Help! - Panic Disorders Message Board

mollyd1234 · 09-08-2003, 12:30 PM

After going a few months without any panic attacks whatsoever, I had a strange thing happen to me last night that was different than my "usual" panic attacks. I woke up with my right arm hurting and a pain in the back of my neck. Before I could think clearly and realized that I had spent the day hunched over ripping out a carpet and hammering nails (with my right arm) my mind screamed at me that I was having a seizure or suffering from meningitis. An overwhelming fear hit me like a ton of bricks and I felt paralyzed, like I couldn't move. I also got really warm and felt detached from reality. I almost woke up my husband to have him call an ambulance. I started to breathe deeply and tell myself I was ok but it took a good hour to calm down. Can anyone else relate? Anyone else been woken up from a panic attack? I actually called in sick to work today because I just wanted to stay in my bed. Now I feel fine and feel like an absolute idiot because I should be at work. Any info would be appreciated.

worrywort · 09-08-2003, 01:48 PM

I am the same way, any little ache or pain I start to think bad things even though it is nothing, then the anxiety kicks in and I end up having a full blown attack that last about an hour or 2 but I have had them last days before. One time when I woke up my arm was numb because I slept on it and I freaked out anyway, actully I still get pain in my left arm because I sleep on it constantly and the doc thinks I have nerve damage! Don't feel guilty for not going to work, everyone needs a day off. hope you have a great day.

raas · 09-08-2003, 03:00 PM

woah, something very similar happened to me.

I haven't had panic attacks in MONTHS... yet a couple of weeks ago, i was awoken by a panic attack.. but i couldn't move a muscle. This is "sleep paralysis", where your mind literally wakes up before your body. I had to lie down unable to move while hit with intense fear.

Here is the complex reason why i _think_ this happens.

The chemical in your brain Serotonin effects many things... but particually mood, sleep and light. It is possible that the lack of light, and the disturbed sleep have affected your serotonin and caused a panic attack.

If this happens again, try turning a light on or a television..

Garm · 09-08-2003, 03:04 PM

Something similar happened to me a couple of days ago, but i wasn't asleep and awoke due to it. I was in a car, and i felt a twinge in the left side of my sternum, and then a rush of panic, then the most dreadful tension headache came about. THe human mind is a very odd thing indeed.

mollyd1234 · 09-08-2003, 03:10 PM

Thanks for the replies....Raas something you said struck a chord with me. It was about Serotonin and light. Just outside my bedroom, I have a night light in the hallway because I have a new puppy who frequently needs to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom (we sleep with our door open so the light does shine in). Well, my hubby and I are remodeling that part of the house and have torn out part of the stairs. To make a LONG story short, we slept with our door closed last night so our puppy wouldn't wander out and fall where we ripped out the stairs. When I had my attack last night, it was pitch dark in my room. I wonder if that had something to do with it. Makes sense. If it happens again I will try to turn on a light or the television. Thanks again.