“Ma, you have something to blog about,” my 16-year old daughter Gem said, trying to humor me even in a state of discomfort while she breathed through an oxygen tube.
“No, baby, stop,” I cut in.
“You shouldn’t say that. I don’t care if I can’t write or can’t blog. I don’t care even if I run out of topics and lose my blog. Just you be okay.”
Now, I didn’t want her see me cry, but I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. I felt fear crawl over my body and it overwhelmed me. It was a sight I never wanted to see - my daughter on an emergency table.
Gem was watching TV in the living room last night after she had her supper. Then she called out: “Ma, I can’t breathe!” I didn’t respond at once because I thought it was just a stuffy nose like her common complaint when she catches a cold.
Then she called out again, and this time, I rushed to her side. I found her with her head leaning on the backrest of the sofa and clutching her chest. She complained of her left arm numbing. I got scared as I knew it’s not a prank, a joke or jest which she sometimes enjoys throwing at me.
I took her blood pressure with a digital BP monitor and it was okay. But she kept on gasping for air. It was just the two of us in the house since my husband was still out at work and my son was at a nearby mall. My mind was racing as I watched her desperately draw in more air. I asked her series of questions in an attempt to determine what could be the cause of her shortage of breath.
What did you eat aside from dinner? What did you drink? Do you feel itchy? Nauseous? I asked these questions because I learned that extreme allergic reactions to food could cause constriction of the air passage and may result to a shut down of oxygen supply in the body. This recently happened to my sister-in-law’s sister and it nearly claimed her life.
Hospital! That was the single thing I could think of as I hurriedly dressed up. “We will go to the hospital, get dressed, quick!,” I told her. She was perspiring, feeling weak and dizzy that I had to guide her to her room and helped her get dressed. Then I called my son to come home immediatey to drive us to Villaflor Memorial Hospital.
The oxygen relieved her. She had X-ray, ECG, CBC, urinalysis and other routine tests. Since she seemed to manifest cardiac symptoms, her case was referred to a cardiologist. It was around 8:00 p.m. already when we got to the hospital, and an overnight stay was recommended for further observation.
Next day when her doctor made the rounds, she told us Gem’s lab tests, X-rays and ECG were all normal. There was nothing wrong with her. The doctor didn’t see any signs of asthma either. It was just a panic attack. It could also be anxiety. School work is lately weighing her down because she is graduating from high school this March and have some pending projects to finish. The doctor added it could also be attributed to her being a little overweight and her lack of exercise. You see, she is quite a couch potato. Aside from her share of household chores, my daughter has no other physical activity. Even in school, she would often excuse herself from gymnastics and would instead ask for substitute assignments. Perhaps the only real exercise she loves to engage in is walking in malls, being a shopping buff she is. I once incited her for the both of us to play badminton but she preferred reading.
We’re now home. And truly, like she told me in the emergency room, I have something to blog about. But I do so not to exploit that emergency room scenario but to share this scary experience and hopefully offer you, readers, a lesson or two. Or perhaps, with your reactions, I also learn a lesson or two, for up to now, it is not quite over because the bout could recur.
Feb
10
hi rhodora, when i read the first paragraph of your post today, i though you were joking. but later i realize that you really did rush your daughter to the hospital. hoping for her speedy recovery.
I do hope that Gem is okay now. But of course, I do hope that that bout will not recur anymore.
If I was in your shoes, I’d be terrified too.
Good to hear that she’s OK ! That’s the only thing you really need to hear after all the necessary tests were done. I remember my mother in law got a panic attack when she visited us here. She was shivering and trembling like crazy and we brought her to the hospital. All they did was give her a tablet that had to put between her tongue and the base of her mouth and she was OK after that. I didn’t know what the real cause was but she was incredibly fine after that and it never occurred again until she and my father in law returned to Pinas after a year. Sometimes our bodies behave strangely.
i’m glad that your daughter’s okay. i know that the entire thing must be very distressing for you and your family. hay naku, stressful talaga ang pag-aaral. deep breathing & brown bag inhalation did wonders for my patients (who were having panic attacks) when i was still going on duty at the ER. i do hope it doesn’t happen again.
I use to have panic attacks, too, combined with depression/anxiety, IBS. So I know exactly how she feels. And it’s not a nice feeling. My doctor even thought I was just making it up believing I’m just seeking attention kumbaga, ksp.
Thank goodness she’s fine now. If ever it happens again( hopefully not), the best measure is support. And the doctor’s right, exercise is a big help, both physically and mentally.
Oh my! That must have been a terrifying experience for you. It’s good to know that she’s fine now.
Alam mo, about two years ago, naka-experince din ako ng paninikip ng dibdib. I went to see my doctor and she didn’t find anything wrong with me. She said it could just be stress. And I think she was right. So I tried to loosen up a bit and just relax. I also started walking as my daily exercise.
Let’s hope that your daughter’s experience will make her think about getting off that couch. My kids are lean but their pediatrician also suggests exercising.
Oh! I hope she’s feeling ok now. I also don’t want blogging about something like this but I hope this “Panic Attack” doesn’t happen to her again.
Good to hear she’s doing fine now.
Oh no! I almost felt like panicking myself when I read your first paragraph. I’m happy to know that your daughter is now okay. Niceheart’s advice is sound, I think. We all need physical activities to keep us healthy. Panic attack or not, we need to keep ourselves fit though appropriate body exercises.
I know how that feels. I have 2 children who are asthmatic and we were often in the emergency room. Maybe you could enrol her at a fitness center or a dance class for a start. Glad she’s better now.
Oh, Rhodora. That must have been quite a scare. Panic attack .. yup, i heard of that, though i really don’t understand it or what triggers it. My daughter was supposed to have one a few years ago .. i had this meditation CD that i used to destress me. Now, this was no ordinary meditation tape. When one is new to it, one is supposed to take it (listen to it) a little at a time — at most 30 minutes.
But without my knowledge, my daughter listened to it … until she went to sleep and until the CD ran out. Then she had these anxiety symptoms. The doctor we consulted kept smiling when I told her about this .. but i just knew it was an overdose of the sound. Do I make sense?
Am glad Gem is okay now!!
Hello, your daughter was hyperventilating. I used to have these attacks a few months ago. Doctors say this is caused by improper breathing where oxygen levels in your blood is too high causing your body to reject the current intake of oxygen. The person affected by this condition thinks that he/she is having a heart attack with all the symptoms. Remedy is to breathe through a paper bag. Remember, paper bag not plastic, she’ll suffocate if you use plastic.
good thing she’s ok now. reading from here, i realized that school work can be a source of illnesses. ingat kayo.
Cruise, I felt helpless! It was just the two of us in the house and there was a car in the garage, but I don’t drive! So I had to call my son who was fortunately in a mall not so far from our house. On the way to the hospital, I kept talking to her, telling her ‘don’t close your eyes, don’t close your eyes!” God, that was really scary.
I’m glad your daughter is okay Rhodora. And I do wish that it never happens again.
Although of course we’d rather not blog or have no topics to blog about than to let bad things happen especially to your loved ones. But with blogging, when bad things do happen, we have an outlet. And with this, we could also get strength which our family needs from us.
Kyels, thanks. I also hope it doesn’t recur anymore. We heard mass awhile ago and a girl sitting in front of us fainted. I was worried she might be nervous too and have it again,but I’m glad she was fine and even told me to pray for the girl.
Yes, Cruise, good to know the results of the tests for peace of mind. With your mom in law, I think it’s because of the new environment, weather and all. Thanks for wishing my daughter well.
Oopss.. sorry BW, the above reply is for you….
Hi, Midnight Rainbow! Yes, brown bag - that’s what her doctor prescribed. Imagine, prescription in the form of a brown paper bag… LOL !
Thanks for visiting…
Pining, yes, I believe you, depression and anxiety combined = panic attack. And it’s not KSP, ha. Sino ba gustong magkunwaring manikip ang dibdib, di ba? Ang hirap yata yun.
Totoo yan, Irene. No exercise results to poor blood circulation. Poor blood circulation may result to poor oxygen supply. Yes, I will do just that - get her out of the couch and maybe enrol her in a swimming class so she can lose the extra pounds.
Ferds and Dimaks - thank you so much!
Kathy, it was one experience I hope and pray won’t happen again.
Noemi, first time for me to experience such thing. Scary and I felt helpless seeing her gasp for air. Yes, I will make her engage in physical activities. I was thinking of swimming lessons this summer. Thanks for your concern.
Anna, hay, alam mo na ang mga doktor, they only believe in what can be scientifically explained. Ummm.. I’m curious about that CD..
Thanks for the advice, Poldo. And yes, the doctor said the same thing, that if another attack occurs, for her to inhale through a paper bag. Hope you have recovered from your bouts too.
Hi, Fengbrum! I posted a comment at Pinoy Moms Network. Thanks for visiting.
Hi, Toe! Yes, blogging is one way of releasing our agonies. And with reactions from readers and fellow bloggers, we somehow find solace too in time of adversities. Thanks for wishing my daughter well.
I could feel what you felt at the time your daughter was in that very uncomfortable or agonizing situation. I know cos I went thru the same thing on my last vacation with my second son early morning(1am) on the day that I have to fly back to my work.
It was terrible feeling with so many bad thoughts rushing inside your brain seeing your kid in such a condition.
Having been into this situation, I learned that maintaining your calm and without panicking is one of best things you can do aside from bringing your kid to the hospital.
Funny or whatever, after spending more than 6 hours in ER of UST, in the afternoon we were able to do some late shopping for some little stuff I need at naihatid pa ako sa airport as if nothing had happened.
Amazing kids ha?
Anyhow, I wish no more episode of that kind will happen again to your daughter.
Myepinoy, really it was a nightmare. And yes your’re right, so many bad thoughts were running in my mind. And fears!
I’m glad your son got over it as well. At nag-shopping pa kayo, ha! LOL.
Thank you for sharing your experience here. It gives me more insight on how to deal with this situation though I hope it doesn’t happen anymore.
Rhodora, hope all is well with your daughter.
panic attacks happen, and most times, parents nor doctors do not diagnose it immediately.
let’s share about panic attacks. you know at what time one of my daughters has it? every time she gets meds through intravenous injections! we had to patiently explain it to the surgeon before she had the appendectomy, or to the ER doctors in case there is a need to it. the surgeon said it could be avoided, he patiently talked with her about it, psyching her.
you and your daughter has to find out what causes these panic attacks, so that you could avoid it. God bless you and your daughter.
Thank you, Dine. Yes, I’m doing just that now - constantly talking to her, finding out what could have caused it.
Maybe your daughter had the anxiety too. I think that is one possible cause of these attacks.
Rhodora, I would like thank you for the kind words you said about my daughters. I have been to this site many times before but just like you, I couldn’t post my comments.
Anyway, I am glad that she is okay now. It is tough to be teenager. Hormones raging, peer pressure, the desire to be the best, etc, are too much for them to handle. There is really nothing wrong with just being average. They are the plodders who stick to something until it is done.
Rhodora, my comments are not showing.
Belle, I have your comments. This is how my system works. When a reader posts comments, they are all regarded as spam until I screen them all and recover and code the non-spams here in the comment box. In case, just leave them here and I recover later.
I guess we both are having problems with our comment system. Para tayong nagha-hide and seek. hahaha!
Oh, thank you for that tip on teenage stage. Yes, my daughter is like that - she is striving to be the best, but I guess it came to a point that she can hardly handle the pressure, thus the panic attack.
It’s name is Holosync — it is more than a medication CD. You can google it. I still have it somewhere among my junk .. it really worked, but i guess i no longer need it. I got it at a time i was desperate .. we have this really big and long-term project with an important and demanding client. And i felt inadequate. Well, at its end — i am told i did an a-ok job.
good to hear that your daughter is fine now …. I know how it feels because I am a mom too..hirap pag may sakit gusto ko ako na lang ang magkasakit….. Ang what happened to your daughter is really serious kahit na walang nakita ang mga doktor. Hope she finish her high school with flying colors kahit na medyo mahirap
And please tell her to take care of herself … PARA SAYO.
Hi Rhodora.
Oh thank God your daughter is fine now. I hope this will not recur. Also I hope you were given some ways to prevent it from happening again. If Gem needs to exercise, then maybe you can find something that requires physical activity but enjoyable for her. Like if she loves dancing, then maybe she can do that…just light dancing only. Or you can also engage in an early brisk walking every morning. You can also do some bonding while doing the exercise.
Anyway I’m hoping for the best for your daughter
Take care.
Anna, okay, I will google it. Parang okay siya, a. Once a former student of mine gave me a tape of soothing music, kapag burnt out na ako, I would listen to it and it had calming effect on me. Thanks for the tip!
Melai, tama ka - she should take care of herself for me and I should also take care of myself for her. Di ba dapat ganoon, lahat tayo, dapat nating alagaan ang ating mga sarili para sa mga mahal sa buhay.
Thank you, Melai.
Verns, oo nga, you gave me an idea. Dancing should be something she can enjoy. Sali na rin ako, di ba. As long as there is physical movement, to improve blood circulation.
Thanks, Verns! Nag-enjoy ako sa blog mo.. hehehe. Di ko alam dapat palang i-celebrate and 100th entry.
Wow! She was hyperventilating, huh? I once knew someone afflicted with it; it was alarming whenever she had one of those anxiety attacks. Glad that all turned out all right.
Hi, Eric! Yes, that’s it - hyperventilating. So this morning when she went to school, I made sure she had ‘baon’ of brown paper bag. I pray it won’t recur anymore. It’s terrifying!
Wow, that was really scary! Good thing you did not panic. It’s good for her to be always ready with her ‘baon’. Way to go, rhodora!
Thank God that she is ok now. When my son had an asthma attack after new year, I was afraid I was gonna have an anxiety or panic or heart attack. When the doctor told us we would have to stay in the hospital, I was sweating like crazy even if his room was cold! I was numb. It was his first time to be hospitalized because of asthma. When we were brought to our room, and oxygen was being pumped into him, I was watching him breathe like he was gasping for precious air, clasping at his life. His toes and finger cold, his lips pale. Thank God we, I mean, he got well. We even attended the first Friday morning mass for January on his last day in the hospital.
Just the other night he told me: “mabuti pala finished na ang new year, sa 2008 na ulit. I don’t like new year kasi dami usok” Kids are resilient. They heal faster than we do. And one more thing, it is important for them to know what to do in case of emergency. (sorry my comment or kwento is long..)
Hi Ma’am Palinar! Its so nice to know you’re writing online =) I hope Gem’s ok, I can’t believe she’s 16 already! I hope she’s doing ok now. Regards to Tito Ike and kids =)
Diane! Where are you now? How did you find me here? How’s everybody? Your dad, mom, Dominique, Divina, your other siblings?
Aside from Gerwin Co, you are my only other former student who reads my blog.
Do keep in touch! Regards to your family.
This is scary!good thing she wasn’t alone when panic attack happened.She avoid situations like the one she was in when the attack occurred!I hope she’s feeling better now & I wish you have a nice week ahead!
she ’should’ I meant;)
Hi, Chateau! Thanks so much. Yes, the ‘baon’ is considered now a necessity.
Naku, Julie it must be tough having a child with asthma. You should avoid things that can trigger an attack. What about making him wear protective mask when New Year or exposed to fume? But he’s a brave boy, huh.
Thanks for this visit! I’ve been to your site and I find many of your entries very informative. Blog on, Mom Julie!
Thanks Cheh, yes she’s okay now and back to her studies. Have a nice week to you also and your family.
Hi Ma’am! I was looking for links to websites on Pangasinan news when I chanced upon your blog =) I was hoping to get your email add from here nga eh.
We’re all based here in QC and I’m still working for the same boss I had back when I was still in Pangasinan. Its really nice to see you here! I enjoy reading your blog =)
Diane, my email: rhodmp@yahoo.com
Our publication People’s Digest is also online at http://peoplesdigest.prepys.com/ though I still have to update it. Any news/photo release coming from Sir Boogie, just email to me. and will gladly publish.
Thank you, I appreciate that you enjoy reading my blog. I was planning to post some of my memorable encounters as a teacher too. I still have to organize my notes though.
Regards to the family!
yes, Rhodora, daughter Monica, has been able to identify what causes panic attacks. she reads everything, anything, such that she knows a lot of things. at first i did not believe there was such thing as a panic attack, but one time there was a discussion on tv among hollywood stars, then i became serious about it. we started talking about it. and it helps a lot, it can be deterred.
Hi.. I can symphatize with you because my 13 year old son suffers from anxiety and sometimes panic attacts. It just overwhelms him and it can strike at any time for no reason at all. He can’t even know how it starts, it just does. It started for him at the end of 2005 and he’s had maybe 5 or 6 “episodes”. He would sometimes miss a few days of school because of it, but no matter what he’s always on top of his studies. He’s a good boy, an excellent student and has lots of friends and also very active. He’s in a skateboarding team at school. So we don’t really know why this happens to him. There is no history of anxiety in my family nor my husband’s so it’s just a freak thing. He is seeing a psychologist for theraphy. Really they just discuss how to manage it and to give my son tools to use on how to cope with his anxiety and panic attacks. He is not on any medication, but it’s something that my husband and I wouldn’t consider. Anything to help our son to be himself and enjoy life to the fulllest. Good luck with your daughter. I pray she doesn’t have any more attacks, but if she does it sounds like she has the support of her loving parents.
Judy, thank you very much for your sharing here. It makes me understand my daughter’s case better.
Yes, I think it’s best that he sees a pyschologist for therapy because there may be some reasons within that cause his panic attack.
You and your hubby should be commended as well for being there for your son at whatever cost.
Yes, reading and understanding about it helps a lot. At least when it does happen again, we are not in limbo and we know how to deal with it properly. Thanks for sharing, Dine.
[…] The day after my daughter was discharged from the hospital following her bout with panic attack, we both heard mass at the St. John’s Cathedral. This was the first time in a long while that we heard mass again in this church in Dagupan City. We usually hear mass at the St. Therese Parish Church because Gem is a member of the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Youth (FCCY) choir which is part of said parish. On my own calculation, around 80 per cent of the business establishments in downtown Dagupan is owned by Filipino-Chinese businessmen and that roughly makes an estimate on the population of this community in our small city. The St. Therese Parish is the ‘official’ parish for the Fil-Chinese group here, hence the reason why the FCCY is housed under its wings. […]
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