Panic attacks

Vlada · Post by **Vlada** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:47 pm

Hi,
I know it is a wierd question but has anyone experienced panic attacks during IVF cycles? I have done 4 IUIs and had severe panic attacks with each one of them, now I am doing IVF ICSI and i am having horrible panic attacks again, I feel like i am having a heart attack every time. I went to my regular doctor he is 95% sure that it is not my heart but to be completely sure he wants me to wear heart monitor for a week, I am freaking out becuse on top of my IVF i have to do that as well. So I would really appreciate if anyone can share their experience with panic attacks and how they dealt with it.
Thank you.

Michellyn8 · Post by **Michellyn8** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 2:05 pm

Hi,

IVF is so stressful and each cylce filled with so much pressure. Is there anything you can do to relax. Have you thought about acupuncture? Maybe you can swim (check w/ ER first), do yoga, breathing exercises? Maybe even going to a therapist or support group to talk about how you are feeling. Good luck.

Take care,

Michelle

Welshgirl38 · Post by **Welshgirl38** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 4:13 pm

Hiya Vlada,

I know how u feel about panic attacks. Altho i never got them while i was having my treatment for IVF, i started to get them about 10 years ago while taking zolodax injections to treat my endo. They are the most scariest thiings i have ever experienced. I tried all different sorts of treatment for my endo, but ended up having nothing because of these attacks. I remember telling the DR about it and him saying u need to relax la bla bla, i dont think he beleived me untill i had an attack the day he was injecting some zolodax into me. I also had a heart monitor which i had to press each time i had a palpatation, or an attack.
It showed up nothing, no problems with my heart or nothing. It took me a a long time to realise that i wasnt having a heart attack and i learned how to control these attacks (by now i was getting at least 3 or 4 a day) i would tell myself that there is nothng wrong with me, that im not having a heart attack and i take deep breaths slowly and try to think of other things, i know its not easy thing to do, i still get a bit panicky now and again, but i WONT allow myself to get back to where i was 10 years ago.

I came off all medicines in the end because i felt it was having an effect on my life, and after about 3 mths i felt a lot better (altho the period pain was and still is really bad each mth) i would rather have the pain than have the attacks. I was afraid to take the hormonnes again when i started IVF, but i was ok - i think u are having these attacks while having treatment - 1, Because of the stress u are undes and 2, The hormonnes u are taking are making u feel paniky, this is why after ur treatment u feel ok.

I know its easy for me to say, calm down and learn to relax, its not easy done is it when ur in this situation, im sorry ur going thru this, its not nice i know - but beleive me, you can teach urself to relax, take a warm bath, read a book, do what u feel comfortable doing. Once u have ur heart monitor and the DR tells u that nothing is wrong, then maybe u will start to feel more comfortable with each attack and learn to control this. Like i said, i still feel panicky in certain situations (mostly crowed places) i even went to a concert a few weeks ago and started to feel paniky incase i had a panic attack in front of all these people lol, its silly really, but its what we feel and it cant be helped.

I do hope u can learn to control these attacks, please remember, there is nothing physically with you, i hope i havent offended u in any way, and i do hope u get ur BFP and start enjoying the process of becomming a mumy

Good Luck

Becky Xxxx

Welshgirl38 · Post by **Welshgirl38** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 4:17 pm

Dunno why but my message posted 3 times

Xxx

Welshgirl38 · Post by **Welshgirl38** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 4:17 pm

Dunno why but my message posted 3 times

Xxx

carisa · Post by **carisa** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:30 pm

Don't worry and try to relax!!! I know how you feel!!

I just had my embryo transfer on Sunday and throughout the whole ivf process I had to wear a holter heart monitor. I had it on for a total of three weeks and they found that I do have a rapid heart beat, but I am thinking is from stress. I have been under a lot of stress due to the infertility and anticipating the ivf process. Now that I am finished with the cycle, I now know that there was nothing to worry about. It was really exciting and easy. Now I'm going through the two week wait and I'm dying to know if it worked. Good luck and know that there is someone else that went through exactly what you are going through. You'll be fine, nobody has ever died of a panic attack, they are just a nuisance.

Carisa[/i][/b]

Vlada · Post by **Vlada** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:24 am

Hi,
Thank you for your replies, I have talked to the cardiologist office and they told me that i can start wearing heart monitor after i get pregnant, because i don't think i can deal with this on top of IVF, i am feeling better now, started accupuncture, that really helped. Again, thank you for all of your inputs, it really helped!

peace4all2c · Post by **peace4all2c** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:19 am

Hi,
I am on my second IVF. I had an embryo transfer 5 days ago. I have Panic Disorder and I have panic attacks. I have had to do lots of therapy and learn how to control the panic when it strikes. I encourage you to do some meditation and breathing exercises when you feel panicky. You should always know that YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DIE!. It feels that way, the heart starts racing and the chest pain is horrible. Just remember it is the anxiety. It is a good idea to check you heart when you feel up to it. But just know you will be ok. If I can do this with Panic Disorder you can too

I wish you the best of luck and please email me if you have any questions or advice about the panic attacks. God Bless You!

Vlada · Post by **Vlada** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:16 am

I had my ER today and i was so scared that i will have a panic attack, but i didn't, yea!!! I am actually on heart monitor now and so far it only showed rapid heart bit, but i did have three panic attacks in a row just a couple of days ago, that was bad, I do tell myself that i will be ok, it just doesn't work all the time

Thank you so much for your reply!!!!

ls4 · Post by **ls4** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:39 am

When I went through the IVF Cycle in January. It felt like my heart was dropping into my stomach. I had MVP and already new my heart was fine because I had went to my doctor a month before. I think the medicine has some kind of effect on me that causes me to panic. I just toldmmyself Im ok and did somekind of activity to get my mind off of it but it was hard. Good Luck.
Lisa

snemo · Post by **snemo** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:56 pm

I haven't had panic attacks but I've had anxiety attacks as well as a nervous breakdown. Mine was about my anger towards everyone and life in general. Oncec I got it all out, I felt better. I tend to take it out on my husband most of the time. Sorry if this doesn't help much but with all the emotions that you are going through, I completely understand.

Vlada · Post by **Vlada** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:37 pm

I had a nervous break down at my doctor's office as well, it was so emberracing, and i do take it out on my husband as well. It is very hard to deal with the whole situation, but it is nice to know that i am not the only one who feels that way, getting replies helped me realize that this kinda stuff can happen to anyone.
Vlada.

tanu2007 · Post by **tanu2007** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:07 pm

hi vlada,
hope you feel better. when are you going to have ET? just take it easy and relax
good luckand good wishes
tanu2007

Vlada · Post by **Vlada** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 2:08 am

I am trying to relax now, kinda hard because i am really hurting after the ER, my ET will probably be on sat, but if the embies are not good, then on thursday.
vlada

Bellyache · Post by **Bellyache** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:19 am

Hi,
I started getting those awful panic attacks a year ago. I see a counselor to control them as they started from my PTSD. I had them under control (for the most part) until I started the injectables. I actually feel pretty good when I am stimming, though. The lupron and the progesterone are doing a number on me. After going through a couple of injectable IUI cycles and now I am doing lupron for my IVF in May, I am learning that a lot of it is coming from my hormones. Trying to relax when you are already panicing is pretty close to impossible. Try to relax everyday, and do anything you can to try to keep the stress of IVF away. Think Postive! Find distractions, read books, just anything to keep your mind from having a panic attack.
Remember, you are perfectly normal! You are dealing with extreme hormonal changes and major stress. Also remember that you are not going to die (although it does feel like it) and you will not lose your mind either. I hate panic attacks as it makes you feel like you are stuck in a horrible nightmare and cannot wake up. PM me is you ever need to talk.
Hugs,
Jenny

Panic attacks

Panic attacks

Panic attacks

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