Panic attack lasting for hours?

[courtneyjay]

I've been feeling very anxious for 5 hours, my heart rate increases (up to 130) and it's very difficult to breathe and like my throat is tightening up. even when trying to do breathing exercises it feels like I don't have enough air capacity to breathe (this has subsided a bit). it's 2 in the morning where I live and i'm unable to sleep nor to go to a doctor. My symptoms get bad and then better again after panicking for an hour or two. My hospital by me is very stubborn when it comes to prescribing any sort of scheduled drugs. (had a jaw infection due to wisdom teeth removal and had to go to a hospital an hour and a half away for pain as the hospital near me did nothing but give me a benadryl shot.) luckily not experiencing chest pain, but some abdominal pain if that has any relevancy. I feel very helpless. should I try to go anyway in hopes they take me serious enough?

[Paxiled]

First of all, I don't know why you're measuring your heart rate unless you have a history suggesting heart problems.  It's like googling symptoms, it will just drive you even more nuts.  Secondly, is this how you usually experience your anxiety attacks?  I know this one is long lasting, but I mean when you get your attacks is this how they manifest themselves normally?  If so, relax, find something to do for awhile, and when it's done try to think about what might have triggered it.  As for the hospital, there's a big difference between giving you a few benzos for anxiety and putting you on pain pills.  There is a national frenzy against pain pills right now, but it doesn't include anti-anxiety meds even though they're just as addictive.  That shouldn't be a concern.  But again, if this is how you get anxiety attacks, then that's what it is most likely.  Are you in therapy for this problem or taking any medication?  Is this a chronic problem for you?  If it is I would suggest therapy to start with to try and figure out how to stop thinking like this.  But it is also important for your doctor to be extremely thorough in checking for physiological causes, and they're often not keen on doing that.  Possible causes are hormonal problems, thyroid problems, blood sugar problems, nutrient deficiencies, etc.  That's a lot to look for and none involve the heart directly.  

[courtneyjay]

I believe its a bad reaction from taking a medication. I won't be able to get into a doctor for two weeks and it's just so bad I can't even sleep.. I think i'm reacting to my medication badly but I can't stop taking it because when I do the attacks are even worse. I feel stuck and I know my body and something isn't right. It's hard to even focus on things because I'll immediately feel my heart pounding even when my mind is completely distracted. i'm starting to feel very faint chest pains that last a couple seconds and go away.

[courtneyjay]

And I have a therapy appointment in a couple weeks. sorry I missed that question.

[Paxiled]

What medication are you on?