Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

wine and sudden onset of symptoms.

well i am so sick today.  after two whole days of no symptoms,  i finally went out last night to a dinner party.  i had a great time and for the first time in so long,  i felt normal again.  not thinking,  i drank some wine that was provided by the hostess.  i'm guessing i had one glass with my meal and two afterwards over the course of several hours.  i felt a little fuzzy from the wine but still had no symptoms at all.  when i woke up this morning i was no hung over,  but my horrible symptoms were back full force.  the dizziness, numbness in my head and wobbly feeling have been with me since i woke up 7 hours ago.  

i guess it makes sense that alcohol would cause this to come on again.  i am thinking that alcohol is a depressant and that has someting to do with it.  any thoughts?  
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I just want to let you know you are not alone-- your symptoms sound just like mine! I starting experiencing anxiety attacks a few years ago but felt that they were primarily triggered by a night drinking followed by any caffeine the next day, even a can of Coke seemed to set it off. I'm sure this all has to do with the alcohol and caffeine affecting my brain chemistry in a way that promoted anxiety. Then went through a few years where I had almost no attacks once I realized that this seemed to be my trigger. Then in September began waking up from a dead sleep in the middle of the night with attacks and then began to have them during the day. Went to the health clinic and was diagnosed with anxiety attacks. They gave me a prescription for Xanax to take at the onset of the attack, but I didn't really want to take the Xanax so I never did. The next day didn't feel the strong anxiety symptoms, but had a stomach ache, was burping air all the time, didn't feel like eating, and when I did eat I felt like throwing up and food was just sitting on my stomach. Went back to the clinic that same week and was told that even though I wasn't having the classic anxiety symptoms my stomach issues were probably anxiety related as they couldn't find anything directly wrong with my stomach. Felt better a few days later. Was ok for a few more weeks and then started having the same problems again, especially my head feeling cloudy and foggy, feeling a little off balance and having problems concentrating-- I really felt like I was going crazy. I didn't feel that I had anxiety problems because the last few months have been pretty relaxed and wasn't under as much stress as I had been for the past few years and I never had any problems with leaving my house. At the end of October I had a fainting spell and went to the ER since I had been having the anxiety problems as well as recent onset of migranes. Had them do a CT scan to check out my brain because I was convinced that due to all my problems there must have been something wrong with my brain, but the CT came back normal. Was very fustrated because I did not feel right and I had not felt right for about a month and a half. So after the fainitng spell went back to the health clinic and got put on 50 mg of sertraline (Zoloft). I really didn't want to go on any medication, but after being on it for 2 months, I feel much better.

In regards to the red wine, it seems that in September when my anxiety problems started, I would have a one or two glasses of red wine each day on the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and then would start having the anxiety problems late Sunday night and on Monday. This past weekend I drank about 3.5 glasses of red wine over the course of 4 hours. On Sunday and today (Monday) have had the closest symptoms of anxiety since being on Zoloft, though nothing near a panic attack. Probably should stay off the red wine or limit myself to just one small glass as when I have only drank this much I didn't have any problems.

Hang in there, hopefully medication will help you as it did me. Just remember it may take a few weeks for the full effects to kick in. I felt somewhat better after about a week but then felt like my old self after taking Zoloft for 4 weeks. Long post, but just wanted to give you my story so you could relate. When I wasn't feeling right, all the messages on the different boards where people described my same situtation made me feel like I wasn't alone and wasn't going crazy.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
click on my name to go to my profile ...look in the journal theres a list of informative web sites to help you educate yourself ...after 3 months of being home bound and screamin to the heavens I was dying .....I finally had to accept it may be anxiety/stress issues i'm in month 5 now and gettin much better...you'll find that it's not at all like i thought  ...........situation 'A" causes stress , so you react..its a disorder and you may not have anything goin on , your body inappropriately, sometimes spontaneously reacts to something...i have had my worst panic attacks chillin on couch watchin cartoons ....no BS ...hope the sites help..God Bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for all the feedback.  No,  I am not on any meds yet but am seeing my doctor on tuesday to start that process.  

I have not had any testing done as the doctors I have seen don't seem to be taking me seriously even though I am 90 % crippled with these odd symptoms.  I don't feel anxious and I don't feel panicky at all.  I feel sick all the time.  My head feels fuzzy, kinda numb and I sometimes feel as though I could faint...but I never do.  I can no longer work due to this.  After 4 visits to the emergency room,  within a 3 week period,  I finally got a doctor to schedule a CAT scan.  Other than that they are assuming it's panic disorder.  Funny thing is,  I don't feel stressed, anxious or panicky at all.  This is what's confusing me about all of this.  All of the material I've read on the internet says that  people with anxiety/panic disorder are scared,  afriad to leave their home,  have racing thoughts and feel anxious or that they want to run away.  I feel none of that.  Again,  I feel dizzy,  foggy, numb and off balance all the time. Sometimes it is so bad that I am literally bed ridden for hours and hours. I only feel good first thing in the morning after a good night of sleep.

I had a basic blood work up done and my sugars are fine as is my thyroid and B12.  How these doctors can assume that I have anxiety/panic disorder,  is lost on me.  I'm very worried that they are over looking something much more serious.  Problem is,  I can't seem to get anyone to listen to me.  I'm incredibly frustrated and I don't really know what the next step for me is.  I'd love and appreciate some guidance!!  Has anyone else had problems being taken seriously?  

Thanks again!
Helpful - 0
366811 tn?1217422672
You'll have that with booze. Were you also taking any meds at the time?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
this isnt the exact article but you'll get the idea...;}

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-11-05-red-wine-headache_N.htm?csp=34
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I dont know much about this but I'll give you a palce to start ..I recently read that red wine contains a high amount of -amines ( like histamine ) these are related ( some way) to andreline , cortisol etc..which make anxiety worse the only reason I remember the article is because of all the alcohol beer was lowest so I was happy to read that..;}  I know it isn't much but it may help explain why you feel like ****. If I can find it again I will forward it..Get better God Bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I totally know where you're coming from.  This same thing happened to me just a few days ago - as soon as I woke up in the morning after a night of drinking I felt "off" and the world looked a little different to me.  This is probably a combination of a hectic schedule around the holidays as well as the alcohol.  Just make sure you take a few minutes to do some deep breathing - things will improve.

Helpful - 0
200828 tn?1209917975
I pulled the following off a website regarding anxiety.  

"It (alcohol) depresses the central nervous system and causes fatigue, agitation and anxiety."      

"When the alcohol begins to wear off, anxious people are likely to experience shakiness, headaches and nausea."

However, I think it also might be the amount of wine you had.  3 glasses (especially Cabernet) can be quite a bit for a person who doesn't drink on a regular basis.  But you did have those 3 glasses over the course of several hours, so I don't know.  I usually have one glass of red with dinner and I'm fine.  It actually relaxes me and puts me to sleep!  My advice to you (for future reference) if you do want to drink is to drink a lot of water or juice before you go to sleep.  Alcohol dehydrates and dehydration can also cause similar symptoms.  




  





  
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?