Panic Attacks Support Group

I came home from a wedding 2 weeks ago and started getting this numbing, tingling feeling in my hands. It definitely wasn't my hands falling asleep (I know that feeling), it was more like, when I touched something it just felt different. My hands weren't numb, they were just experiencing touch in a different way. Anyway, I started focusing so much on the feeling in my hands that I started to panic. I felt like I had to concentrate on breathing - that my body wouldn't naturally breathe unless I reminded it to. I eventually calmed down, but it took about an hour. Since then, I've been having a panic attack almost every day at some point. I have OCD and am also aware of a heart condition that runs in my family that my birth father passed away from in his sleep at the age of 33 (I'm 30). Neither of those facts are helping to calm me down. They're only making these attacks worse. I have an appt. for an echocardiogram 2 weeks from now (I'm supposed to get them every 2 years and it's been 5 since my last) but I feel like I can't wait. I've almost gone to the emergency room like 5 times just to have my heart looked at. I'm still considering going to the emergency room, but I can't afford the $150 copay. Anyone experience anything similar?

Post edited by: jsherm1981, at: 04/07/2011 04:06 PM

Post edited by: jsherm1981, at: 04/12/2011 10:38 AM

I also know the feeling of just wanting to know for sure there is nothing wrong. What a feeling to just know for sure. I hope you can feel better and find out for sure just so that you are assured there is nothing wrong with your heart.

Does your family doctor know that you are this worried about this cause maybe he can get you in sooner. I would tell your doctor or just go to the ER and not worry about the copay. You are more important that $150 thats for sure.

A numbness that runs down my left arm and I feel strange, the breathing I experience quite frequently like that can happen a couple times a day where all of a sudden I have a weird pressure sensation in my diaphragm and I feel like I have to choose to breathe or my body won't.

I've been experiencing these types of symptoms for about two years now.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this-it is rather uncomfortable.

I'm sorry to hear about your father.

I'm sure that knowing that intensifies your fear.

I won't try to discourage you from going to ER.

You have to do what you think is best for you.

I hope you get some relief and feel better soon.

You'll find tons of information on this site and hopefully something will help you. There are alot of warm, caring people here and we are ready to listen and help.

Nice to meet you!

Hugs,

nj

Post edited by: damselndistress, at: 04/07/2011 05:25 PM

But hey, fun fact, yesterday I learned that once you start thinking about breathing, you can't do it manually until you stop thinking about it. Same happens with blinking, so, if your problem trully is panic attacks, don't worry you body wont stop breathing if you don't remind it to.

I was obsess with those problems 3 years before I was put on pills.I get so many blood test,EKG,ex-ray and I never believe I was ok.Everybody was saying it is in your head but I couldn't help myself.Can you try to read Bible(sorry if you are atheist)?

Can you go in church?You need to see psychiatrist after all tests are done.Do not make me wrong I have one too and check under my post how many pills I am taking.My dad pass away from 3 heart attack,all his family too.My mom all family die from heart attack and my mom is alive with two stroke and one heart attack.My cholesterol is very high and triglyceride so I am taking pills.

My half brother from (dad side) send me massage that he had two angina attack and his triglicired are 50 % more than he have to have and he is in high risk any moment for heart attack.He is 52 and I am 42.He need to have procedure in hospital by cardiologist because they need to put catheter in his artery to prevent from heat attack.I am worry for him a lot and he will be ok,and I am not scary so try to not worry too.There is something we can do to prevent:

avoid salt

avoid fatty food

avoid smoking

avoid drinking

avoid eating in restaurant

eat many greens

play some sport or do some activity

walk a lot

take care of our health

My friend try not to worry,nobody know how will die and when,so lets enjoy life!

Do you agree with me?

Many hugs from Canada

AmyGirl: my birth father did not know he had the condition (called IHSS) when he died in his sleep. It actually became known as a condition that runs in the family to my bio family because of my dad's death. I have about a 50% chance of developing it, but it is controllable with medication. The last time I had an echocardiogram I was fine. My grandmother, one uncle and one aunt have IHSS and they lead pretty normal lives. I have an appt. for an echo this Thursday and I can't wait another second to get to that doctor! I really do believe that my brain has too much power over my body and I realize that my panic attacks are a result of my brain working overtime, but the weird hand feelings ... they scare me, and I'm not exactly sure what about them is so terrifying. I keep linking my hands, and the weird sensations they've been feeling, to a heart problem, but I have no really good reason why.

Thanks again everyone ... very happy to have found this site