robmich
26-02-06, 12:33
As a 47 year old I experienced my first panic attack in December 2005. At the time I woke up at 4am with palpitations of the heart and tingling in the fingers of the right hand.
Not knowing what it was I went straight to hospital ( in Stoke where I live) as I thought this was the end ! After tests I was admitted for further tests as an ecg highlighted a defect in my heart which could have been present for years or was the cause of my symptoms. I was in hospital for 2 days and came out feeling worse quite simply because I was not told anything definite. I had more blood taken out of me than dracula would have taken, more ecgs etc but was not told anything as to the cause. What made it worse was that due to a shortage of beds was in a ward which quite simply was a step from life to death as during my time in hospital 3 people died - I just wanted to get out.
I was released from hospital with the only comfort being that I was to see a cardiologist professor as an outpatient. But as I did not know what had caused my attack, at the back of my mind was 'I am going to die from an heart attack'. Your mind then thinks about what you want to do before you leave this planet - would I be here to see my daughter get married in August and would I ever see Birmingham City win the FA cup !! Forgetting the latter, as I would have to live to be 200 !, I tried to be positive, but my mind went back to my time in hospital and the images of people being 'wheeled away in tin coffins and this obviously affected me.
I should point out that I do not smoke, never have, drink less than one unit of alcohol per week, have no family history of heart problems, no personal / finance problems. I am also the most 'laid back' person you could meet - my wife tells me that I am so laid back I am horizontal!!
2 days later I went to see my GP, purely to try to find out what could have caused my attack. Unfortunately I had to see a 'locum' who did not care about what I had to say, told me not to worry, go away and think positive.
The following day I went to Glasgow for a meeting. During the meeting I felt my chest tighten, became breathless and thought again this is the end. I managed to take a break where i went to the toilet, took deep breaths and finally the chest pain subsided. Fortunately the meeting finished shortly afterwards and i left for the airport. In the taxi I started to think about having to fly and what would happen if I had an attack whilst in the air. As a consequence I started to hyperventilate and decided that I needed to speak to someone. Fortunately the first aid officer was superb, he took me to a quiet room, let me tell him my story etc etc. We decided that to be safe that I would be looked at by a paramedic. The paramedic did an ecg, discovered the same defect previously mentioned and decided to get me into hospital. I was admitted to a 'proper ward' and the care I rec'd could not have been more different than that I had when first admitted in Stoke. In addition to further tests I was given the 'treadmill' test. Apparently if you can do this then there is nothing wrong with the heart. I passed with flying colours and it was as though a great big weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Since before xmas I have had only one minor attack - this was whilst I was away in Kent. The doctor I saw there was superb, told me what may be causing my attacks, told me I was not going to die and gave me propanolol (beta blockers) which were only to be taken if I felt an attack was about to start.
I am still waiting for my outpatient appointment but I feel more better in myself. You never know, but without the attack this defect would not have been found. My GP thinks I have had this defect for many years.
Anyway I am sorry to have rambled on, but maybe this is what people need to do so that others can read what I have been through.
Please feel free to e-mail chat to me if you wish to talk about anything either regarding my story.
Robert (the Brummie!!)
R Taylor
Not knowing what it was I went straight to hospital ( in Stoke where I live) as I thought this was the end ! After tests I was admitted for further tests as an ecg highlighted a defect in my heart which could have been present for years or was the cause of my symptoms. I was in hospital for 2 days and came out feeling worse quite simply because I was not told anything definite. I had more blood taken out of me than dracula would have taken, more ecgs etc but was not told anything as to the cause. What made it worse was that due to a shortage of beds was in a ward which quite simply was a step from life to death as during my time in hospital 3 people died - I just wanted to get out.
I was released from hospital with the only comfort being that I was to see a cardiologist professor as an outpatient. But as I did not know what had caused my attack, at the back of my mind was 'I am going to die from an heart attack'. Your mind then thinks about what you want to do before you leave this planet - would I be here to see my daughter get married in August and would I ever see Birmingham City win the FA cup !! Forgetting the latter, as I would have to live to be 200 !, I tried to be positive, but my mind went back to my time in hospital and the images of people being 'wheeled away in tin coffins and this obviously affected me.
I should point out that I do not smoke, never have, drink less than one unit of alcohol per week, have no family history of heart problems, no personal / finance problems. I am also the most 'laid back' person you could meet - my wife tells me that I am so laid back I am horizontal!!
2 days later I went to see my GP, purely to try to find out what could have caused my attack. Unfortunately I had to see a 'locum' who did not care about what I had to say, told me not to worry, go away and think positive.
The following day I went to Glasgow for a meeting. During the meeting I felt my chest tighten, became breathless and thought again this is the end. I managed to take a break where i went to the toilet, took deep breaths and finally the chest pain subsided. Fortunately the meeting finished shortly afterwards and i left for the airport. In the taxi I started to think about having to fly and what would happen if I had an attack whilst in the air. As a consequence I started to hyperventilate and decided that I needed to speak to someone. Fortunately the first aid officer was superb, he took me to a quiet room, let me tell him my story etc etc. We decided that to be safe that I would be looked at by a paramedic. The paramedic did an ecg, discovered the same defect previously mentioned and decided to get me into hospital. I was admitted to a 'proper ward' and the care I rec'd could not have been more different than that I had when first admitted in Stoke. In addition to further tests I was given the 'treadmill' test. Apparently if you can do this then there is nothing wrong with the heart. I passed with flying colours and it was as though a great big weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Since before xmas I have had only one minor attack - this was whilst I was away in Kent. The doctor I saw there was superb, told me what may be causing my attacks, told me I was not going to die and gave me propanolol (beta blockers) which were only to be taken if I felt an attack was about to start.
I am still waiting for my outpatient appointment but I feel more better in myself. You never know, but without the attack this defect would not have been found. My GP thinks I have had this defect for many years.
Anyway I am sorry to have rambled on, but maybe this is what people need to do so that others can read what I have been through.
Please feel free to e-mail chat to me if you wish to talk about anything either regarding my story.
Robert (the Brummie!!)
R Taylor