Functional

Yesterday I thought I was having a heart attack, seriously – I even told my sister to call 911 for me – but we both had our doubts about it really being that serious. After about 5 minutes I started to feel a bit better and decided to go to a walk-in clinic.

On Sunday night, I had a similar thing happen to me and could not sleep – I think it was after 3am that I managed to finally fall asleep. All weekend I felt a tightness in my chest and a general feeling of “unwell” – I really didn’t know what was happening to me, and I still don’t know for sure, but I do feel better today.

The doctor thinks that I have anxiety and suffered from a panic attack. I don’t know what to think because I don’t feel particularly anxious nor do I feel like I am in a panic-y kind of a mood.

I said to the doctor that I didn’t think I had a reason to feel anxiety and his ‘professional’ opinion was that all women, at some point, suffer from anxiety. I believe him. I guess that although there is not one specific thing really worrying me, everything just adds up.

For the past couple months, my husband and I have been playing squash and it’s been great, but we didn’t play in the last 3 weeks, and I think that I just didn’t realize how important it was for me to have that “release mechanism” in my life. Of course, I am just speculating, because I don’t know the cause of the problem for certain, but I feel that it was not cool of me to deny myself that mental escape.

Anyone else anxious?

Thoughts from Maliha

Salamaat,
You have a lot on your plate and the doctor is right, it’s really common among women to have anxiety/panic attacks, simply because we shoulder (a lot) more.

I do get worried on how life will be with a second one, but I try to push it to the back burner for now.

Take care of yourself and try to schedule a break just for you-time (not with baby and not with hubby.) We need that time to rejuvenate…

I pray you feel better!

Thoughts from sf

I think many mothers go through alot of stress. You have 3 young children mashallah and it is alot of work! I have a friend who has 4 kids and at one time she got so worried and even saw a specialist who later told her that it was stress and she should just try to take it easy. Take good care of yourself dear and everything will be fine inshallah.

Thoughts from Absolutely Bananas

Oh Shaz… I have SO totally been there.  I went through a period of about 6 months where I had this happen on a nightly basis.  I seriously always thought I was about to die. My pulse would elevate, my chest would tighten, I’d feel like I couldn’t breathe… I went to the dr. twice and both times they told me it was stress induced anxiety, and finally prescribed me a sedative.  I never took the sedative, instead I quit my job.  And they’re gone.  My recommendation is to seriously look at your life and figure out what you can do to de-stress. You may have things stressing you out that you don’t realize.  Hang in there!!

Thoughts from Surviving

I’ve had similar problems in the past.  One time I was sitting, talking and laughing with co-workers when all the sudden it hit. 

You may not think it is much from your prospective but you have a lot going on.  You just started your own business and you have 3 little boys as well.  Either one of those by itself is stressful but put them together and that is a lot. As you mentioned you just recently stopped taking that “me” time.

Thoughts from Jamila

me too. One of the reasons I didn’t realise about having PPD is because the depression was the last symptom, I had physical symptoms long beforehand. Take care Shaz, do whatever you can to have time out. It’s an awful feeling and very frightening.

Thoughts from Fayrooz

Hope you’re feeling better Shaz. Take care, breathe, have cups of tea, externalise. I know that ‘chesty’ feeling - I too thought I was having a heart attack a few weeks ago… Take care of yourself. It’s the least we can do for ourselves.

Thoughts from shaz

thanks all - it actually makes me feel better just to know that I am not alone. I am sort of surprised that so many of you have been through the same thing, but also I am sort of comforted.

I think I know what the source of the anxiety is - I think it’s our financial situation. I actually feel better when I am working, because I really enjoy my work, so although it’s stressful, it’s a good stressful - if that makes sense! But the money problems are getting really, really bad, and I feel a responsibility because I am the one that quit my job. :(

Thoughts from Miss Specs

Oh..i hope you feel better soon. Its pretty common but i guess all the comments above said that in ample detail...so i’m not gonna harp on it anymore. Duas for you.

Specs.

Thoughts from Surviving

Oh, finiancial stress and the guilty that comes from not bringing in a steady income.  I can relate to that.  That has been something I’ve been dealing with as well lately.

Thoughts from Sue Olson

I have a stress test scheduled for next Tuesday.  Something has been ‘going on’ with me lately.  I had heart palpitations during the last pregnancy which were due to dehydration BUT it has made me wodner when I feel these other things in the heart area...life is...hmmmmm...life is _________.  You fill in the blank:)

Thoughts from shaz

thanks Miss Specs, Surviving and Sue - I realize now how common it is, but before I wrote this post, I actually did not think that I had anxiety, every time I had tightness in my chest, I thought it was some kind of heart problem.