Sitting in the car in front of the ER

[foxglove_pnw]

I hate how my anxiety scares me to death !

I am having so many weird sensations that I decided to drive to the closest ER .

Trying to figure out if I go in or not ! I just feel like I want to disappear ! My anxiety is so much stronger than me.

Is it a hard attack or is it my anxiety again ? Who knows at this point .

I was gonna call the Warm line in my state to chat with someone but they are closed .

I am here alone , tears rolling down my face . I left the house after a argument with my husband. I started to feel stomach pain , pain between my shoulder blades , sweating . I took some Lorazepam and left !

It is 10 pm where I am and I feel so lonely .

[JAYnLA]

Hello Love! If you need to go in - GO IN. If you find that the lorazepam kicks in and your symptoms subside, maybe you don't need to. I went to the ER 5 times in two months. That's why I had to say 'uncle' to medication. But if you need to go in, just accept that this is where you are in the process of understanding your anxiety. If you need to PM me I will be up for a while.

[Hidden]

I too had to go to urgent care today due to chest pain. Ekg was normal but I’m still experiencing chest pain. I agree with JAYnLA, if you need the help, please go in.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hidden]

Does urgent care give you an ekg ?

[Hidden in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Yes they gave me an ekg and chest X-ray to rule out heart attack at least. I am experiencing symptoms of a possible HA & I also have PTSD. A severe anxiety attack & HA are identical symptoms.

[Hidden in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Also the nurse (male late 40’s) also has PTSD & was very comforting & gave me some good advice. I’m glad I went in just for peace of mind to rule out a heart attack.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hidden]

Maybe I will go to the urgent care !

[Timmypliskin in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Make sure you tell them that you recently took the medication, and exactly how much... don't want to get over medicated...

Hope it works out

[Hidden in reply to Timmypliskin]

As another health anxiety sufferer, I always write down my medications in advance to put in my pocket....and if it's been a particularly bad day, when I took a med and how much. Great advice there Timmy. I had one instance a few years ago where I took probably 1.5-2 mg of Xanax and the nurse came with Ativan to relax me and I threw up my hands, "No, no, no! I took Xanax before I came in here!" "Oh, whoa, I'm glad you told me that." Always good to carry your regular meds in your wallet or in the emergency section of phones that paramedics, nurses, and doctors can access if you aren't conscious.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hidden]

Good idea !

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Great advice

[Timmypliskin in reply to Hidden]

I keep a medication journal, just note book with everything I take and what time ... I include all otc meds and supplements...

If anything it helps me to keep track and brings a little peace to the old brain..

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Timmypliskin]

I probably won’t go in but looking at the ER sign is making me feel better Omg ! I was feeling like I was gonna die when I got here.

[Timmypliskin]

I am also available to talk if that could help, I've been exactly were you are many times.

I know stress and anxiety can make you feel so horrible...

I hope you feel better.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Timmypliskin]

Thank you !

[Timmypliskin in reply to foxglove_pnw]

No problem... been there done that..

It sucks...

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Timmypliskin]

It does !!! Specially in a Saturday night 😩. I had a great week I was not expecting this tonight !

[Hidden]

Sorry, As we've talked about, this is like the worst scenario....but at least you were right there for help. I'm so sorry that it happened and I hope all is better now. I hadn't had the chill in the ER parking lot fun in a little bit, so I'm sure I'm due soon. I hope you're at home and relaxing again. Thoughts and well wishes, I know exactly how you feel, so head back up and back to feeling better

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hidden]

Hey , good to see you here ! I am still here chilling thank your for your sweet words !

[Hidden in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Absolutely, remember no rush on leaving...you can stay as long as you like. Try to focus on breathing and if you have to go inside to "wait for Great Great Grand Uncle Waldo" to be released, there's nothing wrong with that

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hidden]

Yes , I thought about that . To go chill in the waiting room I should had brought a book !

Thank you for making me smile !

[foxglove_pnw]

Thank you all for your sweet words ! ❤️

[Hidden in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Feeling a bit better? 🌷

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hidden]

Yes , thank you ! Still not a 100% but much much much better ! I just wish I had a pillow and some blankets so I could go to sleep

[foxglove_pnw]

I am still here ... chilling ! It is 11:12 pm . I am feeling much better !

[Hidden in reply to foxglove_pnw]

It’s 1:21am where I am. I’m happy that you are doing better. I’m new here but I love how kind & supportive everyone is. 💜

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hidden]

I am glad you joined ! I drove home and I am going to bed. Thank you again ! Pm me anytime to chat !

[Hidden in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Glad everything calmed down and bed time is upon you. Only good part of an anxiety attack...feeling so worn out after that you just want to fall asleep. Good night and hope tomorrow finds you better

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hidden]

Yes ! I am exhausted ! I am laying in bed ! Good night 😉!

[Mandyann85]

I’ve done this more than once. I even find myself having less anxiety when I’m visiting someone at the hospital bc I have the mindset “if I have a heart attack, I’m already here.” I’ve racked up so many damn medical bills running to the ER. Turn on some rain with thunder and lightening sounds on YouTube, close your eyes, breathe in and out slowly. These things all help me so much! I also purchased a Fitbit. It tracks my heart rate and I relax when watching it come down. I’m here if you need to talk. I know what it’s like.

[Hidden in reply to Mandyann85]

Same here, it's sad when I'm excited to visit a hospital knowing...I'm literally within the realm of help. Lol. But, hey, it works. Same here with the medical bills which is why I always try to see if the pulse drops (same as you, I have a Fitbit) with some deep breathing. I finally had to take off the Fitbit because I was eyeballing it too much when I felt "weird" or anxious and the pulse reflected the concerns. I was doing what Foxglove did for awhile. I have a graveyard shift type job and so many times I'd feel odd, weird, or anxious. Thankfully, literally a half mile away is an urgent care place that is labeled as an emergency room. I would camp out there for 20 minutes in my truck with some guided meditation/mindfulness apps. I only went in once and of course it was anxiety....enough where the doctor just tossed some Valium at me and said let's not worry about EKGs. I told him it was likely just a panic attack, but I couldn't stand to sit in my car any longer. 20-30 minutes later, all was well. I wish there was a better coping method for health anxiety folks, but I think this isn't too bad. Just need to remind ourselves help is always just a few digits away...even at home.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Mandyann85]

Hi Thank you for your reply . I have the same mind set about hospitals , good to know I am not alone ! It was a crazy night but I am thankful that I found some amazing people here to chat with !

Same with me , if you need to talk I am here !

[Icanbeathis2016]

Definitely had my share of sitting in front of the er thinking if I should go in. I even went in one time and just sat in the lobby like I was waiting on someone else 😊. Dont feel bad.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Icanbeathis2016]

Thank you ! ER lobby is definitely a good place to be when you are not feeling good !

[Hidden]

I’ve done this too. I got stung by a bee and just sat in the parking lot of the ER in case I had a bad reaction.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for sharing !

[Hope_less]

Anxiety sucks. I don't even bother going to the ER because they act like you're a drug addict when you go in for anything anxiety related. I went to a psychiatrist about a year ago and they put me on Seroquel & Effexor which neither one seemed to help. And I can totally relate to the loneliness. It's been 4 months since I've even stepped outside my house. I just can't seem to relate to anyone around me. Wish there was an island where all us depressed, lonely people could all go live together. I've turned to God and prayer lately. I'm not at all what you would call a religious person but asking God for help and strength to get through this does make me feel so not alone. Sending good vibes and healing light your way.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Hope_less]

Thank you !

I go to church every Sunday and I am also involved in various groups there ! Volunteering at church is always a good way to connect with other !

Good luck on your journey ! ❤️

[mel-waukee]

I did this exact thing on several occasions including once when I was alone in Spain, haha. I know how absolutely horrible this condition makes you feel. I'm here to talk if you need anything!

[foxglove_pnw in reply to mel-waukee]

Thank you 😊!!!