Panic attacks...what are your symptoms?

I always woke up through the night with mine. I had an overwhelming feeling of fear and the need to get to the kitchen and sit at the table.

I felt like I could not get enough oxygen. After no sleep for over a week I went to er on a Sunday (only place in my small town) and found out that I was suffering from congestive heart failure. So I had a reason to feel a lack of oxygen and fear and sitting up helped me feel better.

So I suggest you have yourself checked out just in case your symptoms are something that can be treated.

Hives

Heart pounds, I get very hot and I feel like I can't breathe properly.

My lips start to tingle and my throat squeezes shut. I get an overwhelming desire to go outside cos I just know I will be better if I can breath fresh air.

When I have a panic attack I am usually crying and freaking out. I then shut down and don't talk and or listen to people. My heart rate soars to a not healthy number. I have a hard time catching my breath.

I usually have to listen to music to pull myself out of a panic attack. I don't usually have any warnings. They usually hit fast and hard.  But I have to be in a pretty stressful situation before I get them. 

I used to get them often and I used to have signs like itchiness, nervousness, heavier than normal breathing and then  I would run as fast as I could to get out of the situation. but I have learned how to work through them like they aren't panic attacks.


I used to get them standing in line at a check out stand at any store. and Banks. for many many years I couldn't walk into a bank. I would have panic attacks every time. and I would count in my head the seconds that it took me to get business done and get out.  

I only get them when I am in a very scary (to me) situation. Getting onto an airplane was impossible. Long tunnels, yikes There is no air and I am extremely claustrophobic at that point. Get me outta here !

I shake uncontrollably--usually in my legs. I clench my jaw very tightly together. I have to be careful in the winter, because if I shiver, my body will sometimes think it's panic attack time, because it feels very similar, and then want to go into one. It's actually been quite awhile since I've had one, but occasionally they would just start out of the blue, for no reason and once I woke up from a sleep with one.

When I used to get them, I felt an overwhelming urge to run away, from myself I guess. And a feeling of being unable to breathe and a sense that I wanted to save myself, but unable to.

Me too!  

I have found that in the days before I get one, things feel like they aren't "lined up" properly.  Like they're just a bit off.  It's weird.  Then when it hits, I start shaking, heart races, nausea, diarrhea.  If I throw up, it's over.  If I fight it, it will go on and on.  I have found that I need to just ride them out by counting objects, looking for things for each letter of the alphabet, anything to sidetrack my brain.  I used to have Xanax to take as needed for them but Xanax and pregnancy and nursing are not a good combination so it's been 6 years this month since I've taken any.  I miscarried in June 2010 and I think it was because I had been taking it.  So, when I'm finished nursing my current little, I will be filling a new prescription for it.  I hate them!  DH says that I have a certain smell when I'm having one.  I can't smell it.  He can't describe it but says he can smell it on my breath before the panic ever sets in.

My DH jokes that we saved money by not buying a vibrating bed since I shake so badly when I get one!  Lol.