Extreme Longlasting Panic

[momfirst2010]

Before going to bed last night, I started to feel uneasy but didn't know why. As I was in bed trying tall asleep, I started to have what I think was a panic attack. My heart was racing. I felt absolutely terrified. My legs and feet felt numb. I didn't want to be alone. I was shivering and then sweating profusely and extremely hot. There were points where I had to will myself to move parts of my body because I felt terrified. Everything I read online suggests panic attacks usually last minutes to an hour, but I felt this way all night. Even now that it's been almost 12 hours since the panic started, I still feel awful. My head hurts. I can't get over this feeling like I'm going to throw up. My legs shake and feel like they will give out when I walk. I just want to crawl in bed and hide. I'm so dizzy and don't know how I'm going to get through this day. In addition, I have completely lost my appetite and capacity to think rationally. I've never felt this way and don't know if it's panic or something else. Please help! I'm a 27 year old female.

[wabs09]

I can totally sympathise with you.  I have been dealing with these sort of attacks since I was 12 and and am now 35.  I go through periods where I dont have them for years and then WHAM. Something triggers the panic and anxiety and I go through weeks to months with these off and on attacks.  It seems like the older I get the more intense it becomes when I have them.  I have ended up in the ER twice within a week back in September both times with two totally different sets of symptoms, the first time I knew it was an anxiety/panic attack, the sencond time I didnt think thats what it was because I was weak could barely walk, lathargic, having wierd visual stuff and an array of other wierd things going on and both times I was diagnosed with having anxiety.  My ATTACKS last anywhere from a couple of hours to a week sometimes.  My GAD symptoms are usually all day every day.  I have been on a regimen of xanax now for 5 months and it seems to be wo rking, although i still have break through attacks they are not as severe and I can at least function.

Good luck!

If you need to talk more let me know!

[trish934]

hang in there! go see the Doctor and we can all give you some advice and hope, since most of us are/were in the same predicament ok! you will get through this. we look forward to hearing from you...

stay strong

[Nicki_p]

That sounds like a panic attack to me . I have severe ones.But, if you are not sure. I would go see your doctor because it could be something serious. Just know that panic attacks CAN NOT KILL YOU! It may feel like it. But they cant. I would go see your doctor than let us know what he says.
:)

[mammo]

We have no way of knowing, even if it is anxiety you need to see someone right away for evaluation.  If it is anxiety you need to see a psychiatrist who can help you get to the root of your anxiety and teach you coping and relaxation skills, and he may even prescribe medication.  It may be something very simple, but regardless go to your ER for immediate help and go from there.

[momfirst2010]

What else could possibly make me feel this way?? I don't quite understand what I'm going through or how to make it go away but feel like I am losing my mind because I just can't get over this feeling. After I posted the first time, I just broke down and cried uncontrollably and now just feel even more confused and fearful. This fear, anxiety, and numbness will not go away no matter how much I will it to do so.

[mammo]

Because of the duration of this, I would seek immediate medical help before assuming it's anxiety.  Panic attacks don't last that long.  Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways and varying degrees, but you always want to rule out medical problems first.  Please seek medical attention, and if it's determined to be anxiety, please come back.
Take care.