panic attack and exercise

[bollie]

About a month ago, i had a bad chest infection, at the time i thought it was just a cold,and went to the gym. While i was on the rower, i started to really struggle for breath, i got into a bit of a state, and ended up having a panic attack.

The doctor said that it was just where i had so much muck on my chest, gave me antibiotics, and im fine now.

The trouble is, the next time i went to the gym, i was fine until i got onto the rower, and i started having a panic attack again, this has happened a couple of times since, and now its not just the rower, today it happened as i was warming up on the bike!

I seem to be fine, but as soon as i start getting warm, i feel like im getting hotter and hotter, then i cant breath, and then i panic and just have to get out. I love the gym , and usually go every day, so this is starting to become a big issue. Im actually worried that its becoming a bit of a phobia.

Im pretty sure its the chest infection, thats triggered it,(my best friend was in intensive care , on a life support at the time,with 2 collapsed lungs, thankfully shes getting better now) i just want to know how to make it stop. has anyone got any ideas please

[KittyGlitter]

Are you sure you are over your chest infection? You could always get a check up with the doc who could then tell you that you are physically fine. If you already definitely know that it's a panic attack and not physical, you then obviously treat it as such.

Try not to avoid exercise or this will give power to your fears but start off slowly (baby steps). Maybe just have a few sessions when you walk on the treadmill at a gentle pace and build it up each time you go along. Try to distract yourself whilst exercising to focus your attention away from your body - chat to someone there, take a friend or listen to a story on your MP3 player. At the moment, your focus is on the fear of having a panic attack which then leads to having one - a vicious cycle! All the best....

[mrknowall]

Dont stop going to the gym if you do you will make it worse.
Try and change your thoughts when you feel the panic is coming on.
Also take slow deep breaths.
For some reason when you get on the bike or rower a panic comes on.
Its probably with you having a chest infection and your freind being ill its on your mind.
Try not to think about it to much and making an issue will make it worse.
The more you ignore the quicker they will go i promise.
Ive been there

[mrknowall]

Can i ask how you got on today bollie at the gym just come back from there my self

[bollie]

Thank you to you both for your replys, ive got a doctors appt tomorrow to check that the infection is clear. If he gives me the ok, i'll take it slowly from there ;)

[KittyGlitter]

Hi bollie, how are you getting on now? I hope its going ok for you x

[bollie]

hiya, cant thank the pair of you enough for your advice. I did what you suggested, and seem to be getting on ok.
I started off just walking on the treadmill, and then a gentle trot on the cross trainer, and have added somthing each day. (its amazing how hard it is to take it easy, when you're used to really going for it!)
Anyway, today i had an almost normal workout. I had a couple of times when i started to feel a bit funny, and so slowed it right down, and tried to distract myself (concentrated on the emmerdale omnibus actually).
Im trying not to think about my breathing, cos that seems to be when i start to get in a state, and it all seems to be heading in the right direction. So i cant thank you both enough for the brilliant advice.xxx

[mrknowall]

Im really pleased your still going to the gym.
Many thanks for the update.