Hi I had my first panic attack roughly 3 months ago. I've never experienced anything like that before and believed I was having a heart attack and ended up in an ambulance at 2 am. I really struggled with breathing, stomach pain and a constant adrenaline throughout the day and night. I was regularly waking through the night. I went to the Docs and got tests done and all came back fine but my symptoms were still bad. The doctor prescribed my Sertaline 50mg but after 4 days I had awful thoughts and came off these. I've started CBT and this has really helped my understand that I am constanty Catastrophizing and this is the major cause of anxeity. Each day my chest still feels slightly painful with constant palpitations but I've thankfully started to sleep in my own bed again at night. Tonight I've been wakened at 01:30 struggling to breath and my chest feels like it's burning... I know this is probably the anxeity but I begin to really doubt this and feel it's more serious like a heart issue 😔 I'd love some info or reassurance that this is all just anxeity related as I feel like I need to go back to the doctor at present. Thank you
If you had tests done and they all came out normal then it sounds like it's all anxiety related. When you are having this breathing issue, go to YouTube and search for panic attack emergency. They guide you through it. There are several to choose from.
The worst thing you can do is become anxious when you get symptoms because that will worsen the symptoms And make you feel more anxious.
just remember of the symptoms of anxiety are uncomfortable but they are not dangerous to you at all.
search for "Dr. explains how to stop a panic attack" on YouTube for great advice . There are many videos on that topic that you can choose from.
you always have the option of getting anotherdoctors opinion, but just know that anxiety can cause hundreds of different symptoms. And many times doctors just don't know what to do about it other than prescribe medication. So we have to learn how to manage it by not over reacting to it and just let it run its course., Listen to audio meditations on YouTube on stress and anxiety, breathe properly which means slowly inhale through your nose making sure your stomach rises, then slowly exhale through your lips as though you were blowing out a candle. Do this several times. when you're breathing in the think of how the air feels coming through your nose and going into your lungs. When you are exhaling think of how the air feels slightly warmer as you're blowing it out. Doing this keep you in the present moment away from negative thoughts. Always go back to your breathing when you are having negative or anxious thoughts.
if you can, pick up a book called mindfulness. It teaches you everything you need to know about dealing with anxiety.
I hope you feel better soon!
Not everyine can even use those drugs. You have an anxiety disorder and you get panic attacks. Your symptoms are obvious of that. You had a great exam hospitals would catch an issue rapidly. Its all they do they are very very trained. The heart is the most well studied organ and most progress has been made with it. So lt that intrusive thought go. It is not true. Based in no evidence. The exam cleared the reality of an issue. 42 million ither people have experienced this . It is not your heart. The heart beating fast is simply cause and effect. Symptoms oinger and GAD is chronic and it exhausts the body, plus you are not sleeping or relaxing. Stay with the cbt but apply it. Dbt is useful as well. Keep learning about all this. You waking with mini panic attacks. Have an audio book in panic attacks or a meditation available so you can play it and go back to bee. You do not need to belive every negative thought or what if that goes thru your thoughts, because you think it doesnt mean it is truth. Chest pains come from reflux when you are dtressed and from adrenaline rushes.panic attacks have hangovers and takes a few days to calm down. If you fear it youll recycle the anxiety. It is not. The media pushes people to fear this. Too many commercials on meds and ads pop up about warning sign all the time. Very rude of the media to shove this fear based illness onto everyone. Im going to send you stuff thru messages. Click maybe it can help you,
Thank you so much for this. It's all very frightening but knowing other people have experienced this gives me hope. I've had terrible chest pain last could of days, like a needle being poked in my chest area. My CBT is helping a lot on negative thoughts but I know I keep thinking that my heart is the issue, I'm trying to work on this. Thanks again x
Thank you for your advice it's really appreciated and helpful. Do you know who the author of the book is as there are a few different ones. x