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Can you guys please help me?

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 7/8/2015 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hello guys, I've just registered and I hope you guys can help me out.

I'm 29 years old and I believe I have a panic disorder.

My first panic attack started about a year ago and I remember having about 1 and a half to two large iced coffee that morning. I usually drink just one large iced coffee but for some reason I had about two that morning. After I have finished my ice coffee, I was sort of getting excited to watch this movie that I've downloaded and I could feel my heart beating fast because of the excitement. However, right after that I started to feel a little odd especially behind my neck. It got really hot and my mind wasn't so straight and my very first thought at that moment was to lie down... I felt sick... I didn't know what was going on in my body all of a sudden so I started to get scared... I don't really remember what other symptoms I had since it was about a year ago but I just remember feeling very odd. I called my dad and told him that I feel weird and he came home about 30 minutes later. I've asked him to give me a little massage on my neck and shoulder area. As he was doing this, I started to shiver a bit. Ultimately, he told me to take an aspirin and after a few more minutes of his massage, I started to feel a little better and I fell asleep.

Now, that was my very first panic attack. Ever since that day, I wasn't normal. A day after my first panic attack, I got in my car that I haven't drove in a year due to DUI. At that time, my car had the ignition interlock device installed and it was just something new to me at that time. So, it was my first drive to see my friends with the ignition interlock device installed. As I slowly approched the highway, I felt odd again.. I made a quick U-turn and parked my car at the nearest gas station. Eventually, I ended up coming back home.

I've had a few more panic attacks after that day but some of them was a full-blown one and other ones were just a mild one.... Now I can't even dare to think about driving to anywhere far by myself..

I wish I can write more in details so you guys can properly help me out but I don't think any one of you guys will have a time to read a whole paragraph of my experience.

One more thing, two days ago, I experienced a vertigo... Where things were moving when I was just sitting on my chair.. It lasted about 3-4 seconds, so I got up and went to the living room and it kind of triggered a panic attack.. ever since that I've been very tired.. I think I slept like more than 12+ hours..

My question to you guys is, is this a panic disorder or am I possibly having early signs/symptoms of heart attack?

I'd appreciate it if you guys can help me because my life is so miserable right now and at the moment, I don't have an insurance and can't afford to go see a GP just yet.


Thank you
Posted 7/8/2015 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, and welcome marlbest. I'm very sorry to hear that you are having these symptoms. Anxiety can certainly cause the things you are describing.

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't suggest that you find a way to go in, and get a physical and blood work. I know it's expensive without insurance, but it would give you such peace of mind. Also, you may have some vitamin/mineral deficiencies, and those can contribute to the symptoms you are having.

Since you've been experiencing these symptoms over a long period of time, it is highly likely that they are anxiety, but I am not a doctor, so I don't know that for sure.

It might be beneficial for you to check out our resources section at the top of this forum page. There are great self help exercises to help get your mind in a healthy place, so you can stop worrying bout everything under the sun. Mindfulness videos help a lot of people with these types of symptoms.

Also, you could benefit from talk therapy. A lot of counties have income based counseling, so you might qualify for very low cost or even free counseling. Talking it out could really help.

Don't worry about how long your posts are. We will take the time to read them, and help in any way we can. This is a great community of people who really understand what you're going through.
Posted 7/8/2015 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome marlbest, I'm happy you found us, but sorry you are going thru this at this time. Anxiety can really take over your life if you let it, so it is important to learn coping skills and to use them daily even when not in an anxiety state so they become habit and easier to recall when you are panicked.

I echo everything Stacey said above, she gave you great advice.

We can't diagnosis you here and tell you if it is your heart or not, Only a doctor can do that. By the sounds of it, it could be anxiety but again you need to be seen to get a proper diagnosis.

As Stacey said, don't worry about length of your post, we will read them. :) Keep posting with us and we will walk this journey with you.

Here is the link to our resources, please take a look. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206
Posted 7/8/2015 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much Stacey and Lisa for your quick reply.

Is it normal for people with panic disorder to feel extremely tired after their panic attack? My last one was two nights ago that started with vertigo like symptom but didnt have a full blown panic attack and I just slept it off but Im still tired right now at work for two days straight.

Also, if all of my panic attack symptoms were actually a heart attack symptoms then wouldn't I had a heart attack a long time ago like when I first had a panic attack a year ago?

Thank you
Posted 7/8/2015 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes most likely if it was your heart you would of had more symptoms by now, but even still we are not doctors so can't say positively.

Where are you located at? I ask because many counties in the states have County Health Facilities that you can go to for free or reduced cost medical treatment.

Yes it is also normal to be tired or wore out after a panic attack, sometimes I feel like I'm hungover after a bad one.

Anxiety has a HUGE list of physical symptoms it can cause, so that is why it is important to get seen by a doctor to rule out any physical symptoms that are caused by other then anxiety. If you go to the resource link I gave you, the second link on that page is a list of symptoms that anxiety can cause.
Posted 7/8/2015 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Marl and welcome!

I am sorry that you are experiencing these confusing and scary sensations...I know how miserable it feels.:(

You have been advised well above...so I will just add my encouragement to check out our Resources (A.L. provided the link above) and start practicing the coping skills. They work if used daily.

I would recommend starting with the Stress Relieving Exercises, and the guided meditations.

I think you will find it makes a big difference in how you feel :)

Keep posting. We understand, care and support is key!

S.C.
Posted 7/8/2015 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much for your encouragement, Cat.

Thank you Lisa for those links, I will check them out and I live in Reading, PA.

I never knew how horrible panic attack is.. it seems as I have no future in front of me whenever I get a panic attack!

I sincerely hope that any panic attack sufferers will be fully heal soo .
Posted 7/8/2015 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Well... Just gotta keep the head up! Cheers!
Posted 7/8/2015 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Rei, I really appreciate it. I just really hope its nothing serious other thsn panic disorder.
Posted 7/8/2015 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I can't add anything as my main issue is depression with maybe MILD panic. I just wanted to say Hi as Iam new too. This seems like a great group for support and encouragement!!

I want to wish you the best and a wonderful stress free day.
Posted 7/8/2015 9:05 PM (GMT 0)

RavenBeauty said...
I can't add anything as my main issue is depression with maybe MILD panic. I just wanted to say Hi as Iam new too. This seems like a great group for support and encouragement!!

I want to wish you the best and a wonderful stress free day.

Hi Raven :)

I also have a depression although I was never properly diagnosed.

I hope you feel better soon and welcome!

"Depression tells me I suck,
So I replied, I ain't here cause I fell down, I'm here cause I got up"
Posted 7/8/2015 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Marlbest,
It sounds like you're definitely experiencing symptoms that are common with anxiety and panic. When I first experienced a panic attack, I was sitting in a geometry class in 8th grade, and all of a sudden this weird sensation came over me that I couldn't and still cannot explain. It sounds and felt a lot like what you described. I, too, sometimes get vertigo and although the sensation is a bit scary, it is harmless and typically passes quickly. Sometimes vertigo happens when you spend a lot of time laying down. I know that when I was in the deepest part of my anxiety I couldn't leave my bed out of fear and that's when I experienced a lot of vertigo that was only cured by laying down and thus the cycle continued.
It. Does. Get. Better.

The people in this forum are amazing and have helped me immensely!
Posted 7/9/2015 9:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Marlbest

Welcome to the forum I am pleased you have found us but sorry to hear you have been dealing with anxiety/panic.

You have received good advice above so I just wanted to pop in and say hi and I hope you stay with us we are here for you.

Have a look into Mindfulness Meditation it is really effective and you will find a lot of videos on youtube and there are some links in our resources thread.

Hibee
Posted 7/10/2015 12:47 AM (GMT 0)

Blu's Mama said...
Marlbest,
It sounds like you're definitely experiencing symptoms that are common with anxiety and panic. When I first experienced a panic attack, I was sitting in a geometry class in 8th grade, and all of a sudden this weird sensation came over me that I couldn't and still cannot explain. It sounds and felt a lot like what you described. I, too, sometimes get vertigo and although the sensation is a bit scary, it is harmless and typically passes quickly. Sometimes vertigo happens when you spend a lot of time laying down. I know that when I was in the deepest part of my anxiety I couldn't leave my bed out of fear and that's when I experienced a lot of vertigo that was only cured by laying down and thus the cycle continued.
It. Does. Get. Better.

The people in this forum are amazing and have helped me immensely!

Hello and yeah I'm experiencing a similar thing as you..

It's been 3 days since I had this weird vertigo and I still don't feel like eating!

To me, this vertigo like feeling was so new to me and scary at the same time, I think I'm just way too traumatized by that and maybe that's why I've been so tired for 3 days straight with no appetite? I wonder if panic disorder is this scary... *sigh* I feel so miserable right now and I have an appointment with my GP next Monday, so wish me luck guys that it's nothing other than panic disorder :)
Posted 7/10/2015 12:50 AM (GMT 0)

Hibee said...
Hi Marlbest

Welcome to the forum I am pleased you have found us but sorry to hear you have been dealing with anxiety/panic.

You have received good advice above so I just wanted to pop in and say hi and I hope you stay with us we are here for you.

Have a look into Mindfulness Meditation it is really effective and you will find a lot of videos on youtube and there are some links in our resources thread.

Hibee

Thank you very much, Hibee :)
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