Panic attacks

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Since starting all the tests I've been having panic attacks, mostly at night. This is a familiar pattern to me as I have experienced them for 35 years and had learned how to manage them fairly well. Lately though they have become pretty intense, culminating in the worst one ever begining at about 6pm on Saturday and still going at 5pm on Sunday. It was so bad I diallled 111, which I've never done in all the years I've had them. They told me to go to A & E where I managed to get seen by a very helpful doctor who gave me 5 days worth of diazepam.

I did have to work pretty hard to prove I wasn't trying to 'score' though! First she tried to offer me promethazine (sp?) which is an anti-histamine, and doesn't stop panic attacks, it just makes you a little sleepy. Weirdly to me anyway, she then said they only had 1 5mg tablet as the pharmacy was closed. She thought that if I went home, tried to relax, and took the diazepam I would get some sleep. At that point I just started sobbing that I might get a little sleep (most unlikely) but I would wake up and be back to square one suffering for the rest of the night totally alone. That's when she relented...

So, she wrote out the prescription for 5 days worth but the only pharmacy open was in an ASDA store. She also said she could give me the 1 diazepam they had but couldn't get a nurse to dispense it to me for another 30 mins. ASDA was shutting in 45 mins so I had to go sans drugs to the store and it was rammed with shoppers - it was pretty surreal as intense panic messes with your perception of your surroundings! I don't know how I did it but I'm glad I did because its given me the breathing space I needed to work out what to do longer term.

I do hope everyone is doing ok xxx

Wenglish 3 days ago

hi Barbiesnemesis I’m sorry to hear you’ve been experiencing panic attacks and totally understandable that they have escalated during this time. I personally haven’t had experience of having panic attacks but my daughter does and like you has learnt to self manage them however these are unprecedented times for you. Well done for persevering through what sounds an awful experience trying to get some help with them I do hope it gives you some clarity to process everything else xx

IonaF 2 days ago

Hi Barbienemesis,

I am glad that you got some relief in the end. You are dealing with so much. sending love and support to you. Remember you are not alone. X

Lucy1382 2 days ago

Oh Barbiesnemesis, I completely relate to this. I also manage panic attacks quite well- I had them badly in my 20s- and know the physiology of them so can usually ride it out, but I am getting them again now too and mainly in the night.

I was given 2mg diazepam when on chemo tablets as I am emetophobic (I just asked the oncologist and he was lovely and prescribed them on the spot). It really helped, but my panic is off the scale now as I'm probably going to have surgery. I really do need something again but haven't worked up to asking anyone.

Hang on in there and remind anyone prescribing this that it is an acute response to the situation you're in and you won't be asking for them once you are through it. I can't believe anyone suggested promethazine, that is nowhere near what you need for panic! The ASDA experience sounds awful for you too. I hope things have eased up a bit now. Sending good thoughts x

Arial88 2 days ago

Hi, this sounds horrible, well done for getting through it. It's completely understandable to be panic stricken and overwhelmed. I haven't had anything like the duration of your attack but have had nocturnal panic attacks where i wake up gasping for breath with a very irregular heartbeat.

These started for me when my husband was unwell and I was prescribed a low dose of citalopram, which did help. Not for everyone though but something to ponder, along with other things like breathing, mindfulness etc. It's so hard I know.

Arial88 2 days ago in reply to Lucy1382

Hi Lucy1382 I am kind of opposite to you, had surgery, facing Capox and also have an intense fear of vomiting, so your experience is useful. All I can say is I am recovering from surgery well. I know everyone is different though and it's v hard to switch off the anxiety.

Lucy1382 2 days ago in reply to Arial88

Let the team know (if you haven't already!) -mine were so incredibly sympathetic, both nurses and oncologists and did all they could to help. Glad your surgery recovery is going well too!!