Panic attack symptoms hours after incident?

[fenrirx42]

Greetings,
due to unfortunate events yesterday I found myself in the middle of the highway, with no means of transport- that triggered the panic attack. Had shortness of breath, hypertension, shakiness, nausea, a pain in the back of the head and chest, and involuntary gulps. After I walked three kms to the nearest station and reached home, I was still all shaking for about half an hour with a heart rate of 120 (normally 70) DIA 90 and SIS 140. When I called the medical service they have sent an ambulance and they made sure my heart is fine. It's been 15 hours and I still have stomach pain, (slight) difficulty breathing, and increased pulse.
The medic from the city where I live is unavailable today, and my home doc says it's from my Hiatal Hernia/GERD but some other people say it's possible to get permanent damage (e.g. paralysis) from the extreme panic? I seriously doubt it since I am 21 and no other issues except the GERD and general anxiety.
Is it normal for such symptoms to affect me for a day after the incident? Many thanks in advance :)

[AnxiousNoMore]

Anyone can have the symptoms you have now, except you actually have no difficulty breathing and if you stop being in fear your pulse will be normal. It is all in your head, from fear making you tense up and over-analyze your body, at least partially from the GERD which is a frightening thing because it is painful. Your body didn't morph into something that can't breathe properly forever, just because you got a fright. It is good that you doubt their advice about paralysis.

Most people can relax after a panic attack and forget it happened then the symptoms will disappear, although some are stuck with anxiety all their lives. The odds are in your favor - Been there, done that, fwiw except when they told me there was nothing wrong I immediately accepted it and the symptoms were gone then. The key for you to get back to your happy life is to accept the diagnosis - if you can.

[fenrirx42]

Thank you for the prompt response! I suspected a sudden severe panic episode cannot do much harm in someone otherwise healthy. You were right, I was fretting about it too much :)

[Paxiled]

Gerd is a digestive problem, and so is treated by changing your diet and how you behave following a meal.  Yes, anxiety symptoms can last a long time -- or not, depending on the person and how bad their anxiety problem is.  I'm amazed at how many people on this forum who don't have heart problems are constantly checking their heart rate.  A better idea is to learn relaxation techniques and see a therapist who specializes in anxiety treatment or see a psychiatrist or meds if you think they're necessary or try natural medicine with someone who practices integrated medicine -- probably get the Gerd under control that way at least.  In other words, do something about it but don't obsess over things like your heart rate, which will fluctuate in everyone.