Patience After Panic Attack

It was just over a month ago that I was happily walking up to Sophie’s school for her awards ceremony. It was a beautiful morning! Emma was in her stroller and I was ready to conquer the day. I had my priorities lined up to do that day. Breakfast done. Coffee done. I was ready.

Sophie’s school isn’t too far from the house, maybe a 5-7 minute walk. About half way through my toes started getting tingling and like they were going numb. Soon after my fingers and hands started to feel the same. I’ve had this sensation before and it usually doesn’t end well. I took several deep breaths, slowed down my pace and focused on the beautiful day, not what my body was about to do.

I got to the school and as I got my visitor badge I remember thinking, “I really hope this (the tingling and numbness) passes.” I settled into the gymnasium with tons of kids, parents and teachers and I immediately felt my heart race. The more I focused on deep breathing, the more the rest of my body started going numb, including around my face. It started getting really hot in there, or it could’ve just been my body reacting, I don’t know but the hotter it got, the more my body said “nope, we’re not doing this today.” This made me even more nervous as I walked there with Emma. I still have to get back home.

When the awards ceremony ended, I had to get away from the commotion. Quickly. I headed out determined to “cool off” or find a quiet place before I headed back home. I didn’t make it but a few feet out of the gymnasium door. I reached out and gently put my hand on the back of Coach. As she turned around she knew right away something was up. I said “I don’t feel well.” Not long after that the paramedics were called and it was determined I had a panic attack.

As I mentioned, my body as done this a few times before. And the paramedics have been called before. I’ve been to the ER before. While I’m still not sure why I had a panic attack or even if the previous ones were panic attacks, I can tell you that all of the symptoms I had on this occasion were related to my thyroid issues (Hashimotos) since Emma’s birth. Even though my brain was ready to rock that day, my body simply said “nope.”

So I’ve been focusing on me (rest, workload, activities, surroundings, and nutrition). Nutrition has played a huge role in how I feel just 30 days later. I’ve removed coffee (sad sigh), eggs, potato, chili (another sad sigh), cheese (I’ve been dairy free with the exception of a smidgen of fiesta cheese on my eggs) and also my beloved coffee. Oh wait, I already mentioned coffee. Basically my entire breakfast.

After Sophie was born I went through this as well and it took me about 3 years to research and figure out what works best for me. What worked well then is not the case this time. As I’m revisiting and learning more about what to eat for Hashimotos I'm relieved to say I feel so much better!

The key take away pieces of all of this is:

• Be patient with yourself.
• Take the time to learn what works best for you.
• What worked for you in the past may not work for you now.  
• What works for someone else may not work for you either.
• Find someone who can guide you in the right direction.
• And I think the most important piece is not to give up on yourself!

 

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