Is this a panic attack?

[Patches86]

Yesterday evening I felt like the walls were caving in on me, I couldn’t breathe, hyperventilating, heart rate through the roof, had sharp chest pains, sweating but freezing cold shivers - it lasted for about 5 minutes and slowly eased up after that until I had control over my body again. I can only think this must have been a panic attack - I’ve never experienced anything like this or similar.

Has anyone felt like this? Today I feel much more physically calm than during that episode but I still have really bad chest pains and I can feel every heart beat which is like a sting.

I think I would usually be so concerned and be on the phone to a doctor but given this coincided with the day of my BFN and all my feelings around that I assume it was a fleeting thing and will get better as the days go by? Any advice or similar experiences much appreciated!

[Hidden]

Hi, this does indeed sound like a panic attack.

It could well be due to all the stress and anxiety of the 2ww followed by the BFN. I tend to get more anxious on IVF meds and when I havent been sleeping etc.

I have never seen a doctor about mine as they do come and go. I think its probably a good idea to monitor and maybe keep a diary and if they become more frequent see someone about them. the trouble is they tend to just stick you on drugs which is why I havent bothered, but I think you can get CBT and other support via the NHS Talking Therapies... but I think they would probably want you to have had more than one which hopefully you won't

have you had any counselling at your clinic? that might be a good start.

Sending you a hug, its a really rough time the last thing you need is that as well xx

[Patches86 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply 🧡 I think I’m also super weary of being put onto any medication (IVF is already outside my comfort zone of amount of medication in my body!). I think a diary is a great suggestion, hopefully nothing like this happens again but if it does its good idea. Sending love and light your way x

[Haf05]

I had a BFN on Friday, and though I didnt have a panic attack, I did feel very very anxious and on edge the whole weekend. I have a history of generalised anxiety disorder and I was feeling some of the symptoms of this (having been symptom free for over 10 yrs). A BFN and IVF is hugely traumatic and so no wonder (our cycle was not smooth running). I also wondered whether suddenly coming off the hormones was a contributing factor.

But I have felt progressively better since the weekend. If the panic attacks continue - which I sincerely hope they dont - I would recommend looking into therapy (I found CBT hugely helpful in the past) or counselling.

Hope you feel better x

[Patches86 in reply to Haf05]

Thank you for sharing your story with me. I’m so sorry to hear about your BFN too, and resultant weekend of anxiety symptoms - I can imagine that must have been hard given all the work you must have done to date to keep that at bay for so long. Fingers crossed for the next one to be a BFP for the both of us ☺️

[hifer]

Hi there,

I think I've had 2 panic attacks in my life and the most recent was in September when we were going through IVF and it was also the day of my stillborn nephew's funeral. I was a complete wreck and lost control of my breathing. Fortunately I do a lot of meditation and breathing exercises and was able to get it under control by breathing through it but it took a good 10 mins or so. I have, personally, never had chest pains afterwards though and I would want to call 111 or a doctor to ensure that this was nothing to worry about (to put your mind at rest if nothing else).

In terms of advice, I would suggest that you check whether your clinic offers counselling as I would highly recommend that. I started after the second time I got pregnant in May (subsequently miscarried) and have been having it ever since. I would also suggest the Calm / Headspace app or something similar that you can download which is great for breathing exercises and also for meditation as well as getting you out of a panic attack. If it was a panic attack then the feeling does definitely pass don't worry but there are things you can do to also help yourself with anxiety moving forwards.

xx

[Patches86 in reply to hifer]

I’m so sorry to hear such sad news about your nephew, that’s a lot to handle on it’s own, never mind on top of an ivf cycle.

It’s really reassuring that you say if it was a panic attack the feelings will definitely pass. I’m feeling better today (save for the chest pain) so hoping it’s over and doesn’t happen again, but do need to keep check over this. It’s an insane feeling having your body take such control, I was trying to breathe but just felt I couldn’t get my mind and body to sync to be ok. I’ve been having counseling through my clinic since my ectopic in July, which has been somewhat helpful and I’ll keep at it. Thank you for all your advice, I really appreciate it! All the best for the rest of your journey x

[hifer in reply to Patches86]

The simplest bit of advice I’ve ever been given for breathing is remember 4-4-8. Breathe in for 4 (counts) hold for 4 and then breathe out for 8. Whilst having a bit of a panic attack this is pretty tricky so I take it down to 2-2-4. Breathe in for 2 counts, hold for 2 counts and breathe out for 4 counts. I promise if you do this over and over repeatedly, you can get your breathing under control again 😊. I’m with you, it’s a horrid feeling but even if I’m feeling anxious (without a panic attack) I can breathe through it. Who knew breathing could be so clever 😉xx

[Patches86 in reply to hifer]

I’m going to practice this on good days to make sure I’m equipped for the bad - thank you!!!!

[hifer in reply to Patches86]

That’s exactly what I did. Very sensible xx