Asthma Attack, Heart Attack, or Panic Attack?
I went to the ER today because for the past 2 days I have been having difficulty breathing (chest tightness, feeling out of breath no coughing or wheezing) nausea (no vomiting although I came pretty close), dizziness, light headiness, numbness / tingling in lower extremities, and sharp stabbing chest pain. Last night was the worst when I had difficulty falling asleep cause I felt as if I was suffocating and awake 2 hours later extremely nauseous, chest feeling as if it would collapse with my fragile heart racing a 200 beat per a second inside, disoriented, gasping for air, practically thinking that I will die at any given second so i quickly ran to the bathroom (that is my only safe haven) trying to decide whether this was really it or was it just an illusion created by my dysfunctional mind.I remember looking at my hands turn from red to white and feeling my whole body go ice cold thinking that this was it. I took the chances of guessing it was a Panic Attack and ended up using my asthma nebulizer to help me breathe better and popped half the minimum dose of clonazepam (0.25mg) to help calm me down. Next thing I remember I wake up this morning drowsy , still nauseated, chest still hurting, breathing still difficult and went to work. At work i called my doctor and told him what happened so he told me to "Get to an ER ASAP!" I told him about my anxiety problems and he told me "better safe than sorry." So I drove to the ER still feeling like I did in the morning to be welcomed by a kind doctor who explains to me its only a mere Panic Attack. I was flabbergasted that a "mere Panic Attack" could go on for 2 days straight and cause so many physical manifestations to the point where I really thought this was the end of my 19 years of life. She assured me with an EKG and listened to my lungs, wrote me a prescription for albuterol sulfate (since i convinced her it helped the night before) and recommended me to a Psychiatrist. Depressed, frustrated, and embarrassed I paid the $35.00 co pay, got in my car and drove home. I used to nebulizer again when I got home because I couldn’t breathe so now I am doing a little bit better but still my chest hurts, I feel numb all over, and my head feels like something is not functioning correctly. Now I need your help / advice to weigh out my options. Go to a Psychiatrist and get put on crazy pills, assume the worst and continue my never ending journey at solving my mystery diagnosis, continue toughing out this debilitating illness, etc? Thanks in advance!
P.S. My first Panic Attack started in February of last year and that was when I was warmly welcomed into the wonderful world of mental illness.
hey Vlad in the Bible it says seek y 1st the kingdom of God & these things shall be added onto you~so instead of getting yourself more upset why not take a few deep breathes pick up the Bible & read a few pages~also prayer really does work~i know It’s been working for me for years?
Comments
Comment from NatM
Time January 21, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Hey I think the doctor was right. There is nothing wrong with seeing a psychiatrist. When I was your age and the doc told me to see a psychiatrist due to depressed I freaked out too. But your doc who saw you was doing the right thing. Your not crazy….. crazy people fake this kinda shit for attention and things. You actually do have a medical condition that needs to be adressed by the right doctor.
It sounds like you really do have anxiety, and yes.. anxiety manifests all types of physical symptoms. Look in your area for a psych, find one you feel comfortable with, they will be able to help you…if you dont already have one. If you already do, go and talk with them and tell them what happened.
Your OK, dont worry.
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Comment from Rossana
Time January 21, 2010 at 4:29 pm
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Comment from nickipettis
Time January 21, 2010 at 4:59 pm
since the doc did an EKG, i assume she was correct in her diagnosis.
however, he/she should have given you something to help with the panic, not just to help with the asthma.
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Comment from i ? hershey ?????
Time January 21, 2010 at 2:59 pm
hey Vlad in the Bible it says seek y 1st the kingdom of God & these things shall be added onto you~so instead of getting yourself more upset why not take a few deep breathes pick up the Bible & read a few pages~also prayer really does work~i know It’s been working for me for years?
References :