Did I experience panic attacks?

[RecordProducer]

I am aware of the fact that Loveshackers are not doctors and do not seek any medical opinion. I merely want to hear of other people's experiences and similar cases.

 

Last night I woke up suddenly and felt like I had difficulty to breathe. I literally jumped from lying to a sitting position in the bed, just like you would pop up out of water catching your breath if you were left with no air. I started breathing heavily and struggling for breath, although I could breathe. I did feel panic. Hubby asked me if I was OK and I said "yes" then lied down after about half a minute and went back to sleep.

 

This has happened at least one or two more times in the last few months. The last time was very recently and I thought I was just a bad dream. I was lying down and dreamed that I couldn't breathe and felt like something terrible was happening to me, but I have no memory of any particular dream (which doesn't mean anything).

 

I've been feeling good otherwise (sometimes a bit melancholic, which is not unusual, given that I terribly miss my mom and dad and have no friends here). Some of you know about my problems with the in-laws, but they are now away for several weeks and I've been associating with my mother-in-law. So basically, everything has been quite well and there are no obvious reasons for this.

 

I don't want to go see a doctor at this point. I don't think the situation is so dramatic. Besides I don't want any medications; I don't need them, and I would rather see how far this will go. I don't want to treat the symptoms by ruining my brain.

 

I would like to hear about your experiences in this area. Thank you!

[Tony T]

Could be panic attacks...could be sleep apnea. Either of those and some other things would give you the same symptoms.

 

Try not to drink liquids (coffee, tea, etc.) with caffeine after 6p.m. Also, learn how to meditate...take some classes in the area where you live. They are usually available for free at recreation centers, etc. and they will teach you to do it at home. Meditation is just deep relaxation and it could change your life. Read books to learn strategies to destress yourself and not let your inlaws and other life situations get to you.

 

If you're having panic attacks, meditation and relaxation exercises can help at lot. If you've got other medical problems, you'll have to see a doctor. Anytime you have difficulty breathing or have labored breathing it's kind of essential that you see a medical professional if it continues...if not for you, then for the sake of your children.

[magichands]

Hubby asked me if I was OK and I said "yes" then lied down after about half a minute and went back to sleep.

I've had panic attacks, but I would need a lot longer than 30 seconds to recover.

 

It's usually a flight or fight thing.

 

And I always know what causes them.

[whichwayisup]

RP, seeing as just about everybody here knows I suffer from an anxiety disorder, I can tell ya, it sounds like a panic attack.

 

The thing you have to know about panic attacks is, as scary as they are, it's all physical reaction to some sort of stress or as Tony T pointed out having caffeine late. You have NO idea how many attacks I've had that have been caffeine induced.

 

You have had alot of changes in your life in the past 6 months. Stress brings on anxiety. And having wake up attacks is reaction to things going on inside you. Your mind may not be aware of this but your body IS.

 

While we were at the cottage I woke up in the night and had an anxiety attack.

I felt awful, was hyperventilating and shaking. My hubby just held my hand and I kept telling myself I'd be fine, it'll pass...And it did. Then we talked about what it was that set me off. I couldn't think of anything, but afew mins later i realized I had to poo! I know it sounds stupid and funny, but sometimes if I have to go poo and don't feel well, it can set off anxiety sometimes! LOL! It just happened that I was sleeping!

 

On another note, just go and get a check up with your DR. Make sure that you're blood levels are okay. Get them to check your B12, Iron levels too.

 

Low blood sugar can mimick anxiety too, so eat well! Drink alot of water during the day. Try to have smaller meals, and have small snacks (fruit, yoghurt, even cashews) to make sure your blood sugar levels are high enough.

 

You know how to get hold of me if you need more input from me.

 

Hugs, and maybe try some deep breathing before bed. Just close your eyes, count to 10 breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth....

[RecordProducer]

Thank you very much for your replies, guys.

 

I only drink coffee in the morning, but I just figured that I have had Diet Coke sometimes and green tea in the evenings in the past few days. So caffeine might be the reason.

 

I also suffer from some form of anxiety - I am terrified by the thought of something happening to the ones I love. I actually torture myself with images of tragedies and they put me down, but I can't help it. I control myself quite well and this anxiety has never had any physical effects on me. Nobody knows about it either, not because it's a secret, but because I keep it to myself without putting the burden of my own paranoid thoughts on others.

 

My kids know all about the terrible things that can happen to them if they don't follow my instructions about safety.

[whichwayisup]

It's normal to have worrisome thoughts once in a while, but if you find yourself thinking those types of thoughts more and more, start writing it out. Do a daily journal. You'll see how unrealistic your thoughts are, meaning, the chances of it happening are so slim!

 

It's not serving you ANY good by thinking up that stuff. When your mind wanders negative, distract yourself and don't let it build up in your head. Change the way you think, good thoughts only.

[RecordProducer]

That's actually what I do.

 

About the slim chances - that's exactly the part that worries me, that I will never feel 100% secure.

[whichwayisup]

RP, nothing is 100% secure and for sure in life. There's no point in worrying about something that hasn't happened yet and chances are, won't happen. It's a waste of time, waste of energy...And then ya end up having a panic attack!

 

Hope you sleep better tonight!

[PinkShorts]

I've had panic attacks, but I would need a lot longer than 30 seconds to recover.

 

It's usually a flight or fight thing.

 

And I always know what causes them.

 

 

Not all the time does a person know what provoked it. Especially at the onset of this condition! My first was at 19 or 20 years old and I just thought maybe I was having a heart attack!!!

It could have been a scary dream that caused it even.

That happened to me a few times after a dream where I felt like I was drowning.. I would wake up and be gasping for air.

But I've also had panic attacks. But they usually lasted very long because once I started having one, I then go into hypochondriac mode and think I'm dying of a heart attack or something. Then when I found out what was causing them, I was able to make them last for a very short period of time until they disappeared altogether. I get them very rarely now.

 

But getting back to the question at hand, when I had panic attacks, I would start hyperventilating and feel like I couldn't breathe! That was one of the symptoms.. so YES.

[magda]

I had the same sort of thing... I felt like I couldn't get enough air, but really I could. I was paranoid about my lungs because I was a smoker at the time. I thought I was having a stroke or something because my legs went numb. I went to the hospital, turns out my legs went numb because I was getting too much oxygen from all the breathing... go figure.

 

This happened randomly while I was watching a movie I was quite distracted by. I had no idea it was panic 0r all in my head; I was sure something had to be physically wrong with me.