Panicking

[Theresa34]

Hi,

I’ve woken up tonight after a couple of hours sleep feeling completely panicked. I have no idea why. My legs are cramping, my chest feels so tight that I can’t breathe properly, my throat feels tight, my heart is pounding. It’s happened a couple of times lately. I tried to listen to a meditation podcast but it just makes it even worse. I hate this feeling in my legs, it’s not painful cramping, just enough to keep me awake and stretching doesn’t help! How can I relieve it?? It just makes me even more worried.

i hope it’s not something more serious.

[Amy987]

Hi Theresa,

For medical advice it's really important that you consult an actual doctor, just in case there are other things going on that we can't help you with through a screen.

It sounds to me like it might be a panic attack (although those are different from person to person). Has something been happening, or changing in your life that may be causing underlying anxiety or extreme stress?

When something is difficult in my life, I often rationally think I'm fine... but then my body starts freaking out if I ignore what's happening for too long.

Amy

[Theresa34]

Hi Amy,

Yes of course, I understand you can’t provide medical advice. Not quite sure what I was thinking posting that! Perhaps just my state of mind at the time.

Actually, I moved to the U.K. with my husband a couple of years ago and I’m back in Australia now visiting family on my own. It has been an emotional visit so that may be contributing.

I also have a tendency to really dramatise things in my mind, particularly in regards to my health. If I have one slightly unusual symptom I blow it out of proportion and imagine a whole range of other symptoms that aren’t there. Just thinking about it a bit more now...I’ve realised It really impacts my day to day living. Its worse at night time when I’m tired. I start to become irrational. I have recently discovered I am Ceoliac after suffering with chronic pain and subsequent depression for about 3 years. It was the worst experience of my life. Even now when I start to feel unwell I get an uncontrollable feeling of panic and anxiety, despite now knowing what the condition is and how I need to treat it.

I feel like no one really understands and peoole close to me think it’s all just hyperchondria, which perhaps some of it is...but these feelings of panic are getting worse. As I type this, Im thinking I should probably should talk to someone face to face about it, but honestly I feel a bit silly saying all this when there are other people who have far greater problems than I do.

[Amy987]

Theresa don't feel bad - other people having greater problems doesn't make your or my problems any less valid, and I know exactly what you mean, actually...

I am originally from the UK, not Australia, and just after migrating about a decade ago I had exactly what you describe... I panicked a lot at the slightest symptom of anything. I went through a year of constantly "just knowing" I was pregnant (when we were on all kinds of birth control to prevent it). I was, of course, never pregnant. But it felt very real and I even became obsessive about having to take my birth control pill at the exact same time every day to the minute for a while. And freaking out about small symptoms made them feel even worse.

Looking back it was a result of other things in my life and feeling uprooted and not grounded. Of course I have no idea if it could be the same for you, but when you said you migrated fairly recently and are currently back in Australia on your own it just hit me that I was also accused of being a hypochondriac for a while after migrating. Moving to the other side of the world - and coming back to a 'home' that has gone on without you - is a huge deal.

I hope you feel better and I hope your family visit is going well. Please feel free to share more if you want to!

[magentamiss]

Hi Theresa, I know its days since your original post.. But for next time, I wanted to tell you that magnesium oil spray would really help with your legs and help you to get back to sleep 🙂 Hope you're feeling better!

[Wazzar61]

Hi Theresa

Definitely see your Dr but its worth spending a few extra dollars and buy Magnesuim in powder form,i find this far better than the tablets

remember you always have friends here

Wazzar