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New Panic Attack symptom

by Jon10, Jun 06, 2007 12:00AM
Hi

I have a panic attack about every two months and they are often severe, they usually spring from health anxiety as i worry about my health all day every day in particular heart and brain.

I have become familiar with the symptoms of the attacks however last night i endured a new symptom. One which triggered the attack. It was a flushing feeling in my head asthough i was shy or embarresed(i get these often as flushing is a common anxiety symptom) it then dramatically increased and felt like my head was going to explode. The pressure was immesne and it felt asthough my temples we`re holding in litres of blood trying their upmost not to explode, then it calmed down and the usual pani attack symptoms follwed i.e sweating, dizziness, breathing difficulties etc.

Has anyone else encountered this particular symptom with panic/ or even specifically, health anxiety?

thanks

Jon
Member Comments (13)

by BethanySublime, Jun 06, 2007 12:00AM
is the pressure on your head, or like the veins in your temples?  cuz i get that sometimes but i never knew it was anxiety-related even though sometimes it would bring on a panic attack.

by Jon10, Jun 06, 2007 12:00AM
It was more like a flusing sensation that increased so much that it made my head feel like it was throbing. I cant really pin-point the exact spot that it occured but I have had a pressure feeling in my Temples before, but i have a concious awareness that they are there pulsating all the time and that can lead to them feeling heavy.

by suzi-q, Jun 06, 2007 12:00AM
I get lots of pressure in my head and a light headed feeling, especially during an attack...also with a stomach droppping out feeling, the shakes, tingling and just "YUK!"  But yes, I do get pressure in the head!

by be still my beating heart 13, Jun 06, 2007 12:00AM
I have had health anxiety (heart) for 7 years now, and I've recently experienced a change in panic attack symptoms as well.  After experiencing panic attacks for so long I was surprised to feel something new, and quite troubled by it.  But what's odd is that it's the same exact thing you've described!!  About three weeks ago I had a full blown attack from out of the blue.  I have constant anxiety, but hadn't paniced in over 2 years!  I felt dizzy first, Then my chest neck and cheeks flushed, then felt an immense pressure in my head, and I could feel my pulse pounding in my temples, and sinus cavities.  I began sweating and trembling and and my vision became strange, like everything I was seeing was on TV.  I had been dwelling on my heart for several days (extra beats), and when I paniced I had my husband call 911 believing I was finally having the heart attack I fear daily BECAUSE of the appearance of the new symptoms.  Dizziness, cold hands/feet, chest tightness/pressure/pain, tingling, pounding heart, and eventually the inbility to feel my heart beating was the normal sequence of events, in that order, during my common panic attacks.  But the flushing, headache, and visual disturbances were all new to me.  I had an ECG the whole time I was in the ambulance, and constant ECG monitoring during the 4 hours at the hospital, plus 3 chest x-rays, and a chest CTscan.  They found absolutely nothing wrong.  What's even more frustrating to me is that day I had over 100 "extra beats", but as soon as I was in the ambulance they disappeared and I didn't have any the entire time I was at the hospital!!  Talk about being pissed!!!  I was mad at my heart for acting up on me and then making me look like a liar, and then I got mad at myself when I accepted it was just anxiety that had culminated in a panic attack.  I have been doing this for 7 years and I am sick of it.  I've done alot of research lately and found out alot about the how's and why's of anxiety, and that the amygdala is the source of the fight or flight responce we experience and causes our body to over produce adrenaline, which in turn creates all of the symptoms we experience daily.  Telling myself that I have a over-active and sensitive amygdala, and "toxic" levels of adrenaline coursing through my body is what causes me to feel like **** everyday.  I think the head pressure/ache, flushing, and sweating came from and elevated blood pressure caused by the massive amounts of adrenaline in my body.  I'm not a doctor, and would highly recommend that you google 'anxiety adrenaline' and anxiety amygdala' if you haven't already done so.  I think you'll find it very informative and comforting as well.  I has helped me greatly, and my extra beats have been reduced dramatically.  I've only had one today and it was triggered by a three year old's temper tantrum :-)  So good luck to you!  I hope I was able to help you.  Keep us updated!

by dafna, Jun 06, 2007 12:00AM
In respond to the new Panic Attack.  I have the same thing.  It is usually starts from my ovaries and goes real quick to my head.  When reaches my head it feels like my head wants to go up and ex plod.  Then I get angry or depressed that it is happening to me again.
I am going through  menopause and I think it is a hot flash that does not turn into sweat. Let me know if you want to speak to me personally.  It is really bad

by rainbow77, Jun 14, 2007 12:00AM
I have recently had a panic attack.  That is what the ER doctor diagnosed after running an EKG and blood tests, checking my eyes and blood pressure.  

And ever since the initial attack the main symptoms have not gone away, they subside a little and then come back.  Flushing, feeling hot, in the face and limbs, pressure in my sinuses behind my nose and slight headaches, rapid heart beat.   What ticks me off is I though is that when I take my Blood pressure it is sky high, when the ER doctor took it and when my primary physician took it 2 days later, it was fine.  I give up, I have taken my blood pressure at home and at work before, with normal readings before, so I cannot believe both monitors are not working properly.  It is like I am afraid of myself to take my own BP.  

But the pressure in my face, typically across my face at nose level, and the sinuses there, that pressure is new symptom I have never had.  The flushing is annoying but I can deal with it.  And today the feeling of this will never stop is bothering me.  I just started taking Zoloft and hope that it helps.  

by Krosey, Sep 04, 2007 05:17AM
To: Jon10
I am a volunteer working in africa and have always had worries about my health here (Malaria... especially the cerebral type). I've mostly gotten over it, but in the last week I have been having some serious sinus pressure. I've had panic attacks before... especially related to a fear of flying. I also had attacks while I was on an anti-malarial drug that can make some (nervous people) psychotic.

But recently this sinus (perhaps allergies?) thing has blown up into panic attacks on a daily basis. Of course, they are made more powerful by the fact that there isn't much for medical help here in Cameroon (no 911). I've just changed over to Clarityne because I think I was having an acute reaction to sudafed... and i've taken to sucking on things to make my sinuses feel better. But i'm wondering if its allergies or what-not at all... is it all just panic??

The thing that troubles me the most is... what if this doesn't stop? What if this week is the first week of my life where I will have daily panic attacks. I'll be dead by 30! Negative thinking I know is the worst.... but i don't want my life to be dramatically changed. Is this where it starts?

by HypoDi, Sep 04, 2007 02:55PM
To: All
I am so glad I read these messages. This is exactly what is happening to me. I get that flushed feeling across my face, cheeks and bridge of nose and sinus fullness. I feel a bit relieved that I am not alone and everyone here is experiening exactly what I am.
I am on Klonopin and my specialist wants me to switch to xanax. After reading what Ryan writes, he seems to be in favour of Klonopin. What are others adice?
I am due to fly soon, 4 hour trip, adn am soooooooooo petrified of having a panic attack while on flight or at airport. I am not scared of flying at all, done it many times, but my panic attacks have only started last few weeks.