blood clots in lungs

[SallieB]

what exactly is an anxiety attack

[29sillygirl]

Hi,

We share a couple of things.  Both in our 8th decade: both experienced life threatening condition.  In my case, it was anal cancer.  I almost died from side effects of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation.  Renal failure and cdif.  After all this I had a long recovery with little support.  So I feel for you.

In my experience, serious agoraphobia followed my treatment.  Worse after docs released me.  Think you may be going through similar emotions.  After you get through a serious illness, it feels as tho' you are without support.   I am concerned that your doc is diagnosing anxiety attacks, unless you have a history of them.  Do you?

My doctors knew I had a history of anxiety, and  recommended I see a therapist while going thru' treatment.  It was very helpful.  I still see her; she is good, and helped me to deal with the depression that follows cancer treatment, and a radically changed body.

I wish you the best.  Follow Paxiled advice.  Make sure there are no organic causes for your problems, before you see a psychiatrist re: anxiety issues.

[Paxiled]

Oh, and as to what an anxiety attack is, we can tell you what they feel like, but not what they are, since medical science hasn't figured that out yet.  The explanation they always give is it's the flight or fight instinct -- the adrenaline rush that tells us there's danger and that we have to decide quickly whether to stand and fight or flee -- but they never explain why we get it when we aren't facing any danger.  Nor do they know what part of the brain causes it, or how to treat them, or why treatments that are successful succeed or why those that fail, fail.  It's all theory so far, but they are working hard on it.    

[Paxiled]

If you've had such a major medical issue, I wouldn't be so sure to just accept that these are anxiety attacks, and even if they are that they aren't physiologically based.  When a doctor tells you you're just having anxiety attacks, that's often a way of saying, I don't know what's going on and and I don't want to find out.  Blood clots indicate severe circulation problems, which can also make someone feel faint and like they're going to pass out and die.  They are blockages of the blood vessels.  I'm sure you're seeing a  specialist for this; I'd tell him or her about this if you've never had anxiety attacks before and rule out something physiological before you assume this is emotional.  

[SallieB]

I have been in the hospital for 2 weeks with blood clots in my lungs. Since returing home I have had these attacks and thought I was going to pass out and die. My regular doctor told me I was having anxiety attacks. It makes me feel better knowing I 'm not going to pass out and die. Never had any pronblems before...thanks

[kay2486]

its not contagious, its brought on by worry or even stress, the symptoms are breathlessness, heart racing, ectopic beats, dizziness, lightheadedness, de-realisation, why do you ask?

[cheshchesh819]

it aint something you catch from someone it is more of a mind and physical thing,i started to get anxiety when alot of bad things happened in my life that i felt i couldnt control,there are many physical symptoms involved my biggest symptoms were pounding heart dizzy headaches and like i couldnt breath,was convinced i had a brain tumour.