Panic attack : Bloody hell. Just had... - British Heart Fou...

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Panic attack

9 Replies

Bloody hell.

Just had what must have been a panic attack.

A feeling,memory from my HA popped into my mind and suddenly I felt uncomfortable, then as I became conscious of the feeling of being uncomfortable this escalated into light headed, my the back of my head feeling tight, my chest feeling tight, dizzy.

My neighbours daughter is a nurse and she saw me standing outside the door and came over to see if I was OK.

Omg, I've never had a panic attack like this is thought I was having a HA. We had a good chat and know I feel back in control.

It was horrible, so horrible.

9 Replies
BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28-

Hello :-)

I am so sorry that you experienced this I have suffered panic attacks years so I know how you felt and since my heart events I am in panic most the time and have more frequent attacks but I know what they are and they will pass but if this is something you have never had before I know the fear you will have felt

Sensations and flashbacks from events like heart issues can bring them on and I am so glad your neighbour who is a Nurse was there to support you

You may not ever get another one but when you are having one and people say take breaths in and out it is so hard to do so maybe when you are calm go on YouTube and practice breathing exercises for panic attacks get used to them and if ever you have another one hopefully you will be able to put what you have learnt in practice :-)

Take Care :-) x

in reply toBeKind28-

Thank you BeKind28- 🙂🙂I've been on YouTube and have saved some Box breathing videos and mind relaxation music to my playlist.

It was more scary, more out of control than the HA itself.

What you said is so true, ie this was my first experience of this and the intensity of what how these can get.

After 10 minutes of laying flat in a quiet room, I began to gain some control, started to think about the attack and realised I'm alive, I'm not being carted off to hospital, this was not a life threatening event but a psychological one.

It was a humbling experience as I will admit ( with shame and a lowered head) that I thought people who had these needed to get tough, "man up".

I have seen how dumb I was and seen the light.

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply to

Hello :-)

Having suffering for more years than I can remember I know this tough up attitude some can have towards people with anxiety and even though I truly am sorry you have had this experience I am glad that it has made one more person wiser in knowing just how debilitating and how frightening and real panic attacks are and when we have been through events such as with our hearts how easily one can be triggered

Someone once said to me about panic attacks you cannot stop them coming on but see it like climbing a mountain when one starts and you reach the top of the mountain and from there where is the only place you can go and this is back down and so when I have a panic attack I try and hang on to that thought this will come back down again :-)

I am glad you have a few apps you have found even though I hope this was a one of but they do help to listen to :-) x

Doggyday profile image
Doggyday in reply toBeKind28-

Bless you,panic attacks are horrible and can make you believe you are having another heart attack.I suffer with them a lot, especially in crowded places,I just try and calm down telling myself this will pass, it's just an adrenaline rush,I try the breathing technique but not always easy to do.I find grounding to be good,really push your feet firmly down,concentrate on one thing you can see,listen to the sounds around you and realise you are in control.You will probably never have another,but if you do remember This Can't hurt me,I'll be fine.

in reply toDoggyday

"This cant hurt me, I'll be fine"

Love that , thank you Doggyday 🙂

pasigal profile image
pasigal

I never even had anxiety before my heart problems. But after suffering cardiac arrest I started to have both anxiety and panic attacks, several of which landed me in the hospital, certain that I was having another heart attack. I am getting better about controlling them through breath work.

Panic attacks are particularly bad for heart problems bc the symptoms are so similar.

AuntyEdna profile image
AuntyEdna

I’m so sorry you experienced this.

My recent experience:

My husband had a bad panic attack this week his systolic BP went to 180 he was spinning couldn’t breath shaking uncontrollably etc it was very distressing for him and me, eventually an ambulance was sent . They took him to A and E because no one knew what was causing this. Panic attacks are dismissed to often as a weakness- his body didn’t think so! The hospital sent him home at three in the morning with systolic reading 195! And Ramipril to reduce it. He takes lermodipine daily anyway. (He now has the dreaded you know what. )

Wish panic attacks are taken more seriously t AnE ones didn’t, he wasn’t even given water for 4 hours waiting to see the Dr ! I’m having major surgery this week so couldn’t go with him - distressing for us both . Take care keep smiling - we’re trying to 😊

Jetcat profile image
Jetcat

yes they are terrible.!! Iv had a few over the years unfortunately, I thought I was on my way out on one occasion.!!

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

The first time I had a panic attack I truly thought I was dying. I was driving and pulled into a layby. I Luckily saw a total stranger and begged them to drive me the final mile home. A crazy thing to do I know but they were great and my dad drove them back to their house. I just hung out of the car window gasping for breath. After that they happened frequently until I Learned how to recognise the start of one and could stop it in its tracks. I'd never ever heard of panic attacks before that. They really are horrible. As it's your first one, you should get checked out by your G P but if they confirm it you need to learn how to recognise the first signs so you can distract your self.

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