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panicking now

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Posted 3/6/2014 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
got through last night ok but woke up this morning feeling terrible. heart pounding, shakey. my blood pressure was a bit low. got my daughter off to school and now am in full blown panic. my husband is on the other side of the country. i have family i could call but would rather not because they will just worry more or think i am crazy, or want to bring me to the hospital. i still almost cant believe it - can anxiety really be this bad, can it really do this to you? make you sure you are about to die?

i just want to feel normal again. my heart is racing so fast, around 105. and I feel like i could just die right now and no one would know. i've felt like this before and my husband called an ambulance. after 4 hours in the er they told me to take some xanax and go home. i try to breath and relax but focusing on my breathing just makes it worse. once i start thinking about it, i feel like i am not breathing right. i hate this!!
Posted 3/6/2014 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
It sure sounds like all the symptoms of anxsity. You've indicated you felt like this before. And the feel has gone away. Sometimes distracting yourself helps. Can you go out for a walk? Do something that takes concentration. Breathing exercises doesn't do too much to help me when I'm having a bad time of it, but I keep it up just the same. You're going to be fine!
Posted 3/6/2014 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
thank you for your reply. i can't go out for a walk because i feel so dizzy during these things. but I am trying to distract myself watching a tv show. i have calmed down a little, but then it starts back up again, like in waves. thanks specialone.
Posted 3/6/2014 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Littlewing,

You may actually need some fresh air and exercise, as sitting still, like when we're watching tv, can allow symptoms to fester.

Do you have a friend or neighbour who could go on a short walk with you outdoors?

I've had my heart rate go considerably higher than 105 during a panic attack, so I know how distressing and confusing this can be. But in my experience, the best way to reduce your resting heart rate is to get moving and let all those heart beats do some good by pumping blood to your limbs while on a brisk walk! :)




M.
Posted 3/6/2014 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
thanks merrida. i feel so bad i just dont feel comfortable doing that right now, especially when it is so freezing cold out. but you are right about getting some exercise.

sometimes i will get up and do some housework, or ride my stationary bike when i get like this. when its bad i feel like i cant even manage that. like i will have times that i truly feel like i will pass out if i get up or move. its the worst feeling in the world. its like i am frozen until it passes. i just got up and walked around the house a bit, went outside for a few minutes and came back in, and now i feel more nervous/shakey!

does this happen to anyone else? does anyone else almost get frozen, like they can't move, by panic attacks? sometimes i feel like i am losing my mind.
Posted 3/6/2014 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
LittleWing- Hang in there! Just concentrate on your deep breathing, close your eyes and try to think of a happy place. I understand what you are feeling totally. I agree with trying to get up and do something like housework, take a walk or something. Keep us posted!
Posted 3/6/2014 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi little wing 75. I have anxiety to. As soon as I get up in the morning I shake and tremble inside my body. It takes about a good hour for me to calm down a little bit. I take prozac and ativan .o5 mg. Some times my chest hurts. But I get burning and tingling from my legs to my feet. All so my hands hurt and tingle. I have not appetite. Dry mouth. I feel sick all the time. When you mean shakey do you me like shakey in your whole body? Some times I get tingleling in my arms as well. I try to do something to get it off my mind. Merrida is right sitting still and watching tv makes your symptoms worse. When I watch tv I have to all so play a game on my cell phone to distract me. You can talk to me any time. Misty.
Posted 3/6/2014 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi LW,

You are not alone...we are here for you!

Did you take your Xanax? Also, Are you still trying the breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation? They are very effective at relaxing the body and mind...bringing down the HR and reducing physical symtoms.

Do you need links for those? I will post them if so.

Keep talking with us. Remember you have felt this way before, and the reason was anxiety. It can make us feel awful, but can't hurt us.

You are safe and alright.   Try using this mantra to help as well.

"I am okay, it is jus anxiety making me feel this way!"

I used to reapeat that to myself literally dozens of times...but it works...the words we tell ourselves have power!

Let us know how you are doing soon,

S.C.
Posted 3/6/2014 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
thank you everyone. i don't have xanax - i never filled the prescription. i've had it a few times a long time ago after my car accident, but even a small dose would make me just want to go to sleep. which i guess at night time wouldnt be a bad thing, but difficult to take during the day. on the other hand, this panic is much worse than the anxiety i had after my accident, so maybe it would be different?

i have a quite a bit of "medication anxiety."

in fact, i have had prescription pain medication for years for chronic pain for my broken back, and I am slowly reducing my dose so i can stop taking that too. mostly it's been a life -savor, as my pain can be truly debilitating, but in the last few years i've noticed that sometimes i get a panic attack after i take it. of course, i also get these attacks when i haven't taken the medication, so i dont know if it is the medication or not, but at this point taking it adds to my anxiety, so i'd rather not take it at all. i was wondering if anyone else has noticed pain medication effects their anxiety one way or the other?

today the shakey feeling has been in my whole body misty. it feels terrible and I'm sorry you have that too. also thank you for being there and responding, it helps.

I am going to try your mantra S.C. thank you. i have such a hard time convincing myself that what i am feeling is not dangerous/i'm not dying when these episodes happen.
Posted 3/6/2014 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
:( I know, it it hard to convince ourselves that we are actually okay, when our bodies/minds are telling us otherwise...

Keep using the mantra though. The amazing thing is...even if you don't consciously believe the words that you are saying...as we often don't when in the midst of panic...

...simply saying the words has the power to change our belief...and it will sink in and start to calm you!

Here is my favorite breathing technique for you to try as well. Honestly, it is the only one that I have ever really gotten relief from.

The Divided Breath:

 

Imagine your lungs as having 3 parts. 

 

The bottom third, the middle, and top third. On the inhale fill the bottom third first, then the middle and finally the third. Make sure that this is one continuous breath, but divided, with a slight pause in between each third.

 

 

Hold the breath in for 3-5 seconds if possible.

 

Exhale in reverse. First blow out the top third, then the middle, and finally the bottom third of your lungs until all air is expelled. (remember the pauses)

 

 

Repeat several rounds for a toatal of about 10 minutes. Practicing this every day will not only give you control and structure to your breathing, it will strengthen and loosen the thoractic muscles, allowing better, more productive breathing, and relieving the chest tightness!

 

Keep posting,

S.C.

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