New here - panic attacks & chest pains

[StephE93]

Hi there,

I’m new here and haven’t done this before. But I’m trying to find a space that can help rather than me just assuming I’m crazy/alone.

I have been dealing with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and health anxiety for roughly 10 years now. Bad the first few years (taking Medication and maintenance meds as needed) and then for the last several months have been doing really well. Occasionally I will need an Ativan or two, but overall not bad at all in terms of panic attacks.

But- in the last two weeks I’ve had three. Two that got so bad I had the nausea, shakes, stomach pains, and fear of doom… almost considered going to the ER because I was so nervous.

Today I had one, started with a simple pain in my chest, which led me to spiral down the rabbit hole. I began feeling the doom feeling throughout my body, accompanied with jitters, headache, nausea, feeling light headed.

I had heartburn yesterday, and have had problems before where after a heartburn that is more severe my muscles at my sternum begin to hurt. This is why I believe my chest hurt earlier… but knew I would be going into a full panic attack. And I indeed did… sadly while also in the car on a 1.5 hour ride home. I luckily had Ativan on me and was able to take 2 which within 30 minutes seemed to calm the extreme panic… my body now just feels like it ran a race after trying to convince itself it(we) are okay.

I guess I’m just looking to see if others have had this happen, similar, exact, whatever it may be… I’d love to hear a similar story, and know what helps you to stop it before it gets to a dooms day feeling, because when you get there; to that helpless space, it’s rough. I feel like people i know are “anxious” but haven’t ever had the panic attacks like today, I just need someone whose been there to tell me it really will be okay. My doctor is great, but I can obviously only contact her so many times/go in for so many visits for her to tell me it’s okay, or for her to suggest CBT therapy, or a different daily medication.

Anyway, any and all feedback, suggestions… greatly appreciated.

[Agora1]

Welcome StephE93 It really is going to be okay... you must believe in that. Anxietydoes not have to be a lifetime sentence. It doesn't even have to be about medication after

a while. There of course is always a time and place for meds and therapy. Once that has

gone on for years, it's time to find other tools to get us through each day. Yes, each day and

not wait until panic overtakes us.

By finding what may help you calm your mind and body and practice it each day, you will be

one step ahead of anxiety and in better control.

After many years of suffering GAD as well as 5 yrs of Agoraphobia, I realized I needed more

control in my life than medication. I researched YouTube and found many videos that covered Anxiety and Meditation. Anxiety and Breathing.

I tried it and wasn't quite sure it was for me. However, the longer I did it, the more convinced I was that I had found the key in overcoming my anxiety. I Meditate each morning

upon awakening, 5-10 min in the afternoon as well as before bed.

While driving, sitting watching tv, grocery shopping, I use my breathing that keeps me in full

control. While you are on this site, you will hear what others have used in overcoming a

panic attack as well as "free floating anxiety" I'm happy you are here with us xx

[StephE93 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much! I have also tried meditation, and agree it wasn’t for me at first. I will have to look into YouTube as well, and give it another shot. I would love if meditation worked for me!!

[Agora1 in reply to StephE93]

It takes time Steph, for our mind to grasp what the words are saying during meditation.I always find it ironic that I hear suggestions that I never heard before even though

listening to it everyday.

Listening to a relaxing meditation while doing calm breathing exercises before bed

can put you into a relaxful REM sleep. Leaving the day behind and having your

subconscious mind play over the last sounds of the day (meditation) allow for you

to wake up on a more positive note as well.

Then listening once again to meditation first thing upon awakening, will lower the

levels of Cortisol and Adrenaline that are higher in the early morning.

Give it time, after all our negative thoughts have become a habit and now it's time

to break that habit and think more positively. xx

[AnxiousCanadianChic in reply to Agora1]

I totally agree. It took forever for me to focus on the (guided) meditation. My mind would always wonder but I never gave up, I did it at least once every single day and would slowly get further and further along in it without my thoughts being everywhere. Now it’s so easy for me and helps soooooo much.

[Agora1 in reply to AnxiousCanadianChic]

That is so nice to hear. Namaste dear one xx

[Daveacr1959]

Yes , I battled it bad from 1993-99. Proper sleep and daily cardio exercise to produce endorphins that battle your anxiety helps me . I am on a beta blocker and klonopin. And an emergency Xanax like your ativan. From 1999 to now only a dozen incidents.

[AnxiousCanadianChic]

I have always suffered from anxiety and when I was a teenager I would have episodes just like yours including chest pains. I would freak out thinking I was having a heart attack, I’d go to the E.R. and they’d do an ecg and everything was fine. This kept happening and finally a nurse asked me if I felt anxious a lot and I said yes. That nurse then explained to me I was having panic/anxiety attacks.

I had never heard of it before, mind you I was a teenager and that was before google. I still get them but I trust it’s the anxiety and I know people who have had heart attacks or heart issues and none ever have that feeling of doom or fight or flight etc.