First Time Having Panic Attack

Greetings everyone! I am a 39 years old male having panic attacks.

I am new to this forum. I was diagnose with having panic attacks two weeks ago. I am having a hard time dealing with it. It comes and goes; I have no control over it. I Need some support.

I have never had panic attacks before, if any thing normal anxiety when I have to speak in front of groups of people. Ok, I wouldn't say quite "normal", but nothing severe. The reason for my anxiety attacks was due to my stammering. I was taking 0.5 mg of Lorezapam and was taking it when needed. Months will pass sometimes before I even needed to take one.

My panic attacks started after I ran 6 miles. Well, not directly after my run, but a few hours later I started having problem breathing, tingling sensations, soreness in my chess, and an overall feeling of weakness. Basically, I felt like I was going to die.

Later that evening I went to the ER. My family thought I was having a stroke, or an heart attack.

Chess x-ray and CAT scan was done and the doctors did not find anything wrong. They said I was probably dehydrated; did not drink enough fluids. After, 3hrs or so in the ER taking in IV they let me go. I agreed with the docs because that was likely. So I spent the next few days rehydrating. But still felt light-headed, fatigue, and just not my self. At that time I was not taking any prescription drugs or anything just drinking plenty of fluids.

Approximately, a week after that I had another panic attack (at that time we thought it was another problem with my heart) and we went to the ER. Again, another round of chess x-ray and cat scans and nothing came up. Because I was experiencing soreness in my chess the kept me overnight for observations. Early morning another round of tests was done: echo on my heart, ultra sounds on the arteries in my neck, and a stress tests (which I was freaking out about, because I did not want to run). Everything was normal or within normal ranges.

Finally, a spirometry test was done, I was told by the testers that my lungs capacity for intake and exhale of air was great. However, a visit with my doctor said that I might have a slight obstruction or I am getting asthmatic. So, I was put on QVAR (two puffs in the morning and evening) and Albuterol (taken only in case of emergencies) I have been taking QVAR for 8 days.

So, we concluded that my panic attacks are due to my fear of experiencing the same difficult breathing problems I had two weeks ago.

I am hoping posting this will some how relieve my anxiety or fear of all this. Perhaps some encouraging words from others?

Thanks

Hi there, Narutoj.

I started getting panic attacks really bad during 2001, due to PTSD. I ended up in the ER repeatedly, and then to multiple doctors, because I thought something was wrong with my heart/lungs. Nope! Just panic attacks. It really can make you feel like you're having a heart attack. You're absolutely not alone in feeling like that, when it happens.

If it's any consolation, I've discovered that panic attacks can crop up with no real warning. We (myself and a few system members) wake up with them often. That's why it took us so long to recognize them as panic attacks... often, we didn't realize we were panicked! Our old therapist tried to tell us "well if you just figure out the triggers we can try and cut it off before it starts"... hard to do that when there doesn't seem to be a trigger in sight! So yes, they can sneak up on you, and the triggers can be just the oddest things.

You're not alone. These panic attacks won't kill you. They will just make life uncomfortable and scary for a while when they happen. Take comfort in knowing that heart-and-lung-wise, you're most likely fine. It's just your fight-versus-flight system being wacky. Maybe when you were exercising, your adrenaline started going and that's what triggered it... either way, hang in there. Once you recognize them for what they are, it gets a bit easier sometimes.

Thanks for responding SnakeskinSoul .

I have been pretty shaken up the last few weeks. I felt like my body was not my own anymore; not having any control over when that attacks happens or even how to cope. I am taking Lorazepam, but started yesterday to reduce my dosage slightly. Hoping to gradually use a lower dosage; before I was taking 1 mg in the morning and another in the evening. Now, I am taking 0.5 mg in the morning and another 0.5 in the afternoons (about 6hrs later). Later this evening I will take another 0.5 mg. So, I am feeling the attacks, but not so severely. This allows me to practice different coping mechanism while I am having an attack, like deep breathing from the belly instead of my normal chess breathing. Overall, I am hoping to get down to taking 1 mg of Lorazepam a day, to help with handling the attacks.

I would like to hear any other coping mechanism others have used or are currently using.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks, Narutoj

Panic attacks occur because for whatever reason, you have reached your stress threshold. Everybody has a stress threshold. It has nothing to do with how strong of a person you are. It has to do with how sensitive you are and how you react to stress. More sensitive people are going to react more strongly to stress than the average person, so they are going to reach their threshold faster than "normal" people. Most "normal" people will never reach their threshold. Humans were designed to handle a lot. But for people like us who react so strongly to stress and change, everything affects us MUCH more than other people so we often hit our limit and a panic disorder is born.

Once you reach the threshold, you have no more reserves left to fight off stress and keep it together. So the next stressful event or situation can trigger a panic attack. And you are at risk for future panic attacks until you desensitize yourself and lower that stress level and build your reserves back up.
Every positive thought you think, and every healthy thing you do for yourself will help lower that bar and build up your reserves. Every negative thought you think and unhealthy thing you do or experience will raise that bar back up. Right now you are maxed out. So you can keep doing what you are doing and be miserable or you can put all your energy into lowering that bar. It takes time and commitment and a whole lot of patience.....but if you desensitize yourself, you WILL stop over reacting to things and freaking out.

Don't make this into something more than it is. There is nothing wrong with you except you are really worked up. I don't know what has been going on in your life but something happened that caused you to reach your threshold. If you were feeling this way because you had been through a horrible trauma...I am sure you would find it very understandable and you wouldn't question it. Well, what you have been through is the emotional equivalent of a trauma, and you need to respect that and respect your need to heal from it. It could have been one very stressful event, or an accumulation of several smaller stressors over the months or years, but look at your life and see what you can change to get rid of some of the stress in your life.

Hi Gigi45,

I totally agree with you and I am not just saying that; last night I came to the same conclusion with my wife. I am physically fit and I have always considered my self mentally well balance. However, I know I have reach a limit, a certain tolerance level. I believe all the little stresses have been accumulating over months, perhaps even years. I am not blaming other people or the events that I have experienced; to a large extent I have allowed this to happen.

It is going to take commitment and patience. Last night, I decided that I want to live a more healthier life; socially, emotionally and psychologically. I need to surround myself and engage in life affirming activities.

Thank you so much for your reply. What you said just reinforce to me that I am on the right path.

Yesterday I was at the gym. I did a light weight workout and felt comfortable. I went on the treadmill and ran 5 miles; a mile more than I did on thursday. The only difference was, I did not have my wife running besides me and I increase my mileage by one mile. During my running I had to calm my mind down several times, I was obsessing about the mileage worrying if i was doing to much to soon. I felt panicky and was constantly reassuring myself that I would be alright. After the five mile run, I felt shaky. I started to play some motivational quotes on my iPhone to toughfen up a bit. I made it home. I sat on the chair replaying/recalling the events to my wife hoping that would shake me loose of he panic I feel comming on. She kept reassuring me that everything will be alright and we both decided I should weight till 8pm to take the other quarter of the Lorazepam. I hung on till then, but taking it did not change how I felt. I took another quarter at 10pm, felt better and later went to bed after staying up and reading for an hour or so.

For the last 5 days I have been taking 0.5 mg and that has been working, it takes the edge of my attacks. I can still feel the attacks but it is not overwhelming and thus I am able to do breathing exercise and positive thinking to overcome it. Today I feel down because I slightly went over my dosage by taking that extra quarter. A total of 0.75mg yesterday. Normally, I would take 0.25mg in the mornings and another 0.25 in the evenings. I am fearful of becoming addicted to Lorazepam. I think my body is already becoming dependent on it! I am slowly reducing the dosage and at times I don't know if I am experiencing withdrawals symptoms or having a panic attack. How do you guys differentiate between the two?

I know it going to take time and patience, but I just needed to communicate this to the forum. It helps me to know that others who have had similar experiences are reading this and someday this chronicalling may be of help to someone.

Hi! I hope you are feeling better.

I am the same age as you. Panic attacks can start any age and from either a tramatic event (as in PTSD), chronic stress, or no event at all, I've had mine since my early twenties. Although you may have panic disorder, you may want to consider a holter monitor and treadmill test, just in case. I have researched panic for years and it typically starts a little bit earlier in life, although, it can appear at any age. But to be on the safe side, i would ask your doc about these tests. Also, like I mrentioned in another post, I have breathing problems. I went to the local drugstore and bought a small oxygen meter to wear on my finger. it shows the heartrate and oxygen levels. I also bought an inexpensive blood pressure machine which i think was around $40. they both work awesome and i feel like if there is a major problem, these little gadgets may give you a red flag. I always feel that it is better to be safe than sorry. You are probably fine, but if you have a problem with your heart it is likely fixable. Personally, i would rather have a heart issue than deal with this anxiety cra-p. Good luck.

-- Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:31 am --

Hi! I hope you are feeling better.

I am the same age as you. Panic attacks can start any age and from either a tramatic event (as in PTSD), chronic stress, or no event at all, I've had mine since my early twenties. Although you may have panic disorder, you may want to consider a holter monitor and treadmill test, just in case. I have researched panic for years and it typically starts a little bit earlier in life, although, it can appear at any age. But to be on the safe side, i would ask your doc about these tests. Also, like I mrentioned in another post, I have breathing problems. I went to the local drugstore and bought a small oxygen meter to wear on my finger. it shows the heartrate and oxygen levels. I also bought an inexpensive blood pressure machine which i think was around $40. they both work awesome and i feel like if there is a major problem, these little gadgets may give you a red flag. I always feel that it is better to be safe than sorry. You are probably fine, but if you have a problem with your heart it is likely fixable. Personally, i would rather have a heart issue than deal with this anxiety cra-p. Good luck.

-- Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:32 am --

Hi! I hope you are feeling better.

I am the same age as you. Panic attacks can start any age and from either a tramatic event (as in PTSD), chronic stress, or no event at all, I've had mine since my early twenties. Although you may have panic disorder, you may want to consider a holter monitor and treadmill test, just in case. I have researched panic for years and it typically starts a little bit earlier in life, although, it can appear at any age. But to be on the safe side, i would ask your doc about these tests. Also, like I mrentioned in another post, I have breathing problems. I went to the local drugstore and bought a small oxygen meter to wear on my finger. it shows the heartrate and oxygen levels. I also bought an inexpensive blood pressure machine which i think was around $40. they both work awesome and i feel like if there is a major problem, these little gadgets may give you a red flag. I always feel that it is better to be safe than sorry. You are probably fine, but if you have a problem with your heart it is likely fixable. Personally, i would rather have a heart issue than deal with this anxiety cra-p. Good luck.

-- Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:32 am --

Hi! I hope you are feeling better.

I am the same age as you. Panic attacks can start any age and from either a tramatic event (as in PTSD), chronic stress, or no event at all, I've had mine since my early twenties. Although you may have panic disorder, you may want to consider a holter monitor and treadmill test, just in case. I have researched panic for years and it typically starts a little bit earlier in life, although, it can appear at any age. But to be on the safe side, i would ask your doc about these tests. Also, like I mrentioned in another post, I have breathing problems. I went to the local drugstore and bought a small oxygen meter to wear on my finger. it shows the heartrate and oxygen levels. I also bought an inexpensive blood pressure machine which i think was around $40. they both work awesome and i feel like if there is a major problem, these little gadgets may give you a red flag. I always feel that it is better to be safe than sorry. You are probably fine, but if you have a problem with your heart it is likely fixable. Personally, i would rather have a heart issue than deal with this anxiety cra-p. Good luck.

-- Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:33 am --

Hi! I hope you are feeling better.

I am the same age as you. Panic attacks can start any age and from either a tramatic event (as in PTSD), chronic stress, or no event at all, I've had mine since my early twenties. Although you may have panic disorder, you may want to consider a holter monitor and treadmill test, just in case. I have researched panic for years and it typically starts a little bit earlier in life, although, it can appear at any age. But to be on the safe side, i would ask your doc about these tests. Also, like I mrentioned in another post, I have breathing problems. I went to the local drugstore and bought a small oxygen meter to wear on my finger. it shows the heartrate and oxygen levels. I also bought an inexpensive blood pressure machine which i think was around $40. they both work awesome and i feel like if there is a major problem, these little gadgets may give you a red flag. I always feel that it is better to be safe than sorry. You are probably fine, but if you have a problem with your heart it is likely fixable. Personally, i would rather have a heart issue than deal with this anxiety cra-p. Good luck.