Anxiety / Panic Attack

[vickya]

I have suffered for the past week all I can describe if the worst kind of feeling I've ever experienced, when at it's worst.

I couldn't sleep 1 night and got in a very bad state. It left me feeling very anxious, the next day I wasn't too bad, but didn't feel right.

That night I slept, but woke up with severe anxiety, a feeling off dread and that nothing mattered, started getting worried about work and propelled the feeling. I had a full on panic attack in work (luckily a doctor's surgery). It made me feel like I could functional, unable to talk properly, talking very quiet, felt like I was in a different world, sensitive to other people's conversations, wishing I could be back to my normal self. Went ot doc's prescribed Diazepam.

Couldn't sleep that night, took 1 tab and fell to sleep for 3 hours. Was up at 4 as was so anxious and had another panic attack. Felt the same in work finished at 1pm and felt so awful, had another attack at home, went to doctors, but felt better about an hour after. Was able to sleep that night.

Next day went to original doctor I saw as felt like a cloud was over my head. Makes you feel like there's nothing that interested me, and that the hours of the day was going to go so slow as I just didn't want to do anything. It felt so negative and just awful, as normally I'm so happy and fun and enjoy my life. Anyway I'd wrote eveything down I was feeling and she (lovely doctor) gave me propranolol which has helped to calm me down. Taking 30mg a day. Not good night last night. Same feeling all over again in the morning.

The feeling is cereal.

Felt OK today after about 3 hours. But if I let myself think of things I feel the either the butterflies in stomach, the tinglering back of neck, chest is on fire, cereal feeling in my head, my legs and arms shaked as well when I get an attack. Uncontrollable. I worry about sleep / that's like a cycle then.

Just wanted to share my story.

[hollow]

Hey hope you're feeling well at the moment. Is this something new? it always bothers me when GP's turn to the prescription pad first. I know medication helps some people especially in the short term but there is usually a reason our bodies/minds act this way. I was given some good guides about panic and anxiety from my therapist that you can get at... ntw.nhs.uk/pic/selfhelp worth looking at if this is something new to you. Good luck.

[lottysunshine]

has something happened that has made you feel like this... like hollow says look on the net for self help but if things become worse go back to your gp..Meanwhile if you feel panic coming on,go do something for a few mins to distract your mind, have abth, wash the dishes, anything to try and stop the focus on it.. hope you feel better very soon xx

[Hidden]

Hi

I had the same for a couple of years.with the right medicine it will stop.hugs

[vickya]

Thank you guys for reading and your answers.

In answer to Hollow yes I have never had severe panic attacks and anxiety before like that. It wasn't just the panic attack/anxiety it's the feeling it leaves you with afterwards, or is that the attack still happening? like you're unable to function properly, bad thought come in to your mind and it makes you have he symptoms again.

I've always worried about things, and tend to think negatively (which I am not trying to stop after this terrible time). Had slight OCD, but not severe, and also a bit of a worrier about social gatherings and going to work. I think maybe all these factors over the years and the other night letting myself get so so worked up because I couldn't sleep has triggered this off.

I guess when you go to the doctor (well for me anyway) all I wanted was something to stop the feeling. I work in a surgery (receptionist) and I hate taking tablets of any kind, even headache tabs. But I was so grateful for something. Diazepam didn't really help only with sleeping for a bit. Went back the thrid time (as I saw two different docs) the thrid time was the same as the first (who is brilliant and listened) she then gave be beta blocker (propranolol). I think sometimes you need to have something to just help the symtoms, I did anyway. Just felt like a zombie. It makes it worse as normally I'm so happy and talkative and quirky. It was like the thought of seeing anyone got me fearful too and dreaded. The worst feeling was of bothing mattered, and because of that I'd think the time was going to go so slow. Urgh it's just an awful awful mixture of emotions and thoughts.

Since yesterday (late morning) I have felt better (touches wood) I have started changing my mind set as much as poss. Keeping busy etc. Mornings are worse, got sleep last night, but that does still give me some fear, nad I want to work (only had 1 day off, they have been great) but that gives me a slight anxious feeling too. At the moment I feel like if someone says something slightly off I could get it again. So I'm so sensitive at mo. Following my parner around and hugging, talking about it. Although when it was happening, he had no idea how to react or what to do, which caused arguments, which didn't hell. But it's not his fault, he doesn't understand, as it's all internal, apart from looking sad, tired I look OK outwards/physically.

I'm writing it all down in case others are feeling this too. I'm feeling OK today.

Thank you lottysunshine, I have an appt. tomorrow with my GP, I want to keep her updated, tell her how I'm feeling, see what she says.

Thank train80. I'm only on a low dose of Propranolol. I'm guessing it's them that's helping or maybe it's just trailing off now. What meds were you given?

Thanks everyone.

[vickya]

*meant "now trying to stop!"

[lottysunshine]

you are very welcome x each day is a new day I say to myself. Having a positive attitude can only help.. I am lucky , at the moment I am not too bad . But I still use cbt and mindfulness to help. I find diazapam is the best thing for me.. Get your partner to read online about anxiety so they can support you. Stay positive my friend and you will get through. Am here if you need a chat xx

[hollow]

Hi Vicky I'm not sure too many people would get it if they've not experienced the emotional and physical effects of anxiety, I often say to people 'i wish you could experience just ten mins of what it is like after an attack' GP's, therapists, all the guides, information all talk about staying with it, challenging your thoughts, it will will peak and then subside and they are right, it does but nothing or no one can tell you how utterly draining it is how desperate the feelings are afterwards. I think this is the time you (collectively) are at your most vulnerable. In answer to you Q the feelings after are not in my opinion part of the attack but are obviously feelings of anxiety which as you point out can and do make the panic come back. Please don't think I was dismissing anyone seeking help with medication but I do think it should be in the short term as what is affecting us is psychological and that, I feel, GP's should be looking to address early on rather than letting people suffer for longer and chopping and changing medication. It's good to hear you have someone to turn to in your husband even if he doesn't fully understand where you're coming from, I would urge you to look at those guides if you haven't already, they are very easy read things and may even help your husband/others to see why you are feeling how you do. Good luck and sorry if I'm wittering or sound like I'm preaching, I just want people to be okay.