Panic brought out by recreational drug use

[xstalkrx]

22 year old male.  6'1 170 pounds.

Wondering if cocaine has caused me to have some kind of chronic adrenaline problem, and thus, anxiety.

I used to use cocaine on a recreational basis with alcohol.  I have been clean from cocaine for about 6 months now.  I haven't touched
a cigarette and I've had maybe 15-20 alcoholic beverages in the last 6 month period.

I quit using cocaine because I had a panic attack one morning after having used.  Heart rate stayed in the 100-120 range for several hours before dropping back to normal.  After that day, I would have panic attacks, about one every other day, for about a month or two.  finally, the panic attacks went away and if I were to get one now I would be surprised.

However, anxiety does still linger.  I concentrate on my heart beating in the left upper quadrant of my abdomen and it can be distracting.  I have made myself SO MUCH better by abstaining and working out religiously.  I lift weights and run  long distances and do a lot of aerobic training.  I appear to be in great shape.  BP is 128/70 and pulse was measured at 68.  How are these numbers by the way?

I notice that my anxiety is temporarily worse after working out.  I will come home, eat and replenish fluids, and I will be much more aware of my heart beating and will notice that my heart rate is elevated for an hour or so after working out.  If I went and did a strenuous 1 hour bike ride my pulse might linger around 90 for an hour or more. (normal ?)

I am wondering if the cocaine use has caused too much adrenaline to be chronically released into my body.  Perhaps this is why I am more anxious after working out?

Cardiologist did an echocardiogram and an EKG and he said both were normal.

It's funny because I had this all typed up and saved to post this morning...and...last night I had like 3/5 of a panic attack.  Tingly arms...sick to stomach...couldnt sit still.  Gah...

[xstalkrx]

Mr. Gould, thank you for your reply.  What's the best way to find a great therapist in the DFW area?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Your theory is possible, but unlikely.  YOu are describing an anxiety disorder, which may have been triggered by the health concerns that cocaine initiated, but now it has a life of its  own.  You can be helped with this by a good therapist doing talk therapy and sorting out what is going on. That is what I would recommend...by the way, your pulse and blood pressure readings are very good.

[xstalkrx]

also for the past month or so...even though i have been virtually panic free with the exception of last night...i have been going to bed at 4am...then waking up around 9am...then i fall in and out of sleep for another 2-3 hours.  whats the deal....