I think I am going crazy. A few weeks ago after my diagnosis I had what I thought was my first ever panic attack. Today it seems like I can't stop having them. They have been building over the last week. My surgery is tomorrow and I am really trying hard to keep busy and not to think about it. But every half hour or so I get these attacks where my heart just starts racing like mad, I get nauseous and an anxious feeling in my stomach, I breathe fast, ache all over and then the tears come. I must have gone through 2 boxes of tissues already. It really is such a horrible feeling and the emotions I have with it feel like the deepest of grief, loss and sadness. I am not afraid of surgery - in fact I am glad it's almost here as I just want to get on with it - so I don't know why I am getting these attacks. I have never had anything like this before. I am usually Miss positive. I am sure it is not being helped by the fact that I can't sleep. So far I've tried walks around the block, watching comedies, cooking new recipes, breathing exercises and table tennis (my favourite sport). I'm ok for a bit and then it hits me again. I feel exhausted from all this. Does anyone else get these attacks?? If so do you have recommendations for what else I can try? Thnx Nadine

Hi Nadine, The thing I have found with panic attacks is the more attention I pay to them, the worse they get. You are doing all the right things. The only other suggestion I have is a product you can get at chemists called "Rescue Remedy". You spray it on your tongue and it helps to calm you down. Good luck with it, breathe and remember that this too will pass. cheers Mira

That's a great suggestion from Mira, rescue remedy works really well. A call to the Cancer Council for advice on counselling services could help too, it's free and might be of some support. Sending you a big cuddle, Trace ??????

Hi Nadine it is hard when you can't control your emotions. Have you spoken to your doctor they might be able to give you something. I know this sound dumb but a glass of warm milk before going to bed helps. Good luck with your surgery tomorrowxx

Hi Nadine. When fear creeps in and panic I say this scripture. God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of love, power and found mind. I repeat this as much as I need to till the physical symptoms disappear. There will be some anxiety over tomorrow's surgery which is completely natural, do don't be too hard on yourself. Will keep you in my prayers that you will have peace for the rest of today and tomorrow. Love & smiles to you xxx

Help with panic attacks before surgery tomorrow

17 Replies

rowdy
Member
10 years ago
Hi Nadine great another milestone, fantasic news not in the nodes. Relax and enjoy your recovery timexx
June1952
Member
10 years ago
Well done, Nadine

Hope your recovery keeps going so well.

Good to be able to be in touch with mates - I used the pre-paid mobile and that was great as I was in for 7 days.

Look forward to more posts telling us how you are going.

Hugs

Summer :-)
Robyn_W
Member
10 years ago
Yay you did it!!All the best for your recovery over the next few days:) My pain after mastectomy was only slight.Stay in touch .Cheers Robynxox
Nadi
Member
10 years ago
I had to buy a mobile broadband dongle/usb from Telstra for my laptop as hospital didn't have wifi, but it was worth it just because it helped pass the time.

Good luck. Keep in touch.

Nadine
Brenda5
Member
10 years ago
So glad to hear it went well for you. I am trying to figure out a little tablet to take to hospital but I might just end up stashing the lappy in my backpack lol.
Nadi
Member
10 years ago
Hi Brenda

Thanks for your message. I know exactly what you mean about the childbirth experience. The waiting yesterday was hard. We were in the hospital at 7.45 am but didn't go to surgery until 5 pm. I am happy to say that that's all behind me now. Relief is exactly what I feel.

I am actually sitting right now in the ICU with my laptop updating friends and family on how things went. Isn't technology wonderful?

The type of lumpectomy surgery I had changed from what they told me I was going to have before I went under to what I ended up having. Not sure why the change in approach as I haven't seen the surgeon yet. They ended up taking much more of the breast than we had discussed. But they also told me that there were no cancer cells in the 2 Sentinel Nodes they took. YAY!!!!!

I have a long incision about 15 cms but most of it is under my arm at the side. With my arms down I can barely see it and it looks ok. It is not painful about a 2 out of 10 on the pain scale and I haven't had any pain medication after surgery which was over 12 hours ago - just panadol. I am very comfortable and am only in ICU due to lung problems which were pre existing.

I am surprised about how good I feel. I know it's different for everyone.

I am sending you best wishes for next Monday. Hoping that you have a quick recovery.

All the best

Nadine
June1952
Member
10 years ago
Hi Nadine

After my three surgeries Miss Strong just broke down (it came from nowhere) - and the Breast Care Nurse was pleased. She told me that they really worry about the BC ladies who don't cry as they don't recover as well. So, you will fly through it all !

Hoping today has gone well and that this is the start of good things for you. Try to be positive but do let your feeling flow and show.

"May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

May the rain fall softly upon your fields

And, from here on in, may your God hold you in the palm of His hand".

Big hugs for a quick surgery recovery

Summer :-)
Brenda5
Member
10 years ago
Sorry I missed this post when you were needing support.

I hope the surgery is going well and you are just opening your eyes now and breathing a sigh of pure relief.

I am not a fan of crying although if I let myself go I don't feel I could stop. My belief is unless its in a healing grief or something, it releases negative stuff in to your blood which is not conducive to getting over stress. Plus there is the added draw back that its jolly hard to breathe through your nose when crying.

I figure God wouldn't let this happen to me if he wasn't confident I could cope with it. Who knows what his great plan is but sooner or later I figure he will let me in on it.

My surgery is on Monday. Apart from being packed for the hospital and doing the fasting thing I will just be quiet and still and wait some more. Its a bit like child birth really, there's only one way that baby is going to come and that's either surgery or labour lol.

Unfortunately you don't get to take a little bundle of joy home but you do get to leave the dirty rotten nasty cancer behind which just HAS to be a major bonus!
LisaS
Member
10 years ago
Those pre surgery nerves are the worst!

things I did that helped a bit:

- I use an app called headspace uk. It has guided relaxation sessions. (it has 10 free meditation sessions to trial)

- I listened to my favourite songs in the waiting room

- I wrote down all my fears and worries (and then threw the list in the bin)

good luck today
Kazzi
Member
10 years ago
Hi Nadi,

All the best for today. I hope you managed to get some sleep last night. The early days are so difficult with the great unknown. Keep your faith, breathe, exercise, talk, cry. I used to go on a lot of solitary walks to cry by the river. Talk and cry with family/friends, but there's only so much people close to you can cope with I found. Coming on here was a great help, as there's always someone who can relate. Chamomile tea, rescue remedy, warm feet soak, meditation (to control breathing and thoughts) were/are regular activities I do.

Sending you a big hug for today.

Karen xx