PLEASE HELP ME *BEGGING*

Im really scared I dont know whats wrong with me the other day I was in Kmart shopping for my room , Im perfectly fine nothing is wrong when completely out of the blue I feel myself get these chills, well they werent really chills it felt like I was getting hot and cold at the same time, and I started sweating cold sweat (I know gross sorry) and I felt really weak as if I had just run a marathon I felt my heart beat very clearly and it felt like a fluttering pulse like it was going really fast ofcourse I started freaking out and I was all alone in this aisle and even though it is not in my nature to ask for help because im usually to embarassed to I felt so sick I called some random lady over and told her I felt really sick ( I dont know why I did this, its really embarassing) then I felt my head get heavy and I felt myself falling back a bit the sides of my eyes started going blurry and then the next thing I remember there was some security guard guy next to me with a whole herd of people when I woke up, I felt really weak still Im guessing I told the security guard to call an ambulance because next thing I know I was in an ambulance to the hospital, the doctor there ran a bunch of tests and said everything came out normal and that it looks liKe my blood sugar was a little low but nothing major, it didnt seem like that was the actuall reason I fainted, he said I had a panic attack. so I went home I was fine for about a week when one day I was brushing my teeth and then I got the feeling again and I freaked out again, so I layed in my bed a bit and then I was fine with no fainting. then a few weeks later I was at my friends house and the suddenly I felt the chills again and she asked me if I was alright and I told her I needed to step out for a moment and before I could get outside I felt my eyes get dark in the sides again and my whole body felt weak and I fell back and she held me up and then I woke up again she said I was only down for about 2 minutes but it took be about half an hour to completely recover from the chills. I went to the doctor again and everything came out normal ion all my tests even my blood sugar, and the doctors put my on anti depressives for anxiety (I dont know why either) im freaking out though now im always afraid this will happen again, the first time this happened I was about to get my period so I thought it was just a period thing, but since it kept happening im just so confused. Anyone else go through this? I get so frustrated with this I feel like im disabled I just want to *** myself.

Hi Beany,

Welcome to Healing Well. We are a caring and supportive family here, I am glad you have joined us.  What happened to you sounds pretty scary, but you did the right thing by asking for help. Please never feel embarrased to ask for help!

I get the hot sweats and the racing heart as well when I have panic attacks, it's very unpleasant (understatement!!) and scary. I think part of what makes panic/anxiety attacks so scary is not knowing when they will occur. The more you worry about having an attack, the more stressed out you get = more likely to have an attack. Not fair really.

Percy is right though, even though it feels sometimes like you are dying, and attack cannot hurt you. It is only as bad as you give allow it to control you. If another attack does happen, let it do it's thing, but tell yourself that it wil pass and you will be okay. Because you will.

Anti-depressants are often prescribed for panic/anxiety and they can really help. Which anti-dep are you on? (you don't have to say if you don't want )..they can sometimes take a while to start working 4-6 weeks and are really helpful when used with counselling or relaxation techniques. Dis your doctor mention any of this? Please keep us posted, and again, welcome.

Meg

Good Morning,

Welcome 

Your normal..............but please remember I am not a professional.  My daughter has this same phenomenon. It started in her teens.  Did any of the physicians mention Vasovagal syncope (fainting)?

In order for you to remain conscious, your heart continuously pumps blood to your brain. Fainting due to vasovagal syncope occurs when your autonomic nervous system, the part of your nervous system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure, goes awry — ultimately depriving your brain of this blood supply.

Potential triggers are numerous:
A number of different stimuli — both emotional and physiological — can trigger vasovagal fainting. The reason behind many of these triggers is unclear. Fainting may be the result of one or more of these causes:

Emotional distress, including panic attacks, anxiety attacks or fear

Standing in a hot, crowded area

Unpleasant situations, such as the sight of blood

Breathing too fast (hyperventilation)

I Hope this helps you understand why the fainting. 

I tend to feel your physician is correct,  you are having anxiety attacks.

Panic attack symptoms can include:

• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Hyperventilation
• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Faintness
• Tightness in your throat
• Trouble swallowing
• A sense of impending death

You may have a few or many of these panic attack symptoms. Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning. Panic attack symptoms usually peak within 10 minutes and last about half an hour. But panic attacks have many variations. They may last hours or, on rare occasions, up to a day. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides. One of the worst things about panic attacks is the intense fear that you'll have another panic attack. ^{Reference: Mayo Clinic}

Please consider therapy along with your med to help with your anxiety and panic attacks.

Take care and keep posting.  We are here for you.

Sincerely

Kitt

Beany..Welcome to HW
Hoping you are reading the posts left for you and that
You will return and let us know how you are making out

I have never had fainting either and I have had a/p for well over 30 plus yrs or longer

Please note you are no longer alone in this and I DO hope you will be back

Great input lil sis and S.I.S.
LYN

Dear Beany, Yes, I have been thru the same, where fear takes you over. I have learned over the years to just let it come, IT cannot harm you, it is just called a fear on fear syndrome. When you first feel something happen your alarm bells ring and then fear builds on fear and your adrenalin begins racing around in your body causing you to have these awful sensations. Once I was shopping and the lower half of my legs were numb, I couldn't feel them. Whatever you are doing, just let IT come. I have learned about this thru a wonderful book by Dr. Helen Weekes, it is called "SELF HELP FOR YOU NERVES" and has been with me for 24 years. I loved that book. In it she explains exactly what happens in a panic attack and how you can get better. Do get a copy and I will be waiting to see what you think. The minute I read even the first few lines I felt better and was able to cope. Make it your friend as I did. You can also get CDs of her speaking and it is just as if she is in the room with you. There is so much reassurance there, compassion, understanding that you will benefit from it. If another attack occurs, just sit down, say to yourself, I'll just let it come no matter how bad I feel, just let it come, and after some practice it does work. I know it is the most awful feeling and I identify with you. Let me know how you are getting on. (Amani) I have been signing myself in with my user name, but I should be using Fayre. Take care. ( Please read my letter I have sent in Depression forum signed Amani.)

I so agree Sweet S.I.S.
Thanks and Welcome

BEANY

WE are all worried about you

Hoping you post soon

There is something I'm not quite clear on, this is someone who has never had a panic attack and the first attack, she faints?

Panic does not work that way. She was fine before the fainting spell??!

Having tests come back normal does not mean there is not something underlying. Did the dr give you an MRI or a CAT scan?
Dr's love to claim anxiety when they cannot find anything else.

this is very troubling