Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

23,095 Members
43,238 Posts
0 Online
Anxiety Disorders
/ Anxiety Support Group

ER for Anxiety Attack

eshaw
eshaw
I have had panic attacks many times in the past 25 years. But I have never had one so severe I didn't feel it coming on. All I felt was intense chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath and severe shaking I couldn't stop. My friend was convinced I was having a heart attack too because it came out of nowhere. I was humiliated when they told me it was a panic attack. I felt no emotions, just physical symptoms. They were real, it made me feel like a hypochondriac. Embarrassing! The ER staff was incredibly rude, so much so that I finally told the Dr. he was an asshole. I'm sorry I wasn't having a heart attack!! I hate the lack of compassion by doctors. No referrals, no suggestions, no help. Just "you're totally fine". Has anyone else ended up in the ER due to physical symptoms and not realizing it was a panic attack? So frustrated. Next time I'll just stay home and pop pills for the pain.
BonTemps
BonTemps
The doctor is an asshole. The feeling of a panic attack can be very similar to a heart attack. Ive had both and the panic attack was more scary because I didnt realize I was having a heart attack for about 2 hours when the sharp pain in my chest was getting worse. I thought it was my stomach or I would have been at the ER in 15 minutes. Look at it this way..if you were having a heart attack and didnt go , that would be much worse than wasting a trip to the ER and dealing with rude people.My cardiologist told me he saw a case where a man thought they were having a heart attack, drove to the ER..got to the parking lot and decided it wasnt that serious..went back home and died during his sleep. Better safe than sorry.
BonTemps
BonTemps
Just so you know, most heart attacks are not like the TV kind..grabbing the chest and falling on the floor. The signs are often more subtle. Mine was about 10 minutes after a workout. Thought I had drank my gatorade too fast and had a gas bubble. A little nausea and slight tingling in my left hand were the only other symptoms. Im not telling you this to say you should go to the ER 5 times a year..just that the doctor should be more understanding because they know the similarity in symptoms of panic attack and heart attack.
gramybear
gramybear
So many people have ended up in the emergency room thinking they were having a heart attack and not having an anxiety attack or panic attack. It's very common, however, a good doctor or good hospital will tell you that it's smart to go to the ER to make sure it's not a heart attack. Don't feel embarrassed or humiliated. The people you had to deal with should be ashamed of themselves! You have absolutely nothing to feel bad about, nothing! Hugs GB
monael
monael
You definitely ran into a rude doctor. I have been to the er a few times with panic attacks, unfortunately. I never did encounter rudeness, they always told me not to be embarrassed, because I was so upset that I wasted their time. I can imagine how hard it was to be faced with that, it's hard enough dealing with the anxiety.
simplycatherine
simplycatherine
HEllo eshaw,

I have had a similar experience. I had a panic attack that was so so bad, even worse than the worse I had had before. I thought I was dying from a heart attack. I went to the ER. The checked my heart with an electrocardiogram just to be sure. When it came back normal they just dismissed me and told me I was panicking and I should breath in a brown paper bag They made me feel so stupid and embarrassed!

So I know how you feel. Hang in there!
eshaw
eshaw
I am happy to hear others have had better experiences going to the ER for panic attacks. I'm still in shock that it was anxiety causing my pain. I also had muscle spasms all over my body. It was intense. Anyhow, thanks for the support. I hope that never happens to me again!
Community LeaderMid
Mid
I will add that having a panic attack and being treated rudely in the ER is common. Far more common than people realize. What changes is when the one team member who recognizes the physical impact of anxiety symptoms and works to calm, soothe, focus the physical symptoms to normal range naturally.

Best wishes.
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • GreenEyes727

    Reality Check

    Posted by: GreenEyes727
    Last Reply: GreenEyes727
    6
    Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job.  It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it.  Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown.  There was a full length mirror in the changing room.  I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like.  It was a reality check.  
  • arfie

    hate holes

    Posted by: arfie
    Last Reply: arfie
    2
    "don't be a hate hole" has been one of my recent mantras which seems to be escaping my mouth more and more often. it emerges when i am faced with the endless list of chores i would rather not deal with. insurance. head lice. bureaucracy. in-laws. the list goes on and on and on and on, ad infinitum.reality checks requested. am i making sense?"ever'thin they is but loving leaves a rust on your...