I think I am having a panic attack!

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I was fine and then all of a sudden I have major anxiety while cooking dinner. Waiting for the ativan to kick in. I started to think something was wrong with me as I don't feel well and it turned into a panic attack, which I have a history of. I am stressed about having surgery but it is not until Nov 30 and I have finished chemo. Anybody else have panic attacks before surgery? I am not sure if that is why or if it is just the whole cancer thing. Startig to feel a bit better.....

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  • TooManyCocktails
    TooManyCocktails Member Posts: 182
    edited November 2011

    I'm glad that you're starting to feel better. Yes, I have panic attacks; but I may get them for any sort of reason.

    They're no fun.

  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2011

    I had a few attacks when I was in the Army, I hate them.  I'm glad your feeling better.  I was ok with surgery, I wanted to get this blood-sucking alien off me (that's the way I pictured it).  Try not to work yourself up, my BMX was so easy and wasn't as bad as I thought it would be physically.  Emotionally was a little different but I still handled it and you take it one day at a time.  Try to think of it as a means to an end, this battle is done...even though the war is never over.  Hugs and prayers going your way.

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited November 2011

    Bak..probably a bit of both..even though you are trying to put the surgery in the back of your mind your brain won't let you forget about it..plus the whole cancer thing...your brain is on overload...I'm very familiar with panic attacks myself..hopefully the ativan will help and you can sleep...

  • Sunny123
    Sunny123 Member Posts: 17
    edited November 2011

    I've had several panic attacks pre-diagnosis and post treatment as well.  Just remember it will pass and everyone is here for you!

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited November 2011

    Thank you everyone. I have struggled wit panic attacks many times in my life and thought I was doing ok lately. I am much more calm now. I will try to breathe......

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited November 2011

    I have had a panic disorder for years now, and when I first developed breast cancer I told my surgeon, and he said "I think every woman in your shoes, in this office is having panic attacks". I got medication, and learned to deep breathe from your belly, it quiets the scary feelings.

    Tell your doctor, there are medications out there to help you with panic, if it becomes too much for you.

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited November 2011

    I am taking an antidepressant that helps plus the ativan. I was surprised that I had a panic attack with the meds I take, as I haven't had a full blown one in a long time. Man, when they come on it is like the world is closing in on you and thought I was going to kill over. I know when it is a panic attack instead of something else when I can distract myself out of it, but then it comes back. I feel much better today so far. My first panic attacks started whe I was 12! Somehow I learned to talk myself out of them. Then I had them again when I was recovering from my first bc, but not during. I really thought my meds had them under control.

  • SheChirple
    SheChirple Member Posts: 954
    edited November 2011

    I am so sorry, and I can understand. With all you have been through and are going through, it is understandable.

    I have only ever had one true panic/anxiety attack.  I was on a business trip.  It hit me as my plane was landing in San Francisco on the first leg of my trip!  I had to call my mother, of all things, to calm me down. I was 45 y/o calling my "mommy"! She talked to me for almost an hour.  I had her searching for the nearest hospital in my network so I could take a taxi there, or call an ambulance.  I had her checking for rental cars so I could drive home, because I just knew it had to do with the flying and there was NO WAY I was going to fly home.  I was frozen in that airport for several hours. I missed my first meeting, and was late for the second one.  I couldn't possibly explain it to anyone.

    Then when it was time to get on my next flight, the next day, I was perfectly fine.  Grrr..

    Glad I was fine, but still don't really know what brought it on.

    Glad you are getting through it.  But it is an AWFUL feeling.

  • bookgirl
    bookgirl Member Posts: 128
    edited November 2011

    Hi again, you just answered my post on another subject, thanks for listening. I have had anxiety issues since I was a preteen. The seem to have a mind of their own. Before cancer there was no specific reason that would trigger it after cancer it seems any medical issues from a trip to the dentist to to blood tests will set me off. When I got the call from my Onc Friday about the CA 27.29 my heart was pounding, I had a hard time breathing and my hands were shaking so bad it took 6 tries to dial him back, but I knew if I waited til Monday it would be worse. I have found that acupuncture helps (costly though) Bach Flower natural remedies are truly good, God bless ativan, and I found some things in the book treating Anxiety for Dummies that were helpful too. I think the feelings come back so strong sometimes that if we're are prone to anxiety and panic they still rear their ugly head. I'm keeping you in my thoughts. Hopefully calming for us both!

  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited November 2011

    I think being stage 3 gives us all panic attacks sometimes. I went through a period of about 5 weeks where all I did was cry and worry. I had chemo before surgery too and I'm feeling much better now that it's all behind me.  I'm sure time will be your friend too and you will find your new normal as they say.  I try to remember that we need to enjoy each day because no one knows if there will be a tomorrow. 

    Hang in there!

    Nancy

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