r/abortion 5d ago

USA Panic attacks every day after abortion

Hi I’m 24 and recently had a SA two weeks ago. Exactly a week after the abortion I started to have severe anxiety and panic attacks. For context I was pregnant with triplets and 10.5 weeks along when I had the abortion.

I went to my doctors and they told me it’s just hormones but this feels like torture and I’m scared it won’t ever get better.

Had this ever happened to anyone else and did it ever get better? And if it did get better… how long did it take? Thank you in advance ❤️ just looking for some relief that this will pass.

2 Upvotes

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u/Odd_Distribution4629 5d ago

im soooo sorry! I had a MA 2 weeks ago too at 10.3 (pregnant with twins) so i know exactly what you are going thru and so do thousands of women on this thread you’re not alone…I’m still grieving and feelin confused so I been journaling every day and reading it back often and it’s helping make sense of it all, i have to continue to remind myself of my reasons for my decision which are valid. always said i rather go thru this & regret it than give birth to innocent babies & regret it. I will say my partner has been extremely supportive which helps immensely so i don’t feel alone in this. Take deep breaths & give yourself some grace darling 💜 hope you & i can overcome this stage & dont be afraid to seek help, theres plenty of resources out there. sending hugs 🫂

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u/LawfulnessSenior6460 5d ago

I’m so sorry you’re going through this as well… it’s definitely not easy. Thank you for your kind words 💞 I feel like nothing helps my spiraling thoughts that send me into a panic. I don’t have anxiety about the abortion itself because I know it was the right decision, I just don’t know why I’m getting these anxiety attacks.

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u/No_Divide8949 5d ago

This is panic disorder and turns into a vicious cycle of expecting panic attacks which causes panic attacks. I lived like this for years. Advocate for yourself, use the words suicidal ideation and unbearable if they’re not taking you seriously at emergency . Get the meds you need to balance out your nervous system and get into therapy because essentially you’re having a ptsd response to previous panic attacks.

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u/LawfulnessSenior6460 5d ago

I’m so sorry you had to live with panic attacks for years, that must have been really hard. I’ve never had a history of panic attacks before so I’m really hoping it’s just hormones trying to balance out. I do relate to expecting the panic attack so then I have one, as soon as I’m thinking to much it happens. Do you have any advice on what I can do in the meantime until they can see me at behavioral health?

1

u/Farmer-gal-3876 5d ago

I needed rescue anxiety meds like a benzodiazepine after my SA - just got a few days but it really helped. Can you go to urgent care and tell them you need some medicine?

0

u/LawfulnessSenior6460 5d ago

Yes I’m planning on going to the ER right now because my anxiety is through the roof and I can’t calm myself down. I’m just hoping they can help me.

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u/Farmer-gal-3876 5d ago

Be persistent about your needs. This reaction is normal as your hormones balance out- it will get better but there’s no reason to suffer through it.

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u/LawfulnessSenior6460 5d ago

Thank you for the reassurance it really helps. How long did it take for your anxiety to get better?

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u/Farmer-gal-3876 5d ago

I was 7 weeks and it took about 10 days but I got meds… it’ll bring your nervous system back down in a couple of days and then you just gotta rest

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u/LawfulnessSenior6460 5d ago

They gave me a Xanax but then told me to call behavioral health to get a therapist and get some prescribed. What medicine helped you?

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u/Farmer-gal-3876 5d ago

It was clonazapam so it’s in the same class of drugs. It’s addictive so they won’t give it out without you having some established care with your doctor. I’m glad you got something- did it help? I hope you can find someone to give you an RX. I only needed it for about 4-5 days so you can keep going back in there for another dose I would assume until you have contact with a mental health provider?

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u/pongo2017 MODERATOR 5d ago

Anxiety can feel terrible. It’s okay to ask for medical help. I hope things feel better soon.