Hi everyone. I think I've had anxiety for about 5 years now. It comes and goes, and gets easier to deal with sometimes. But now I think I'm having bad panic attacks! I've had problems with heart palpitations in the past, so have had medical tests done... but when this happens to me, I feel like I might have a heart attack!

Just tonight I was sitting alone in my living room. I started to feel like my lungs were tight... like I was getting a bad cold or something. I got up and walked around, and all of the sudden I was filled with all of these thoughts about dying! My husband is traveling right now, so I am alone with my sleeping kids. I started to feel dizzy and my chest was hurting bad! I kept thinking I should call someone to come watch the kids so I could go to the ER. But in the back of my mind, I kept thinking it was just a panic attack, and it would go away... and sure enough, eventually it did. But by then I was shaking and sweating, and I had diarrhea!

And now, about an hour later... I feel perfectly fine. Just tired.

Does anyone else experience this? Is this a panic attack?

I am so scared! I know I've had anxiety issues. I've got other symptoms that I've dealt with for years, including headaches, vertigo/diziness, and palpitations.

Does this/will this ever get better?:confused:

Those symptoms you experienced are definately some of the most common (including thinking you are going to die) for a panic attack. Your first step for recovery might be to go to the doctor and just so you can have reassurance in your mind nothing else is wrong is have him run tests for the things you freak out over during it than you can tell yourself your not having one it's just a panic attack.

Also here are a few things that may help you get over them -

1. Don't fear them - They cannot hurt you in any way sure it feels horrible but no one has ever died from one. Also fearing them will just make them worse and more frequent learn to accept them.

2. Exercise - That is a good way to relieve stress which in return will help relieve anxiety\panic attacks.

3. Don't let it control you - This kind of goes with don't fear them but if you begin to stop doing every day activities because of them when you try to do normal day activities it will become much harder the longer you allow it to control you. I had anxiety attacks for 6\7 weeks and 2 weeks into 'recovery' when out with friends I still sometimes get lightheaded and derealization but I tell myself it's just anxiety and stay (when we went back to the same place later I felt fine :))

I know there are more ways people deal with it but these seem to be the ways that help me most so anyone reading this should post ways they use to cope with it.

Sounds just the the attacks I get. I can just be sitting there and I'll get a twinge of pain in my chest (probably gas) and that will send me into a panic. I'm just sure I'm going to fall over dead any minute. I get palpitations, can't breathe right, dizzy, sweaty and sometimes diarrhea. The worst part for me is that I feel so alone. I hate being home alone with or with just my kids because what if something happens to me when they are here. I wouldn't want to put them through that. Anxiety is an ugly, ugly thing.

What you have described sounds like a panic attack to me. They are very physical so I know it's hard to believe that it is a panic attack. I have been having them for about a year now and they can be very scary. Definitly go to your doctor as soon as you get a chance, I have been to the emergency room on several occasions and they found nothing, but if you feel in immediate danger you should go just to be sure. -good luck Ed;)

Hi Jen32:wave:
I am also a suffer of anxiety with panic disorder. I have been suffering on and off for years as well. What you described sounds like my panic attacks, I recently wrote a post called my disease called anxiety on this board, Please if you get the chance read it I think you might find it helpful, as others with panic disorder have..
I also suffer with vertigo, and daily chronic tension headaches. I just wanted to let you know I know what you are going through, for I myself am a suffer as well.. You are by no means alone on this one!!
If you have any thoughts or questions please feel free to ask.. Boxerlover

I truly think it is crazy that a panic attack can cause all these symptoms but they do! In the past I went through hypnotherapy and it was amazing, I was also on lexapro and that stopped working, I am going back to the psych next week, I recently had a baby so I couldn;t take meds for a while.
I also have vertigo and headaches from tension all of the time!
:angel: