gorilla Panic

[Kev1983]

The panic attacks I suffer (1-4 a week) usually start with me feeling that I'm struggling to breathe in (I have seemingly felt ok before this point). And it is that lack of breath sensation(?) that kicks-off the intense panic: (hyperventilating, pounding heart, chest pain, dizziness, shaking etc). I'm 30 years old and this just started happening 4 weeks ago and since that first panic attack I have felt tense everyday (every minute!). Seeing my doctor this evening, hope he can help as I don't think I can handle feeling like this for much longer. Reading other peoples experiences and tips on dealing with it has helped calm me down or ease the intensity of some of the attacks but still feeling constantly on edge. I would really appreciate anyone's advice especially if anyone's attacks are triggered by suddenly struggling to breathe in and if it turned out to be a separate medical issue incidental to the panic attacks. Many thanks, Kev.

[SarahH]

:welcome:...sounds like a VERY common symptom of anxiety... and yes it sucks. Try looking at the left hand column which will give you lots of explanations about why you are feeling like you are.

Sarah

[ohwell123]

hi does any kind of negative thought pattern come before the panic attack ?

[Kev1983]

Sometimes I might feel a little stressed or anxious (nothing excessive) and it snowballs with negative thought patterns, i.e. a pain in my leg is simply that and before I know it I've definitely got DVT, that kind of thing. I'm quite a logical person but there's increasingly that side of my mind that makes something out of what most people don't give a second thought to and I don't know why . . .

[cloudbusting]

Hiya Kev and welcome

You have sensitized nerves at present and so every little sensation you are feeling in your body is amplified, the same with your thoughts. You are on edge as the panic attack you experienced scared you - of course - they are scary things ! You are afraid of the feelings occurring again and so you are in fear of fear, this keeps your anxiety at a low level in the background.

Get checked out by your Dr as it's the wise thing to do and if that all checks out OK then ask to be referred for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

SarahH gave you good advice to look at the symptoms list to the left here - try not to Google your symptoms outside of this site as there is a lot of dodgy advice out there.

All the best, Kev - ask on here anytime if you have more questions.

Lisa x

[Kev1983]

Thank you, I really appreciate the advice, it all helps me deal with this. I saw my GP last night and he prescribed Propanolol (80mg) and advised regular exercise to help release tension. He was quick to dismiss there is any underlying medical issue regarding any heart problems based on age/ history/ blood pressure/ o2 levels so hopefully with his medical opinion and support here it will allay any irrational fears I have about my health. I've always been one of life's worriers and it's probably starting to catch-up with me. Thanks again. Kev.
Furthermore, I have left a message with single point of access which I believe offer CBT and other therapies, my GP gave me their number and said that it will help.

[mummyanxious]

I read a really good book on hyperventilation by dinah Bradley recently (saw someone on here mention it). It's a really good read. Got it off amazon

[Kev1983]

Hi all, can't shake it off today, no attacks just feeling short of breath which kind of makes me feel claustrophobic and on the brink of panic but think the propanolol stopping it from getting to that point. I honestly don't know what has triggerd it as I was just working away and suddenly felt I couldn't breathe without it being a slight struggle. Hope it stops before I leave work as it puts me off wanting to drive when I keep feeling that dread/ sinking feeling. I'm waiting for CBT appointment(s) to come though - hope it works!!! Thank you - hope you're all having a better day =)

[ohwell123]

hi when in a high state of anxiety although you don't mean too you can add huge amounts of fuel to the anxiety fire

if you do any of the following gulping air or panic breathing etc this can lead to things like a mild headache chest discomfort and indigestion problems etc etc leading to more worry

grinding your teeth can cause a host of other symptoms too

but these other symptoms may not happen there and then if that makes sense id been grinding my teeth then a day later had the horriblest nerve feeling down the side of my face but it was because id been grinding my teeth for days lol

the list is just endless and the best part is theres nothing actually "clinically wrong" with us sufferers

tk care
kris

[Kev1983]

I need to try and be more positive as the anxiety is constant now and becoming debilitating, ie sit in toilet at work too often if I feel an attack is on it's way, not wanting to socialise with family n friends as can't enjoy it anyway. I keep trying to fight it but this all started intensely a few weeks ago, before that I felt relatively good, so it's all new to me; all my life this wasn't there and now it's constantly there and I'm struggling now. Part of me hopes I just get used to it or be "cured" of it altogether and hopefully come through it stronger or just to feel "normal" again. Hope this is understandable (written during a mild attack). Thanks, Kev ��[COLOR="blue"]

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[Lilharry]

Hey Kev - was there anything that happened before you started feeling like this? Did you get sick and go on antibiotics by any chance? I have found that diet and lifestyle changes have helped me a lot, but also learning that gut bacteria and our digestive systems have a huge impact on the way we feel was a real eye opener to me. I'm largely anxiety free now that I've been working on getting my digestive system back in order. Maybe start by adding some probiotics to your diet and cut back on sugar and wheat.

[MyNameIsTerry]

[QUOTE=Kev1983;1304677]the anxiety is constant now and becoming debilitating, ie sit in toilet at work too often if I feel an attack is on it's way, QUOTE]

I've been there Kev. It got more often and longer in the toilet.

What I did at the time is try to concentrate on my breathing, counted back from say 100 (and several times over as it got worse) and practiced some accurpressure for the nausea (which did help). It went further than this and I just decided I couldn't be there like that.

I would see your GP, try the CBT, start now on relxation methods such as Calming Technique and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) because they will likely give you them anyway. I would also advise Mindfulness meditation as it's a powerful recovery tool and whilst it does take time to learn (so don't give up, I found changes just happened in my attitude) it can help to relax you earlier on.