Panic attacks or just tired?!

[Elaine H]

Hi All

I just wondered if anyone had experienced a panic attack (especially following surgery) I was told after both lots of surgery to expect to have problems in this area, but never gave it a moment's thought.
Yesterday, I went to see about a job, and it is a job that could change me if I get it,have the actual interview tomorrow (Thurs 8th Jan)I wasn't really nervous, but I'm so out of the employment loop, that anything to do with the possibilities of getting back to work is quite daunting.
All morning,I just kept firstly flushing ice cold down the rights shoulder and arm, and then I had feelings of panic, terror, and just the feeling that I had to quickly stand, or lean against a wall, then I felt ok, it certainly wasn't epilepsy, I am pleased to say I've been fine now since Nov 5th! I was on my own last night, and I'm alone today and tonight with Mark home in the morning, but I feel a lot better today, I just wondered if anyone out there had experienced anything similar?
Hope you are all well, and keepinng warm in this cold miserable never ending Winter, bring on the Spring and Summer!

Lots of Love

Elaine xx

[Just Jo]

Hi, Elaine.

I am on these boards because some family members have epilepsy, so I never thought I'd be able to share what I have: panic attacks and anxiety disorder.

I had a mild panic attack yesterday afternoon. I don't get the ice sensations that you describe, but I do have the panic, terror and a sense of impending doom. I also feel as if I am going to fall over, and standing up and supportnig myself like you describe does help. I have a feeling that I need to move my body.

My breathing becomes short and my shoulders tense up terribly. My family went to the grocery store together after I had this little attack and I felt as if my shoulders were attached to my ears, I was so tense. My sweet husband gave me a shoulder massage in the dairy section. lol

I carry Xanax with me, but I didn't take one yesterday. I really try to talk myself out of them. That did the trick for me yesterday.

So yes, what you describe sounds very similar to what I experience.

Good luck with your job interview tomorrow. If you start to experience these symptoms again, just tell yourself it's your body pushing adrenaline, think of a relaxing time or place, and remind yourself you'll get through it. Because you will.

[Elaine H]

Hi Jo

Thanks for your reply, I should have added that these strange feelings and sensations were occuring about once every couple of minutes, I've had epilepsy for 23 years now so I know it wasn't that, but I used to get the weirdest sensations during my auras, and feelings of total terror!!
I have just gone through the menopause, (a wee bit early apparantly), but it could be related to that as well I guess, we are all different aren't we? I've been ok all day today, but as it starts to get dark here, I've had a few ice cold flushes down the right side, wow, it was so weird! Last night I was so freaked out by it, that I wouldn't go into the kitchen to get my supper because I just didn't want to move from the sofa! Hey, maybe that'll help with the diet?!

Thanks for your reply, and I hope I get this bloody job!!

Cheers
Elaine x

[Just Jo]

It is interesting you mention menopause. I'm 43 and I'm having lots of hormonal changes. I always have a panic attack during my cycle, since this past March. So I believe the panic attacks are related to hormones. So yes, it could be related to changing hormones. (According to Dr. Jo. lol)

I should mention, too, that I have panic attacks that are not cycle related. The first I had this past March was after witnessing my Dad have a heart attack in front of me. That's what started it, but since that, an overnight hospital stay, and a general anxiety disorder diagnosis, I realize looking back on my life that I have always suffered from anxiety.

So I get them when highly stressed and due to hormones. Luckily I'm learning to talk myself out of them though.

Good luck with the job interview!

[josieb]

Hi Elaine:

Sorry to hear about your recent experiences. It does sound as if they were some form of a panic/anxiety attack. I know with myself, I have felt some of what you described, as well as extreme dizziness and a need to quickly get to some type of comfort zone and sit down. But instead of feeling the coldness that you noted, I feel some numbness - usually down my right side. I also begin to breath heavily, like a shortness in breath, and feel a very rapid heart rate. These both last for a period, even afterwards.

I wish you well, and again, good luck with your interview tomorrow!
Sincerely, Josette

[Crazy Monkey]

I have had several panic attacks over the last few years. They are very hard to describe what it feels like, but I will give it a shot. It always seems to start with me getting fidgety for no reason, sometimes just twitching my toe or flicking my feet around, but I feel like I must do it. Then my eyes start to get fixated and I feel a bit dizzy and light headed, my heart starts beating very fast as I hyperventilate, I sometimes shudder/shiver due to a cold sweat. The whole time I just feel like I have got to keep moving, whether it is rocking backwards or juddering in a chair. My panic attacks do sometimes get to the point where I literally cannot get a single breath into my lungs, my throat, windpipe and lungs feel shut off.

I would get a lot more panic attacks then I do if I hadn't learnt to control them before they really get started. I try to relax and think about something calming, I don't know what sets mine off, they just happen from time to time. But I do find that if I can get to sleep, when I wake up it is gone.

The doctor has told me not to worry about the fact that I feel like I cannot breath, because I CAN, he said that the worst thing that would happen is I would pass out and once that happens my body would relax and everything would go back to normal. Luckily I have always managed to sort myself out before I get to the passing out point.

[hawke86]

I have panic/anxiety attacks all the time. A lot more recently cause I have surgery and tests coming up. These attacks are nothing to me.