Panic attacks, rapid heartbate, really need help

[rogue86]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking here for a little while and have found a lot of really great posts that have helped me feel more normal in my experience. I'm hoping I can get some advice / encourage from some people here with similar experiences.

I'm 33 and was diagnosed with GAD and OCD at age 21. So I've been dealing with this for a while. My OCD is the worst trouble I have, as it's constantly evolving to find new ways to torment me with upsetting new thoughts and obsessions.

Maybe 2 weeks ago, I woke up from sleep with a rapid heart beat. I was immediately terrified and stayed up all night crying until I passed out from exhaustion at 9am. This was an extremely severe panic attack, which I don't get too often. That week, I had chest pain on and off and heart palpatations, and just felt on edge and terrified at all times. I booked a visit with my GP, who knows I have a long history with anxiety and physical anxiety symptoms, and said she would put me on beta-blockers to manage the panic attacks. To ease my worried brain, she also booked me in for an ECG and an ECHO. (She is very understanding.)

The next day, my panic attack came back and just FLOORED me. I had a pulse of 130, chest pain, I was weeping and felt too weak to move. My partner took me to Emergency where they immediately did an ECG. The doctor told me I had sinus trachycardia, which he said was normal with panic attacks and that my heart was healthy otherwise. He also did bloodwork before I left and an hour later, came back and said all the tests came back negative. He gave me some medication to take at home to try and calm down and sent me on my way.

It's been 3 days since and I'm still so terrified. My pulse is high, I have no appetite, I can't control my thoughts, I'm terrified, crying multiple times a time and my chest keeps hurting on and off. I'm so scared to leave the house because I keep having panic attacks and I'm very embarrassed. My brain won't stop obsessing that something is wrong with my heart and I'm about to die. I can only sleep if I take medication, otherwise I wake up with a racing heart.

Have you had similar experiences? Did you find beta-blockers effective for this? I'm also considering going on an anti-depressant, though I know it takes at least a month to really take effect. I just desperately need some relief from my anxiety symptoms or at least some assurance from others that these are symptoms other anxious people experience. What did you do? I feel so hopeless

[Skary Bill]

Hey Rogue,

I had one the other day that hit me like a ton of bricks. And I didn't see it coming.. Sure, plenty of stress in my world right now. But there was no specific trigger.. I was just working in the shed and it clobbered me. I thought about fighting it and finishing what I was working on. But decided to just try to nip it in the bud as such as sometimes you have to pick your battles.

Closed the shed door and went for a long hot shower and spent some time washing my hair. It was enough to make things bearable. I locked up the place, put a towel on the pillow and took myself to bed. You can imagine my relief to wake up feeling in control a few hours later.

It's such an unsettling feeling, knowing your heart is ok but feeling like it's trying to escape and there's a spike in your chest. Not to mention feeling like you're going to be sick, but knowing you wont. Personally I haven't tried medication for the panic attacks. Depending on the time of day, my go to moves are exercise(I mean if the heart rate is up, might as well get some cardio in), distraction (like a shower), and if it's keeping me awake, I might try sitting somewhere quiet and sipping a hot tea. I think the important thing for me is not to worry about worrying about it.

Anyway, we're all on our own journeys. I just wanted to say hi and let you know I get what you're going through. It's awesome that you have a good doctor and a supportive partner. I hope you find your calm asap.

Bill.

[MsPurple]

Hi Rogue and welcome to the forums

Putting up your first post can be one of the hardest post to do, so I am glad you were brave and did so.

I myself have been diagnosed with GAD a few years ago (probably had it in my childhood too). I have also had a few panic attacks, but not many. I get more general anxiety, and when it is bad I just have constant dread and just on edge, like I am easily startled.

I found that seeing a psychologist really helped me. Do you see one? Maybe ask your GP for a mental health care plan. This gives you 6-10 sessions a year subsidised by medicare. If you need to see one bulk billed let your gp know this so they can make sure they find one that bulk bills. (Note unlike doctors psychologists need this mental health care plan or they get not money from medicare and it will be expensive).

I am also on antidepressants. It is something you would need to discuss with your doctor. I have also seen a psychiatrist and together we decided it was needed for me. I am not saying medication is/isn't for everyone, I am saying it is important to have an open conversation with your doctor and to be open to follow they treatment plan, and if any concerns come up on the way (such as side effects) then you need to tell them. For me I was open and we were able to find one that works for me.

My psychologist suggested I try meditation. At first I was sceptical, however I promised i'd do it every night before bed for at least 10 minutes. I used the app called calm (free section), however there are other apps or even youtube videos you can use. I found after a week it helped calm me and the things I learnt during the session I could use when I was anxious. I suggest giving it a go.

I also find general self care helps. Such as having a bubble bath before bed to help relax, reading a book, exercising (or going for a walk) and if really stressed and unable to concentrate I watch some comedy (Brooklyn 99 is my go to at the moment)

I hope this has helped. You are not alone.

[PamelaR]

Hi Rogue and welcome

Some great suggestions above from MsPurple and Sharky Bill. Not much more I can add to that. Just my own experience with anxiety. I find as I'm getting older my OCD is becoming more evident. Not totally out of this world, but quite noticeable.

I've had some good health professionals who have helped me manage my anxiety and this has increased my self confidence and self esteem. Other sources available for managing OCD are courses run by organisations. I'm not recommending any in particular, just giving you an example - MindSpot OCD course. MindSpot is a free service. I know others here have completed their courses. Feel free to do a search on BB website for MindSpot courses to see what people are saying.

For myself I've used other workbook material by the Centre for Clinical Intervention (CCI) at the University of Western Australia. These books were quite useful and helped me to understand my thinking and how I could change it.

What worked for me may not work for others. Just sharing my experiences. For me, it's been try it, if it works - great, if it doesn't - try something else.

Hope this helps you a little.

Kind regards

PamelaR