Worst night of my life

[mummyanxious]

I had the most awful night last night. I was lying awake worrying about my heart as its been really slow lately around 60bpm and doesn't get much higher even when I'm adjitated. My bp is really healthy again I feel it should be so much higher for a stressed person.
Anyway I started getting palpitations and stuff and felt dreadful. Knew I was having a panic attack but wasn't sure whether this time it was more. I got so bad I called 111 who were pretty much useless I have to say. I had to get a relative to come down. By the time they arrived I felt I was near passing out as I'd gone so light headed.

Anyway I calmed down and my relative left as it was very late. Felt tired so went back to bed. Was fine until I started getting a burning feeling in the top if my stomach and feeling overwhelmingly like I was going to vomit. Then these wierd sensations in my chest which made me feel like I was struggling to breath. Tried to remain calm but I was feeling hot and sweaty and all I could think was this time it is a heart attack, these are the symptoms they told me to phone back with.

Eventually I calmed down a bit and feel asleep for a couple of hours but then I woke again feeling nauseous.y chest is in a great amount of pain which I'm trying to reason with myself is from the over breathing.
But my chest feels like its burning inside.

I'm waiting for a dr callback so I can be seen. I'm so terrified but I'm still here 12 hours after the initial symptoms. Terrified doesn't cover it.

[CharlieM]

Mummy,

Sorry to hear you have had such a bad night. What you describe is all too familiar to me. Not so much while I am in bed, but during the day this happens to me a lot, particularly during the last week. I could be just sitting in front of TV, walking down the street or out socialising with people. My normal resting pulse is around 64, so a pulse of 60 is perfectly normal. I will suddenly start to feel a bit flushed and get a twinge in my chest. And away I go - panic, sweating and heart rate goes up to over 100. Belly breathing helps 90% of the time. On the odd occasion it doesn't, I try and follow the CBT advice and let the panic wash over me and tell myself that I have been here before and I'll be fine.

After a while, the feeling subside, but I am left shakey and wondering if the doctors have missed something.

Hope you are feeling a bit better now.

Charlie

[mummyanxious]

Thanks for your reply :) Trying to remain calm. My rational side wanted to kick in the whole time but these are all new symptoms to me, I've had panic before and never had most of these symptoms. Still really het up now. Worried that when I get to the dr they will find something this time. I'm only young, I don't want to leave my kids :(

[CharlieM]

In some ways, the fact symptoms change is a good thing. Changing symptoms is a classic sign of anxiety/panic. I have about 6 different symptoms, and usually get 2 or 3 of them at a time, but never all 6 together.

My GP has categorically told me that this points to anxiety. He said, that 1 or 2 constant symptoms would require further investigation. I have had my heart checked out because obviously doctors take chest pain seriously. All ok, so now that new symptoms have appeared he has diagnosed anxiety.

In order of frequency and intensity, my symptoms are :

1. Armpit and arm pain, tingling (left side).
2. Burning sensation in left side of neck and behind left shoulder blade.
3. Flushing in my head with prickly feeling.
4. Sweats.
5. Chest tightness.
6. Foggy head.

[mummyanxious]

It's great when you get reassurance isn't it. Hoping I get the ok, got an appointment in half an hour. Feeling very anxious again.

[CharlieM]

Good luck with appt. let us know how it goes :)

[mummyanxious]

Listened to my chest and heart and said I was fine. Apparently that is all is needed to decide I don't have any hearty problems :(

[owlkeeper]

Sounds like a horrible night indeed.. A good thing you went to the doctor for reassurance.. Hopefully this will help you sleep good tonight :hugs:

[pinhead]

I remember being hooked up to one of those machine that tell you have much oxygen is in your blood; like I am gasping for air and the nurse is like 'your oxygen levels are totally normal'. Then I sort of went 'oh' and the whole thing stopped. :blush: