Panic Attacks
Posted , 15 users are following.
I know many of us have anxiety, but does anyone get full on panic attacks? I find myself walking around my backyard at all hours in the cold, trying to breath, racing thoughts, numb limbs, tingly nose and lips, waves of nausea, tight chest/back, randon twinges of pain, checking my pulse, on the verge of tears, sweaty palms, can't concentrate, and wonky vision. It is quick and vicious and unrelenting. I can't tell what symptom is real and which is in my mind anymore. Do I need a hospital or psych ward? A constant loop of fear, anxiety, doom....repeat..repeat...repeat...repeat...repeat. I have had better days than today. sigh
2 likes, 32 replies
lori93950 staci88515
Posted
no very common when hornones drop had them for many years since 41 now 52 trying the patch hopefully it helps ...really limited my life mine is bad when it comes to driving or being away from
home .... its awful and im sure all due to hormones .
staci88515 lori93950
Posted
Lori,
Yes, I agree. Limiting your life is the perfect description. Perimenopause has definitely made my life smaller. Some days I can handle a short drive, other days I spend housebound. Two months ago, I was bound by nothing. I was a confident, independent, working woman with a professional career. Now, I sit on the couch all day and wonder how I will be able to support myself (and my mom) without a job.
Guest staci88515
Posted
When I had my first one it felt like an elephant was sitting on my upper back. And then my legs felt like they were stuck in mud. I was so scared I went out and tried to walk around the neighborhood and couldn't. Really thought I was going to die that night. Just awful.
Thank goodness I don't get those anymore (knock wood).
staci88515 Guest
Posted
Stuck in mud...yes! I am glad you don't get them anymore too! Maybe that means they won't last forever for me either!
Guest staci88515
Posted
I hope not Staci. I had never experienced anxiety attacks so I thought I was getting very sick with something. It was scary.
staci88515 Guest
Posted
How long did you have them for?
nikiola18292 staci88515
Posted
Hi there,
Don't despair, its all part the peri package! I am 54 was told when i was 50 that was in the peri meno zone, before that i had a panic attack for the first time in my life at 47, thought i was going mad. When i feel anxious panicky i try to control my breathing, as hypervepntilating over fills your lungs so your body is trying to get rid of it, hence the feeling like you can't breath. That symptom has eased off now, i now have the bloat, and cramps and still getting periods......groan......wondering when it will stop, fed up with it. Hang in there, this site is sooo supportive, so talk as much as you can about it, we are all here to listen 😃 x
staci88515 nikiola18292
Posted
Nikiola,
Thank you so much. I am 43 and was hit in the face with perimenopause two months ago. I never knew any of these symptoms existed. I thought peri/meno was just hot flashes and sweating. How come no one talks about any of this nonsense? If it wasn't for this site, I think I would have committed myself. It gives me immense comfort to know I am not alone. My friends and co-workers have never heard of blurry vision and migraine auras related to peri/meno. They all look at me like I am crazy and say, "That's weird." No one on this site has ever said weird to me, they all say, "Me too!" It is enough to make you cry.
2chr2015 staci88515
Posted
this site has been so good for me too. its awful to feel like you are the only one. It all started for me when i was 43. now im 46.
staci88515 2chr2015
Posted
2chr,
Have your symptoms improved, gotten worse, or stayed the same in those 3 years?
lori93950 staci88515
Posted
my anxiety has lasted 11 years ! mostly the driving aspect being away from home triggers it ..
staci88515 lori93950
Posted
11 years! I need to go back to work and support myself!
trude_18321 staci88515
Posted
I've had awful trouble with anxiety, but the worst is having panic attacks at work. I find that while I can 'ignore' the hot sweat/butterflies/ tingling/roaring noises, the complete disappearance of my voice mid sentence is downright embarrassing . I have a public facing job in which there are sensitive conversations It does not look sensitive to be able to squeak out barely a word.
Also,, in retrospect, I realise that all the occasions when food arrives in a restaurant and I find myself unable to eat a thing ...probably panic attacks. Bloody menopause! HANG ON IN THERE!
staci88515 trude_18321
Posted
Trude,
That is exactly why I haven't been to work since I had my first migraine with aura two months ago. I am on the cusp of losing my job. i also have to talk in front of people all day...they are just little people. Ha! I can't just step away from the kids when I have a panic attack. I don't have any idea what my future holds.
becky53379 staci88515
Posted
Hi Staci I remember those days. You are completely hormonal normal. You will get better. I promise! I'm not in menopause yet but I have been through major symptoms for almost 3 years now. I am sooo much better than I was. The biggest thing is keeping your mind busy. A couple of things that I heard helps for panic attacks....singing the twelve days of Christmas. I think because your mind gets focused on remembering all twelve days. The next is when you feel panic you count down from five, for example you name 5 things that you can see, 4 things that you can smell, 3 things that you can touch, 2 things that you can hear and one thing that you can taste in that moment. Keep coming on here as well. These ladies are awesome! Be kind to yourself and know that you are not crazy! Take care!
lori93950 becky53379
Posted
thats amazing advice ! they are horrible and we should never have to go through them
staci88515 becky53379
Posted
Thank you, Becky! The Twelve Days of Christmas would be a great distraction because I'm fairly certain I only know about 5 of the days. Haha! I am so glad to hear you are better. It's just an awful way to spend everyday...I want to be a cool cucumber not a nervous Nellie.
becky53379 staci88515
Posted
Lol! I probably can only sing up to 5 days as well haha! You will feel better. It took me a good little while to feel better, but it will come. Take care!