Heart rate question. during panic attack.....

[dmbfan07cb]

is it normal during a panic attack to have a heart rate so high that you cant take your pulse on your wrist accurately because its so fast.  this happened to me it just felt like a solid single pulse, i could of course put my hand on my chest and feel it beating but at this point my hands were nearly numb from tingling anyways so i couldnt really count.  How fast would a heart rate be for this to happen?

Sorry for so many posts by the way. I'm just having a ruff time.

[nursegirl6572]

HI there...

Yes, ALL of the symptoms you desrcibe in all of your posts are TOTALLY normal during a panic attack.  Everyone is a little different in their experiences.

Please just be reassured that while scary, these are simply emoptional responses, they cannot PHYSICALLY harm you at all.

Try to give the prozac some time to work, or if the side effects are too bothersome, contact your doctor about maybe switching to a different med.  Unfortunately, these meds take time to work...and while we're in the midst of panic attacks, it would be nice to have something work much faster.

The doc may prescribe something for your anxiety until the SSRI starts working.

Hang in there.....

[dmbfan07cb]

I had to go to the hospital last night because of a VERY severe panic attack.  I had a sustained heart rate 0ver 180 for about 20 minutes before they were able to give me something to lower the heart rate.  They did an EKg while my heart rate was at 160 and I was having my symptoms and everything was fine other than the high rate.  They also did a chest xray and some blood tests.  As soon as they gave me the meds to knock down my heart rate it only took like 15 seconds for it to go from 167 to 120, then they gave another dose and it went to low 90's within the minute.  Then they gave me some weird drug to calm me down and I felt dizzy with memory loss but I loved it.  I was not afraidof anything and was feeling fine.  They gave me a xanax prescription and I took a xanax this morning when I was feeling anxious (0.5mg) and I'm feeling great.  I don't want to get addicted to this xanax, what can I do to avoid that?

[nursegirl6572]

The MOST valuable thing you can do for yourself is to FOLLOW UP with your family doctor as soon as possible.  They will help you properly treat the anxiety, or they will refer you to a psychiatrist.

There is nothing wrong with taking the Xanax when you feel anxious... that is what it is there for!  Take it as prescribed, and you should be just fine.  Be sure to follow up, so that you can be monitored and put on the right medication to help your anxiety (long term).

Once all of that happens, your need for the Xanax will start to decrease over time.

Take Care!

[dmbfan07cb]

I asked for a psych evaluation while I was there at the ER, and they called me this morning to check on me, and they said they are going to get me in asap to talk to a doctor for a long term medication and a psychologist so I can get in with some CBT.  Does this sound ok or do I really need to check in with my regular GP as well?

thanks so much for your time

[greenlydia]

Sorry, I know you requested nursegirl to respond, but I'm gonna wade in with my two cents anyway.
What the folks at the ED have done is great! The fact that they called to check on you tells me that you have an excellent group of doctors and nurses working in your local hospital!
And what they have set up for you is perfect! Did they say if the doctor you would be seeing is a cardiologist? In my humble opinion, I think that your racing heart rate, while very scary, WAS just anxiety, but it would probably be a good idea, and one that would relieve YOUR mind, if you saw a cardiologist.
You do not HAVE to see your regular doctor, as all of the records will be faxed to him/her, but it's a really good idea to have ALL of your health care providers on the same page with your care. A short visit might be a good idea once you've seen the ED doc and the therapist.
To avoid tolarence to the Xanax, take as little as you need, and only when you really need it. When you get with the docs and therapist, tell them of your concerns regarding "addiction" and ask for a long acting benzo. There are many out there that will control your anxiety, but do not have the short half-life of Xanax, which is what produces the dependance/tolerance. Your therapist will monitor your progress and when you both agree the time is right to go off the med, a safe and medically appropriate taper program will be started. This is putting the cart before the horse, but I just want to add a little warning here about benzos. They are powerful drugs, so PLEASE, never adjust the dose without first consulting your doctor and NEVER abruptly stop the meds, again, without consulting your doctor.
You did everything you should for this problem and it sounds like you're in good hands. Follow up with all your appointments and I'm sure that you will soon be back to your old self.
Peace
Greenlydia

[sunset555]

Hello there!!

I am not sure on whether or not I can actually help you here but here goes anyway!!!!!

I have been suffering on and off with anxiety and panic attacks for the last nine years of my life and thankfully now have them under control, not saying that they have totally disappeared or anything, the only difference is that whenever they do arise now, I know how to keep them at bay.  I suppose the main reason I am responding to your post is that I do have one main smptom of anxieity with you which would be the "rapid heart beat" which has been one of my main scares out of all the symptoms in anxiety between that and chest pain which I have experienced for an awful long time now, in fact the chest pains started when I was a tender age of just nine and I am thirty five years of age now, but the rapid heart beat is  a very recent thing for me personally!! In fact my very rapid heart beats just came out of the blue only a few months ago, and this has happened to me in total of three times since.  I am in the process of undergoing various cardiologist tests and examinations right now, and have had blood tests and also chest exrays amongst all of the other tests, so I suppose what I am trying to say to you is to try your very best to relax right now as I know only too well just how frightening how it is for you, but you will be all right, because if there was anything serious wrong with you the hospital would not let you go at all, and this is what you have got to hang on to right now!!!

Unlike yourself, I do not take any medications for my anxiety or panic, instead I personally chose to us the natural approach, which I know is not for everybody, instead I just practice my yoga, meditation and herbal remedies when needs be! If you ever need any advice on above, please do not hesitate and respond, as I would only be too glad to help you to the best of my knowledge!

Don't get me wrong I am not Superwoman or anything near it, I just have my own way of dealing and coping with panic and anxiety, my doctors have often offered me medication in the past, but I have always refused, that is not to say that this is not the way for you by far.

Sunset.

[dmbfan07cb]

I really don't have a cardiologist.  I went to a cardiologist on a referral from my regular GP for a holter monitor but I only met his tech.  Should I not trust the doctors at the hospital?  I figure they knew what they were talking about.  They performed an EKG at the peak at one of these episodes, isn't it likely they would have found something? Also it seems if it was my heart the xanax wouldn't work, because I felt another one coming on today and i Took a xanax and it never happened.

Is a cardiologist really necessary or would it be something your only suggesting to ease my mind.  Because my mind is at ease without seeing one, considering I don't have health insurance and that hospital visit last night is going to make me have to file bankruptcy as it is probably.  I have no job or money

[Pum]

I personally wouldn't bother with a cardiologist after your recent history and tests but make sure you keep in touch with your GP about your issues. If anything changes they may want to refer you. I live in a country where you have to get your GP to send you to a specialist and they only do this if they seriously suspect a problem.

I'm glad to hear you are feeling more at ease.

[dmbfan07cb]

Anyone know how I can avoid become addicted or any kind of withdrawal from the xanax, it really helps me but I don't need to have withdrawal symptoms  or become addicted.  i am only going to take it for a week at the most.  Any suggestions?  I have heard horror stories so I am a little scared,