Very new to all of this

[Tilly4]

Hi,

I am super new new and and super new to anxiety.

Not really sure where to begin, but hoping that there are others out there that have the same symptoms as me so I know I am not alone.

Mine started about 2 months ago when I apparently had a panic attack when I was waiting for the train. This led to me hyperventilating and ending up in emergency where they found absolutely nothing wrong with me. I guess I should have been relieved by that, but part of me wishes they had just found something wrong and then it could be treated.

After that I had good couple of days and then bam! A week of serious dizzy spells, racing heart, chest pains and difficulty breathing. Again a dr's visit was in order where I was pretty much told to 'calm down', easier said than done right? Ever since I have regular dizzy spells every day at no specific time and seemingly not the result of anything specific or even any anxious feelings. However these dizzy spells create a vicious cycle, where I then panic about the dizzy spells. Urgh!!

I've since been to another dr who described it as having a 'sympathetic drive' and has put me on a 4 week plan of exercise and meditation before we try any medication.

So yeah that's my story, hoping to hear from other people here and any similar stories.

[White_Rose]

Dear Tilly

Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. Anxiety or panic attacks are unfortunately fairly common. It may be a relief to know that you are not the only one but it doesn't help when you are in the middle of this situation. I understand what you mean by saying you hoped the doctors would find find something wrong. It's a relief to know what you battling and you can get on with it.

But you do know what's wrong. You are having panic attacks, probably due to some anxiety, and it manifests itself by the symptoms you describe. I know all about it having been there frequently. Not nice.

I was talking to my GP this morning about having panic attacks in the night when I am asleep. She said it's because your mind is reviewing the day and comes across something that gets me upset and hence the panic. I found that very good information. It's similar in the daytime. When you are relaxed or your mind is drifting a bit the brain can start its review. Suddenly out of nowhere you are having those horrible symptoms. When you are concentrating on something panic rarely happens, or at least not in the form of panic attacks.

My GP said it's like driving somewhere and not remembering how you got there. You were driving on auto pilot and if an emergency had arisen you would have snapped back into reality in a nanosecond. Apparently panic attacks do happen when driving in this scenario and people have to pull off the road.

Can you remember what was happening immediately before the attacks? I also had them while watching TV. No warning, just wham. I hope I am not scaring the living daylights out of you. You will learn to recognise the first signs and how to manage. the attack.

A book I frequently recommend to people with anxiety is Living with IT by Bev Aisbett. IT is anxiety. It's a very small book, has some cartoons and is funny in parts as the author describes her own adventures. It would take about an hour to read. The message is very good and has a number of tips I use. Have a go.

Hope you will write in again and tell us how you are travelling.

Mary

[Simona]

hello Tilly4

Well I know what the racing heart and chest pain is like.  once I thought my heart was going to explode because it hurt so much but the nurse said my heart was ok and that I wasn't going to die

the dizziness I also know.   I have been told I have benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.  It's a very long name for having floating stones in the ear. I had it on and off for 9 years.  maybe ask your doctor to look in your ears because I was given this photocopy with exercises to do and sometimes it works.   But other times i get sick and need fresh air.  

I haven't had it for a while so it can stay away

And for me it's not related to panic attack . it can come on from either movement or because of something on tv.  3 d movies I can't watch at all and I can't go on certain rides at the show.   Those apple things that go round and round in playgrounds i can't watch either

i think you should get it investigated   🙂

[Mummybee]

Hello Tilly,

i can sympathise with the symtoms, as well as the "but I'm not feeling anxious right now" thoughts that come when anxiety is blamed for physical symptoms. 

I have lots of symptoms from anxiety, and as my anxiety is health based, I am indeed my own worst enemy.

it sounds like you are just experiencing anxiety for the first time. Hopefully it's just a passing thing for you and you will be feeling back to yourself soon.

sometimes it helps me to talk to my body when I'm feeling the physical stuff. "I know it's just the anxiety, it will pass, just breath and know that anxiety won't kill you"

hope you're already improving by the time you read this

mummybee