Hey all,
I wasn’t sure where to put this, so I figured here would be good since I am looking for a bit of advice on training.
Just a quick backstory. In early Nov. I had a real bad panic attack and wound up in the ER. This is common for people with panic attacks as the first time you have one you think it’s something worse (heart attack, etc.) so you go to the ER or doctor to get checked out. My blood and urine work came back normal, which was good. I took a few days off work and everything seemed to be fine, until I had another episode. It wasn’t as severe but still rocked me. For the next month I had several more attacks, each less severe than the first, but still crippling as your mind tricks you into thinking something is wrong with you physically when there really isn’t.
The bad part of that was is that I also became depressed because I thought something was wrong with me (a common side effect of anxiety/panic attacks). I stopped going to the gym for fear I would have another attack (racing heartbeat during exercise is similar to the racing during an attack).
After breaking down emotionally a few weeks ago I sought out the help of a therapist and have been working with him. He’s got me on some meds that seem to be helping, as my anxiety levels are lower than before.
I’m finally feeling good enough to the point where I want to get back in the gym. I’m still a bit leery of pushing myself too hard right away, as I want to gradually work my way back into the programs I was doing before I had the attack (CW’s programs mostly).
Would focusing on the big 3 lifts for now along with some work on arms, calves and abs be best? Cardio-wise I walk/run with my dog 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes, so I’m OK there.
Also, if anyone else has or has suffered from these attacks, let me know how you were able to return to the gym. It’d be a great help.
Thanks for listening.
-Dan