Panic Attacks

[Rbrealey]

Hi. I had a heart attack in August and I was doing well until a week ago when i started having panic attacks at night. After one quite extreme one my doctor has given me a low 4 mg dose of diazepam and put me on anti depressants. It seems to be working albeit slowly. Has anyone else had this?

[Nathan53]

Hello - I think most of us on here have experienced our 'melt downs' or panic episodes following heart attacks and any other major health problem. Perhaps you were relieved to be doing so well then reality may have hit you. Also fears and societies often appear worse on an evening / during the night when the distractions of the day are no longer around. Look on diazapam as a very short term measure as they can quickly become addictive if taken regularly. Your anti depressants are fine. Have you thought about some counselling to talk through your experiences - it can help a lot to just get these out in the open. You can also speak with a trained specialist nurse on here by calling 0300 330 3311. Try doing some relaxation exercise before going to sleep maybe listen to some music or a relation dvd. I find doing some deep breathing exercises useful or making a list of any worries you have.

[Qualipop]

I get panic attacks, have for years. They became worse after my heart attack so I was worried it may be another one. The ambulance service really don't mind if you call them out wrongly and are brilliant at calming down panic plus knowing which is which. I find self hypnosis worked well for me. I can normally stop them in their tracks. Don't worry, it happens a lot.

[Lynn100663]

Hi I had my heart attack aug 18 with one stent fitted. I was getting chest pain in a night and have finally spoken to gp as I thought it was aging or another heart attack he has given me antidepressants have been on them 2 weeks and feel a lot better and I’m sleeping much better. I really understand how you feel it is very frightening especially if u are on your own like I am at night as that’s when my heart attack started. Stay well 😊😊

[Nanny72]

I had a dreadful panic attack four months after my emergency valve replacement and eight days on a ventilator

My doctor arranged a visit to the hospital to talk it over with Intensive Care nurses. Also put me on antidepressants. Unfortunately a year on I am finding it difficult to come off them.

The panic attacks have subsided and I am a little less anxious.

The antidepressants do work but stopping them is a problem for me.

Try some relaxing music or sounds at night. These do help me to drift off.

[Zed1063]

I had and still have panic attacks and trying to control the thoughts is so hard. You are not alone.