Help! Panic attacks?

Posted , 6 users are following.

I have been having panic attacks for years now. At least that is what the dr. calls them. I have not had a ton of tests done. But my EKG and heart ultrasound came back normal. My symptoms are extremely fast, hard heart beat that feels like it's going to pound through my chest, heavy chest, feel like I am not getting enough oxygen. I can stop them or slow them down by taking in a very deep breath and holding it in for 3-5 seconds then slowly releasing. I have been getting them more than once daily and almost always they are at night for no apparent reason. I never feel anxious or worried about anything at the time they start. Of course, while having one, I always wonder if it could be more than an anxiety attack bc I can't figure out why they start to begin with. I don't get how you can have a "anxiety" attack when you are completely relaxed having no anxious feelings. Help me to understand this or should I have more tests done since the frequency of them is so often. When I look at discussions online it sounds like this is way way more often than most get them.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Its very easy for the mind to play games here. Have you got a heart rate monitor to confirm that your heart rate is actually high? Anxiety can well indeed cause the HR to increase and as you calm down it goes back to nornal.
    • Posted

      Yes I have been on a monitor but of course never had an attack while on it. But i know my HR is fast bc my husband can feel it.
  • Posted

    Tests can help although when the results come back clear, some here do not trust the clean results afterwards. and you could end up wanting repeat tests and that just makes you more Anxious and your GP flustrated.

    Sometimes a course of CBT may help, they explain coping exercises, that helps you understand your condition.

    Try Breathing Exercises, they will help you control your Anxiety, there are techniques for this on the Internet.

    Relaxation Techniques, MINDFULNESS my help as well you can get explanations on Amazon or internet.

    If your know and address what has caused this problem yo will be half way there to control your Anxiety as you will be able move on

    We are here to talk if needed

    BOB

  • Posted

    This sounds classic panic attacks , however i am not a medic so if you are worried that it could be something else please see your GP.

    But anxiety can show in just physical symptoms even if in your mind you are not panicking.

    But then of course the sensations make you panic and become anxious with the what ifs?

    Anxiety cannot harm you but how you percieve those thoughts can let it spiral and get in a circle.And make you feel very uncomfortable and véy agitated.

    Try relaxation breaths, meditations, postive thinking and affirmations.

    Anxiety plays so much with your mind causing all kinds of physical symptoms that feel so delibitating that it is hard to believe that it is caused by the thought process that anxiety throws you into.

    Good luck and i hope things improve soon 😊

     

  • Posted

    Thank you all for the input. Yes I have been on a heart monitor but of course never had an attack while on it. This was a couple years ago when I didn't get them so frequently. I get that feeling like they are more than a panic attack can make you even more anxious but I don't completely freak out when I have them and I don't have the thought that "omg im going to die" like some do from panic attacks. I typically stay calm, use my breathing to get my HR back to normal fairly quickly but once its all done its hard not to wonder if I could be brushing it off as something less severe than it could be. Especially when your husband is worried too. So if its a cycle of worrying my attacks are more than an attack, whatever caused them to begin with before the worry of it being more was ever there? If I never felt anxious before having one? Also, something thats crossed my mind is I have gained quite a bit of weight so I always questionquestion that/sugar intake. I had kids and weigh about 155 lbs (5'6"wink up from 135 lbs about 5 years ago and 120 lbs 10 years ago.

  • Posted

    I feel your pain. I had my heart start to race today took half a xanax. Telling myself it's aniexty. Then my chest felt weird and thought maybe this time it's really my heart. Took half xanax. Feeling better but still feel weak. At work now so I have to act normal but it's not easy.

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