Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
Let me start out by saying:
I am a HUGE hypochondriac.
Ok, now that we have that out of the way I'll continue.
For the past few days I've felt like I can't breathe. All day long I feel like I can't get enough air in and I find myself yawning constantly. My chest and my back are physically sore from fighting to breathe. My question is:
How in the hell do you know when your symptoms are REAL or ANXIETY?
I do suffer from allergies and the weather has been changing and I'm sure things are blooming. I used my Albuterol Inhaler this morning and I took a really hot shower to try to clear up my chest because it feels so tight. What terrifies me is, my Mom died in January from ovarian cancer. She found out she had it because she couldn't breathe. She went to the doctor and the cancer had spread to her lungs and they were filling with fluid causing the shortness of breath. I've been sitting here ALL day thinking, "I've got cancer."
I could go to the doctor, sure. But he's going to want to send me somewhere for chest x-rays and tests. There's no place nearby to get those sort of things done. I've stopped going to my gyno all together because there's not one nearby so I sit here and think I could have had ovarian cancer for a while because I'm several years overdue for a visit. I don't go very far. PLUS I don't have insurance because I got fired. Thus the issue of money.
I CAN'T FREAKIN' BREATHE!
Do any of you do this to yourselves? Meh... I don't know what to do and I can't stop flipping out. I could take a Klonopin but I try to wait to take those later at night so atleast I'll sleep.
I am a HUGE hypochondriac.
Ok, now that we have that out of the way I'll continue.
For the past few days I've felt like I can't breathe. All day long I feel like I can't get enough air in and I find myself yawning constantly. My chest and my back are physically sore from fighting to breathe. My question is:
How in the hell do you know when your symptoms are REAL or ANXIETY?
I do suffer from allergies and the weather has been changing and I'm sure things are blooming. I used my Albuterol Inhaler this morning and I took a really hot shower to try to clear up my chest because it feels so tight. What terrifies me is, my Mom died in January from ovarian cancer. She found out she had it because she couldn't breathe. She went to the doctor and the cancer had spread to her lungs and they were filling with fluid causing the shortness of breath. I've been sitting here ALL day thinking, "I've got cancer."
I could go to the doctor, sure. But he's going to want to send me somewhere for chest x-rays and tests. There's no place nearby to get those sort of things done. I've stopped going to my gyno all together because there's not one nearby so I sit here and think I could have had ovarian cancer for a while because I'm several years overdue for a visit. I don't go very far. PLUS I don't have insurance because I got fired. Thus the issue of money.
I CAN'T FREAKIN' BREATHE!
Do any of you do this to yourselves? Meh... I don't know what to do and I can't stop flipping out. I could take a Klonopin but I try to wait to take those later at night so atleast I'll sleep.
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
i feel the same way
for the past couple of days
its the anxiety..
The thing is when you worry about it more it makes it worse.
Hang in there x
asthma is a possibility
Anyways..I am a HUGE hypochondriac too. For years everytime I had a stomach ache I thought it was my appendix. Last Feb. it actually was and everyone told me that I was making it up. Scary huh?! BUUUTT..my therapist beleives in "Selt Fulfilling Propheses" or whatever they are called. The more you think about something happening to you the more your brain overacts in that are. Which supposedly can cause what your fearing to actually go wrong. She thinks it is possible I gave myself appendicitis because I thought about it soo much. So big tip...calm down and just go ahead and take the Klonopin. You do not want to drive yourself crazy. I also want to say that you are not alone and I know it is hard to deal with. I can't promise you that you don't have cancer..but I really do not think it sounds like you do. I really feel that you can't breathe because you are having a panic attack. I have them everyday. I used to go to the ER once a month. I thought I was dying, I thought everyone around me was lying...so I went and they just told me I was having another panic attack. Please message me if you would like to chat!!! I have many more storiest involving hypochondria!:P I am also very sorry to hear about your mom! XOXO
Instead of a hot bath and putting yourself in a humid environment try a warm water bottle on your chest or back instead.
The more you panic the more you clench your chest muscles whether you are realizing it or not... it's not dangerous just more uncomfortable. Try this to open your chest and stretch out your chest muscles:
get a stick or a broom handle and put it behind your neck along your shoulders, put your arms behind and drapped over the front of the stick. It will open up your chest and keep you from "tightening in". It may feel uncomfortable because naturally during panic you want to "curl" but do it... for a while. It would also help you to maybe a tylenol or ibuprophen to help with the soreness.
If your periods are regular and your weight isn't going down fast and you aren't crampy or spotting I wouldn't right away assume you have cancer... NOW DON'T GO FEELING THESE THINGS JUST CAUSE I SAID THEM. Huge hugs... and for your own piece of mind try to find a way to keep your yearly exams even if you have to save up to get them done.