PanicAttacks

I am 29 Years old. When I was 26 I went to the hospital because I was feeling very dizzy and lightheaded. I had gotten light headed before when I stand up, but always thought it was nothing. This particular day though, it felt different. While in the hospital, they did a number of tests. The next morning they said while monitering my heart rate through the night, it went from 70 beats a minute, down to 2 or so beats a minute. They said they wanted to do more tests, and left the room. When I stood up to put my sweat pants on, I got a bit light headed again, but figured it was no big deal. Boy was I wrong! At this point, everything went black, and I was down for the count! The nurses and everyone rushed back in, gave me a few shocks, and I was back. They immediately said they were going to move me to critical care and open me up. A few days later, I was wheeled into the OR, and given a pacemaker and a defibrillator. Ever since then, my heart has been fine (thank God), but I have panic attacks. They were HUGE at the begining, and happened often, but now they don't happen as much. I still have them though, and when I do, I feel like I'm going to die!
Does anyone else have this? Is it "normal?"
Thanks for taking the time to read my life story! I hope to hear back from somebody so I know what's going on!

~Melissa

8 Comments

Panic Attack redux

by greyfox - 2009-01-25 04:01:13

Hi Melissa,
If you weren't occasionally feeling a "little" anxious, it would be more surprising (to me anyway). After getting my PM, the same little gremlins would visit,sometimes in the middle of the night. I spoke to my cardiologist as well as a neurologist I was seeing, both described the anxiety as "normal" given the circumstances. I was perscribed Klonopin, which I still take to relax me. The Klonopin is also useful for those sleepless nights and long plane rides also.
Take care,
Terry

The short answer is YES, you are normal

by BillMFl - 2009-01-25 04:01:51

Almost anyone who has had any level of cardiac malfunction, even much less serious than yours, has also suffered some level of anxiety. Very normal. Anxiety can range from a general sense of uneasiness/impending danger to full blown all out panic. I personally have not had the full blown anxiety attack, but I've had some pretty significant anxiety from time to time. Over time, most of us get much better at minimizing our reaction to those flip flop sensations or temporary racing pulses. You learn to think "I've had this before, it'll pass soon" and you don't over react. However, if you are frequently having major panic attacks, there are anti anxiety meds, such as Zanax, that can be a great help until you work things out. Unfortunately, anti anxiety meds carry a risk of dependency if used too often or for extended periods of time. So talk to your doc first about checking for a physical problem , such as an endrocrine imbalance, etc and if that is ruled out then some form of meds combined with consuling and stress reduction techniques can help you deal with it. The fact that the attacks are less frequent is actually a good sign. You are probably gradually learning to cope. And don't think you are abnormal. What you went through would scare the socks off of anybody. I had a major surgery for cancer less than a year ago. And sometimes during the time from my dx until several months after the surgery the nights were the worst time. My Onc was a very understanding guy, so he wrote me a script for Zan and said only take it when you really feel like you're gonna jump out of your skin. Worked for me! Only got the script filled once and didn't have to use them all. But they helped get through the worst times. So don't you feel abnormal and if its bad enough to interfere with your life, get some help!

Panic Attacks!

by Rachel316 - 2009-01-25 08:01:08

Hi Mellisa,
I'll be 24 next month and got my pm when I was 19. I still have panic attacks. Though over the years, I get them less and less. I have xanax that I carry every where I go, but only take them as needed, when I feel a panic attack coming on. I am so sorry that you are going through this. They're torture. They consumed my life for a long time. I sometimes panic about having a panic attack, if that makes any sense. I totally know what you are going through and it sucks! If you ever need to vent, feel free to message me.

Rachel

TOTALLY NORMAL!

by jeepers - 2009-01-25 10:01:16

YES I am speaking for my husband he is suffering from them now 6 months out i feel for you make sure you get med and pray! Its totally normal remember your not alone this web site really gives so much reassurance and support.

DIFFERENT

by peter - 2009-01-26 02:01:11

Everybody is different. Panic attacks are quite normal after trauma. Ive not had one but I dont know why. I think Ive been through the mill but perhaps theres worse to come one day. They will ease off and stop with time. The brain is forgetfull and these thoughts will fade soon. Cheers Peter

Nasty Situation

by Broken Hearted Jane - 2009-01-26 03:01:17

Melissa,

I've posted on here several times about my heart-related anxiety and panic attacks, and I feel for you. I would not wish them upon anyone. Sometimes I cannot tell whether I am having a panic attack or an arrhythmia---that is how similar they feel for me. And that just doesn't seem fair.

Mine began about a year ago when I collapsed in a parking garage and was rescued by a homeless person. (It sounds funny because it kind of is.) I could barely leave my house for six months afterwards, and gradually worked my way up to a place where I could go out with my friends but NEVER alone. This was especially painful because I'm pretty independent. I do a lot by myself because I love it. Eventually I got a workbook that helped so unbelievably much, I would be doing you a disservice not to mention it here (I already wrote a long recommendation someplace on this site). It's called "When Panic Attacks" by Dr. David Burns, and it worked beautifully for me. There are probably others of this kind of book, but this is the one I used (I bought it at Borders, I think). It's a workbook, so the amount of time and effort you put into it will effect how well you recover (as is true with all cognitive behavioral therapy). If you do the homework, you'll be amazed at how much it can help. In mid-November I went to London for a month to take a class and live by myself because my anxiety is pretty much gone. Never would have been able to do that otherwise. Anxiety is terrible (on top of the heart problems), but there are definitely steps you can take to conquering it. And this is a good spot to start!

Jane

It does get better

by Blueaustralia - 2009-01-26 05:01:09

I suffered panic attacks after i received my pm four years ago. They did fade with time but I am more aware now of when I am likely to have them and I find it easier to cope with. I just get out of the situation I am in if I feel one coming on and can get away to calm myself down.

Cheers Billie

me too

by mylespadilla - 2009-01-27 12:01:18

I have also been getting panic attacks, mostly after I started getting Tachacardias but also after those racing or flip beats. I thought I was just going crazy but it's good to hear I'm not alone.

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