Panic Attack? - Lake Wales,FL

Updated on December 09, 2011
A.M. asks from Lake Wales, FL
11 answers

I will try to keep this as short as possible, but I really need some insight/reassurance/support. Let me start off by saying that I suffered from PPD after the birth of my son, who is now 16 months old. I was on Lexapro and it helped tremendously. I was weaned off of it after abt a year and everything was going great. This September my sister attempted suicide and I was the one to find her. Thankfully she survived. We have tried to get her help but she is still drinking heavily and depressed. She attempted suicide several more times and again I was the one to find her. Since al of this has happened I have become depressed again. My doctor put me back on Lexapro. But I feel like I am still struggling. I have nightmares of seeing her body, I can't sleep, I'm not eating and I feel sick all the time. Last week while at work I was in a large room filled with people. I started feeling cold all over but I was sweating. I felt like I was goin to throw up and I started shaking. My heart was pounding very loud and I could feel it pound all through out my body. All I could think of was "run, get out of here". I didn't know what was going on...I was so scared. I thought my heart was going to explode. I managed to leave the building and sat out in the grass until I vomited and stopped shaking. I sat in my car for an hour not knowing what to do. Was this a panic attack? I managed to drive home and I slept until the next morning. I didn't tell my hubby what happened, just told him I was sick. I don't know what to do now. I haven't been able to go back to work. I tried, but couldn't get myself out of the car. I just cried in the parking lot. I am thinking of seeing a therapist, but I am embarassed to tell anyone. Please any support/encouragement/words of wisdom will help. I'm sorry this is so long.

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

Don't feel embarrassed about what is happening..... you do need to see a doctor and get some therapy, and maybe medication to help you through all of this.

You have been through some really tough times right now... the best thing is, you are realizing it, and know you need help. Asking for help ISN'T a sign of weakness..... it actually takes a lot of strength to ask for and accept help from others.

As you saw earlier, the Lexapro did help you through the PPD..... and you were able to go off it, but you do need it again (I know the doctor put you back on it). You really do need to go back and talk to him about this panic attack, and the fact that you haven't been able to go back to work.

Medication can help you through this... it is much better accepting the help that the medication can give, than becoming a prisoner to the feelings.

3 moms found this helpful

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H.W.

answers from Portland on

Please, please talk to your doctor. Get an appointment tomorrow if possible, and don't be ashamed. It's nothing they haven't heard before and it's their job to help. Tell them what you told us and that you want to see both a prescribing psychologist for meds that work for your situation AND you want a referral to a counselor. You have been through some significantly traumatizing stress and need support, more support than a spouse or friend can provide.

Please do not be embarrassed. There is no shame in having a panic attack or experiencing severe anxiety. I have been there, A.. If you get help, it does get better. You have carried a lot on your shoulders, you are under a lot of emotional weight in regard to your sister, and you are trying to put a brave face on it. You don't have to. Just because the suicide attempts and the dysfunctional behavior is happening to her body doesn't mean it doesn't affect you. It does, profoundly. I've had various aspects of everything you described all play out at some points or another within my family and know that trying to be strong and manage all of this (emotions, situations) yourself is only going to make things worse. You need-- and more importantly, you deserve-- to be supported. Perhaps you are trying hard to be 'not the mess' that your sister is, but it's okay not to fake it. Talk to your husband. Talk to the doctor and tell them you need help now. What you've been going through is huge. You shouldn't have to go through it feeling alone.

Sending hugs and good thoughts. Please believe me, seek help. It does get better.

3 moms found this helpful
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W..

answers from Chicago on

Yes, I think this is a panic attack. I also think you may have some PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). I would imagine finding your sister after a suicide attempt would definitely be up there with a "traumatic event" for you.

I would urge you to go to a counselor. You can do behavior modification, which will help you curb the panic attacks, but I also think some just good ole fashioned talkin' may help you sort out your feelings about what is going on with your sister at the same time you are a new mother. Those are both HUGE events.

Please don't be embarrassed. That will actually make your panic attack WORSE because in addition to all the stuff that is going on inside of you... you have the ADDED stress of wanting to keep it a secret.

Tough stuff. Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I am really not sure if that was a panic attack. I have them from time to time but there is also thought of something awful is going to happen to someone.

I think you need to find a therapist. Meds are great for regulating chemical imbalances but do nothing for the feelings that drive depression. Thing is once finding your sister is bad enough, over and over you start to wonder when is next, where, that can very well drive panic attacks.

2 moms found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Seattle on

This sounds like a panic attack. My former housemate used to have them and described them very much like you have (without the vomiting). Please don't be embarrassed - your body is just a bit out of whack (not your fault!) and needs some fine-tuning from a professional. Go back to your prescribing doc and ask for help. My housemate saw a psychiatrist regularly, got things under control, and than together they started weaning her slowing from her medications. It took a while, but she's doing great. Every once in while she'll have a bad episode and will consult with her psychiatrist for help.

Don't be ashamed to ask for help. You'll be a steadier mommy in the long run.

2 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

DO NOT be embarrassed about this at all!!!

Please call your doctor and get an appointment to see him/her. Tell them what you told us - or print this out and bring it with you to the appointment.

It could be a panic attack....it could be depression and all the pressures of life and to top it off you have a sister who is trying to jump ship...THAT stress has got to VERY hard!

Please tell your husband what happened. You have NOTHING to be embarrassed about!!! A therapist might help you compartmentalize your feelings, help you manage or get through a panic attack when you feel one coming on and get back on track...you rock mama...you really do.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.C.

answers from Sarasota on

I would also like to encourage you to reach out to your husband and a professional--your doctor or a therapist. Doctors and therapists are there to help you! They've seen it all and they know, better than anyone, that this is a chemical reaction your body is having--NOT something you chose. They can help you get your body back to normal.

I've had depression, PPD and panic attacks. I'm speaking from experience! You have nothing to be ashamed of and you can get help.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Sounds like a panic attack. I get really bad anxiety, and when it is at it worse I feel like I am going to come out of my skin. They have daily meds that can help. If you do not like the idea of another daily med, pot can help a lot and only needs to be used when an actual attack is coming on. I know a lot of people that swear by it for anxiety disorders.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.D.

answers from Sarasota on

We obviously don't know your entire situation but Al-Anon came to mind when I was reading your post. It's for friend's and families of problem drinkers. If you want to consider it, it's recommended you try 6 meetings to see if it might be a good support system for you.

http://www.nofldist9.org/

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R.A.

answers from Boca Raton on

panic attacks are horrible and so scary. Get yourself a high dose of coq10 and take daily, really good for anxiety and heart palpitations. watch your diet too, if you eat simply, it will help, calming foods will help calm you. Freshly cooked brown rice, root veggies for grounding important too.

I hope your sister will be ok. There is NOTHING wrong with you by having the panic attack!

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

It sure sounds like an anxiety/panic attack.
Anxiety is weird--it can come out WAY after an actual event.
I know someone who is going through this right now.
Talk to your doc.
Good luck!

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