New to Anxiety!

Ready1 · ‎05-06-2014

HI, I am a 35 year old male and had what I thought was my first full blown panic attack a week and a half ago. I ended up in the ER and did bloods, Chest X-Ray and ECG and all came back clear. Since leaving the next morning I have felt extremely flat and cant get the fear that I am about to have another out of my mind. My doc prescribed some meds to help me sleep but really hasnt worked - I feel tired in the mornings and a little "hazy" for most of the day.

One thing that I have found weird is that when I am tired since then I get a sort of pins and needles feeling in my face and left arm - of course I tell myself its something more sinister and around it goes again! I can keep active, I still play Aussie Rules footy and have no issues when I am playing. Has anyone else had feelings like this?

While in the hospital the nurse sat with me and we worked out I have probably had this ongoing for some time and it s kind of like it has hit its peak and I am struggling to get right from here.

Any advice from any out there would be most welcome!

Thanks in advance!

Lambo · ‎05-06-2014

Hi, You're not alone. I'm a healthy 19 year old female who goes to the gym and lives a healthy lifestyle. I suffer from panic attacks and use to get them almost daily. I am now on medication daily and finally worked up the courage to see someone about it. I am happy I am finally feel like I'm doing something constructive about it as I couldn't get through it on my own. I don't even understand it on my own. I begin on the 9th of July. My episodes as I call them feel like I am shaking as intensely as a fit. Lasting anywhere between a couple of seconds to minutes. Constantly tired and sleep has been broken and filled with nightmares.

Ready1 · ‎08-06-2014

Hi all, since my first post things have calmed down slightly. I was feeling the pins and needles type feelings in my face, arms and hands but a good friend of mine also suffers from Anxiety and he gets this all the time and says it is actually quite common. I have found it only seems to come back when I am doing nothing and thinking about it - yesterday for example I was working in the garden all morning - went for a run/walk after and was fine but then this morning when things are less busy they come back. I am seeing my own doctor on Wednesday this week who I am hoping will be able to refer me to someone to talk with - I know all these things are in my head ( in the last week I have convinced myself I have all sorts of health issues) and I just want to know what is triggering this so I can work on fixing it! Im not so much concerned about anything other than my health - for as long as I can remember I have self diagnosed and not once have I been correct, which says something. Even as I type this out I start to feel marginally better.

As I mentioned in my first post anyone out there who has any advice as to how best cope I would love to hear it, at the minute I am not doing it all that well on my own! Got good support but think that it will wear thin - only so much reassurance someone can give!

Struggler · ‎20-06-2014

Hi Ready1

Welcome to the forum and I am sorry your post hasn't been answered for ten days! I usually scroll down and reply to posts that are not answered instead of congregating in the popular threads.

I can only talk about my own experience. My anxiety is triggered by many stressors, argument with family, being treated badly at work, short of money etc. These are common stressors in their various degrees depending on the severity. When anxiety takes places, my chest feels very tight as though it contracts and it is scary. My legs feel as though needles keep stabbing them.

Because I can identify the cause I am able to do something about it. I am not working now so no more stressor from there.

Perhaps go back to your GP and ask for referral for a psychologist. He/she will help identify the root of your anxiety. Your GP might prescribe medication if he thinks it is appropriate.

You're right in saying we can't rely on just one person for support as it wears thin. Please post here again and other people will help also.

Struggler

Ready1 · ‎20-06-2014

Hi Struggler - thanks for your reply.

I have been referred to a psychologist and have my first appointment next week. I get similar feelings when I get anxiety as you do - a sharp pain in my chest (more so to the left) and then pins and needles feelings in my hands and face. Had been clear of any heart issues from the hospital but doesn't stop the fear factor!

I am working in a job that can be quite stressful and I think can be the trigger but sometimes its not - a lot of my fears come from worry about my health (which is pretty good really). An example was yesterday I was sitting with a customer of mine who has a serious heart condition - I was feeling fine before. While listening to what he was going through, subconsciously I have thought what if that was me - then my chest gets sore, I get the pins and needles and I find it hard to catch my breath - I was lucky not to freak out too much as to have the customer notice, but I found it kind of interesting how my mind brought on these symptoms almost immediately. I am finding that since that first anxiety attack I am somewhat more aware of everything I feel in my body - almost like my senses are more sensitive!

Anyway - thanks again for your reply its really refreshing to read how others are struggling with almost identical thoughts and feelings. I am really looking forward to starting some sort of treatment to work through it!

faeriedust88 · ‎20-06-2014

Hi Ready 1, when these things start to happen - I know it sounds simple, but take long deep breaths (this helps to calm the body) and if you have been checked by the docs, and you have the all clear, know that it is a symptom of anxiety that you are feeling and breath deeply to get through it. You sound like you enjoy your fitness, why not try yoga - your body may be holding too much tension from your job and working with lots of people - yoga is great for exercise and releasing tension and helps train your body to let go of tension.

Anyways - sounds like you are on the right path - good luck with your journey!

Ready1 · ‎20-06-2014

Thanks for that, I am happy to give anything a go! Doc prescribed something right off the bat which really didn't help and in fact made me feel worse - been a bit better since not taking anything and really want to control all myself if I can. I do like to exercise but at the minute really lacking any motivation at all - when I do get to the gym or when I play footy I feel great after - its just the getting there that's proving difficult.

I am noticing that when I am tired or run down I get worse - drove around 1200kms this week for work and saw about 15 odd customers whilst doing so - was a big week and by the end was starting to get to me. Also plenty of driving alone means loads of thinking - sometimes this is the enemy - cant really zone out as I need to obviously concentrate on the road. Even though I have really only peaked in the past 4 weeks the deeper into it I look there have been signs for years now and I like most guys just push them aside - it feels really good to come here and put it all out there - Thanks to you all for listening!

Struggler · ‎21-06-2014

Hi Ready1

You seem more upbeat in your last post and I am glad you feel comfortable posting here.

I can relate to what you said about feeling anxious, depressed and driving. Many years ago during my full blown depression, driving home, I was in deep thought oblivious to my surroundings. I ran through red light during peak hours. Luckily no one was physically hurt but I was badly shaken.

Another time, I had only two hours sleep due to depression and anxiety. The next morning I had to drive from Mt Isa, Queensland back to Adelaide. I felt drowsy and suddenly woke up, on the wrong side of the road. I quickly made a correction. It took me like forever to safely stop on the side of the road. Luckily it was an isolated road and no oncoming traffic at the time. I sat in my car for half an hour before getting back my composure. I didn't fear dying but dreaded ending up a vegetable. Actually death would have been better for me at the time.

So do be conscious about your condition when driving. Maybe listen to soothing music?

Struggler

faeriedust88 · ‎24-06-2014

Hey Ready 1,

Yes, driving long distances on ur own can create too much time for u to start thinking and becoming anxious. This happens to me when I work on my own, at first I'm ok, I get all my things done for my shift and then when I have nothing to do it's like my mind starts searching for things to think about and as a result - I become anxious and can't wait to get out of that place for the day!

I just had a thought - maybe you could try a self help recording or download that u could listen to while driving - may be worth a try?

Take care.

Ready1 · ‎24-06-2014

That's actually not a ad idea. I am open to anything. Today was a bad day - had some what normally is minor issues at work and have felt tense all day. Tried to run it out at footy training but no real luck - just feeling as though I'm about to explode! This never got o me like this before, I'm not a fan of feeling this way to be honest. I have ad pins and needles feeling in my face and hands all day - woke up this morning to issues at work and just continued the same all day. Add to this had my son in hospital last night (he is fine) but I'm just at the point where things seem to be crowding me and I'm always in demand, quite suffocating.

Anyway I guess we all have good and bad days!