Do I have anxiety???

[hellinmyhart]

   I just do not know whats wrong with me I think  it may be anxiety. It all started 10 years ago when I quit smoking ciggaretts. I was waiting in line a the grocery store, and all a sudden I started sweating and my heart started racing so fast, I had heavyness in my left arm, and tingling in my legs,  couldnt breath right. Alls I wanted to do was get out of the store because I did not know what was happening. Well after I sat in my car for about 15 minutes it all went away, and I headed for home. Well after that incident it happened , 2 more times so I went to a heart specialist. nothing he could find wrong. had every test imaginable. Well it finally got to the point to when I could tell when it was gonna happen to me again and again. The same symptoms, except is was happening more that 5 times a day. I coulnt sleep, because I was afraid of the symptoms coming on. The doctors were frustrating me because they could not tell me whats was going on. Ive been to the emergency room at least 4 times in the beginning of all this, they dont know either. Every time I went to the  er I was shaking terribly. It was the most horrible thing I have been threw in my life. Things do not happen quite as often now at least 2 times per week. I do not want to be around no one other than my husband and son, and i cant stand being around people at all .Im content being by myself other than being with a group of people because I feel people will just give me more problems in my life that I do not need, and I also clam up upon entering a roomfull of people also. I will turn around and go back out the door. can anyone please give me any insight as to my problem. Im 45 yrs . Im trying to find the answers, but noone seems to have any.

[spade22]

You are describing the classical symptoms of a panic attack!  Since you have had medical examinations and they have been "clear" this is likely what you are suffering from.  Here is a useful link:

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-panic-disorder

There are numerous ways to treat a panic disorder (it sounds like in addition to PA's, you suffer from a social phobia) but I recommend you make an appointment with a psychiatrist who can give you a definitive diagnosis and go over the various treatment options with you.

[hellinmyhart]

            Thanx for the info. So you think Its panic attack? Is there a diferencr between that and a anxiety attack. I dont know, but I have been siting right at home also when Ive had these  attacks. No matter what tho there has to be a reason people have these symptoms. I really do not think the medical community has any answers, because it still needs to be researched as to why why why. There has to be a cause. just like there is a cause as to why we cancer or any other medical problem.They just need to someday find the true answers.

[spade22]

My opinion is that you have suffered from a panic attack BUT I am NOT a medical doctor and even if I was, I couldn't diagnosis you over the internet - that is something that can only be done in person by a qualified doctor (you need the "right" doctor, too).

Panic attacks are frightening because the symptoms often manifest themselves in the form of dangerous conditions - one may feel they are having a heart attack, stroke, dying, cant breath etc.  Whenever someone suffers these symptoms, first and foremost it is important to get a medical evaluation to determine whether any of these serious conditions are causing the physical symptoms.  Because you have had numerous medical workups (cardiologist, ER visits) and they couldn't find a reason for you symptoms, this really points to the fact you "likely" suffer from PA's.  Also, ALL the symptoms you mention are listed on the link I provided AND you said you first attack lasted 15 mins which is VERY typical of for a panic attack.


The difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack is as follows:

"An anxiety attack is when something bad happens to you or you’re thinking about something bad and you get really anxious. You can get so anxious that you might even have some physical symptoms. For example, you might get shaky, your heart might race, or you might get short of breath. An anxiety attack can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. The main feature of an anxiety attack is that you are worrying about something in your LIFE (for example, relationships, work, school, money).

A panic attack on the other hand comes on all of a sudden, out of the blue for no reason at all, and it’s all about your BODY or your MIND. You suddenly feel like you must be having a heart attack (or a stroke, or passing out, or choking, or vomiting, or going crazy, or losing all control) because your heart is racing, you’re short of breath, you may have nausea or tightness in your throat, and you’re shaking. A panic attack comes on within ten minutes, but can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. The main feature of a panic attack is that you are worrying about your BODY or your MIND right then and there, rather than worrying about something in your life. Most people with panic attacks have gone to an emergency room at least once to make sure nothing physical was going on."

[fastasian79]

I have similar symptoms and how it started also.......And, i was diagonesed w/ anxiety.  The symptoms pop up whenever it feels like it. I'm still getting every now and then but it's not bad..... it's controllable though.

I have been taking meds off and on.  I have talked to some doctors and they said "med only helps you about 70-80% and the rest is depending on you" which you have to exercise, eat/drink healthy.

U should seek help and get your symptoms controlled.  Dont let it turns to "depression" than it's even harder to deal with.

Are you taking any meds now?