Scared and alone

[Dazed_and_confused]

Hi everyone

33 yr old mum of 3

This is my first time posting here. I was diagnosed back in April this year with Anxiety and Depression after a very frightening panic attack. It all started just after my mum (who was visiting from interstate) and I had just finished doing the housework for the day. She'd gone off for a shower and I sat down with my kids playing with Lego. I started to feel slightly unwell and my left arm started to go numb and my finger had a tingle in the end. I'm a bigger person and have recently started to worry about my weight and dying. So instantly I thought I was having a heart attack. My mum come back in and I was starting to sweat and panic I told her I was not feeling so good and I think I'm going to have a heart attack, she initially laughed at me and kept getting ready. I went off for a shower, the whole time in the shower my chest started to feel extremely tight and felt like an elephant was sitting on it. By this time my breathing had become quiet fast from the panic and I asked my mum to take me to the emergency room. Once I got there I was rushed off to be put on a machine, this of course made me panic even more. My blood pressure was 205/190. I literally felt like I was going to die like my heart was going to explode in my chest. Once the first ECG was done and they told me my heart was ok I started to settle down. I was kept over night just in case with 6 blood test done. They just said I'd had a panic attack and sent me on my way.

Three days had passed and I still was not feeling too well, I started having bad headaches where my head would be so tight I'd cry, I felt dizzy all the time standing, sitting and even at night while in bed I spun out of control. I made a doctors appointment and was told there was nothing wrong with me. It was one of those Drs who pulls you in and pushes you out as quick as possible and charges you an arm and a leg with no answers. I decided to change Dr surgeries and found my current Dr. She listened to every word I said explained everything to me and knew what I was going through. It Did take 2 more visits for her to say you my dear have anxiety. She has put me on medication, it's started to help but now not so much so will be seeing her when she's back from holidays. I'm supposed to be seeing a psychologist but every time I go to make an appointment I have a panic attack and can't bring myself to do it. I don't know why or what I'm afraid of.

[Wednesday]

Hi Dazed,

Nice to meet you,. My three children you must be run of your feet!

Panic attacks are just dreadful and scary. It sounds like you had quite an adventure with your last one. With my PA's it's quite obvious (when I figure it out, that is) what brought it on, e.g a certain area near me, aggression, a medical appointment etc.

Have you any ideas at all of what brings on your PA's, is there any common thing happening?

It's great that you have found a doctor that you're are comfortable with, I hope she is back from her holidays soon. It would be great if you could make that psych appointment. I know it is hard to make that call, but he/she may be really useful and just what you need to help sort out the background problem. It often takes someone else to help use understand what we are afraid of. Is it possible to have someone support you making the appointment and go with you and wait while you're there?

Hang in there just do one step at time. If you're up to it write back, even if you just want to vent. You'll find all sorts of useful support here.

Hugs.