panic attacks...

[mariafranck]

so i went for my normal ob check up today. i'm 16 1/2 wks. one of the things i wanted to talk to my doctor about was some episodes i've been having. i thought it was just my blood supply increasing and that's why i've been having these sympoms. he said yes my blood supply is increasing and that will cause light headedness/dizziness, but my other symptoms sounds like panic attacks. i get hot flashes, feel faint, my heart races, can't breathe, and i get all nauseated...just feel real sick. this happens at weird times: after i eat, or at the grocery store, while driving, or even a 1/2hr after going to bed...just strikes anytime. i really thought it had to do with blood supply. i felt as though my blood pressure was low but i took it at home and it was normal. i've been having it the past 2-3wks around 2-3x a week so i guess it's not too bad right now. he said def pull over and get off the road if it happens again while driving. i think some work stress has added to this and the fact that the weather got crappy and my kids are couped up so they're bouncing off the walls and being difficult. i'm working on some relaxation techniques to get through this.

as far as the pg goes everything is good. my blood pressure was 98/65 i think and i've gained a total of 8 pounds now (3 in the past week -oops!). i'm feeling movement now (have been for a few weeks but it's not everyday). my big u/s is on 4/24 so we are counting down the days!

[Crazygirl31701]

I know exactly how you feel. I have panic/anxiety disorder. I have been taking medication for a few years. but since becoming pregnant I have had to switch meds. The one they have me on now is not working as good as my other one. Just in the past few weeks I have been getting panic attacks that strike for no reason and I could be anywhere as well. Hopefully these will stop soon because other than trying to relax yourself I dont know what to do.

[Shee_Na]

I get panic attacks alot. A lot of times when I'm getting ready for an appointment or around certain dates in the month. The only thing I can do is wait for them to end and breathe through them. I've never been willing to take meds with them but may go on something if my depression/anxiety gets worse.

Glad you had a good appointment and hope your panic attacks stop.

[deannaaz]

Glad you had a good appointment and that you'll get to see your baby soon!!!! Hope you can relax and the panic attacks stop!!!

[bethxyz]

I used to get panic attacks and for whatever reason they haven't resurfaced in a number of years. (not that I am complaining) I would get my breathing elevated and couldn't calm down. So even though you might be calm in your head, your body is still having a physical reaction. I learned to suck on hard candy to regulate my breathing (a nurse gave me this tip) this slows everything down made the episode pass quickly.

But, yes good idea to pull over when driving!!

Best wishes for no panic attacks!

[ananar23]

I have some issues with anxiety and I notice that when I am pregnant (and after I delivered dd) it surfaces (usually dormant since my early 20's). In fact, last night I htought I might be experiencing a panic attack for the first time this pregnancy. They are not fun to say the least, blah! I think, for me at least, that it is another wonderful side effect to the increase in hormones. Oh, and my bp is also low; 98/50 this last Monday. I also refuse to take meds and just work through them. I pray when I get them :)

[AmayaNSugar]

I suffer from severe panic attacks myself since my bad wreck. I have them worse in the car or when I'm ready to leave to go somewhere. Sometimes I just want to stay in the house and never leave!