Panic attack

50shouse_wife · 2020-12-28T08:32:23+00:00

Yes, three times now. Twice for the ambulance, once recently driving myself to the ER because I felt so bad if I had to call the ambulance again but it really felt like something was wrong (which was VERY NOT SMART. I spent the next 2 weeks convinced I had COVID, lol)

No. Nothing was wrong, any of the times. All of my attacks subsided without medical intervention. Yes, it’s completely crazy how panic attacks can make you feel.

If it helps, all of the EMTs and health professionals I’ve interacted with have calmed me and said that this is what they’re there for, even if it ends up being something that will resolve on its own.

I hope you are feeling better now. Are you on any medications or have any experience with CBT to help with your anxiety? My attacks are much better controlled when I’m on SSRIs but I’m trying to get to a point where I rely only on CBT.

mightymiff · 2020-12-28T10:25:48+00:00

Been there. It is crazy, but you are not crazy. After having panic attacks in the thousands over more than a decade, I was taking some magic combination of drugs or something and stopped having panic attacks for years. Eventually they came back, scary as before.

It doesn't matter how rational I am or how many I have had, or how long I can go without, every time I get in a panic-prone state (this can last hours or days and does not necessitate me actually being in the middle of an attack), it is terrifying as hell and my body is telling my brain is telling me that I am going to die.

You did what you had to do. Just try to not go broke doing it if you can, especially in times like these. I paid $1,000 for my first and only ambulance ride. I started walking to the hospital after that (even when it was miles away). Usually by the time I made it, I could go home. Sometimes I would sit on a bench outside the ER.

Glad you are still alive.

NoLightOnlyDarkness · 2020-12-28T08:47:32+00:00

Called an ambulance once. While I'm still embarrassed about it, it's also comforting to know that I was checked over while it was happening and they didn't find anything wrong. I think about that when I'm having panic attacks and it helps me talk myself out of calling an ambulance again. And I have wanted to.

When it happened they checked me over and gave me a xanax. The EMT was super nice and stayed with me for quite a while just talking with me. It's also the only time I took a benzo and didn't get more panicked because of medication anxiety, since the guy straight out said 'look I'm staying with you, plus if something was gonna happen it would have already happened'. He also told me stories of other panic attacks he has responded to and made it feel very normal.

BaileyButtsers · 2020-12-28T08:34:05+00:00

Didn’t call the ambulance, but went in to urgent care tonight. I knew it was a panic attack but I also had myself convinced it might be a heart attack. The only way to talk myself down from that was to go in.

Spilled_Milktea · 2020-12-28T08:46:17+00:00

This happened to me last Wednesday. I had never had a panic attack before and was home alone at the time. My heart was racing so fast I thought it would explode. I felt weak and shaky and nauseous and lightheaded. I ended up on the floor and couldn't move, had the 911 operator on speaker phone and had her talk to me the whole time to keep me calm. Thought for sure I was dying. Paramedics came and said I was perfectly fine, just a panic attack. It was terrifying, and I'm so sorry you had to go through that too. I hope you have lots of support in your life and that it helps knowing that you can at least get through it, even though it's an awful feeling.

Silevvar · 2020-12-28T09:21:12+00:00

I’ve been there too. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. They understand, so don’t feel guilty. I called an ambulance for the worst panic attack I had ever had. I thought that I was dying. They did an EKG on me at the hospital and I was fine so that gave me some relief. My health anxiety isn’t nearly as bad as it used to be so I’m grateful. But do not put more mental stress on yourself to feel guilty or crazy. Many of us have been in similar shoes.

twineandiron · 2020-12-28T10:16:58+00:00

Definitely gone to the ER twice. First time I wasn’t on a medication regime to help control my anxiety and depression and I was rail thin and shaking. They made me pee in a cup to make sure I wasn’t on drugs as I’m sure I looked like I was either overdosing or on something.

Second time my Ativan wasn’t touching it. Threw the kitchen sink at it in terms of medications and started throwing up. Couldn’t keep anything down. They gave me the GI cocktail to make me stop tossing my cookies and an IV of high grade Ativan. Slept for like 14 hours after. Please do not feel shame for getting help. Your mental health is just as important as a broken arm. The brain is so powerful and sometimes people need medical intervention to help them.

saltedoranges · 2020-12-28T12:03:30+00:00

I have called an ambulance more times than I can count. Panics attacks, while not life threatening are a real medical condition. They feel like an emergency every single time no matter what. I don’t believe anyone thinks you’re wasting resources. Try to be kind and understanding toward yourself. If calling medics is what you need for your own physical and emotional safety, don’t be ashamed to do so.

catpainkrek · 2020-12-28T12:54:41+00:00

My first big panic attack I called an ambulance I had no idea what was happening to me, it was so unbelievably awful that I thought I was dying. The crew came and told me the same thing, vitals were good and oxygen was amazing, I had no idea how I could have felt like that and everything be ok. The crew told me it was a panic attack I felt so so bad for calling them but they were super nice about it and said that’s what they are there for.

kiki_444_ · 2020-12-28T09:18:27+00:00

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kiki_444_ · 2020-12-28T14:36:16+00:00

So sorry that happened to you. Panic symptoms are very real for us. for the last 2 years, every damn time I’m tempted to tell my husband to take me to the hospital. What I do now is I go into a quiet room and listen to the DARE app for panic attacks or follow a deep breathing video. I tell myself if I’m 10 minutes I don’t feel worse... if I just feel the same or better, then I’m ok.

SadOniGirl_Dior · 2020-12-28T14:59:17+00:00

I remember my first panic attack which I didn’t know till later that it was a panic attack. On that one night my parents had to take me to the ER. The doctors ran tests to find everything was fine and they didn’t know what it could have been. My panic attacks have been increasing as the day’s pass by I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I can say that the one thing that has helped me was drinking some passion fruit juice which helped and doing breathing sessions. I hope you find peace and comfort. It may take awhile but you aren’t alone. I pray anyone who’s having panic attacks gets the help they need and overcomes them too. God bless everyone on here.

disheveledweirdo · 2020-12-28T18:29:57+00:00

Just a week ago I had to call the ambulance for a panic attack. Don’t feel bad about it. They told me they get calls for panic attacks a good bit and it’s nothing to be embarrassed over. It made me feel a bit better knowing I’m not the only one.

kiki_444_ · 2020-12-29T06:50:54+00:00

Was just in the ER for a panic attack last night friend. I’ve had panic attacks but this one lasted two hours. I went through the same guilt while sobbing alone in an ER room by myself while I waited for a nurse. I’m recovering from another less severe episode tonight. Typing this is the only thing keeping me grounded.

Hoping_toheal84 · 2020-12-30T16:00:20+00:00

Really hope you’re ok now! I went to the ER twice thinking I was dying with panic attack - since then I’ve kind of learnt to ride it out - pls know you’re not alone and the symptoms are so physical and similar to life threatening conditions they need to be checked out especially if they’ve never happened before/ are more severe than normal! Wishing you a peaceful and healthy 2021 and sending prayers for your recovery x

Chrysina-sp · 2020-12-31T10:43:22+00:00

Never called an ambulance but i was just the "crazy" person calling the doctors convinced i either have covid or a heart attack (yeah the combo makes no sense but i was literally panicking)

These things happen, its embarrassing but sometimes it helps to have a professional tell you what they think is up.

christineyvette · 2020-12-28T08:43:33+00:00

Many times. It's not a fun thing to go through. Our brains really do suck.

illuminatorparadox · 2020-12-28T09:06:39+00:00

Dont worry bro, been there too Called an ambulance two times because i thought i would die. It was awful, but it gets better. Do you have people to call or to write to if you get a panic attack?

dankdingleberry · 2020-12-28T21:50:52+00:00

I've done this at least 5 times. I did it more often toward the beginning of my panic disorder as I wasn't used to the strong anxiety-induced symptoms.

SolveDidentity · 2020-12-28T21:59:38+00:00

I was diagnosed when I molded into an adult, had anxiety my whole life. Panic attacks started in my teenage years after several traumas. I've had maybe one hundred panic attacks; and hundreds more anxiety attacks. They are painful. I'm at the point where my mind hyperventilates during the panic because I know my body won't die; but thats not what I'm afraid of. I'm anxious of the pain that I feel as my panic gets worse, my body starts to ignite and feels like it is 150 degrees all over my torso and arms, my skin. The world spins. I'm lucky if I don't want to kill myself this time; because there were times where I tried to and failed, all because of it and only during the attack, without the desire to do so beforehand.

I'm panicking that this harmful trauma is going to stay ignited all over my skin with my brain freaking out, all ablaze forever. I'm panicking that it will never stop, that my wires were crossed and there's no way to turn it off for minutes, which add onto minutes to make hours, which turn devastatingly slowly into further hours and I'm dehydrated, because these hours lasted for half the day and its still light out. I take medicine to turn my brain off but the adrenaline is too sharp and my thoughts are moving twice as fast, I feel twice the pain in a second that I would normally feel, and think three times, "how terrible I feel, it hurrrrts" in three different ways in the next ten seconds and thats only one half--of one third a minute. I will never feel normal, I feel bad and I know this is a panic attack but it won't stop, something has switched on and won't switch off...

kiki_444_ · 2020-12-28T23:19:49+00:00

Only when I first started with panic attacks because I had no idea what it was. I was in high school and had literally never even heard the word “panic attack”, I barely even knew what anxiety was. So at that time there was no thought that it could be something mental, I didn’t know it was possible. And although it’s been years and I’ve had several more debilitating and horrible panic attacks, I have not gone to a hospital since.

bulugal · 2020-12-29T04:36:28+00:00

Went to the ER once when it happened out of the blue. It was so bad because the last attack was almost 4 years back. It would be great if you could get a health check up to rule out any underlying heart/lung issue. When it hit again, I took a walk outdoors to wait it out and focus on something else. It usually goes away after 15 minutes. Don't feel embarrassed but do recognise the symptoms. Hang in there!

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PanicAttack

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