest feeling is always present. I'd like to know exactly what is causing this chest tightness. And sometimes I have a weird twinge feeling in my chest. It startles me at first and feel like I need to stand up and end up clutching my chest. I never used to have any symptoms like this going on nights out, before my first panic attack experience and even afterwards.
So I don't understand why all of a sudden I seem to be always getting it. Is there anything I can do?
After my trip when I had my first panic attack I did get some counselling via my GP and it helped a little, I had been prescribed diazepam but I hated the feeling those gave me when I took one to stay calm. I don't want to have to be on any medication but really would like to get to the bottom of it. I guess the obvious thing would be that the anxiety attacks/symptoms only ever appear if I've been drinking, but why has it started now? I have been drinking since university days and never had any problems. Of course I know I should be drinking in moderation but sometimes you have too many by accident.
Does anyone else have similar experiences?