Is This Panic?

[avgirl]

I know stress can cause tight muscles and shoulder pain is very common, but this past year, I had experienced a few day-long panic attacks, and the aftermath was muscles so tight my throat was pretty badly sore (like suffocating) and very bad pain in the back of my neck, as well as sides and in my face. I went to the doctor's and they couldn't find anything wrong, but it's weird that it can manifest this way. Anyway that was last summer, but just recently I have a stressful event coming up, and I've had the bad sore throat for days, terrible tension in my muscles (just almost debilitatingly painful) and I take Klonopin which improves it slightly, but I wish I had a better solution. And if it's panic, why isn't there a way for me to improve it? I'm not panicking in my thoughts, just in my body. (I am nervous in my thoughts, but it's manageable…the pain is less manageable) :(

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

I'm not a professional so I can't say for sure. I can tell you for myself with anxiety attacks it's physical and emotional. It's tense muscles and adrenaline and racing thoughts and an overwhelming sense of doom. I also tend to get shaky. I personally haven't experienced an anxiety attack that was limited to one symptom. Maybe that's a difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack though. I wonder if breathing exercises would help you to kind of try to relax your muscles. Maybe some other people will be able to answer your questions a little better :).

 

[nursenurse]

You may not feel you are panicking in your thoughts, but you are stressing somewhere. And the stress might be manifesting itself bodily. You seem very aware, that is a start. Seek out some therapy/counseling, someone who will help you find what you can do to stop these episodes before they leave you feeling like you have been hit by a truck. Good luck, it can be done.

 

[safenow]

My therapist said to open the hand and bend the elbow slightly. Then bend your head and it will relax your shoulders. But my goodness, how long can a person hold that position without getting cramps?

 

[MagiLisu]

My therapist said if stress and anxiety build up and we don't release it emotionally, then the only other way it can be released is physically.

I am probably too good at shutting my emotions of, but when I do this I start to suffer from nausea and back ache. My body doesn't let me get away with it.

 

[DianeB]

I have had panic attacks return after not having any for 11 years. 11 years ago I ended up in coronary care unit for a week as I passed out for an hour and was totally unaware of my surroundings when I came round.


Now I am starting to get that feeling back that they are on the edge of returning, getting hot sweats, feeling trapped unable to escape, the air is crushing inside me and I get nervous twinges rushing down my legs to my feet. I feel exhausted after. I was told to breathe in and out of a paper bag.

I have recently had acupuncture to help and also had seeds taped to the pressure points of my ears to see if they will help. The gentleman that does this also is a sports therapist and has massaged my back for stress relief, which did help. I have also got reiki cd's which the music is very calming and they can help too. My best way of calming down is to run, but unfortunately I can not do this, at this moment in time, due the the injury I am now suffering with.

I am also getting hypnotherapy next week as I am starting to feel that desperate, I will do anything to see if it can help me relax, calm down, sleep without nightmares and also see if I can get my eating sorted out. This at the moment now feels like my last resort as it is going to be some time before I can get properly assessed.

I really hope you can find a way that will help you, it is terrible being trapped in this way and not knowing how to help yourself.

 

[littlelostchild]

I continue to try progressive muscle relaxation, but I am so tense that it is really difficult for me to do.

I am like you Avgirl - my jaw gets so tight and I don't even notice I've been holding it until it's bothering me. My neck and shoulders get really tight and so does my abdomen. Having a masssage is great, but who can afford that on a regular basis?

I am monitoring this thread for more ideas that I can use, too. Thanks!