Driving to movies and Bam!

[GymRatNoMore]

I was driving alone to the movie theater and all the sudden I had a huge panic attack, I was on the verge of calling 911 but made it home and took my meds... Body and mind still crazy right now... Help! My arms get all ringlet and I feel like I'm gonna pass out

[GymRatNoMore]

Just got back from ER... Typical nothing else wrong other than hyperventilation... Stupid anxiety disorder

[tailspin]

Do you feel better once you've been reassured by a doctor? I find with me that reassurance from a doctor that I'm basically ok only lasts a short time. Or I should say, the reassurance doesn't stop a panic attack from happening again and it doesn't stop me feeling like crap. Even if the doctor says "it's just anxiety", it's not like that magically makes the anxiety (and all the related physical symptoms) disappear. I mean obviously it's reassuring to be told by a doctor that you're not dying of a heart attack, but that still doesn't make the underlying anxiety go away (in my case). It really does suck!

At any rate, I hope you're feeling a little better now.

[GymRatNoMore]

It helps after all the tests were run, no expense was spared this time (3rd trip to ER). They showed me it was hyperventilation and my X-rays and tests were all normal (minus the CO2 test). This makes me more aware that hyperventilation is something I can use to my advantage next time... I just need to learn how to use it is all. The physical exhaustion was ridiculous though, lasted a total of 50min from peak to peak... It was challenging but they did nothing but reassure me and it makes me realize more and more that I need to control my breathing in stressful situations. Trust me I know the physical pain and emotional drain, but it's because my own inability to cope with the problem

[GymRatNoMore]

The personal humility is a humbling experience too, makes you reassess what you consider to be inadequate at all scales. I'm glad to have such a humbling experience... Just not during the actual attacks :D