Hi

[russell sheppard]

Hi everyone. I'm 29 and suffered from anxiety since I was 19. I have had a good few years without a panic attack until last week. I woke at 3am and had quite a big panic attack. I honestly thought it was a heart attack. I haven't really slept since and have around an hours sleep or so a night. I have constantly been plagued with chest, shoulder, elbow, finger, calf and toe pains since all on my left side of my body. I have hardly any grip in my left hand and then last night I had another attack and went to the hospital. They didn't really much for me apart from an ECG and took my bloods which all came back normal. I am now too scared to sleep and have been awake for around 26 hours as I write this and my head is a mess and I have a constant dull ache in my chest. Also I'm quite dizzy.

[nelliemiller]

I'm sorry that you are going through this. Has your anxiety always been this bad? Is there something that triggered it this time? I understand that the er usually dismisses our symptoms and sends us on our merry way. I hope you can finally find some rest.

[russell sheppard]

It hasn't been this bad for around 5 years. Not a clue what triggered it. Just slammed me and 3am and woke me up. I still haven't been to sleep yet. Been awake around 30 hours nearly. Fingers and grip is hurting really bad and it feels like I have a weight on my chest. All the doctor at the hospital gave me was diazepam. I've had to take the day off work today. I feel ruined.

[Enduronman]

Welcome to the forums.

There are MANY here that are afraid to sleep, you're not alone friend...
We're here when you need us!!
And Valium is an excellent sleep medication btw...

Enduronman..:)

[nelliemiller]

Have you seen a doctor besides the er? I know a lot of my symptoms come from my anxiety. I have to distract my mind when i get that way. Don't Google anything, it makes it ten times worse!

[russell sheppard]

Well I'm still awake ha. I can never get an appointment at my doctors. Back to work at 6.30am so I need to fall asleep in the next 6 hours.

[Enduronman]

Is the Valium not doing as it normally does, knock people out???.... Have you taken any yet and how many mgs???

E-Man...

[Fourteen14]

Hi everyone. I'm 29 and suffered from anxiety since I was 19. I have had a good few years without a panic attack until last week. I woke at 3am and had quite a big panic attack. I honestly thought it was a heart attack. I haven't really slept since and have around an hours sleep or so a night. I have constantly been plagued with chest, shoulder, elbow, finger, calf and toe pains since all on my left side of my body. I have hardly any grip in my left hand and then last night I had another attack and went to the hospital. They didn't really much for me apart from an ECG and took my bloods which all came back normal. I am now too scared to sleep and have been awake for around 26 hours as I write this and my head is a mess and I have a constant dull ache in my chest. Also I'm quite dizzy.

Hi Russell If you have been checked out with an ECG and blood work, you really mustn't worry about going to sleep.

One of the issues with lacking sleep is it will actually make your thought process and feelings of anxiety worse.

As the doctors and their (very accurate technology) have confirmed that your heart is normal. The pain you are experiencing and lack of grip in the hand is quite possibly a trapped/pinched nerve in your shoulder from tension caused by prolonged anxiety.

The feeling of pressure on the chest is caused by the chest muscles tightening also because of anxiety.

Ask the doc if they can provide you with a Benzo (if the hospital haven't already).

[jessed03]

Hey Russell. Some good posts already, so I'll just check in quietly, and say Hi!

[russell sheppard]

Hi to everybody that's said hello. Excuse my ignorance but what's benzo?

[jessed03]

Short for Benzodiazepine

Something you can take that works to rid you of anxiety in the short term. People take them when having a bad attack, to calm it down, or before something like a presentation or party.

Your Xanax, Valium, Lorazepam.. That sort of stuff.

[russell sheppard]

Ok cheers. Lorazepam is doing its job today as I'm back at work and relatively pain from apart from having a tight chest. Just being able to talk here for the past day or so has helped me an awful lot, so thanks you guys for talking me through the last day or so.

[delboy]

Hello mate
same as you thought I had got over all off this, managed to control it and until a month ago, all came back same as you mate , shoulders neck back tight chest, calfs tinnitus ......drives you mad......fight it mate

[russell sheppard]

Sorry to hear that pal. I haven't a clue what's triggered mine at all as I'm the happiest I have ever been. Worst thing is I don't know how to fight it anymore apart from laying in bed at night and being in pain until I eventually or hopefully fall asleep.

[russell sheppard]

A mate of mine swears by Manuka honey 20+ for his health. So I'm tempted to try some of that as he never seems to be ill.

[delboy]

Russell , how funny , started to to take manuka hunny last week, 25 pound for small jar, does it wrk no idea am I trying yes

[russell sheppard]

Looks like I am going to invest in some of it. He says that anything above 20+ is good stuff.

[delboy]

Just looked at mine Russell it's 15 plus, that was from tesco

[russell sheppard]

Just been searching around on the internet this morning and I found some +20 350g for around £12 if you want me to send you the link when I finish work mate?

[delboy]

Please do Russell , thanks mate, where bouts are you

[russell sheppard]

I'm a Northern monkey mate ha. I'm from a pit village in Doncaster. But currently reside in a tiny little village called Everton which borders South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire now ha.

[delboy]

I am just outside tottenham, moved but lived right outside white hart lane fir 30 years my mum still there

[russell sheppard]

I'm guessing if you like football your definitely a Yiddo then pal?

[delboy]

Yea long time fan, now you know where the anxiety comes from

[russell sheppard]

Mate you don't know about anxiety until you follow the mighty Blades haha.

[delboy]

I was going to go Tom night , I haven't got enough rescue spray to last all night

[russell sheppard]

What's the average they charge for a Premiership game now a days? I've lost all faith in top flight footy recently. Started doing quite a bit of non league photography instead when I'm not at beautiful down town bramall lane.

[delboy]

Spurs west stand is around 50-60 quid if you take one kids with drinks your looking at 150 for 90 mins of footie

[russell sheppard]

Wow that is unreal! £18 at beautiful down town Bramall Lane. I couldn't imagine ever paying £50 to watch the red and white wizards apart from our usual trip to Wembley to watch us get beat.

[russell sheppard]

Aaaaaand it's just literally happened again. Was asleep woke up with my chest beating and choking nearly. Now I get to sit here with the joy of having no feeling in my left arm apart from the pain when the numbness subsides. This has happened for no apparent reason again. Sick of this now.

[delboy]

Russell mine has happened everyday for the last 20 years for no reason, and I am the most normal person the world and I get this all the time.....drives me mad mate...but I live with it and just carry on

[russell sheppard]

Bloody hell. This is the most I've ever had now. I honestly don't know how you coped with them every day. I get used to living with the pain on a daily basis but actual attacks are a whole different ball game. Tempted to fob working football photography off this afternoon while I feel like this. Won't even be able to hold the bloody camera. Anyway I've just literally smashed a load of pain killers and diazepam. I honestly thought after my last attack I'd be alright again for a while. Gutted.

[delboy]

I just djed in a hotel to 300 people and I was centre of attention and right in the might of the night really enjoying myself loving every minute......tight chest hard to breath dizzy ness , arm pains, Lasted bout 30 mins and thank god I managed to snap out of it, and done the next 3 hours and felt on top of world....what causes them, why when I feel great do I get them.....have no idea, but I carried on because this is not in control, I am ...that's the only way I can think to get me through

[russell sheppard]

You are a far better man than me for still plodding on after that. I'd of probably sat and hid in the toilet for 3 hours and then probably of sloped off home without anyone hopefully noticing. Honestly without this forum I would have struggled 10 times more than I usually would have. It's strange how me blurting total bollocks helps ha.