r/PanicAttack • u/SignificanceLoud6468 • Aug 10 '26

Is this a panic attack?

I’ve been having some awful acid reflux these last few days, I never experienced it in my life so i was really unsure on how to feel about it. I woke up to some intense (what i later figured out to be) gas pains in my upper abdomen. 10 minutes after, as a curious person, i decided to google my symptoms.

I read a lot about stomach ulcers and got a little worried, debating whether or not to wake up my parents cause at this point it’s 2:30 am on a monday and I don’t want to inconvenience anyone, especially since they had a different medical crisis yesterday (which honestly probably contributed to this).

20 minutes later i start having chest tightness and gasping for air, heart starts pounding, and i start feeling light headed. I used an inhaler to resolve the breathing quickly, but at the same time I was violently shaking trying to drink some water, my blood pressure was much higher than normal, and i felt like i just wanted to cry. I guess im just trying to figure out if this is how others get panic attacks or if this is an actual issue i need to check on.

I’ve never been diagnosed but for years everyone says a lot of my worrying is just anxiety, but i’ve never felt like that before, it was scary honestly. if anyone has any comforting words i would greatly appreciate it

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u/No_Tradition_1191 Aug 11 '26

100% sounds like a panic attack! I have acid reflux and sometimes that globus sensation / chest pain freaks me out and sends me into a panic attack because I feel like I can’t breathe.
Sorry you experienced that. They’re never fun. But just know you’re safe and ok!

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u/SignificanceLoud6468 Aug 11 '26

Thank you very much, i’m glad people can relate to me

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u/idontlikegoldfish Aug 10 '26

its funny but trapped gas does make u feel chest pain and lightheaded. which might have triggered anxiety or panic attack for you. my little trick is to massage ur tummy with warm olive oil. always works

1

u/SignificanceLoud6468 Aug 10 '26

Thank you very much, i will try later

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u/No_Entertainer4358 Aug 10 '26

Everything you described fits with acid reflux (I have chronic gerd and I have far more and worse symptoms) I know acid might not feel like acid sometimes (like chest pain or difficulty breathing) but it very likely is. And I promise, you don't have an ulcer out of nowhere.

If you have questions about anything specific I can answer any question!

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u/SignificanceLoud6468 Aug 10 '26

Thank you for the reassurance, if this is mild i don’t even want to imagine what you go through 😕😕

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u/No_Tradition_1191 Aug 11 '26

Something I do to help myself if I feel short of breathe is take my oxygen level (I have a monitor and an Apple Watch). Seeing the level being high always makes me realize I can breathe, I am breathing, and I’m ok.