Scared - Panic Disorders Message Board

Jops · 02-01-2003, 01:12 AM

Hey:
A few weeks before Xmas I experienced a panic attack. It was so bad that I rushed to the doctors because I thought I was dying, although I did suspect a panic attack has I had experienced it before a couple of years ago when my Nan passed away. Still I made another appointment with a much better doctor that gave me a book to read and also sent me for blood tests and also did an ECG which were all normal. I have been fine since, but today I was at the gym, my heart rate at 134pbm feeling good. Just as I was ready to leave I checked my heart rate again and it had dropped in minutes to 73bpm. I am not sure if it was before or after checking that, that I had a panic attack. I got out of there quick and ran to my car so that I could try and compose myself and breath. It is not the panic attack that scares me it is the symptoms. What if the doctor missed something? What if it is not a panic attack? Since the panic attack before Xmas I have become concerened with every little twang that I feel. I have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday as I have had high blood pressure that last couple of checks 135/95 and 132/85. I am consumed that maybe it is not panic attacks, maybe it is something else and I am going to ask my doctor to check everything. Also after my experience today I have been so drained, exhausted and tired do other experience that?
I am finding this all very hard to accept as my life it not stressful and I do not seem to worry all that much. I am constantly stressed now, about the symptoms.

------------------
Every blade of grass has a little angel that hovers over it saying "Grow, grow"....

Graciecat · 02-01-2003, 07:07 AM

Jops,

I had my very first panic attack while I was taking clothes out of the dryer, nothing stressful about that, but still that's what I was doing when I had my first attack.

Like you I went to the Dr. he told me everything was fine with my heart and that I had a panic disorder.
He gave me Xanax and those pills saved my life.
My blood pressure was also high, when I went into the Dr., but he took it again right before I left and it was normal.
He told me that the high reading was brought on by the stress of not knowing what was wrong with me and being scared.
Now when I go and they take my pressure it's always normal.

My attacks went away for almost 6 years, then one night I was sitting on my back porch just looking out at the yard and the panic came back.

I think getting everything checked out would be a good thing, then when the tests come back normal that will help put your mind at ease.
That's how it was for me, once I knew what was wrong I felt like a ten ton weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

Take care of yourself and let us know how the appointment goes.