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Posted 1/14/2011 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All:

I'm a 37 year old SAHM of a 3 year old little girl.

I'm here because I've always been shy and nervous, but my anxiety has gotten out of control. I've had 2 EKG's in the last 3 months due to fear that I'm dying of heart disease or having a heart attack. Both came back good. I'm still not convinced nothing is wrong.

Last night, I woke up with my heart racing, pounding, and very short of breath.

It happens at least 3 times a week, but last night the shortness of breath was a first!

My chest always feels tight, my arm feels numb, my hands tingle, etc.

My doctor prescribed Prozac and Xanax that I'm afraid to take. I'm a moderate drinker(in the evenings) because it seems to be the only thing that makes me feel normal. And I know I can't take those meds with alcohol.

I don't drive (another anxiety issue) so therapy would be hard to get to every week or so, being my husband would have to take off from work.

Sorry this is all over the place. I'm just so tired of worrying all of time and wanted to vent.

I can talk to my husband about it, but it seems that people who have never gone through anxiety/panic really can't understand it.

Thanks for reading if you got this far.

Posted 1/14/2011 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
We seem to have a few things in common, Im also a SAHM, 34, of three girls. I , too get the waking up with the pounding racing heart feelings. havent had to really deal with the shortness of breath, knock on wood. at least this time. my panic seems to run in cycles ..it will be here for a few months( this time 5), and leave for years.
anyway, I too have had numerous EKGs, Echocardiograms, worn holter monitors and everything is always fine.
I dont drie either, because of anxiety and vision problems. I understand having to depend on someone for transportation to everything.
I dont really have any advice for you, I wish I did. Im still trying to figure out all myself. But, I wanted to let you know you are not alone. you are right that often times , people who havent experienced cant relate or think its all in your head and you should be able to simply snap out of it. I wouldnt with this thing on anyone!! Take care:)
Posted 1/14/2011 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome! I am glad that you found us. I am sure that you will find this a place full of wonderful people, great information and lots of support.

Many members have the very same symptoms that you have described in your post. If you've had a chance to read through some of the archives, you'll see much that is familiar. I also have had the e.k.g. in a moment of terror because of the distresseng symptoms that anxiety and panic can cause! Try to be reassured by your clean bill of health from your doctor. Anxiety can and does cause real physical sensations, but they are only that-sensations, they aren't harmful. You will however, want to treat the A/P for your overall well being!

Therapy, if at all possible would be excellent for you. Even if it means rearranging schedules. I remember trying to juggle my work hours and dropping my youngest daughter at my mom's, then arranging for my husband to sometimes pick her up, just so I could go to my appointments, but it was worth it! I got my life back, and no longer suffer the debilitating attacks!

In the meantime, here are some url's with some excellent breathing/relaxation exercises to use during times of panic. Also, I find that using a positive mantra helps for the waking-up-in-a-panic. I repeat to myself "I'm okay, this is only my body reacting to fear" as I slowly do my breathing.

I hope that this helps. I'm sure that others will be along too, with great advice for you. Please post often-it helps! Here are those sitessmile

Stress Relief


http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

Healthy Place

http://www.healthyplace.com/



Breathing Exercise for Panic Attacks


http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html


Relaxation Techiques

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I


Free CBT Online/MoodGYM (Free online therapy )

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Be well, and let us know how you're doing soon,
Scaredy Cat
Edit: I made links to all your url sites as well as added them to our Resources at the top so you can copy and paste them into your post.

Great links.

Kitt
Posted 1/14/2011 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the replies.

Just knowing I'm not alone in this is somewhat soothing.
Posted 1/14/2011 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SpoiledSAHM and welcome to the forum. I can relate to how you feel. I'm a SAHM to 2 with one on the way. Thanks to my anxiety I don't drive either (hoping to change that soon) and the shortness of breath gets me sometimes too. With me its more like I'm not getting enough air as if someones squeezing me. Sometimes I wake up out of my sleep with the racing heart and just like you and Carly I've had all the tests done and everything was fine. As soon as I can get to my computer I'm going to try those websites that Scaredycat suggested. I hope things get better for you...and remember were here when u need us.

Nelle
Posted 1/15/2011 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Why dont you try Ativan first, a very low dose. It should make you very tired and it's excellent for panic / anxiety. I took it for awhile but moved to Xanax. I have a 5-year-old and I can function on Xanax; however, I've been taking it about a year so I have a tolerance. The Ativan, when I need it, still works. I think I was getting .5 of it, maybe even lower. You might try it around lunch on a weekend and see how you feel. All that stuff makes you sleepy at first but during a real panic attack, that type of tiredness doesn't hit me easy, I'm too wired up, the Ativan barely took me back down, just enough to stop me from thinking that I was going to have massive heart attack or something.
Posted 1/15/2011 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
my husband doesn't understand it either, I don't bother talking to him about it myself, I talk here and to one friend I have who understands. my anxiety comes from health problems, health anxiety.
Posted 1/15/2011 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
SpoiledSAHM
Hello and welcome to HealingWell. I am Kitt !
This is a great site. I look forward to getting to know you better.
I was a SAHM for some years however I know I had anxiety but had not been dx at that time.
I will be truthful and tell you I am worried about you. Self-treating your anxiety with alcohol may cause you to become dependent on this form of pseudo-medication. If you buy alcohol to temporarily escape your anxiety, then you are basically buying a prescription—a large dosage prescription without doctor authorization that could prove harmful.
Are you strong enough to give up on the alcohol and try the medicaitons as well as some of the links posted by S.C. Please talk to your physician about your fears of taking the medication.
Remember, we know where your coming from and what you are going through.
Kindly,
Kitt
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