Hi all - something happened to me this weekend. I feel as if my heart is going to jump out of my chest. My chest feels tight and I have a headache. I can't sleep and I feel faint. When I am focused on the kids or doing something I am fine. As soon as I am alone or trying to go to sleep this comes over me. Could this be a mental breakdown? It has been a little over a year since diagnosis and I have never felt like this before. I think that sometimes I try too hard to hold all of this in and now...I don't know. Am I losing it?
This past Friday a play that I had helped write was in another production. It has a lot to do with my initial diagnosis, chemotherapy and personal fear dealing with the cancer. I didn't really want to go but felt I had to since there was a new girl playing me. Well, I wanted to run away. I didn't want to be there at all. Then I have felt just awful - weird. Anyone else out there have this happen to them? I'm also getting extremely close to my last Herceptin treatment. Maybe this is also doing it to me? Thanks - Ruth

Ruth,
Have you ever had panic attacks before? Might be anxiety. You might want to give your doctor a call.. maybe a little Ativan will calm you down enough, just take the edge off...

Hugs,

Sounds like a panic attack to me too...although I have not had one. People say they feel like they can't breathe and it comes out of nowhere. I would call your doctor too....

Same thing happened to me. It was anxiety/panic attacks. I felt as though I was going crazy. It would happen to me in my sleep and I would wake up in a severe panic. It was very bad, but I got on Xanax for the acute attacks and Celexa (anti-depressant with anti-anxiety) for the long term. Haven't had any problems since.
Talk to your doctor, it is very common. Don't think like I did, "I am strong I don't need anything". It delayed my diagnosis and it only got worse.
Lisa S.

For acute attacks, ask your doctor for Lorazapam sub-lingual, .5 mg. It dissolves under your tongue in about 30 seconds. This is fast acting, effective and takes the edge off almost within minutes. Don't try and be a martyre and get help for this asap. If there is a mind-body connection in physical health, you're not doing yourself a favour by holding out; for what?
Take care,
Al

Ruth,

My first thought is panic attacks...you need to bring this to your doctors attention. I have been taking lorazapam for anxiety...since my mets dx. I take 2 10mg at night to help me sleep, at first I did take them during the day and they did take the edge off. Best of luck to you Ruth and keep us posted

Warmly,

Judie

Ruth: Sounds like an anxiety attack. Ativan which is the Generic for Lorazapam (I believe) is very effective. I take it on those "bad days" and it works quickly with little in the way of side effects, at least for me. Hope you feel better soon. Take Care, Linda