Was it a Panic Attack???

I've had about 2-3 panic attacks in the past that only lasted a few minutes, Saturday night I believe I had my first full blown panic attack, well atleast I think I did, it was really late about midnight, and I couldn't fall asleep, than I started thinking almost my mind racing and wouldn't for some reason let my self fall asleep.  All of a sudden my heart starting beating really fast, I felt like a rush go through my body and I was taking deeper breathes, so I got up and started pacing, I was terrified that I was going to pass out and I was home alone and had my 2 girls in bed with me, As I was breathing I kept telling myself please god let this pass, I called my fiancee and he rushed home and told me to relax cause he knows how I stress and stress over things that don't let me sleep, after he came I calmed down a little but my body was hot, I would touch my arms, face, legs and it was like my body temperature went up, this lasted about 30 minutes or so, I went outside got some air and took a shower so that I can try to sleep.  Do panic attacks make your body temp feel really hot, I never experienced that before.  It was scary I was crying hysterical, I thought I was going to just colapse and thats it, its so scary, but at the same time I kept telling myself its going to pass, What do you guys do to keep your self calm if you get a panic attack, I don't get them all the time but this one was by far the worst.

[Jizi]

Let me re-phrase that, the panic attack last 30 minutes or so, my body temp was hot for about 10 minutes

[Mark TX]

Sounds like one of my classic panic attacks... though I'm not sure about the body temperature.   That's not something I've ever noticed or worried about.  But I don't think any two of us experience the identical symptoms.  But the racing mind... the heart beat... the fear of passing out... describes my attacks very well.  I find one thing that helps keep me calm is to let my family know what's happening.  I just tell them I'm having a panic or anxiety attack and that somehow keeps it in perspective.  They understand that it's not life-threatening, though I don't believe they really understand how uncomfortable it is.  I usually hide my panic pretty well.  So unless I say something... it rarely is noticeable to anyone else.  Fortunately I haven't had a full blown attack in over a year.  Though I did have a mini one this weekend.  I was traveling to visit a sick family member and was under a great deal of stress... plus I had a half cup of coffee and I think the caffeine set me off.  I should know better than to touch coffee but it's always a struggle.  

Good luck!

mark

[Jon10]

Yeah that sounds like a full blown attack. It had probably been building up for some time. I get them where i know four or five seconds before they begin that its going to be a big one. Sadly, there is little you can do, just sit back and take deep breathes. Try singing the line of your favourite song or think about your favourite comedy show.

[threesacharm]

first of all you should commend yourself for getting yourself through that panic attack...its sounds like you did just what you should, keeping yourself busy.  i just had exactly the same thing happen to me a couple of months ago...i woke up at about 4 in the morning and my heart was pounding out of my chest...i did my normal, woke up my husband and told him i thought i was having a panic attack.  he walked me downstairs and outside for fresh air...i felt like my body was on fire.  normally at that point i can come out of it but my heart kept pounding and then i got really scared.  long story short my husband called the ambulance and i ended up in the er...all tests came out normal.  i was having a full blown panic attack with palpatations.  since then they upped my dose of zoloft from 25mg to 75mg.  i am starting to feel some relief now.  i think you did great with it...i was just always told to try and keep myself busy to work off the extra adrenaline that is in my body..shave my legs, clean, take a walk, etc.  also i am working with a therapist right now and she is teaching me a technique called thought stopping...as soon as you feel the panic or have scary thoughts (i'm dying, heart attack, stroke or whatever) you stop the process by focusing on something else...i feel for you...hope this helps...

[tostressed]

That definatly sounded like a panic attack. When I have a bad one my heart races, I get tingly and sweaty and feel very warm. They are horrible. All you can do is tell yourself that it will pass and take deep breaths. Tell yourself it won't hurt you.

[suzi-q]

Everyone has given the same advice I would have.  They are terrible and they can last a few minutes to hours.  Of course the extreme point only lasts about 10 minutes but the build up and the cool down can cause much stress....just hang in there and like tostressed said...it will go away and it won't hurt you.  I HATE THEM SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

[mshelton23]

i am 19 years old. im pretty sure i have been having panic attacks. i was sitting in the car by myself. when i felt a full body rush and got really dizzy something i have never experienced before. it really scared me. i ran inside to where my boyfriend was i thought i was going to die. i went to the hospital but all they said it was, was dehydration. but i still feel it esp. at night time when im driving i really freak out i try to distract myself but most of the time it doesnt work. my throat starts to feel like its numb and everything i dont know what to do to make it stop its been almost two weeks and i still havent felt better

[tlj02002]

I had the same exact thing happen to me about 3 months ago, my heart started beating as if it were going to jump out of my chest, i was sweating really bad as if I were having the worst hot flash of my life (I'm only 23, i shouldn't be getting hot flashes for quite some time), because of the heart beating fast it was effecting my breathing. Since then I've been on Zoloft and Clozepam and it's helped. I also go to a therapist, something i noticed I was doing wrong with my breathing, was when i felt anxious i would suck in my stomach as i breathed in... DON"T DO THAT. Make sure your stomach goes out as you breath in.. this is a healthy way of breathing. Sometimes when I get anxious (and typically at night) i stop, put my hand on my stomache, and make sure that when i inhale my stomache sticks out. It helps me focus on my breathing, and usually calms me down.

[romina]

[romina]

YES friend that was a panic attack I used to have panic attacks and they got worst each time, the last time that i had one was like 1 month ago. Are you under medication for this? if you are not and you experience another one try to breath go outside, tell yourself that everything is going to be right count your blessings, panic attacks can last no more than 10 minutes, if you cant control them and you think that you can lost control seek for professional help . I know how you feel do not worry god will take care of you.IF WHEN EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS YOU THINK ABOUT DEATH SEEK FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

[valashu]

the best thing u can do is breath,i used to think breathing what help could that do,when u feel this way stop for a few seconds and observe your breathing its probably shallow, quick and high up in your chest you will be sighing alot or panting you are letting off to much carbon dioxide you will b hyperventilating and this will make u feel the way u do,but when i learnt to breath when i panic i did it laying down then walking around what u do is place your hands on your abdomen and take in a big long slow breath till your abdomen expands. HOLD IT IN  now let all the air out very slowly, in.....and.....out,in....and....out.mate just think only on your breathing when u panic.this will relax u it works. just breath,when u feel panic coming on breath,its a good feeling to, the panic just fades to the background.hope this helped

[valashu]

the best thing u can do is breath,i used to think breathing what help could that do,when u feel this way stop for a few seconds and observe your breathing its probably shallow, quick and high up in your chest you will be sighing alot or panting you are letting off to much carbon dioxide you will b hyperventilating and this will make u feel the way u do,but when i learnt to breath when i panic i did it laying down then walking around what u do is place your hands on your abdomen and take in a big long slow breath till your abdomen expands. HOLD IT IN  now let all the air out very slowly, in.....and.....out,in....and....out.mate just think only on your breathing when u panic.this will relax u it works. just breath,when u feel panic coming on breath,its a good feeling to, the panic just fades to the background.hope this helped