Real and frightening

I'd been ill for several days and was due to return to work, but still felt really unwell. I set off for work in my car and had been driving for about 15 minutes when i started to feel physically sick. I started to take deep breaths and suddenly felt pins and needles in both hands, suddenly my hands went stiff and i was struggling for breath. I dont know how i stopped the car or avoided an accident, but by this stage i was hysterical. After 5 long minutes the stiffness went and i was able to ring work; my boss came and picked me up and took me to a&e, so embarrassing, especially when the doctor said dismissivey "it was just a panic attack". I'm ok now, but it was very real and extremely frightening.