Did I just have a panic attack??

maryd523

This last week has been extremely stressful. I lost my job (they shut down...giving us three days notice), and ever since I've had a very hard time sleeping and have no appetite (I've been losing while not watching what I eat at all, which is the only good thing to happen this week). In addition, I've gone out a couple times and drank way too much.

So...today I went running. Well, "tried" to go running. Bear in mind, I am 34, in good shape and run 2 or 3 times per week, in addition to other cardio and strength-training. I didn't sleep much last night, but I felt okay before I went. I wear a HRM and usually it takes several minutes to climb up to 158-162, which is where it stays during the duration of my run, which are usally about 50 minutes. I never have to stop and walk.

Today...I ran for 30 seconds and my heart-rate climbed steadily upwards...it got to 177 within a minute and I felt like it was going to explode out of my chest. I stopped for a street-light and then tried to keep going. I ran for about 5 or 6 minutes, as slow as I possibly could go. My heart would not slow down, and it felt really uncomfortable. I was not winded or physically exhausted. I decided to just walk home, and even during the walk, my heart felt like it was beating too hard.

It doesn't really sound like a panic attack...I wasn't shaking, I didn't feel like I was dying. Does anyone have any ideas? I was so looking forward to a good workout to help relieve some of my stress, but there is no way I'm going to risk....well, what? A heart attack? I don't know. Thanks for any help!

billgiersberg

I went to WebMD and did a search for panic attack symptoms. They have posted:

If you have four or more of the following symptoms, you may be having a panic attack:

Sudden high anxiety -- with or without a cause
Heart palpitations
Sweating
Shaking
A "smothering" sensation or shortness of breath
A feeling of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea
Dizziness or faintness
A sense of unreality
A fear of going crazy or losing control
A fear of dying
Numbness or tingling
Chills or hot flashes

An isolated panic attack, while extremely unpleasant, is not uncommon or life-threatening. Panic disorder and panic attacks are not the same thing. All panic disorders have panic attacks as a symptom but having a panic attack does not mean you have a panic disorder. Panic attacks can be a symptom of other anxiety disorders as well.

You may think you're having a heart attack -- and it's true that the symptoms can be similar. However, most people having a panic attack have had one before, triggered by a similar event or situation.

The chest pain of a panic attack usually stays in the mid-chest area (the pain of a heart attack commonly moves toward the left arm). It is often accompanied by rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, and fear. A panic attack usually lasts only a few minutes, comes suddenly and disappears suddenly, but leaving one exhausted.

billgiersberg

Sorry to hear about your job I hope things work out for you. I work in a medical practice office and I have never known doctors to make guesses. They run lots of tests. I'm hoping that your medical benefits from your job may still be in effect. Why not consider going to see your doctor and get a professional opinion.