I don't know what is wrong with me lately but I have been having a lot of panic attacks. I had to go to the hospital the other night because I was feeling short of breath and having chest pains. After I was admitted to the hospital they take me to a cardiac observation unit and give me a shot in my stomach. Seconds after having the shot I had the biggest panic attack I have ever had in my life! I seriously thought I was going to panic myself to death. The nurses and staff at the hospital looked mortified they wanted me to calm down because my heart rate was through the roof. They meant well but they tried to put an oxygen mask on me and keep me in my bed and what not. I was freaking out. It was the longest most intense panic attack I have ever had.
Shortly after my panic attack was ended and I was starting to calm down I convinced them to let me go home and get outpatient treatment and testing for my chest pain. I was begining to think maybe it was all from anxiety. Its been a few days I am still having panic attacks. The attacks have not been as bad as the one in the hospital but its been bad. I am getting anxious worrying I am going to have one and I catch myself avoiding doing anything. I feel like I am trapped in my own body and mind. A prisoner of my fears. Irrational fears at that!
I know I am under a lot of stress. I work full time, go to school full time, and I am a single mom raising four kids ALONE. My boss is not such an easy guy to work for. My classes have been handing out tons of homework. I am doing the best I can. I do know stress is adding to my anxiety though. I am drowing in bills and have bill collectors calling me daily. I make payments on all my past dues accounts but still stay behind. I'm just doing the best I can ... and I don't know how to keep myself from having panic attacks.
I try to give myself some 'me' time. This doesn't work out so well because my youngest two fight non stop. So for example I try to go and take a nice relaxing hot bath, all I hear outside the bathroom door the whole time I am in there is the two of them fighting. Even a trip to the gym is stressful! I try and get all the kids loaded up in the car and all they do is fight and argue and one kids missing this and one is missing that and blah blah blah.
I can't continue to just suffer with panic attacks. I take Paxil daily and it normally keeps me from having the attacks unless I am forced into facing a phobia. I have Xanaxx to take too if I need to but its not much of a help .. takes to long to kick in then I am groggy. No time for sleeping!
I am starting to feel lonely and depressed now too. I just feel alone in this battle and it makes me sad. Does anyone else have panic attacks? If so what do you do for them? Do you take medicine? If so what?
I need help. I am going to see if a doctor can see me tomorrow before I am supposed to be at work. I may have to miss class to go but I need something!!! HELP!
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Comments: 28
its most likey from stress, I wish you had someone to take the kids for a bit to give some break.
sending hugs and prayers
How old are your kids? Perhaps you need to sit them down and be honest with them. Tell them you're having some trouble, and you need their help. Their help in the form of not fighting or being calmer.
It sounds like you're having a crisis time now, and you need to reduce as much as you can.
Writing in a journal can help - you get your worries out on the paper. You can then burn or shred them, releasing the worries.
If there are ways in which someone you know could help, take this chance to ask them!
I hope you feel better soon!
I do keep a journal. I think that does help some. It keeps me more organized and gets my thoughts out.
I try the breathing exercises. Sometimes they help but lately nothing has been helping.
I am going to miss class tomorrow and try and get myself into the doc's. Maybe the panic attacks have something to do with me being out of my blood pressure medicine too. Who knows .. I definetly need it!
Maybe I will go to the gym early in the morning and soak in the hot tub for a bit.. without any kids and just try and relax.
My kids are 15, 12, 10, and 5. My 10 yr old is severe ADD so she is very difficult to talk to or reason with. My 5 yr old is very stubborn .. and has ADHD... so not much help to talk to him. I have tried .. and they just don't seem to get it
I'm so sorry that you are going through this. I know exactly what you are feeling. It is a very isolating feeling... Hang in there sweetie. Try to find a good doctor that you trust who can help you figure out the best mix of medications and other cognitive remedies to help you.
I get them and like you they came on suddenly or so I thought. After seeing the right Doctor. I learned that I had actually been having them for years but had just been telling myself that everything was ok.
I agree with Jax, stress is a big factor in panic/anxiety attacks. Your church should have members who are willing to help out and will not charge you anything. I know life can be overwelming and I know it seems it is not getting better but you need to take some "me" time. It is important to your health and to your anxiety/panic attacks.
If you need to chat, email me. I am a good listener and I do not gossip so your secrets are safe with me. :)
I also think that you are doing a WONDERFUL JOB. You are working full time, a full time Mom of four kids, and going to school. You are under a massive amount of stress.
I know what it's like to go in and take a bath and the kids are fighting outside of the door. So frustrating. They make messes and they are a pain in the butt sometimes.
I have bills that wait on me all the time too. Just telling you this stuff so that you know you are not alone.
Remember this though. EVERYTHING IS ONLY TEMPORARY. Nothing stays the same forever. Kids will grow up. Just enjoy them when you can. Take some deep deep breaths. Ask God for some help. Ask some friends in the area for help.
Sometimes I wait until the kids are in bed and the house is quiet, and I go in and take a bubble bath and I just soak and soak.
Sending you many HUGS today.
We make ourselves crazy trying to make everything perfect and come out the way we want. Sometimes we just have to breathe and let God be the director of the outcomes.
I am doing a lil better lately. Still having them here and there but I have new med's for my blood pressure and it actually seemed to slow down my panic attacks too. AMEN .. I am so glad because I felt like I was losing my mind for a lil bit there!!!