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Avatar universal

can anxiety do this to you

Several mths ago I woke during the night thinking I was having a heart attack.  I really thought I was going to die.  I could feel myself passing out.  My 16 year old son drove me to the local ER.  After a couple of test the doc said I was having a panick attack.  I've never been worked up or depressed about any thing.  I saw a phsyc. and he said there was no mental causes.  I had a sleep study and it showed very irregular HR.  dr. gave me 1/2 mg klonopin as needed. This helps some.  I saw a cardiologist and he did his many test.  He confermed the anxiety theory.  I can be asleep or setting not woring about a thing and it will hit me.  I start feeling warm, there is a tingle in my stomach that goes into my chest and neck.  My hands and fingers get numb.    Things get really loud and I try with all my might not to pass out.  I totally loose my color.  I feel like I am dying.  It is the scariest feeling I  have ever had.  What is wiered is it happens when I'm really relaxed.  It doesn't happen when I'm fighting a crowd or in traffic.  Is this really an anxiety attack and could I actually die during one of these spells?  
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Avatar universal
I realize how old this post is but just in case someone is actually going to see this...I found out what was wrong with me! Dysautonomia. An imbalance of the nervous system. Things go a bit haywire, like blood pressure, heart beat, adrenaline....
You'll have to see a neurologist. This isn't just eczema where you can do some research online, self diagnose yourself and then ask around for the best cream.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hello,
i have had anxiety and panic for about 12 yrs now. gone through all of the ambulance calls and the multiple doctors and all the typical panic symptoms. both my mother and grandmother have very bad anxiety and panic. so for years we all have tried to find alternative ways to deal with the issue. there are a few things that have helped us in our fight to maintain. not sure of your spiritual views, but 1st is GOD, we try to surround ourselves with his presence from when we wake up until we go to bed. 2nd is exercise, a good 30 minutes of exercise 4-5 times a week might help you sleep throughout the whole night. 3rd is eating right and taking vitamins. 4th is finding a good hobby to keep your mind occupied throughout the day so your not constantly worrying about the next attack. everyone copes differently, but i thought i should share how we have managed over the years. maybe 1 or more will help you through this rough patch. good luck with the fight
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Avatar universal
I took effexor several years ago when my ob doc swore I had post pardom dep.  I went crazy.  I got soooo mean and angry.  I could have hurt a cute little puppy.  Went to a phyc. and she put me on prozac.  Within 1 hour I was covered with hives.  We desided the anti dep. thing was not a good idea.  Thats when she gave me the xanax.  I promise I took it just as she presc.  Several years after taking that much she was red flaged and stopped the meds just like that.  I went 2 days thinking every thing was ok and for no reason in the world I picked up a kitchen knife and cut my wrist.  No reason at all!!!
My twelve year old son called 911.  When I got to the hosp. they told my husband that it was from stopping the xanax cold turkey.  I ended up under court order to have inpt care untill I was completly free of the meds.  HELL ON EARTH  I can't do that again, but I can't feel that feeling of death at any moment.  I don't think bungy jumping would be as scary.  Does any body have any home remedies?  I deffently think the therapy is a great idea.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
mpace, with all due respect, it just isn't sensible to recommend that the OP take Xanax when she admittedly had a very significant addiction problem with it, and even states she is fearful of taking these kinds of meds.

OP...it truly sounds like panic attacks, especially since you have gotten the "a-ok" physically.  The very best thing to do is get yourself into therapy where you will learn coping techniques so that you don't have to necessarily rely on medications.  Have you ever tried an antidepressant?  That may be something to consider since a benzo really isn't the most appropriate avenue for you.

Also....there could be a strong correlation between the HRT and the anxiety, that is pretty common.  Be sure you've had a blood work-up recently of your hormones, including thyroid, to be sure your med doses are where they need to be...and if you haven't, follow up with the cardio about your irreg heart beat.  Many times the addition of a beta blocker, like Inderal, can help with anxiety symptoms, especially if they are related to the abnormal heart rate.

Be sure to keep us informed!
Helpful - 0
968560 tn?1307451498
I have panic attacks too.my doc prescribed xanex .5mg tid. the first time I had an attack I took one. thirty minutes later the panic attack was gone. I didnt have general anxiety, only panic attacks. I take one sometimes 2 and the attack goes away. I dont take 3 a  day as prescribed. He gave me 90 tabs last feb, and I have probably 1/2 of them left.You might try 1 or 2 just when you have attack and dont take them everyday. sometimes i go 2-3 weeks without taking any. It seems that when I get the attack to go away, It doesnt come back (sorta like aspirin for a headache) I dont think you will develop a habit by taking 2-3 tabs every couple of weeks. What you got to lose? If it doesnt work you can always go back to the 3 a day deal.If it does work you'll,save money,and avoid potentially getting addicted. GOOD LUCK
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm only 35 and female.  I'm a stay at home, married with 3 great kids(all in school during the day,giving me all the free time I want).  My husbands loves me and pays attention to me but could care less what I get done during the day.  I really am not under any sort of stress, other than day to day living.  I had thyroid cancer 15 years ago and had my thyroid removed.  I take synthroid everyday and get my levels checked every few monthes.  All seems good with that.  I had a complete hysterectomy almost 2 years ago because I was loosing too much blood.  I ended up with 2 transfutions.  I take hormone replacments.  The neurologist that did the sleep study gave me the klonipin. Years ago I got hooked on zanax.  I was taking up to 10-14 mg every day.  With God and the help of my husband and 6 weeks of in pt. care I got clean.  It all started with one dr telling me I had postpardom dep.  I do not ever want to get back where I was at depending on a mood altering drug.  Does that make sence?  Basically what I'm saying is I'm affraid of the panic attacks but I'm also affaid of the treatment.  












Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there,

I have experienced the EXACT same symptoms. 3 to 4 weeks ago I woke up from DEAD sleep with nausea, palpitations, dizziness, weakness and feeling like I was going to pass out. I thought I was having a heart attack so I called an ambulance and was rushed to ER. For an hour, since this episode started till I arrived in the hospital I was convinced I was dying. I mean I had no doubt in my mind that this is what dying felt like. I had never been more afraid. Doctor's told me I had tacchychardia provoked by stress and second hand smoke. For the next 2 days I would get a warm feeling in my chest and my arms and I'd get butterflies (in my chest not in my stomach!) and the panic would take over again.
I started researching panic attacks online but there was a loop hole: I woke up from DEAD sleep, no way I could have had an axiety attack in my sleep. Then my symptoms started to evolve...
The warm, butterfly feeling went away. My tongue turned white, I started feel nauseous every night and would tremble, I had indigestion, diarrhea (all symptoms of "anxiety" except for the coated tongue). Blood work was fine, stool sample showed an overgrowth of yeast so I started eating yogurt for breakfast and taking probiotics and I felt SO much better. For the next 2 weeks I'd be paranoid that I'd feel like I did that night. It affected me so much that I would break down and cry in fear of feeling like that again.

Now, 4 weeks on, I feel much better. My stomach symptoms improved althugh now I get stomach aches and feel bloated. I'm going in for an ultra sound next week, Don't swallow the "anxiety" diagnosis so easily, wait and see if your symptoms change. I have a question for you, have you been on antibiotics or birth control recently? (assuming you're a female)
Helpful - 0
370181 tn?1595629445
cmur, all your doctors, and now me concur that you are suffering with panic attacks. Classic symptoms and without a doubt, one of the most frightening things to deal with.
You have been checked out from top to bottom, and the dx has remained the same. What I can't understand is why none of these doctors has recommended you get into therapy to figure out why you are suddenly experiencing panic.
It has to come from someplace for some reason and you really need to figure that part out. You don't mention your age, but if you have a 16 y/o son, it's possible that you are in your 40's. (No offense intended if you're much younger) If you ARE, then it's possible you are entering perimenopause which can throw your hormones into chaos and create panic. Also thyroid problems can produce anxiety-like symptoms. Has that been checked? When you had your sleep study done which showed an irregular HR, what did your cardio have to say about that? Does he even know? Make sure he does! And some believe anxiety and panic can come about from our brains chemistry getting thrown out of whack.
You saw a p-doc who said your mind was fit as a fiddle.
How often are you having panic attacks now? If they are happening on a fairly regular basis, I would go back and talk to whomever gave you the Klonopin and discuss the possibility that PERHAPS you would benefit more if you took it daily rather than on a prn basis.
I think there are still some avenues you need to explore about the origins of your panic.
And nobody has ever died from a panic attack. It just feels like you're going to.
Therapy will teach you about the various symptoms a panic attack can cause and you will learn coping strategies to deal with them.
Posting here will show you that you are NOT alone dealing with this. You will get a great deal of support and understanding, which is so important, as you will find out that most people have NO idea what it's like to experience this. Until you've lived it, you cannot possibly understand it.
I am so glad you found us and hope you return to let us know how you're doing. You can also help other's who are in the same leaky canoe as you.
Pay it forward!
Peace
Greenlydia    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It sounds like a panic attack to me, many panic attacks come without warnings or signs.  After 2 years of not having panic attacks or feeling anxious, out of nowhere I had a panic attack in the middle of one of my classes and I felt totally normal up until that point. You cannot die from having a panic attack, it just feels like you're dying.  The most you can do is pass out which can be a very scary thing but that is from losing oxygen most likely due to hyperventilating.  Its good to know the klonopin is helping you somewhat, maybe you could try seeing a therapist/counselor to work on strategies to calm the panic attacks.
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