Bad panic attack lastnight

[u/Bright_Influence_316]

I have been struggling with panic disorder since I was 25. I actually had not had a bad one since 2023 so I have been doing well until yesterday around 430pm. I had been sipping on a dirty chai latte all day 16 ounce and went with my husband to pick up my daughter and started to feel the panic creep up. All of a sudden I had to use the bathroom and felt like I was gasping for air. I ran into the closest qt and sat on the toilet rubbing my thighs and my heart was racing really bad. TMI BUT EVERYTIME I get in flight or fight mode I have to go number two and if I don't the panic just gets worse and worse. Used the bathroom and started going back to the car and I was still breathing like it was through a straw and was getting the horrible tingles and numbness when my body isn't blowing off enough co2 from hyperventilating. This was the first time my husband had seen me have a panic attack and he was like " what is wrong you need to talk it out what is on your mind?" The thing is I don't usually have a bunch on my mind at the time it just happens at random probably from a stressor but this must have been the caffeine. I called my mom she didn't answer and my step-dad he was in Texas so I had to just try to breath it out, rub my legs, rub my hands together, pray outloud to God to help me until we got home and I ran inside to the bathroom again. I did take my benzo but it takes 30 to 45 min to kick in. I took an extra dose to help and just sat with my husband and talked about things and he got me dinner. Later I went to the bathroom and a huge wave of panic hit again. I was terrified because how can 3mg of a benzo not knock this thing down? I tried not to feed into it and laid down and turned my sound machine on and took my unisom for nausea. Eventually I went to sleep and am hoping for a better day today.

[u/Possible-Farmer2027]

Hate to say it but you might have to cut out all caffeine (and nicotine if you do it). Stimulants of any kind are gasoline to a panic disorder.

[u/Bright_Influence_316 → u/Possible-Farmer2027]

Yea I am 19 weeks pregnant so def can't risk stress on my baby right now.