is anyone familiar w/ this?

I think I started to have one today...but it seemed like it was for no reason.

I suddenly felt like someone was sitting on my chest & I had to make a conscious effort to breathe. I didn't feel panicky though & I tried to take deep breathes & then I suddenly felt like crying but I didn't. I just tried to stay calm & ignore it until I could breathe w/o thinking about it again. Finally it wore off.

Does it sound like that was what it was? Does it normally come out of the blue or are there usually triggers?

I can guess @ a trigger but I wasn't really thinking of the past 'specifically'.
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If this was one, then I am thinking I am going to have some manifestation of being 'crazy' ALL my life! I like to 'act' but I am not trying to just be 'drama'. Seriously.

Why can't I just be normal like I try to be?

This has never happened to me before.
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I am tired of having 'issues'.

<small>[ July 27, 2004, 12:41 AM: Message edited by: ktbunch ]</small>

I go through these all the time now. They're not as bad as they were in the beginning, but I get them almost daily.

I used to be one of those type of people who didn't mind to be alone, in fact I enjoyed it. When I was left alone for 2 days during "d-day weekend", it really did a number on me. Now, I get very lonely and anxious, especially if my husband is late coming home from work.

I have some other health symptons now, and I did some research on them. I guess women go through pre-menopause for a few years before dealing with the real thing. Anxiety attacks are one of the symptoms!! I wonder if this is what the two of us may be experiencing?

Here's a link for you to look at...

http://www.womentowomen.com/symptoms.asp

Maybe that will help explain our insanity??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

Yes, they are panic or anxiety attacks. I had them before but never knew what they were and did nothing about it. I have meds for when they come about but don't really use it unless they do not go away for several hours or a day.

They can come about for no reason at all. The feeling of an elephant sitting on your chest and not being able to breath are a typical signs. Just because you get them DOES NOT mean you have a panic disorder.

I am very familiar with them. I wasn't until after d-day but after that I got real familiar, really quickly. I would be driving and suddenly get this overwhelming feeling of fear, couldn't breathe, felt like I had a vice around my chest. I would have to pull over and get out of the car for a few minutes. I ended up getting something for them. It very well could be a pre-menopausal thing but it can also be from internalizing feelings about what is going on. If you feel overwhelmed, stressed, not in control, etc.... (although I can't imagine why you would feel that way <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> ) that could trigger them as well. I haven't had one in about 18 months now so that 'I'm crazy' notion will pass. Maybe you should not worry so much about 'being normal' or examine what your view of 'normal' is now. It may be stressing you out entirely to much. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Firstly, "normal" is a fantasy pounded into us by re-runs of Leave it to Beaver and Ozzy and Harriet. Seriously. If my dh ever came home to me in full makeup, pearls and heels vacuuming the carpet he'd first walk out the door to make sure he was at the correct house, then drop down dead from a heart attack (because all the blood had rushed from the rest of his body to....you know where). There is no normal.

Get this Big Bird says that family is different for everyone. Really? We're not cookie cutter molded like the people in A Wrinkle in Time? Nope. What works for one family might be totally different for another. Get this: The bird is right. I'm telling everyone this...follow the philosophy of the big yellow dude...he knows what he speaketh of.

Furthermore: Girl! Speak to your doc! In this day and age there is NO REASON to suffer panic attacks. Stress brought them on, stress triggers them, but YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THEM!

I love you all, and want you to be safe and healthy so you can take care of your beautiful families the best you can!

- Kimmy

Nio is right. I was feeling anxious on Sat and I finally took something late Sun. What a difference it made and quickly. I know nothing specific caused my attack this weekend but I am pretty sure it's a build-up of everything else going on in my life. At a point, you body/brain just can't take it and you have an attack.

KT, maybe ask yourself what was going on that may have cuased it. It might not have been anything overt but there could have been some underlying incident. Like right now, nothing overt has happened but the stress from my job is making my chest start to pound, it's not one particular thing. Don't necessarily consider just your personal (your H) life either, it could be yor job, kids, friend, etc. It can also be a one time thing but keep an eye on it and try to remember what happended before you got that feeling. Make sense?

And talk to your medical doctor. We are not experts here and only speak from OUR experiences.

Sorry your not feeling well KT. I hate those attacks too. I take my Adivan for them and it works good. But its has to do w/ stress, periods, harmones all of theat. I get them more when the OW kicks in (even if its just my mind making up crap to worry about). I get the fever blisters and my periods are soo screwed up form all of it, its not even funny. Its very important to take care of US! They do have meds, but just watch them. Some people need something everyday and some don't, but we have to remember our children need us to be here for them, so like you are lynn tell all the newbies, TAKE CARE OF YOUR SELF. Hunny you need a massage. Anyone up to going to Hot Springs? I heard they you awesome places there!. Take care KT.
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> Sunny D

Well, I only 31, isn't that too young to have menopause (or perimenopause) issues?

But basically you are all right that I probably haven't been watching my own health. I have gotten the external (ie: major/obvious) stressors down to a more manageable point but still......I need to eat healthier (you mean woman cannot live off chocolate alone? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> ) & some more physical activity would do me wonders. I normally go roller blading but haven't all summer!
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If it happens again then I will see a Dr. for sure.

Funny, I was fine & then I started to look @ a wedding magazine (dreaming about renewing our vows for our anniversary in Oct.)when it happened. My friend today was like "DUH! wedding? DUH! how can that not remind you of all the stuff you have been through?" LOL

So thanks guys for reminding me of my own advice to take some care of myself here.
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I have got some really great friends ON & OFF line! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />