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Panick attacks last 4/5 hours, happen late evening/ nights, so scared I end up in A&E

Posted , 2 users are following.

stephanie61588
stephanie61588

My anxiety started a few years ago with the odd panick attacks, always at night!

Then 4 months ago, constant diarrhea,dizziness, palpitations, difficulties digesting and now swallowing, most days but mainly eve/ nights.

Ended up in AE several times, knowing it was dehydration triggering panick attacks but my palpitations are lasting for hours, which is not common apparently?

Now they seem to wake me up, dreadful, try to go to sleep but cannot sleep.

Been off work for more than 2 months now, scared of going back..but as I cant sleep at night I am stuck in a vicious circle..

I know where my anxiety is coming from though so it sounds easy but it is not.. Some parts of it are flat/work related which can be improved, or so I thought.. As I did get a better job and a flat but Im feeling worse now!

Some of it is personal and that cannot be changed so evidently there lies the problem..

I want to try support/ meeting groups and Cbt.. Any tips on SW London???

Thank you all!!!

Stephanie

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • julian33896
    julian33896 stephanie61588

    Posted

    Hi!

    I've had some of the symptoms you've mentioned in the past (constant diarrhea, digestive issues, trouble swallowing). It's important to keep doing what you usually do! Even if it's difficult you should stick to your daily routines. That doesn't mean put yourself in stressful situations, it just means that you should go out with friends/family and try to do the things you like even if it seems hard at first. I overcame these feelings in less than a month and never even knew what triggered it! Stay strong!

    • stephanie61588
      stephanie61588 julian33896

      Posted

      Hi Julian,

      Thanks for that, I try to socialise a bit more at tge moment. It is hard though as the digestive problems cause insomnia and been off work for 2 months now. Plus I am now having panick attacks every night, cant fall asleep.. Very distressing.. Exhausted..

      Did you have that as well?

      How come it all went away? Anything changed in your life?

    • julian33896
      julian33896 stephanie61588

      Posted

      Ooh for me the panic attacks occurred in the morning so it might be a little more challenging for you. Sleep is very important! You need it in order to beat this horrible anxiety, have you tried anything to help you sleep like maybe melatonin? And mine went away because I just kept eating small meals throughout the day, drinking water, and I planned one thing I would do outside of the house each day even though I was so exhausted and had no energy! I kept doing this every day and I eventually started embracing my panic attacks as just panic attacks knowing they couldn't hurt me and it actually helped! By welcoming them I learned to not be afraid.
    • stephanie61588
      stephanie61588 julian33896

      Posted

      I have some zopiclone at the moment, which I have taken now.

      It is not very strong. Might try melatonine again though it makes my heart race.

      One really bad habit I mustvkick off is smoking!!! It makes it worse but Im so addicted, dunno how to quit really.. Even though its only 3/4 day.. Used to be 2 only.. But tge adrenaline makes me want to smoke more..

      Yeah I need to go back into a routibe for sure.. Things after work are good but when you are exhausted its hard!

    • julian33896
      julian33896 stephanie61588

      Posted

      I know, doing things when you can barely walk is so hard! I just kept on moving which I think made my symptoms go away pretty quickly. And the smoking problem is probably contributing to the anxiety, but that must be very hard to quit!
    • stephanie61588
      stephanie61588 julian33896

      Posted

      Yes, keeping on moving is the best and only solution, you get so much adrenaline when you panic that I feel like going for a run, dancing or cleaning the house in those instances.. Shame its akways after midnight, I'd get super fit and healthy! Could still try the boring cleaning, think movibg really takes your mind off..and maybe try the fitness options in the day, after work.. But no time to chill..wink

      And the ciggies, well, maybe if I start exercising then I will gradually give up..

      Thanks for your support!

    • julian33896
      julian33896 stephanie61588

      Posted

      Oh...! You're suffering from the same thing I did, I got all my energy at night! Do you still have all the symptoms at night or does it feel better?
    • stephanie61588
      stephanie61588 julian33896

      Posted

      Yes, mainly at night! I think its be ause Ive got this angst of going to bed and sleep, therefore it triggers the attack.. Before I could read in bed and snack which helped to relax, now Im scared of eating too.. Vicious circle!!!!
    • julian33896
      julian33896 stephanie61588

      Posted

      Ugh yes, it is a very vicious cycle. I was scared of eating as well, I had a sort of choking feeling, my food didn't want to go down. I just forced my self to eat small meals throughout the day and pretty soon my appetite came back and I could eat normally again! You also need to talk to your psychiatrist about your sleeping issues. I think sleep is vital to seeing strong improvements, but I know how hard it is when you're constantly panicked at night. Maybe at night try this, when the anxiety starts bubbling up embrace it rather than fighting it. Let it come over you while telling yourself that everything you are feeling can't hurt you and is just the anxiety. Try that for three nights. I did this when I was suffering through panic attacks and it helped tremendously even though I was scared to try it at first. 
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