OT Panic attacks

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Sheldon Shape

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Day before my birthday, I believe I woke up to a panic attack today. Stabbing pains in my chest. I was highly anxious last night.

Spent most of the day in the ER. They sent me home without any tangible info or meds. Said tests looked normal.

Anyone have any experience with this? Have I just been exposed too much to this cruel world that this is how my body reacted? I still feel anxious. Any info would be appreciated.
 
How is your sleep lately? Lack of sleep or poor sleep is a huge trigger.

Sounds like your body is trying to tell you something. Just got to figure out what it's telling you. Try not to use medication, pot, alcohol, or anything to mask, numb, or hide things.

Maybe a drive tomorrow with some music blasting. Then next weekend a short hike. Nothing too extreme.

But focus on good sleep to start. Then talk to your doctor.
 
Day before my birthday, I believe I woke up to a panic attack today. Stabbing pains in my chest. I was highly anxious last night.

Spent most of the day in the ER. They sent me home without any tangible info or meds. Said tests looked normal.

Anyone have any experience with this? Have I just been exposed too much to this cruel world that this is how my body reacted? I still feel anxious. Any info would be appreciated.

Been there. Felt like I was having a heart attack. The doctors not finding anything is a good thing. Probably overexerted yourself or put too much stress on yourself. Just know you are ok, breathe, and consider what it was that caused it. Make changes where necessary.

For me it was stress and diet. I made some changes and have felt better since.

The day before your birthday? You worried about getting older? Midlife stuff?
 
Are you taking any meds? I mentioned in mental health thread, I had debilitating panic attacks some years ago that turned out to be side effects of prescription med.

Too much caffeine?

You are male? Because women in menopause get anxiety attacks but if you are a cis man not the explanation.

If it continues go to your regular doc,not ER, to be checked out.

Meanwhile, try to reduce stress, easier said than done.
 
Had a 6 hour panic attack that went in waves in 2014.

Had to totally change my life. Kept trying to push through and live the life I was (full time school/work, always on the go) but kept getting them. Had to take lots of rest.

Just this last year been working on regaining my life.

Don't always go. Take time to rest. I'm learning to balance. Went too far on both sides (too much going and too much rest).

Still get them every now and then but less than before. They are scary AF but always been told by doctors its nothing. Came back clean.

I had cut out caffeine when I was in my early 20s. This year I've done my best to cut out sugar. Hard AF cause it's in everything. Haven't had a soda in about 9 months.

But taking it easy and reprioritizing if need be is always good. If you can, of course.
 
Years ago I was experiencing chest pains and some anxiety doc said it was stress related, as it was a bit crazy in my life at the time. Told me to start exercising at least 180 minutes a week and try and get a routine down for rest and sleep. It's been about 20 years since and his recommendation seemed to work. Prescribed Zanex but I couldn't tolerate it and it gave me more anxiety. I hope you get to feeling better!
 
This sounds overly simplistic. But it sounds like one off, not regular occurrence, is that correct? Do you recall having been dreaming that night? Dreams actually can produce physical affects of stress like racing heart.
 
How is your sleep lately? Lack of sleep or poor sleep is a huge trigger.

Sounds like your body is trying to tell you something. Just got to figure out what it's telling you. Try not to use medication, pot, alcohol, or anything to mask, numb, or hide things.

Maybe a drive tomorrow with some music blasting. Then next weekend a short hike. Nothing too extreme.

But focus on good sleep to start. Then talk to your doctor.

Thanks man. Been sleeping well because of the weed and melatonin. Otherwise I have trouble sleeping.

I know what the issues are. Mostly economics due to rising costs. Especially in LA. Been looking for a job for more than a year.
 
Been there. Felt like I was having a heart attack. The doctors not finding anything is a good thing. Probably overexerted yourself or put too much stress on yourself. Just know you are ok, breathe, and consider what it was that caused it. Make changes where necessary.

For me it was stress and diet. I made some changes and have felt better since.

The day before your birthday? You worried about getting older? Midlife stuff?

Money stress more than anything. Throw in some Gaza and a few other things. Been applying for jobs forever.
 
Are you taking any meds? I mentioned in mental health thread, I had debilitating panic attacks some years ago that turned out to be side effects of prescription med.

Too much caffeine?

You are male? Because women in menopause get anxiety attacks but if you are a cis man not the explanation.

If it continues go to your regular doc,not ER, to be checked out.

Meanwhile, try to reduce stress, easier said than done.

No meds. One cold brew a day. I know the causes. Not sure how I'm supposed to remedy the issue until they get handled. Thanks!
 
Years ago I was experiencing chest pains and some anxiety doc said it was stress related, as it was a bit crazy in my life at the time. Told me to start exercising at least 180 minutes a week and try and get a routine down for rest and sleep. It's been about 20 years since and his recommendation seemed to work. Prescribed Zanex but I couldn't tolerate it and it gave me more anxiety. I hope you get to feeling better!

I could definitely be better about exercising on the regular. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
This sounds overly simplistic. But it sounds like one off, not regular occurrence, is that correct? Do you recall having been dreaming that night? Dreams actually can produce physical affects of stress like racing heart.

I'm kind of a workaholic. I stress. Been looking for a remote job forever. It's a bad time to get hired it seems but I thought my MBA and accomplishments would be more well regarded but no.
 
Day before my birthday, I believe I woke up to a panic attack today. Stabbing pains in my chest. I was highly anxious last night.

Spent most of the day in the ER. They sent me home without any tangible info or meds. Said tests looked normal.

Anyone have any experience with this? Have I just been exposed too much to this cruel world that this is how my body reacted? I still feel anxious. Any info would be appreciated.

I used to get anxiety while driving. Talked to my primary doctor and he gave me a very mild sedative that took the edge off. Didn't have to use them very long before the anxiety resolved.
 
Money stress more than anything. Throw in some Gaza and a few other things. Been applying for jobs forever.

That'll do it. Keep applying, you will get something. Matter of time. Money is one of the most stressful things...a gateway stress because it leads to so many other worries...ability to pay bills, housing, food etc. Even more stress if others are depending on you. All you can do is take it a day at a time. Know something will work out.
 
Day before my birthday, I believe I woke up to a panic attack today. Stabbing pains in my chest. I was highly anxious last night.

Spent most of the day in the ER. They sent me home without any tangible info or meds. Said tests looked normal.

Anyone have any experience with this? Have I just been exposed too much to this cruel world that this is how my body reacted? I still feel anxious. Any info would be appreciated.

Oddly, I had something similar just a couple weeks ago. Just a bout of anxiety where I felt on the verge of a panic attack for about a week, nearly non stop. I don’t get anxiety aside from the occasional mild social type in certain situations. No physical pain like you had, but I was experiencing shortness of breath and overall just very, very uneasy. There was sort of a depression/hopeless feeling along with it. I went to the gym to work out and hopefully feel better and only found myself very short of breath and once again on the verge of panic.

Good news is it has since gone away and I’m feeling my normal self. I did take some ashwaghandi, magnesium and general vitamin supplements for stress and anxiety and they did seem to help. Maybe cured it? I don’t know.

I told a friend I wonder if I didn’t have a sneaky flu/covid type illness with no fever/physical symptoms, that was tricking me into thinking I had anxiety or something. It was weird, but I’m fine now and I’m sure you will be too.
 
Been there as well, Also in LA and definitely have dealt with economic induced anxiety, Lost 40 pounds a few years ago because my anxiety comes out through my gut and i throw up, a lot of docs thought i had an ulcer or something even though I knew what it was. Money and a bi polar depressed girlfriend who was extremely emotionally abusive. Never really figured out the money part although finding a job fulltime gig has stablized it a bit and leaving the Ex has all but gotten rid of it. But I still get it from time to time from work and traveling. shit sucks. Rent is terribly high and im sure having to look for a job right now has been tough, What kind of work do you do? if thats TMI all g! hope it works out though cus anxiety is no fuckin fun.
 
Been there as well, Also in LA and definitely have dealt with economic induced anxiety, Lost 40 pounds a few years ago because my anxiety comes out through my gut and i throw up, a lot of docs thought i had an ulcer or something even though I knew what it was. Money and a bi polar depressed girlfriend who was extremely emotionally abusive. Never really figured out the money part although finding a job fulltime gig has stablized it a bit and leaving the Ex has all but gotten rid of it. But I still get it from time to time from work and traveling. shit sucks. Rent is terribly high and im sure having to look for a job right now has been tough, What kind of work do you do? if thats TMI all g! hope it works out though cus anxiety is no fuckin fun.

How are the gut issues now? I've had an undiagnosed issue for 18 plus years. Had surgeries. Spent thousands. Went through numerous doctors. Nobody could figure it out. I lucked into L-glutamine. Look into it. I've been an filmmaker/actor on my own for the past 7 years but before that I have a ton of sales/management experience in corporate with an MBA. I have some good things cooking in the long-term, but things move slow in this town so I'm looking for something in the immediate.
 
How are the gut issues now? I've had an undiagnosed issue for 18 plus years. Had surgeries. Spent thousands. Went through numerous doctors. Nobody could figure it out. I lucked into L-glutamine. Look into it. I've been an filmmaker/actor on my own for the past 7 years but before that I have a ton of sales/management experience in corporate with an MBA. I have some good things cooking in the long-term, but things move slow in this town so I'm looking for something in the immediate.

For the most part pretty good as i dont have the ex around wreaking havoc on my mental. It does get a little worse if i dont get much sleep from being anxious about something, usually a work trip and just trying to be fully prepared for whatever i need. Which youd think that after as many times as ive done it now that id be fine but still happens. I also have the worst gag reflex in the world, partially because of this i think, so any hint at stomach anxiety or a bad smell of some sort and im pretty much guaranteed to throw up.

Dunno if you were having similar issues with your gut, and it definitely took me awhile to figure out that it was anxiety causing it, because i was smoking a ton of dabs/weed at the time (Still smoke ton of weed not so much dabs) my mom thought it was Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, docs thought it coulda been that or an ulcer, did camera check and had nothing, so they gave me heavy antacids thinking thatd help and it kinda did but still would eventually throw up given anxiety. and at the time I had the ex girlfriend constantly threatening to commit suicide and freaking out at the drop of a dime, I found a dog who i couldnt get any shelter to take in without it being a kill shelter so i ended up taking care of her, found out she needed a double hip surgery that cost about 6 grand (which whatever stressed she caused id go through again shes the fucking best... Ex not so much), I was freelancing as a filmer for a skate company only making a grand a month and luckily i had a loft apartment that only cost me 500 a month (fucking insanity to this day to me) and the rest went to food and gas to go skate. I'd make other money doing things for ESPN and other companies but I was usually neting negative and borrowing money from my parents. And then to top it off right after finding Brooklyn the dog, I got robbed at gun point for all my camera gear (bout 6-8 grand worth of equipment), so throw in a little PTSD in there to boot. So to say i was going through it at the time would probably be a slight understatement. So basically every morning id look at each of the problems id be going through, throw up and then not want to eat because i was so hungry and stressed out. So I'd smoke until i could get hungry again or id drink hella smoothies, but still lost a ton of weight to the point where people thought I was going through cancer treatments or some shit.

It eventually evened out a bit and it fully helped I had a good support system cus if not i fully could be living on the streets right now, I got let go from the freelance gig and eventually found a full time gig that ive been at more or less ever sense. Ex got into a college far away from Socal, we agreed it was fully not working and broke up when she moved, and I fully removed her from my life for the most part since then. I ended up catching the guys who robbed me via facebook, he got arrested but got off pretty easy since he was a minor when he robbed me, even using a weapon, and he didn't have my camera gear anymore supposedly, so i lost out on that, but hes court ordered to pay me back what the cameras were worth and he gains interest on it i believe, so every once and awhile ill get a random check from the courts from him. Nothing to write home about but not nothin at the same time. My uncle who had just retired as a college teacher loaned me a significant amount of money and I had gotten paid from a bigger job I had just done so I was able to buy a newer camera and replaced the one that got stolen with something better, (but hind sight i shoulda just bought the same setup I had because the new one (Sony FS700 if your familiar...) was hands down a fully different camera setup than i was used to (Glorified HD Dad cam HPX170) and caused issues with my freelance job as they didnt like what i was giving them. But thats a different side story that also caused anxiety). And I was able to find a vet who basically halfed Brooklyns hip surgery bill and I was able to raise enough money through gofundme to pay for most of it and shes been good ever sense which is coming up on 10 years now.

I work for a skate company thats super small but our parent company just got bought out by dana white and his investment firm, they might be moving to vegas soon but we might have openings for sales stuff, i know one of our lead sales guys just left/let go because he said he wasnt willing to move (which might be a hang up for you as well but they might be starting off remote for a bit who knows) so if you wanna toss me your resume i can check and see if we have any openings that might work. I also know tons of film guys so if you got a reel of your work if you do camera work or something and I can pass that along too if i think of a good fit.
 
Also throwing this out there but if you can afford it/have insurance fully recommend finding a therapist you like and feel like you can talk to about anything. It honestly helps a ton, and need to get back to it myself tbh. Even when you feel like you got your shit together past shit comes up all the time through different situations (which is what im dealing with now). I know some people get hung up on telling strangers their interlife workings or whatever, but telling someone a situation that youre dealing with and has no skin in the game either way other than providing an outsiders prospective can really fucking help sometimes. Its all about finding the right one though, which is the most difficult part, because if you feel like you cant bring up something or you guys have polar opposite views IE your hardcore athiest and the therapist is a bible thumper straight out of sunday school, or super right wing vs left wing type shit, it probably wont be as helpful.
 
Also throwing this out there but if you can afford it/have insurance fully recommend finding a therapist you like and feel like you can talk to about anything. It honestly helps a ton, and need to get back to it myself tbh. Even when you feel like you got your shit together past shit comes up all the time through different situations (which is what im dealing with now). I know some people get hung up on telling strangers their interlife workings or whatever, but telling someone a situation that youre dealing with and has no skin in the game either way other than providing an outsiders prospective can really fucking help sometimes. Its all about finding the right one though, which is the most difficult part, because if you feel like you cant bring up something or you guys have polar opposite views IE your hardcore athiest and the therapist is a bible thumper straight out of sunday school, or super right wing vs left wing type shit, it probably wont be as helpful.

Messaged you
 
Deep breathing exercises have definitely helped me weather those stormy moments. It's like hitting the pause button and reminding your body, ""Hey, we can get through this.""

But if you're feeling overwhelmed and traditional techniques aren't working, there's no shame in reaching out for help. Talking to a therapist can be like having a lighthouse in the storm – they can guide you to calmer waters.

Besides, there are resources available to help you out, and sometimes a helping hand can make all the difference. In case anyone needs it, here's a helpline for PTSD and panic attacks: https://mentalhealthhotline.org/ptsd-hotline/. Remember, you're not alone in this!
 
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Deep breathing exercises have definitely helped me weather those stormy moments. It's like hitting the pause button and reminding your body, "Hey, we can get through this."
Until I knock on your door FAMS!
 
Until I knock on your door FAMS!
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I take some ice cold milk with your cookies….. then we’ll go over and watch my daughter play a little soccer!
I am lactose intolerant. I buy milk only to make yogurt. So you can bring milk or drink my homemade almond milk.
 
I am lactose intolerant. I buy milk only to make yogurt. So you can bring milk or drink my homemade almond milk.
We are at an impasse then @crandc , I am allergic to that homemade hippy milk…HA!
 

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