May 2, 201412 yr Our Lucy had another panic attack at school today. Third one since September :( From nowhere she comes over dizzy, can't breathe and gets the black and white almost going to faint come over here. I hadn't paid it too much attention in the past as I'd taught here to do deep breathing. Today though I thought time to get to the bottom of this. The doctor was fantastic and reassured our Lucy that it can happen to a lot of people. We need to make a diary of when it happens, she recommend she joins me for nightly walks/runs. She also recommended a place/site called Teentalk as she explained that 'these years' are full of hormones and anguish. She is also going to read my book for 15 minutes each night, help her to understand how the mind works so she can help herself. I am gutted for our Lucy but at the same time it could be worse. At least she is not masking over stuff via smoking, like many other teenages have done and do. Haven't told family members purely due to us having over zelous worrying elder members, won't help at all. At least she has a plan of action which I'm sure will help. The sad part is all this started after her 3 operations on her broken arm(long story). It's as though the stress and panic of what she went through set it all off. It just goes to show doesn't it? Does anyone else's teenagers get anxiety attacks? What do you find helps?
May 2, 201412 yr Hi Sharon so sorry your daughter is having panic attacks, I have two sons one who is 23 and is currently waiting to see a mental health counsellor for anxiety and confidence problems due to something which happened when he was 11, we just talk alot, I can often tell when he is becoming anxious, his comes out in anger alot of the times and then tears, I hold him till he has calmed down and then we talk, all you can do is be there for her Sharon, let her know how much you love her, she may well try and push you away, but communication and support is so important. Sorry I can't be of more help xx
May 2, 201412 yr It's tough not being able fix these sorts of things for our kids. I think it's great though how you are teaching her breathing exercises. Would Yoga or mediation help, do you think? My son has quite a bit of anxiety, but it manifests itself in other ways usually by avoidance behavior. I get lots of calls from the school nurse for seemingly silly things like hang nails and such.
May 2, 201412 yr Author Thank you both of you, very much....it's a relief just to talk about it. Jackie, so sorry about your son it must be heartbreaking. I, as you suggested, will make sure I'm there to listen. Collen I will certainly suggest yoga and meditation to her. I just hope it's something she will grow out of? If that's possible? I feel terrible that I didn't act on attack number 2 now but because it was around the time of her period I just assumed it was period related, as I'm not overly medically minded. I will make sure I keep a track of her feelings and encourage her to read the book...it might help? Today it just came from no where, just seems so strange. Gutted for her. Thanks again both for taking time to answer, I do appreciate it.
May 3, 201412 yr Sharon, I don't have kids so can't offer any advice,but am sending positive vibes your way. I love the name Lucy, very pretty.
May 3, 201412 yr Hi Sharon, My kids aren't there yet but I did as a child. Having a journal to write in helped. As an adult I found a number of coping techniques but some quiet time and meditation (included I would think with the deep breathing you're already doing) would really be a help. As silly as it sounds don't under-estimate the power of nature, a walk by water (canal, lake, beach etc) is really calming to an over-active mind. Also forrest walks really help me. Also as silly as it sounds I use crystals for myself and both my 4 and 8 year old. When both my kids get stressy feeling they pick up their tumblestone of amethyst and move it around their hand until they calm down. Sometimes you can feel it coming. All that aside I'm very sorry for Lucy and you that she is suffering. xx
May 3, 201412 yr Not a teenager but my fiancé gets them. They started about 2 years ago when we decided to move to Australia. I hate when he gets them cause I have no clue how to help. He has got them more under control now by learning what they are and things online. Hopefully your daughter, over time, will learn to control them and they should get less & less. :)
May 3, 201412 yr Sharon...my heart goes out to you and your daughter. But I'm a firm believer that children who are faced with challenges and overcome them, grow up to be strong individuals. With a mum like you...being so supportive and giving her tools to work with...I'm confident she will be better than fine. Xo
May 3, 201412 yr Author Thanks guys. Joe sent me some info that I'm going to get the doctor to explore, so that's helpful and thanks Joe ;) I as least think at least she knows, deep down, how to breath even when it happens. Am going to follow up Joe's help and info too. I just can't imagine how scary it is when you feel you can't breath, obviously I just take it for granted as a given that it just happens without effort of thought. Must be horrible for those that suffer, gutted for them :(
May 3, 201412 yr Sorry no help to you but just letting you know I'm thinking of you and hope lucy gets better and hope you are coping as best as you can. Lots of love, hugs and kisses to you and lucy xxxx
May 3, 201412 yr Author Sorry no help to you but just letting you know I'm thinking of you and hope lucy gets better and hope you are coping as best as you can. Lots of love, hugs and kisses to you and lucy xxxx Thanks, really is lovely of you xx
May 9, 201412 yr Author More news.... Joe gave me some info on POTS syndrome and have made an appointment to see the doctor again, with Lucy on the 22nd :) Interestingly though...I had my appointment today for a follow up to put me on mood stabilers. Explained I didn't want to, explained about using mind management and he was happy with that. Anyway, I mentioned bits I'd learnt about POTs and although I wasn't trying to self-diagnose I fell into the anixety, fatigue, poor memory and poor concentration. But the main one was the dizzeness and fainting. Been like it all my life, on my record that I nearly fainted just having my bloods done 3 weeks ago. Am used to it, the dizzeness is the same- just accepted that I get dizzy often and faint as I have very low blood pressure, it's obviously very embarrassing! But what can I do, it just happens.. So he did a mini test (checked my blood pressure and made me get up very quickly) from that he is convinced I do have POTS as whatever should have happened(blood pressure/hear wise) upon standing didn't and of course I nearly fainted. The good thing is I have to now increase my salt and drink 2 liters or more of water a day. That in itself can help with the symptoms :) If not then still good as he is then going to refer me to the POTS specialist, so all good. So our Lucy is having the same stand up test as me on the 22nd, as she, like me is a dizzy fainter type. Who knows maybe the fact she is nearly fainting is sending her breathing into panic and if the dizzy/fainting can be sorted then the breathing will see to itself...fingers crossed. Sorry it's long but just wanted to get it off my chest, am feeling a huge sense of relief! If however it doesn't then
May 9, 201412 yr Sharon, I only just saw this! Not much I can say to help, but sending ym thoughts and my love to you both. Fingers and toes crossed for the 22nd :)
May 9, 201412 yr Author Sharon, I only just saw this! Not much I can say to help, but sending ym thoughts and my love to you both. Fingers and toes crossed for the 22nd :) Thanks Ross xx The important thing I forgot to mention...see brain fog-again! ;) Is that the doctor said that smoking has no doubt masked over the tiredness, anixety and poor concentration for the last 30 years. Yes the dizziness and fainting have always been there, and very low blood pressure, but the fatigue and other things are greatly increased. Bloody cigarettes!...mind you, only myself to blame- no one forced me. I can feel it in my water that our Lucy and I will soon be sorted;)
May 9, 201412 yr Blimey! Sharon - I will be as much use as a Chocolate Teapot here... but it sounds like you are on the case for you and Lucy - and making real progress. I do an excellent line in virtual hugs - sending your way. I can also provide a superb 'Harumph - just keep your back straight, your chin up and soldier on' ;)
May 9, 201412 yr Oh I'm sooo glad you both are getting sorted, what's POTS?? Very curious as I always suffer with the weakness, severe tiredness dizziness etc they put it down to part of my fibromyalgia but I'm not soo sure, I fainted in tesco the otyer week after my son hurt himself, even when I'm in my periods I alwas get soo weak and jittery and faint most months, Great to see that you are getting somewhere at last xxx
May 9, 201412 yr Author Oh I'm sooo glad you both are getting sorted, what's POTS?? Very curious as I always suffer with the weakness, severe tiredness dizziness etc they put it down to part of my fibromyalgia but I'm not soo sure, I fainted in tesco the otyer week after my son hurt himself, even when I'm in my periods I alwas get soo weak and jittery and faint most months, Great to see that you are getting somewhere at last xxx Hi Sue, here is the website my doctor told me to check out. http://www.potsuk.org/what_is_pots2 Maybe have a chat with your doctor too? Hope the link explains and helps xx
May 9, 201412 yr I am on my phone, so this will be short... lol I am glad you found a possible answer. Its a terrible thing to have to deal with, but now you have an idea on what course of action needs to be taken. Good luck with everything and keep me posted.
May 9, 201412 yr Author I am on my phone, so this will be short... lol I am glad you found a possible answer. Its a terrible thing to have to deal with, but now you have an idea on what course of action needs to be taken. Good luck with everything and keep me posted. I will keep you up to speed Joe and thanks ever so much for your support and everything xx
May 9, 201412 yr Oh I'm definitely going to mention it the next time I'm in, I've all those symptoms hmmmmmmm Anyway sorry for twisting it about me there, hope you and lucy are doing well xx
May 9, 201412 yr Author Oh I'm definitely going to mention it the next time I'm in, I've all those symptoms hmmmmmmm Anyway sorry for twisting it about me there, hope you and lucy are doing well xx Sue...seriously you chat with me about you anytime, I really mean that (cross my heart) I read on another site about how showers/baths can be a problem, don't know if it is for you? Lucy and I both go a bit dizzy getting out the shower or bath. Sounds strange I know, anyroad..I read that it's part of it and to drink a large glass of water before showering and finish on cooler water. Feel like...at last!...answers to stop it happening. Last time Lucy had a bath she got out and fainted. So now she only has showers as it worried her she might faint again Sue. Geez...the things I'm learning. The heart racing in my chest is something I will be glad to get under control too. As I say Sue please feel free to post here or pm me, be nice to chat to someone about it.
May 9, 201412 yr Oh my god I swear i always get that when I'm having a bath, i see like silver bubble things when I'm in the bath and every single time I get out I am sweating, jittery, soo weak and heart races, I always have to lie down after, I had to stop having baths when I was pregnant cos I fainted several times from it. That's mad and I told my rheumatologist and neurologist and he just fobbed me off again!!!
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.