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Weak and shaky ... and anxious?
I'm so afraid: I think there is something seriously wrong with me, and I don't know how to fix it. I am so hopeful that somebody here can help me first to diagnose and then to solve my perturbing problem.
On two separate evenings over the past two weeks, I have experienced a sensation of extreme weakness and shakiness. I literally felt like my blood pressure dropped to zero, and that someone could have tipped me over with their little finger, or like my heart had lost the will to beat and was about to give up. I thought I was going to die. I would have gone to the ER but my family convinced me to sit down and deal with the problem at home. I felt slightly better before I went to sleep, but all night I was tossing and turning with fear that I would drop into a coma or die. I feel sort of funny now too, and am so fearful that I am on the verge of a third episode. I never want to feel that way again, and will do anything I can to prevent a recurrence of the terror.
The thing is, I have suffered from debilitating anxiety for a long time. In the past, it has affected my heart rate; my heart would start racing for no reason, and I was convinced I had a heart disease. I went to the doctor, and he affirmed that my only disease is in my mind. With that knowledge, I was looking over the symptoms of panic attacks after my recent episodes, and learned that weakness and shakiness can indicate panic just as often as elevated heart rate. Could I be, once more, a victim of my own mind? Or do you think that there is something else going on? I also read that my symptoms are similar to those of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. How do I tell the difference? Have any of you experienced this sort of thing? What have you done to relieve it? Again, I make my plea: somebody, help!!
On two separate evenings over the past two weeks, I have experienced a sensation of extreme weakness and shakiness. I literally felt like my blood pressure dropped to zero, and that someone could have tipped me over with their little finger, or like my heart had lost the will to beat and was about to give up. I thought I was going to die. I would have gone to the ER but my family convinced me to sit down and deal with the problem at home. I felt slightly better before I went to sleep, but all night I was tossing and turning with fear that I would drop into a coma or die. I feel sort of funny now too, and am so fearful that I am on the verge of a third episode. I never want to feel that way again, and will do anything I can to prevent a recurrence of the terror.
The thing is, I have suffered from debilitating anxiety for a long time. In the past, it has affected my heart rate; my heart would start racing for no reason, and I was convinced I had a heart disease. I went to the doctor, and he affirmed that my only disease is in my mind. With that knowledge, I was looking over the symptoms of panic attacks after my recent episodes, and learned that weakness and shakiness can indicate panic just as often as elevated heart rate. Could I be, once more, a victim of my own mind? Or do you think that there is something else going on? I also read that my symptoms are similar to those of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. How do I tell the difference? Have any of you experienced this sort of thing? What have you done to relieve it? Again, I make my plea: somebody, help!!
Do not feel bad...I suffer from the same exact thing...all the symptoms of anxiety you experience...I do to. My problem is I went to a state where you have to enroll with a dr. Threw HIP Plus and I have to wait to see a dr. For 30 days and they know I cant be taken off the meds I am on they are not much help until I become their patient. If I have my meds I am fine...but have had some life changing events that doesnt help my anxiety. My father passed and the day after my husband wanted a divorce so I finally found a place to stay and a job I like...but need my meds for anxiety to function without panicking. I get heart fluttets...hot and cold..cant concentrate...shakey..like my legs cant hold me up...feel like crying and just want to be alone because I am embarrassed. You are not alone..hang in there. My email is ***@****
AND TO EVERYONE With these symptoms.........WHAT YOU FOCUS ON...... IS WHERE YOUR FOCUS WILL BE....Can't breath, I'm shaking, dizzy, feel bad, what's wrong, something must be wrong, oh, my heart, is it racing, am I going to have a heart attack, and then end up in a coma, and no one will come to see me,and I will live that way for four years, and then....and then....and then......BAD, BAD, BAD.....Gets BAD, BAD, BAD...........NOW TRY THIS!!!......HOPEFUL, WELL, MUCH BETTER, CALMER, BREATH, CONCENTRATE ON BREATHING....OUT SLOW THROUGH IMAGINARY STRAW....CONCENTRATE, IN S-L-O-W THROUGH NOSE...THE SUN IS SHINING BEAUTIFUL TODAY...I AM LOVED....LOOK AT ALL THE COLORS IN THE SKY....I'M ALIVE....FANTASTIC TO BE ALIVE....I FEEL WELL!!....Make sure that you have eatin something...I HAVE CONTROL...I FEEL STRONG...I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER NOW((>>>AND I LIKE IT!!!>>>,)) that last part is so important....YOU TELL YOUR BODY HOW TO FEEL AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR IT........Not the other way around.....OUR BODIES HAVE A WAY OF HEARING, SEEING AND REACTING TO WHAT THE MIND IS FOCUSED ON......KEEP THE FOCUS ON POSITIVE....NO MATTER WHAT.... AND WITHIN A SMALL TIME FRAME......YOU CAN RETRAIN YOUR BODY, .........THAT GIVES CONTROL BACK TO YOU.....PLEASE KEEP US UPDATED...NOW just as a last thought......IS THERE ANY POTENTIAL FOR SOME TYPE OF EXPOSURE HAPPENING JUST PRIOR TO, OR DURING THESE EPISODES OF SHAKING AND WEAKNESSES?EXPOSURES TO SOME THINGS CAN AND DOES CAUSE THESE TYPES OF SYMPTOMS.....DOES IT ALWAYS HAPPEN IN THE SAME PLACE? Just something else to consider.......... GOD BLESS!! loimmarmar
It sounds like hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar the way you described very weak,shaking, etc.. I would see a DR a find out if i had hypoglycemia if I were you gothic_beauty..I hope you get better...
Thanks everyone, for all your help and support! It's certainly possible that my health problems are mental rather than physical. As I say, I have suffered from anxiety for a long time, and it certainly is a difficult thing to live with and overcome. It's just hard to determine if anxiety is the cause of physical health problems, or vice versa. I certainly start to panic once physical problems occur, but it's harder for me to believe that the physical problems could be caused by panic in the first place. It's also weird because all of my previous panic attacks have caused my heart to race, and during these attacks, my heart rate was normal; that's why I thought this was something different. Maybe my anxiety is feeling neglected and is starting to look for new ways to get my attention!
You're right though: I really should get my blood checked to make sure that nothing is physically wrong. If I can affirm with certainty that I'm physically healthy, I can recognise my problems as stemming from anxiety and start to deal with that. I'm not a fan of drugs either, or herbs: I agree that they usually cause more trouble than they're worth. I would love to learn some behavioural strategies for dealing with my nerves. Again, if I know that I am physically alright, I will be able to concentrate on that aspect of my well-being.
I'm just glad to know that there are other people out there experiencing the same things who are still alive and well! Often, the worst part of dealing with anxiety, at least for me, is dealing with it alone. No one around me goes through what I do. No one else feels this way on a daily basis. I feel like such a freak sometimes!
You're right though: I really should get my blood checked to make sure that nothing is physically wrong. If I can affirm with certainty that I'm physically healthy, I can recognise my problems as stemming from anxiety and start to deal with that. I'm not a fan of drugs either, or herbs: I agree that they usually cause more trouble than they're worth. I would love to learn some behavioural strategies for dealing with my nerves. Again, if I know that I am physically alright, I will be able to concentrate on that aspect of my well-being.
I'm just glad to know that there are other people out there experiencing the same things who are still alive and well! Often, the worst part of dealing with anxiety, at least for me, is dealing with it alone. No one around me goes through what I do. No one else feels this way on a daily basis. I feel like such a freak sometimes!
All of the info here is good- I happen to agree that a medical visit is called for to rule out any physical involvement in your symptoms- I would add that knowing what ISN'T wrong is surprisingly comforting when you're suffering from anxiety.
I'm not a big fan of herbal remedies, myself, since there are so many side effects that you may end up with more annoying symptoms than you started with, and since the effect of some herbs (and the binders, contaminants and fillers in many over-the-counter herbal pills) plays holy hell with hormones, I'm comfortable suggesting that you avoid them.
A visit with a mental health specialist might do you a world of good- there are plenty of effective non-medical treatments for anxiety: relaxation exercises, behavioral therapy (which still requires a mental health professional's guidance periodically), and vigorous physical exercise, which is the very first and single most effective treatment that universally is prescribed to people with the health to sustain an exercise regimen. You may wish to use prescription medication to help as needed, but it isn't always necessary.
Anyhow, right now, with so many unknowns, you need to look outside yourself for help- get a medical consultation and a referral to a mental health specialist if possible for further guidance. Self-diagnosis is never, ever, ever a good idea.
I'm not a big fan of herbal remedies, myself, since there are so many side effects that you may end up with more annoying symptoms than you started with, and since the effect of some herbs (and the binders, contaminants and fillers in many over-the-counter herbal pills) plays holy hell with hormones, I'm comfortable suggesting that you avoid them.
A visit with a mental health specialist might do you a world of good- there are plenty of effective non-medical treatments for anxiety: relaxation exercises, behavioral therapy (which still requires a mental health professional's guidance periodically), and vigorous physical exercise, which is the very first and single most effective treatment that universally is prescribed to people with the health to sustain an exercise regimen. You may wish to use prescription medication to help as needed, but it isn't always necessary.
Anyhow, right now, with so many unknowns, you need to look outside yourself for help- get a medical consultation and a referral to a mental health specialist if possible for further guidance. Self-diagnosis is never, ever, ever a good idea.
Since your doctor gave you a clean bill of health, I would start treatment for the anxiety, whether it be a therapist, meds, natural aids etc. you need some plan of action. Don't let your panic take over. There is help out there. Sometimes a trip to the ER during an attack can get the ball rolling. Anxiety is very hard to handle on your own. Wish you all the best and a solution to your anxiety issues.
Eat an apple or something when you feel this way. If you feel better soon after, it's a good sign it may be blood sugar is low. Prior to these feelings when was the last time you had eaten something?
Regardless, those very symptoms can also be experienced during a panic attack. Symptoms may very, but on the extreme end you feel as though you are going to pass out even though you won't. It's a horrible feeling, as though you are dying or about to have a heart attack. Most panic attacks don't last very long, so when you recognize one coming on talk yourself through. Understand that you are not going to pass out or die. Breath normally, and in a few minutes it will pass. You'll feel shakey and confused afterwards, but notice that you are otherwise alright.
Try some self help books on coping with anxiety and panic attacks. Meanwhile, make sure you are eating right and getting some moderate exercise. It really does help.
Regardless, those very symptoms can also be experienced during a panic attack. Symptoms may very, but on the extreme end you feel as though you are going to pass out even though you won't. It's a horrible feeling, as though you are dying or about to have a heart attack. Most panic attacks don't last very long, so when you recognize one coming on talk yourself through. Understand that you are not going to pass out or die. Breath normally, and in a few minutes it will pass. You'll feel shakey and confused afterwards, but notice that you are otherwise alright.
Try some self help books on coping with anxiety and panic attacks. Meanwhile, make sure you are eating right and getting some moderate exercise. It really does help.
Anxiety DEFINITLY can do this! Blood sugar also. This actually happens to me a lot (related to blood sugar for me) and if I eat and drink a lot when I start to feel liek this, it gets better. What you can do is go to the doctor to write you a perscription or whatever for a blood test. They will have you fast for 6 hours then take your blood, and they can see if your sugar levels are normal. I did this cause I thought I had hypoglycema and it turns out im just fine. Just once in a while my blood sugar drops, as it does with a lot of people sometimes. I really dont think this is something to panic about. And trust me, Im a SERIOUS hypochondriac and I truely dont think you have to worry. Try not to overthink it, becuase im sure your fine!
You're okay, try to relax so you can feel better. Take several slow, deep breaths in thru your nose and slowly out of your mouth, to relax yourself. Low blood sugar can do this, so when you feel this way, eat something high in carbs....if you stop shaking and feel better it's low blood sugar. With your history of anxiety, this may all be related to that, and anxiety does present with these symptoms. Just remember that anxiety feeds off our fears and worries, so the calmer you remain...the better. But see your doctor, just to rule out anything else that may be causing this. If everything checks out okay, address the anxiety. I hope this helps, and know you're okay.
That is really hard for anyone hear to say. I would recommend going to the doc for some bloodwork. That way they can check you & make sure you are OK. If all is well, then you will have a peace of mind & know that it is from your anxiety. If it comes to be that it's the anxiety causing this, then I would talk to your doc about possibly trying some anxiety medicine for when you get a panic attack - either an SSRI or as needed medicine. There are several meds out there that could help you to rest your mind & body. If you are not into traditional medicine, then try an herbal route - like 5-htp, St. Jones Wart, Passion Flower or Valerian. I will say I too have anxiety & when a panic attack happens I do begin to tremble some. Good luck! Rest your mind for now. Take a deep breathe. If begin to feel worse, then you could always head to the ER.
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