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1st really severe panic attack..

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Posted 4/23/2014 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I have posted on many forums here...I have a variety of health problems and take a lot of meds, etc. I just experienced my first severe panic attack. Wow!! I haven't been feeling well lately (just had oral surgery last week & lots of GI issues are the biggest problems right now). On some new meds, so not overly concerned when I just felt "yucky" today, many days I have similar feeling. Decided to sleep on the couch for a bit while watching TV. Woke up feeling really confused about what day/time it was and what was going on. Decided to get ready for bed, so tried to go to the bathroom (couldn't go), then went in the bedroom & started putting clothes away....that's when I really started feeling like I couldn't breathe, extremely light headed, nauseous, suddenly convinced that I did have a bowel obstruction.

Unsure of what to do, I went into the living room, grabbed my laptop, and got on HW. Posted a choppy plea for help on chronic pain forum (which I have posted on in the past, but was having NO pain at the time). Really thought I might die. While waiting for a response, thought briefly about who to call for help and how to explain my unusual and complicated medical history and find an up to date med list.

Just leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes for a bit. Started feeling better and came to the conclusion that I just had a massive panic attack. It's been nearly an hour since it started, I have a bit of a headache, but feel safe enough that I can stand up now. Of course, still concerned about the possible bowel obstruction, but my GI doc is supposed to call in the morning.

That was awful!!! Couple of questions....do people pass out during panic attacks? are there any warning signs that people have? how do you figure out during the attack that it is a panic attack and that you aren't dying? what could/should I have done?

Really took a lot out of me. Gonna go to bed I think. Any info/advice/comments anyone wants to share are welcome....thanks for listening!!
Posted 4/23/2014 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
In many cases, people DO pass out during panic attacks. These are called a vasovagal response or vasovagal syncope. This is where the vagus nerve (which is a major controller of the automatic nervous system responsible for such functions as heart rate, sweating, and keeping the larynx open for breathing) essentially goes into overdrive triggering responses by various parts of "it's networks".

Full fainting episodes should be investigated to rule out potential cardiac issues but in most cases they are merely extremely emotionally and mentally traumatic as they generally strike "out of the blue" unlike anticipatory anxiety.
Posted 4/23/2014 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunny and welcome.

I am sorry for what you went through this evening. It is indeed scary and confusing for those with both health and anxiety issues to try to diferentiate between the two!

Therefore, it is best to get a definitive diagnoses of anxiety/panic from your doctor.

We do have some excellent Resources here on our main page that you may want to check out until you can get in for an appointment to discuss this with your doc.

Please let us know what you find out, and how we can best support you if this does look like it is an anxiety issue.

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 4/23/2014 8:47 AM (GMT 0)
Would just like to offer a note of reassurance. Despite how awfully frightening panic attacks *feel*, they are in themselves actually harmless. Although the symptoms mirror other more serious problems it's important to understand when a panic attack is occurring that it is always self-induced and not the result of a medical condition (obviously only once a visit to the doctor has confirmed this).

My time with panic attacks was the single most difficult and nightmarish period of my life, changing it in many ways. My first one was terrifying, as I'm sure yours was. We then get in to a position where we live in fear of the next one. This is unfortunately just egging it on!

You can and WILL stop having panic attacks. If you feel one is coming on, you need to stop, breathe, and rationalise it. Remind yourself you have an anxious condition and that a medical professional found no sign of an underlying condition. Once you do this enough your panic attacks will stop, I promise.
Posted 4/23/2014 9:17 AM (GMT 0)
Good Point BillyBob!

We do what we can until we find something that's helpful! :D

Practice and Patience......and we'll re in business.








M.
Posted 4/23/2014 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
I can only echo BillyBob and SC; probably 1 in every 4 people will experience a panic attack at some stage off their lives. Many will never have another one whilst for others they may experience them more regularly.

DO speak to your doctor about this attack and BE FRANK with regards to other issues that may some bearing. The more facts they, and you, have to make use of leads to a more accurate diagnosis and can point towards what may be more appropriate lines of treatment.

We've been there, and for some it's an ongoing struggle. We cannot take the place of your doctors or therapists but our experience is always there to call on.

Best wishes
Posted 4/24/2014 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
I know I feel like I have had more panic attacks recently along with my Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis. I know I brought them on myself again, last year, but it was due to the fact that I went a year and a half with no answers. I had so much stomach pain, that it was making me nauseus and about to pass out. I did pass out one day, and it was because of the pain, and the fact that I was slightly dehydrated too. I believe any stomach issues, can cause the lightheaded/dizziness too. I know at least it did for me. Being that our digestive system makes up 80% of our immune system. And we know with that being comprimised it makes way for many things to happen. I myself am trying like crazy to get better this time. I am about sick and tired of having this anxiety, and I keep waiting for the next one..what a viscious cycle this is..
Posted 4/24/2014 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses. I talked to a friend today who also has mental health issues, and she was very supportive and agreed it sounded like a panic attack. I really hope that I am in the percentage of people who has 1 panic attack and then never again!! If not, I'll just have to learn to deal with it.

I did talk to my GI clinic nurse today who said the doc wants me to drink 1/2 of the gallon of bowel prep (used prior to colonoscopy). Hopefully that will get things going. All this medical stuff is really taking a toll on me mentally. I just want/need it to get better.

Thanks for listening and for your comments. I was absolutely terrified last night and feel better knowing more about what happened and that I'm not alone.
Posted 4/24/2014 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
As a sufferer of GI issues (Diverticulosis and IBS); I've been assured by my gastroenterologist AND can testify from personal experience that anxiety issues certainly DO act as "a multiplier effect" on gastro problems. Been through the colonoscopy routine; some people find the prep awful - I didn't.

Since you're likely to go under "general", you will probably have a short consult with the anaesthetist beforehand. I DO strongly recommend that you advise he/she (and your Gastro if you see them before the procedure) of your anxiety problems and any other conditions (cardiac, sleep apnea etc). This may already have been put on the paperwork but it will not hurt to remind them.

I wish you all the best ...... and a favourable outcome from your scan !
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