To cut a long story short, I am due to be married in ten weeks time. Which is great. But since we got engaged in January I have had nothing but stress from my family. It has reached the point (well, it did a while back) where I am dreading the wedding, and haven't been able to look forward to it at all. We are getting what we want really (informal) but after quite a hard long slog, including threats from my family (we won't come, you'll be written out of the will, etc).
I think the accumulation of all the stressfull moments has finally started to really take it's toll. I have started to have really depressed, low moments. It's more like a mood. And it feels like there isn't any explanation for it. (But of course I know there is!)
Then I thought I was about to have a heart attack last week. Pains in my chest, and arm, breathless, sweating, palpations. I went to the dr and they said it was stress. I'd been twice before in the year for breathlessness and dizzy spells. She said it was all probably stress related.
So now I'm having moments of almost panic. Difficulty breathing, Anxious. I think they are anxiety attacks.
Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with these? I would really appreciate it. Even though the dr said it was stress, it is still so frightening to have chest pains and shortness of breath, lightheadedness, etc.
I can so sympathise with you. I went through the exact same thing before my wedding. My issues were around my mother's alcoholism and the panic attacks were triggered by my fear of her 'making a scene' at the wedding. For me the only thing which was a long term solution was counselling, but that was because my issues were deep seated and needed some unwrapping!
Counsellors will help you with exercises to take the anxiety away. One of my favourites was a breathing one. When you feel panicky start by breathing ALL the air out of your lungs, then inhale through you nose for five second and exhale through your mouth for five second. Repeat the inhale and exhale pattern.
When I found it very difficult to get on top of the panic my gp prescribed me with propranolol....a beta blocker. It basically works by regulating your heart beat so you shouldn't actually ever get into a panic.
I hope you find something that works for you and if you need anything feel free to pm me.
guess what? my issues are to do with my mother too!!! She has been driving me up the wall. It's like being a teenager, living at home again. grrrrrr!!!! And I am worried about how much she will either a) embarass me at the wedding, or b) create a scene (in reaction to our day being less formal than they expect.
I've been trying to be as rested as I can. And seeing my friends. And my husband to be has been really good. He works most evenings and weekends usually, and he took friday night and last night off. We had a lovely time, and he said lots of reassuring things... like how excited he is, how much he's looking forward to it, how much fun it will be, how lucky we are, how much he loves me. All this lovely positive attention has calmed me a bit.
Also really working on trying not to think that far ahead. One day at a time. If I find I have another really bad attack, then I'll go back to the dr. Was thinking of going for a Reiki session, which is supposed to be a good release for all stresses and tensions. Someone said to try a floatation tank. I've never done any of these new age things, but think i might give it a try.
Thanks for your kind words of support.
And congratulations and good luck with your pregnancy & bambino! xxx
anxiety attacks & what to do? 
