Anxiety & Panic Attack

[Megaflow]

My mental health has not been the best for 30 odd years, frequent bouts of depression and Asperger's syndrome, probably the cause of the former.

Last week was something new though, at work and I started to breath quite quickly and shallow, at first it wasn't much of an issue, but it soon became apparent something was wrong, so I decided to get to the local walk in centre, which for reasons know only to our local NHS is attached to A&E, on my way to the walk in centre I started to get pins and needles in my face.

As I arrived at the walk in centre, the pins and needles had now spread to my hands as well and breathing was starting to become a challenge.

At some point, someone must have noticed me, because I now had staff around me, I don't know how many, and by now literally couldn't breathe, by this point I was sure I was having a heart attack and this was the end...



They rushed me through, did lots of checks, ECG, etc and some time later confirmed it was not a heart attack, it was a panic attack and I needed to speak to my GP.

I have spoken to them and they said it sounds like anxiety induced panic attack and suggested a change from Fluoxetine to Sertraline. Doing some reading online suggests that the anxiety ight have been brewing for a couple of years.

On to the point in had, has anyone experienced something similar and how does the Sertraline help?

[P2KKA]

Experienced similar once. My whole right arm went dead and the rest mirrored what you posted. Not on any meds before or after though. Had small episodes on and off for moths after but had practically gone away now. Doctors practically useless.

[Sitcat]

First panic attack is a super scary experience, I feel for you. Panic and anxiety can manifest physically in a bunch of different ways eg my neck and back of head go completely numb. Bewildering at times. Btw: there's a dedicated Sertraline thread on here

Edited by Sitcat on Tuesday 14th July 13:17

[jules_s]

The OP pretty much mirrors my first - what a miserable thing they are.

No meds here either, but it did involve a pretty large lifestyle and diet re-think to get back on top

[Megaflow]

Thank you all.

jules_s said:

The OP pretty much mirrors my first - what a miserable thing they are.

No meds here either, but it did involve a pretty large lifestyle and diet re-think to get back on top

What changes did you make?

I don't think my diet is too bad, yesterday was mini Weetabix for breakfast, couscous and chicken for lunch and wholegrain rice, salmon and asparagus for dinner.

[AddyT.]

Had a panic attack a few years ago. Got too worked up trying to pass a probation exam in a new job. Did said test, went well, back at desk and felt fine. Suddenly yep the pins and needles, then struggling to breathe. Colleague noticed what was happening and he and another colleague put my arms round their shoulders and took me out of the office as had lost use of my legs. Laid me down on sofa in a quiet room and ambulance was called. Panic attack. Horrendous experience. A boss there was great about it and said whenever he was about to do something stressful at work, eg stand up and present to the company, then he’d take a few sips of Coke before doing so. Did that for a while and it helped. Sorry you had to go through a panic attack, they are awful. And feel so drained afterwards.

[jules_s]

Megaflow said:

Thank you all.

jules_s said:

The OP pretty much mirrors my first - what a miserable thing they are.

No meds here either, but it did involve a pretty large lifestyle and diet re-think to get back on top

What changes did you make?

I don't think my diet is too bad, yesterday was mini Weetabix for breakfast, couscous and chicken for lunch and wholegrain rice, salmon and asparagus for dinner.

Apologies - missed this

I think tbh I was burning the candle at both ends - too much work and even more play. No illegal substances but too much alcolhol and late nights/early mornings

That aside - stopped caffeine completely and cut back lager.sugar and anything sugary

A lack of balance really

Edit - in hindsight......I had massive anxiety for a few weeks after. Given the time again I would have got some medicine to manage that.

Edited by jules_s on Saturday 25th July 22:30

[shtu]

Mentioned it on a thread recently, but the Silvercloud platform gives pretty much the same things as a series of sessions with an NHS mental health practitioner. Some of it might be useful, some not.

This authority is generous enough to provide their signup code on this page, https://www.talkingtherapies.hwhct.nhs.uk/silvercl... so I think you can sign up via that.