Is this anxiety?

[Jstine2388]

About 3 weeks ago, we had to send my dad to the emergency room. While sitting there with him, I felt like I was going to pass out. I was shaking like crazy and moving my legs around, just to keep myself from fainting. I was very dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, and clammy. I assumed it was my first anxiety attack ever.

However, its been almost 3 weeks, and I still don't feel like myself. I'm constantly battling the dizziness and pressure in my head. I also having ringing in my ears.

Every night I lay down to sleep, my heart starts pounding and skipping beats. Especially tonight, my heart keeps skipping and I feel a heaviness/dizziness.

My doctor has me on blood pressure medicine (amlodipine) because my BP was 170/100. He also gave me Zoloft for anxiety, but I'm not fully convinced my problem is anxiety.

I can't fall asleep (basically I won't LET myself fall asleep) because I'm scared that my heart will stop beating in the middle of the night.

What's wrong with me?!?!?

[mandapanda928]

Wow what a **** head Dr. that isn't right at all. He or she should be fired seriously. And i would not take it either if i were you he didn't even match any of your symptoms with the medication he gave you or listen to you at all. So who knows , he really doesn't know how you feel so he is an idiot. Only you know how you feel and i would get it across no matter what to any Dr. you go see that is there job to listen to you. I would say listen Dr. this is how i feel , and your going to listen to me because I'm paying you too and that is your job and your not going to blow me off because this is my time and effort of trying to help myself and your going to help me because that is your Job. And tell him everything EVERYTHING , and if he doesn't listen, report him. lol

[Jstine2388]

The thing is, I haven't been taking the zoloft. Before you yell at me, let me explain why. I have no medical insurance, so I had to make an appointment with the local clinic. No big deal right? Well, the 'doctor' came in the room, said 'I'm giving you meds' and walked right out. He spent literally less than 5 minutes in that room with me. I had a whole list of 'symptoms' and concerns, and he completely blew me off. My concern with taking zoloft is, what if anxiety isn't the problem? What if there's an underlying cause that he doesnt seem to be concerned about?

I really thought I was feeling better this week. But then yesterday and today, I've had almost constant dizziness (possibly from the blood pressure medicine?), headache, and my heart feels like its skipping.

My heart skipping/feeling faint is my main concern, because it worries me to a point where I won't let myself fall asleep.

The clinic is literally my only choice. I don't make enough money to go anywhere else...

[rls27]

Sometimes after you've had an intense panic attack, you'll have anxiety hangover and after shocks that can go on indefinitely. I'm guessing the trip to the ER with your dad triggered the attack and you're still feeling the lingering affects of what can be one of the most terrifying experiences of your life.

I think too often people look at panic attacks as a "drive-by" incident or a headache that runs its course and fades away. I believe a panic attack can be a very truamatic experience for most and its affects can linger for quite some time. Your level of anxiety will ebb and flow, you'll feel better at times and worse at others. Do your best to try and coach yourself and remined yourself that it is nothing life threatening (though it certainly feels that way) and that you still have a choice to limit yourself to your anxiety or carry on with your life as you would nornally want to.

[mandapanda928]

It sounds like anxiety and for some reason the more i hear about it the more I'm like wow so many people go through the same thing. It's almost like a pattern. There's the panic attack which you explained, and then the depersonalization feeling, that you explained like you don't feel like yourself. That happened to me for almost a year after my first panic attack. I had head ringings and felt a cold sensation down the back of my head, saw a neurologist and he said "that's normal with anxiety or panic attacks" i guess....And if your on medication for high blood pressure it may not be smart to put you on Zoloft , i would think maybe Klonopin , or xanex , Or maybe a mood stabilizer... .something to calm you down rather then something to make you even more hyper and full of anxiety. Because a lot of anti depressants do that, they don't really work with anxiety a lot like i thought that they would, but they didn't . And nothing is wrong with you it's just a scary stage a million trillion people go through. Your going to be ok. Since it's this early on and you caught it my best advice to you would be to start writing your symptoms down and see a therapist. And then see what she says then tell your Dr.

[mammo]

I'm so sorry for all you're enduring.  If you've only been on the Zoloft for 3 weeks, it's just starting to reach a therapeutic level in your system.  In another week or two you should feel better.  Anxiety can and does cause these types of symptoms, but you always want to rule out all other causes first......even if it's just for your peace of mind.  If everything is fine then it's imperative that you "accept" that it's your anxiety or it will only get worse. This is all very scary and you're in the right place to talk with others who are or have experienced what you are. If you're not feeling any better in another week or two, call your doctor he needs and wants to know.  Asked to be referred to a therapist to help you cope with everything........and if you're not feeling better, ask your doctor about something additional for your anxiety while you go trough therapy.  See a Cardiologist to ease your mind and go from there. Anxiety is very powerful and can cause some mind boggling symptoms.  With anxiety it's only the "fear" that we have to worry about, it's scary but won't hurt us.  Always remember that anxiety feeds off our fears and worries so once you rule out your heart being the problem.....it's most important you accept that you are healthy.  When you can stop worrying and being fearful your anxiety has nothing to feed on and will ease up and even go away!  Try to relax, it's going to be okay and we're always here for you.