Hi

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who is pregnant and prone to getting panic attacks.

I suffered severe panic attacks when I was a lot younger and they have calmed down over the years. But being pregnant (only 8 weeks) my hormones are all over the place and I'm extra hot and extra tired, and anyone who knows about panic attacks will know that that is a bad combination!

So far I havent been too bad but the heat has sent me over the edge a bit this week and I have not wanted to go to the shops etc.

I normally use lavender to keep chilled but I don't think you can use it during pregnancy.

It would be nice to exchange stories and tips with someone who has similar experiences.

Jools

He there, yeah I get panic attacks. Mine didn't start until my mid twenties and then just when they are finallly under control...preggo.

There are conflicting reports on lavender. You can smell it and have it around, I believe its just the pure oil that's dangerous on your skin and even that isn't proven.

Just try to relax and don't sweat the small stuff. (no pun intended.)

I bet there are a lot of us out there, it is very common.

I just got them for no reason, probably hormone related. And alcohol and hangovers never helped so the whole not drinking when pregnant should be ideal really.

Perhaps I am just going through a vulnerable stage. I have only known about the pregnancy for 3 weeks and there is a lot to think about, my brain is probably just doing overtime!

I was supposed to go to the post office and bank today (part of my job) but I have put it off until Monday as I just cant face going. I'll have to find ways to rebalance myself like I did years ago.

i used to have them so bad esp when in ques for anything.

I would just have to walk out.

I was put on citalipan spelling may be wrong and it sorted it now im on nothing and touch wood doing good

Yes queues can be the worst sometimes. Especially in the heat!

Its so stupid really.

Kittee I have never heard of that medication before. I was put on beta blockers but that was a long time ago. These days I just sweat it out and it goes away. I hate looking twitchy though when I go round the supermarket. It is so embarrassing but quite funny when you sit back and think about it!

i get them really bad and have pts!

i used to use batch remides when mine started! there really horrible xxx

I started getting them in my mid-20s as well and after a few years of medication and therapy I was able to go off meds, but the fear of panic attacks still lingers when I'm around certain triggers. Just like you, I have found an increase in the since I got pregnant and less of an ability to control them once they start. Here is an exercise my therapist gave me a few years ago that I found helpful:

When you start having an attack, take out a piece of paper and write down the following:
1. What do you feel physically at that moment? (ex: heart palpitations, sweating, etc)
2. What is your actual fear? (ex: that I'm going to pass out in front of all these people, or this feeling will last forever)
3. What is the reality of the situation? (ex: I've never passed out before, so it's not going to happen now, or this feeling will pass soon, since it always does).

Hope that helps.

I was pleased to see someone address this question as I have just experienced these for the first time in my life.

I just had to come back from a work trip abroad early because I had two nights of these, and all I could think was that I was making myself have a miscarriage.

I have been signed off work for two weeks, but anticipate going back soon as I am a lot better. I have a HUGE number of things going on in my private life as well as just finding out I was pregnant.

I really think its important to give yourself thinking time, and preferably take time to talk everything through with others, to give all of the changes a chance to sink in. Nice long walks work well for me. I think my problem was going abroad 5 days after finding out and therefore having noone to talk to about it.

The other thing it is important to know is that I have been told by a number of sources, including my GP, that these attacks will have no effect on the development of the baby. So if that is a worry for you, you need not think about that.

Take care of yourself,

Emma x

I have suffered panic attacks since I was a child. Interestingly I find a significant decrease in attacks when I am pregnant. There are many coping mechanisms for panic attacks and it varies at to what triggers them as to what works.
If you are worried it may well be worth you speaking to your GP see if you can get some Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as this often helps.

I got my first panic attack in my 20's but I didn't realize it at the time, it came out of the blue. I was laying in bed and my arm went numb, my heart was racing and I felt my throat clothe up suddenly I coudn't breath (although I could), I stood up and my legs went numb and I felt like I was going to pass out I thought I was having a stroke or something so I was rushed to the hospital.

They told me I was having a panic attack, they had to explain what it was and after they did I felt sooooooooooooooooooo dumb! If I remember correctly they gave me a pill to help calm me down which it did. After that I often got panic attacks out of the blue or under stress and got on medication to help me but I quickly got off of it due to it making me feel odd.

I learned to deal with my panic attacks and eventually they went away I have not gotten one in YEARS!

Focus on something else SERI I know it seems impossible when your body going insane on you but if you do it will pass. I used to go outside and sit on a mound of grass and watch the cars go buy (I'm spiritual, so the ground is more soul grounding) or I would watch tv usually cartoon ROLF and my mind slowly got into the cartoon and soon my panic attack would pass, keep calm if you panic you will increase your panic attack into a full blown one (like my very first one) they are never fun to experience.

Also it may be a good idea to figure out what upseting you and learn how to alimated it from your life. Lots of luck ladies I have the greatest symothy for those whom experience panic attacks.