Panic attack.

I've just tried to ring the Samaritans to speak to someone who is still up but recorded message saying that all the people are busy and to call back.

ruby are you OK? What a miserable night. You do need to speak to your Doctor and hopefully you will be provided with the help you need at the moment.

Hi ruby - how are you feeling now? Panic attacks are very frightening. Deep breathing helps to calm you so well done there. I carried a paper bag with me for years - sometimes simply the act of blowing into it takes your mind off the attack and helps to regularise the breathing.
You have so much going on just now, please seek help - sending gentle (((hugs))) ? x x x

Ruby, agree a visit to your doctor is essential. Lots of help available via CBT and other talking therapies, whether specifically for panic which is a severe anxiety reaction or grief focused. Medication can also help with panic in the short term if you and your doctor think it appropriate. Panic symptoms are horrible and can be so severe that many people interpret them as heart problems. Your body was bound to react to all the recent pressures and the difficult transitions you are making. Did you manage to speak with someone when you needed to? Please let us know how you are and take good care.

You have been through a difficult time just recently and it is not surprising that things have got on top of you. Do get some help to get you through all of this.

Oh ruby I know exactly how you feel, and yet you are doing so well to deal with all your problems. It's such a lonely feeling when everything piles up on you and then your body goes into panic state.
It will pass though, we both know that, but it doesn't help at the time.
Deep breaths, keep as calm as you can, and let it out on here. (((Hugs)))

((Hugs)) Ruby Hope you got to sleep in the end. Such a lot of difficult stuff going on for you. Middle of the night can be such a horrible time if the brain won't shut off. Hope you get some rest today.

A lot of people must have been feeling bad last night if the Samaritans were unavailable. There is a national phone number which reroutes callers through to other centres so that this is less likely to happen. This number is better to use at night rather than a local number.

I used to be a Sam and nights were always the time people felt at their lowest ebb. The phones never stopped.

ruby hope you are ok. Whatever time of the day or night you feel this panic, just remember there are others out there feeling the same and trying to cope. I have been told that panic attacks and palpitations don't kill you just try and deep breathe through them. I think you will find that there are many people on GN who suffer the same thing for one reason or another. I get cross with myself when I have an attack and try and talk myself out of it but it is really difficult to stop it happening. Have you tried running cold water on your hands? I find panic attacks usually end up with me feeling very hot and I try to cool myself down. Try watching the TV or reading a book to take your mind off it. All I can do is say I have had many panic attacks in the past and in the end it passes. ((Huggs))

Just repeating what the others have said, ruby. If you can lay your hands on a paper bag, breathe into it for a few minutes if you can, just regular breaths - not particularly deep ones. It's the hyperventilating that's making you feel the panic, too. Breathe into the bag, in and out......
Like many on here, I've had panic attacks, too. What you've been through over the past months have built up - no wonder this is happening.
While the attacks are happening, try to tell yourself that no harm will come to you. They feel horrible but it's just your body having an adrenaline rush - a 'fight or flight' thing. Try and get an emergency appointment at your GP tomorrow? He may be able to offer you something to calm you. .

Rubylady, if you live alone may I suggest you sing as loudly as you find comfortable , it will ease the fear and your thoughts will go with the words of the song. I realise if you are not alone this could be difficult. If not lying down and you are hyperventilating stand straight and stretch your arms straight above your head, this will cause your lungs to relax and your breathing regulate .

Panic attacks are torture but they do not hurt you and they have a time span, they always ease off, they cannot go on and on.

Also may I suggest you think over the following - the thought comes before the fear , if you can control the thought - when you realise what it is - the feeling (fear) will be in your control

Do see your doctor and tell him exactly how you feel X

Hi, thank you all once again for your lovely responses. I do owe you all a lot of care back.

I'm ok, I managed to sleep eventually on the settee sat up so that it helped with my cough. I just got overwhelmed by it all. I don't want to go down the counselling route, I've done all that before so know some coping strategies, smoking, drinking, gambling, lol.

I will use humour and being around positivity and using positivity in what I do to help, eat well and take one day at a time.

I slept some more later today. The paper bag is a good idea, I've not tried that so I will do.

The difference is is that I have atrial fibrilation and I couldn't distinguish whether I had gone into AF after a coughing fit or palpitations. I know that I haven't to go to sleep if it's AF as blood clots can break off so I tested my pulse and it seemed erratic but not racing. So I took a magnesium tablet and waited. After a short time it calmed back down. It's just feeling ill on top of everything else. Not to worry, after all, tomorrow is another day.

ruby, I am so sorry to hear how difficult life is at present. I have had panic attacks in the past and I know how really frightening they can be.Troubles always seem to come in legions, but often good things do as well. I do hope that this troubled time soon fades and life improves.

In the meanwhile, you know yourself best. There are a number of therapies for panic attacks. I find sitting down, using relaxation exercises taught to me when I was pregnant helped. Other OPs have suggested other techniques. Find the one that is best for you.

What you can know is that there is always Gransnet and its many members to offer you support

Are you on any drugs Rubylady?

Kernowrose Do you mean prescription medication? Yes, I am on quite a bit for multiple medical problems. If you mean recreational, then no, but I can't say I haven't thought about it, just to relax me. I wouldn't, because it would mean smoking it and I'm getting into smoking tobacco again.

I have been in touch today with a physiotherapist for some massage sessions and to learn some breathing techniques. I am not even sleeping upstairs as I panic too much when things go round in my head so I am going to sleep on the settee watching tele. I find it helps if I go through bad episodes.

My lovely GP told me to increase my anti depressant for the time being and to see if it made me feel any better so I'll see. I took the larger dose from yesterday and he says it kick in sooner because it's already in my system so hopefully by weekend it should be making a difference.

I got upset again earlier. My dad's watch was showing a different time so I picked it up and got upset. Not that it's a bad thing, I'd not cried since the funeral and I do think it's better to let it out. I'm so missing him, I have a permanent ache in my chest.

Ruby it's very early days after you lost your dad and have had such a stressful time - it sounds like everything is having an effect on your already compromised health. Night is always the worst time to cope especially if you're on your own so the advise you've had is good. It probably helps to come on here as well to vent your feelings - maybe even write down everything going through your head even if it's only on something you don't post. I've been through some pretty bad nights too - the loss of a business, the worry of losing my sight and other family related worries - everything seems magnified in the middle of the night and you feel desperately alone. When the sun comes up it often doesn't seem quite so bad but it's doing to take time for the pain of grief to ease a little. Be gentle with yourself and try to remember your son is also coping with his own worries too - not least of which is probably having to leave you on your own when he goes to Uni. Take care