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Posted 10/5/2013 8:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Last Saturday i went out to celebrate my niece birthday. I got so drunk off of different types drinks I was throwing up all night. The following morning I had a slight hangover but I didn't feel too bad.. That night around 7pm my chest started feeling really tight and i felt like I couldn't breathe. Went to the Er and they took an EKG,chest X-ray, and blood work.. Which all came out fine. Only recommendation was to loose some weight me being a big woman.

It's been a week today and sometimes I feel my chest gets tight and it feels hard for me to breathe. Also chest feels sore... I start getting scared like I'm going to die... Could these be panic attacks? Is this from the drinking. Because I have never felt like this before... Help :(

Post Edited (Ms.Jessy) : 10/5/2013 7:20:39 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/5/2013 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ms.Jessy and welcome,

I am sorry that you are experiencing what sounds like anxiety and its symptoms. It is awful, I know.

It sounds like the over imbibing was a trigger for your first panic episode. This is not unusual. The body is in a weakened state, and many people have their first anxiety episode due to a substance abuse experience...alcohol is no exception. Even caffeine in large amounts, like in an energy drink can flip the switch. For others is can be an illness, or emotional trauma...or even an unknown trigger...but sooner or later, it was most likely going to happen anyway...as the underlying anxiety was already there.

Have you followed up with your GP at this point? It is good that you were given an 'all clear' from the ER, but it is recommended to also see your regular doctor as a follow up.

At this point, you can discuss your treatment options. Therapy and/or medication are the two ways in which your doctor could help out. A therapy referral may be the thing that you want to start out with. Learning to manage your anxiety using the tools and techniques that a therapist can teach you is going to be a great long term plan.

Self-help is also a great option! On our main page, 1st post, you will find our Resources. There are links to sites and videos that teach how to stop and attack, and preventitive exercises such as breathing and relaxation/meditation.

One more thing you may want to consider is asking your doctor about approving a physical exercise plan for you. Exercise is a great anxiety buster! Since you desire to lose weight anywat...this would be a 'two birds, one stone' kind of thing.:)

Keep posting with us. Support is key, and we are here anytime!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/5/2013 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Scaredy Cat,

I would never want this feeling again. Thanks for the outlook. Being scared all the time kinda sucks... Don't want to feel this anexity .. Can't believe drinking caused this.
Posted 10/5/2013 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Ms Jessy it has been my experience that a hangover can deplete several things in the body that can be
a trigger for panic, it can lower glucose, potassium, and raise triglycerides, any could be the trigger.

Larry ***
Posted 10/6/2013 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Igm1942

Thank you.. Today makes a week that I got drunk..maned I feel the same so panic and depressed.. Just wish I knew what to do.
Posted 10/6/2013 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Go to our resources, they are your also, they work, pick one you like and start using it over time you will
learn to distract yourself when these things happen, PAD is never fatal, never, but it is scary as hell.
get busy your wasting time, lots of fun ahead. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 10/6/2013 8:35 AM (GMT 0)
Try not to blame yourself, either.

I may be wrong - no research behind this, just opinion - I think some people are just more likely to develop panic/anxiety. So, if you hadn't gotten drunk, something else might have triggered it.

Also, some people recover fairly quickly - my brother did. Don't watch the clock on this one, though. Being in a hurry just makes it worse for me. But, even if you're diagnosed with Panic Disorder, that doesn't mean it's a life sentence.

I agree with others - schedule an appointment with your regular doctor to discuss this, or if you don't have a regular doctor, find yourself one. That doctor is going to have more time to invest into helping you get on your feet than an ER doctor.

The resources everyone keeps mentioning really are great.

You're going to be okay!

Hugs,
Joy
Posted 10/6/2013 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Is it normal that the racing of my heart comes out of no where, I don't even think of anything and now it happenes.. So scared that I'm blaming it on panic attacks and it could be something else. This feels so helpless.
Posted 10/6/2013 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
M.J.

This can be explained in this way:

With panic/anxiety issues, the sympathetic nervous system gets overstimulated. The SNS is responsible for the flight or fight response, and can be innapropriately triggered at random times causing symptoms such as racing heart, among others.

Try those coping skills/relaxation techniques in our Resources for help with these issues. I know it really tough at the moment...but with time and effort, there is hope for feeling better!

S.C.
Posted 10/7/2013 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you sc.. I've been ready others post.. Been helping alil this site truly is amazing
Posted 10/7/2013 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
Twice I have woken up gasping for air.. Is this also panic attacks?
Posted 10/7/2013 6:26 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I just got through doing the same thing, sux bad.thats why i'm on here I got out of bed. Peace

Larry ***
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