panic attacks

[cookie]

I have a question maybe someone here can answer. A friend of ours had a mild heart attack and had to have a stent put in. He did not have ohs, but since this procedure he has begun to have major panic attacks and depression. I know from my experience after ohs that I was definitely depressed (cried at the drop of a hat) but the panic attacks I experienced prior to surgery are gone. Do you think these could be related to the fact that now he knows he's not immortal and this is working on his mind or could there be something physical to point a finger to. Has anyone experienced panic attacks after any heart procedure?

 

[Ross]

I'm far from qualified to answer this one, but I'm almost 100% sure that it is a mental thing. I never had a panic attack in my life until about a year ago. This was during one of my lung bleeding episodes while driving. After that incident, I became very anxious just thinking about getting behind the wheel and driving again. It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I was blowing it out of proportion.

I would have this person talk to Doctor about the attacks. Something is setting them off and I'm almost positive it's something that they are thinking about at the time.

 

[Marty]

Panic attacks can be tough to treat and in some patients are totally disabling. Both talk therapy and chemicals are sometimes required. Early treatment is indicated.

 

[SJJ]

I concur with Marty's comments. Your friend should first discuss this with a physician to rule out other physical disorders which may cause similar symptoms i.e. hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, etc. If there are no existing physical problems, refer your friend to a good therapist who can also find the right meds. Panic attacks are sometimes brief and time limited but can easily become chronic owing to the fact that the individual starts having increased anxiety anticipating that they will have yet another, which in fact may induce another. They can be very frightening but also respond to treatment.
Sue

 

[Nancy]

Just as an interesting thing, and it probably doesn't apply to your friend, but, some mitral valve problems have as one of the symptoms, panic or anxiety attacks. So, at least those, must have a physical component associated with them.

I read that in several articles on rheumatic heart disease.

 

[bethanne]

when I first learned of my aortic regurgitation, and my 1st cardio had me scared to go up a flight of stairs, I made several trips to the emergency room. I soon came to terms that I was having anxiety attacks...

Now, I think I go the other way... Now that I have more symptoms than the chest pains, they may not be anxiety attacks anymore... good thing i/m having the stress echo next week...

I have read several articles relating anxiety attacks being linked to mitral valve issues. So I Ditto Nancy

Encourage your friend to have it checked out, rule out any medical problems before you just mark it up to anxiety attacks...

sorry, I don't have personal experience with anxiety attacks after a heart procedure, waiting for surgery date.

 

[Marvin]

I have not had ohs but the panic attacks hit me like a brick wall. I have hypothyroidism but that was not what caused mine. Mine was caused by a number of things(one being our son was lost from us for a short time on vacation when he was only 7). When the attack would start i would feel like i could not breath and if it would happen at night it would wake me up and my heart would feel like i was running in a race. I would suggest that your friend fine a good doctor to help with the med and also talk about how they feel when one is happening. The mind does funny thing to us. Those attacks were over 15 yrs ago and i feel that i am much stronger now that i know how to deal with them if they try to act up again.

 

[medtronic of borg]

Attacks

Attacks

I have news for you ....panic attacks are 100% treatable, I feel well qualified to say this. I was trained as a RN certified in psych. I have seen pts completely get past this kind of problem. But it does get worse as time goes on with out Tx. It needs to be addressed as stated in Martys message. I suggest helping him find the courage to seek help.

Med

 

[Bryan B]

Here's my experience with panic disorder:

I was going through marital problems which ultimately led to separation and divorce. My panic attacks first started at night when I was trying to get to sleep. They were so bad I remember holding the phone in my hand ready to dial 911 at any minute. I also had a couple while driving, once I turned around and went home and another time I pulled off the side of the road. I finally went to an urgent care center and all my vital symptoms were ok. I got referred to counseling and chemical help (Paxil & Xanax). I have never had a full blown attack since I found out that's what was happening. After about a year I weaned myself off of the Paxil & Xanax with my doctor's help. I went several years without any anxiety problems (although I always kept a small supply of Xanax with me when flying) until I got endocarditis. That period along with finding out I needed surgery has brought back the anxiety, but knowing what it is has helped. I'm now on Lexapro & Xanax and fully plan on weaning myself off once life get's back to normal for me. It seems like I'm border line with my serotonin imbalance, and I do pretty good until I have to deal with a major life crisis...then I need a little help to get through it.

I hope this helps you in some way. Understanding what was happening to me was half the battle in dealing with my anxiety, and swallowing my pride and taking medication to help me with it was the other half. Good luck to you!

 

[Guest]

Hi Cookie.

I am a heart attack survivor and know all too well how going through that experience can lead to panic attacks. When a person's body goes through such a shocking experience, it weighs heavily on the mind.
In one painful and frightening moment, your life is changed forever.
I went through panic attacks prior to my OHS and even after the surgery. For me, I was so scared that I wouldn't see my kids grow up, and that I wouldn't be able to handle the job of "motherhood". I was also afraid that I might drop dead somewhere and one of my children would find me.
Anyway, thank goodness that I had a doctor who understood my fears and helped me deal with them. I took some good antidepressants, and took to heart alot of the good advice of many of the folks right here at VR.com. I also had lots of good heart to heart talks with other heart attack survivors and found that when I shared what I was going through that I was able to help others to cope. Just the simple act of reaching out to others who find themselves in the same situation has helped me the most of all.
I wish the best for your friend.
If I can help support him in anyway, I'd be happy to email him.
Please let me know if I can help!

 

[Marty]

Mitral valve and panic attacks

Mitral valve and panic attacks

Nancy and Bethanne both bring up an important connection between the mitral valve and panic attacks. There is a huge literature on this subject and only recently has the AHA agreed there is a connection but they don't know why or how. Any person who suffrs a panic attack should have a good heart exam which should include an echocardiogram. For more information
check in at www.mitralvalveprolapse.com

 

[Nancy]

That's a wonderful site, Marty. The connection is very intriguing. Sometimes the more we know, the more there is to know.

 

[dawnwit15]

Hi

Hi

Hi Cookie
I believe the onset of panic attacks after any traumatic experience is normal.
I myself am 29 yrs. old & underwent OHS in 1/04 and in my 3rd-6th weeks of recovery I started to experience extreme panic attacks. I would have panic attacks that would wake me out of a sound sleep with the feeling of tightness in my throat and a fear that I was choking and could not breath. I was even stricken by a panic attack in a restaurant with my husband and had to get up and leave.
I decided to seek counseling which was a tremendous help and 2 weeks later I have not had any panic attacks since.
My counselor brought out the fact that my panic was brought about because I felt a loss of control. The loss of control over my life which began with the OHS. Your friend may feel he has lost control since the heart attack. I learned to accept that life is not perfect and that I do not need complete control all the time. Once I accepted this I was able to relax and the panic went away.
If your friend does not want to seek counseling I strongly suggest you purchase for him The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, 3rd Edition, by Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D. Barnes & Noble carries the book.
This workbook is the ANSWER for anyone suffering from panic attacks. It helps you understand why they happen and what you can do to cope with them and get rid of them. This book teaches what to do at the onset of a panic attack. It's an easy read, easy to reference how to guide. I'm telling you it saved my sanity.
I'm now 7 1/2 weeks post op and no longer am suffering from any panic attacks and I am no longer seeing a counselor.
So whether your friend tries counseling or the book I suggested, please let him know that what he is feeling is normal and many people are experiencing the same thing. It is curable and will go away.
"This too shall pass"
Let us know how your friend makes out.
dawnwit15

 

[Bryan B]

Nice post Dawn. When looking back on the periods I have suffered with anxiety (like right now...lol), it's when bad things are happening in my life (or things that I perceive as bad) that I have no control over.

 

[bethanne]

exactly bryan....

trying to control things/people that I have no control over.... get's me every time!

 

[bethanne]

cookie -
be sure and let us know how your friend is doing...

It is hard to know if your body is trying to tell you something that you are resisting dealing with or post traumatic issues... or just anxiety.

I hope your friend will get things check out for her own peace of mind. It is well worth it.
- keep us posted. You are a good friend to be exploring this issue for her.

 

[cookie]

Thanks so much for everyone's advice. I will certainly look up the book recommeded and also gently suggest counseling. Heading into your fifties and having a heart attack certainly can knock the pins out from under oneself. Never take anything for granted - we humans tend to do that a lot! Bad failing.

 

[mike anthony]

Cookie,

From your post it appears that your friend did not have panic attacks prior to the stent. So, from my personal experience; I was never concerned about my heart until after I had OHS. But, I can tell you I would get panic attacks after my surgery, because everything was new to me that was happening. I will also tell you for myself, time has been a great healer. I do not give it much thought now when i feel every little "pain". So, I agree with you, nothing like this has ever happen to him and it's scary. With this being said, make sure he see a doctor if he thinks there is something wrong; go with what his body is telling him.

 

[SHerrin Hutt]

Panic

Panic

Hi Everyone,
I have had several panic atacks since my surgery & some crazy dreams. I went this passed sat. to have a MRI of my spine after the girl left the room to sat the test it started again. I have had many MRI's and never had this problem before, I just don't think I can go back. I don't know if there is enough valium out there to get through this test. I guess I try it one more time. MY Dr. wanted a better picture that comes from an inclosed MRI.(Already had one from a open one and he didn't like the quialty of it. I might have to have surgery for rupture diskes.

Sherrin
Valve repair 5/99
Valve replacement 3/02

 

[Granbonny]

Sherrin

Sherrin

I also had a MRI prior to OHS..This was trying to find out why I was having a funny feeling Several months before my Valve replacement..due to an aneurysm.....They gave me 2 pills to take. One before I left home and one an hour before my MRI. Did not take the 2nd one..Once I was in there I thought. oh, why..didn't I take the 2nd one... If I ever have to have another one done..believe me..I will take both of them. Bonnie