I need some advice

I just turned 43. About 1 year ago, I began to have some severe symptoms--all of which indicated a heart attack. I had a complete heart check-up, and all was found normal. My blood pressure was through the roof, but is now controlled through medicine. The one emergency room visit was diagnosed as a panic attack. ??

Yes, I have a very stressful job, and family situation, all of which were even more stressful during this time frame. My family situation is better, but my job continues to remain extremely stressful.

My symptoms were controlled for a few months with toprol and diovan and I thought all was well.

Out of the blue, I began having the same symptoms, or episodes, as I call them again. They wake me up at night, and I am barely functioning during the day. They tend to be hit and miss.

They come upon me suddenly. Sometimes they last for minutes, the one this past Sunday woke me up at 2:15 am, and lasted until 6:30. I'm also very tired after all of this.

Gross, but I burp alot during these episodes. Can't catch my breath, feels like a 300lb guy is on my chest, dry mouth, can't swallow, my heart races and skips, sweaty, head spins, and feel like I'm having an out of body experience, and I'm 'convinced' I'm having a heart attack or stroke.

I don't know what to do...

I'm just going on the ER Dr's diagnosis, and I need to know how others proceeded, and how anyone discovered help that they needed.

Thanks

Hi SfromTexas,
You have been diagnosed with panic attacks! Everything you are experiencing are symptoms of Panic. You can overcome this!!!! You are probabbly swallowing a lot of air and therefore the burping... I too had that extreme feeling of pressure on my chest, Claire Weeks calls that the "Horse's Hoof". Doing Deep Breathing is a major key to first reducing the feelings and then overcoming them. Learn all you can, there are many sites on this. www.anxietycoach.com has a great breathing exercise on it. www.conqueranxiety.com has a 7day free mini course, good
Any books by Claire Weeks were helpful to me.
I recently purchased "The Linden Method" which I have found to be very valuable.
Go through this forum there is good information from others who have this.
Lisa

Thanks very much for your advice, I will look at the websites.

My Dr. hasn't had any experience with panic attacks, so we are trying to figure this out together.

I did want to ask something else...Is it 'normal' for that feeling of fighting one off to last for several hours?

It seems like I battle it all day long, and then have the true episode that lasts just for several minutes.

When I'm battling it, that is when I'm swallowing all of the time, and concentrating so hard on not letting it 'take hold'.

I have no idea if this makes any sense to anyone but me...:)

Maybe the websites will answer these questions, but it is nice to be able to ask someone directly.

Thanks, s

yes It is "normal". What is happening is because you are fighting it all day it kepts on mounting. If you accepted that for now you are experiencing the swallowing and not be so afraid of it your sensations would have less meaning and would not lead to a Panic. It's your focusing on it that keeps it going. Try deep breathing and thinking of other things, doing something to distract yourself. The Linden Method explains this really well,
Lisa