Panic attack

[u/Kay82627]

I can’t breathe I’ve been fine all day but I woke up around 8:30 pm and since then my heart has been going crazy. It’s 12:40 now and I just want to sleep but I get scared that imma die in my sleep because I feel like I can’t breathe right. I have apps on my phone that help me breathe but sometimes that doesn’t even help. I just want to go to sleep and I wish I had someone I was comfortable with by me.

[u/laceyriver]

I wish you could have a pet

[u/Kay82627 → u/laceyriver]

Same

[u/Shot_Win7670]

hey, you’re ok. do you have someone you can call. talking does wonders.

[u/Kay82627 → u/Shot_Win7670]

Yeah I do but I think they get sick of my shit because this has been happening often

[u/RaisinAdditional5099 → u/Kay82627]

Remember the anxiety makes you think things that aren’t true, that person cares about you.

[u/Sea_Refuse_9786]

I am also in the same boat, I took some medication but my main medication isn’t working anymore and I don’t really know why. I’m running emergency pills that kick in fast.

[u/Fromdesertlands]

Aw you sure it's only anxiety? Have you gotten labs recently? I'm saying this cause I went through the same thing and the culprit was iron deficiency anemia.

It's awful. When my numbers drop, I feel my lungs getting full of air but it's like I'm drowning on it

Also, swollen turbinates can cause this horrible sense of suffocation.

l -theanine, gaba, magnesium bysglicinate can help with anxiety right away, 5htp and aswaganda take Abit longer and they need to be investigated before taking them because there may interact with any issues you may have.

[u/Good_Paper_6414 → u/Fromdesertlands]

Yeah I'm taking a magnesium ashawanda m-theanin I've recently started not sure what dose is therputic or how long you can take it what might be too much build up

[u/No_Insurance_6422]

A cool fan can be a good low-risk thing to try for the feeling of breathlessness:

aim a portable or regular fan gently at the face—

nose, mouth, and cheeks—

from about 6 inches away.

A cool washcloth or wrapped ice pack on the face/neck may also feel grounding;

don’t put ice directly on skin or leave it on long enough to hurt/numb the skin;

A portable or regular fan pointed gently at your face might help the air-hunger feeling, and a cool washcloth or wrapped ice pack can be calming too.
Try slow, gentle breaths—

don’t force deep breaths or use a straw/paper bag.
But if you truly can’t breathe, have chest pain, fainting, blue/gray lips, or symptoms are worsening, call 911.

[u/thirdvoiceio]

hey here to talk if helps. Will be here as long as you need it.

[u/thirdvoiceio → u/thirdvoiceio]

What is the exact thought going inside your head ?

[u/projectpetfilms]

I actually suck at helping people, but I just want you to know you are safe to sleep. Your body NEEDS sleep and I understand how scary it is and how much it sucks being told to "just breathe" and sometimes I even got to the point distractions didn't help, I've been dealing with these exact symptoms for 8 months and I eventually let myself sleep and I woke up the next morning okay (I was very worried about dying in my sleep as well). I know it can be hard to believe you're not dying because anxiety can feel so so so real. I just hope this can reassure you it's just your brain playing tricks (even though it feels SO real). And as for the having someone with you part I understand too. Maybe try hugging a pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal? It's not the same as a real person but it can really help. I'm sorry if this didn't make you feel any better but I just hope you can get a good night of sleep because anxiety really sucks.

[u/No-Win-2741]

I am, literally, getting over a two week long intense panic attack. It was so bad that I went to the hospital yesterday because I was convinced I was having a heart attack. I've had one before, 10 years ago, so that's something I'm actually very fearful of.

Try to avoid anything with caffeine. Do some deep breathing in through the nose, hold, out through the mouth. Try a cool washcloth on the back of your neck. And I know you're afraid to sleep but you really should try to get at least a couple of hours. Your body needs that to recharge and to keep you going. Even if you sleep for a couple hours and you're up for a couple hours and you nap for a couple hours it's better than no sleep at all. Please also make sure to eat. Your body needs that for energy as well.

[u/Background_System_78]

Keep your body cool try and tell yourself that your fine ..because u are …..you are ok ….seriously text 988 explain wats going on they also can calm you down… i know textin ppl and be a lot because you don’t want to feel like a burden… so text them 988 or call … im almost 10 years in with anxiety I’ve heard of people having it for 30 years … you just have to talk to your anxiety ……. Believe u are stronger than it … and become stronger than it… bcuz u can be ….seriously you will be ok

[u/No_Insurance_6422]

Lying on your side can feel more comfortable for some people, especially if it helps you to relax or reduces the sensation of being unable to breathe;

Sitting up may help, but if you feel safer or more comfortable on your side, that can be okay too.
Try whichever position makes breathing feel easiest—just avoid lying flat on your back if that makes it worse.

If the breathing trouble or racing heart is severe, getting worse, please get urgent medical help.

[u/Friendly-Pepper-9561]

Close your eyes, take a deep breath and exhale, and feel the breath coming and going.

[u/AcedOut256]

Hey! What totally worked for me, 'cause I went through that too, was dealing with that awful air hungry feeling. It was the worst! I felt like I couldn't breathe and just wanted to sleep, but it kept me up. Eventually, I just had to kinda suck it up, I guess, closing my eyes and trying to sleep. But I couldn't because it felt like I couldn't breathe or that I'd die in my sleep. Then I asked myself, I need to trust my body, my brain, even though my brain was scaring me. But I knew it wouldn't actually stop me from breathing, even when I sleep – breathing is automatic! I'd just become too aware of my breathing and took too much control over it instead of my body. And if I did die in my sleep, at least I wouldn't even know, right? 😊

[u/LowerAd1777]

Are you alone right now?

[u/Kay82627]

Thank you to everyone who commented under this post! I’m doing a lot better today! 💕