NCS vs Panic

[lavenderlady4556]

I have recently been going through symptoms I thought were a panic attack. I would get chest pain, nausea, numbness, lightheadedness (feeling like I was going to faint) and a feeling that something bad was going to happen. I was going to die or pass out or go crazy. Then afterward I would feel mentally drained and shaky and chilled. So I finally decided that I should get some treatment after a couple of months where I had an attack about 1 a week but was always scared that it was going to happen. My doctor said it sounded like panic but wanted to check my heart. I did a holter monitor and it came back tachycardia so he sent me to a cardiologist. The cardiologist ordered an echo which was normal and then a tilt test and this was positive. So he ended up diagnosing me with neurocardiogenic syncope. I am supposed to watch my diet and water intake. But this really doesnt help me. Im still having attacks and Im still frustrated and scared. Only thing now is that I have to worry that I really will pass out (where as before I could say "Its just panic- it will go away and you are fine"). Is there any way that a positive tilt test could still indicate panic attack? What else can I do for neurocardiogenic syncop

[jim62]

From your description, it sounds like panic to me.  Of course the cardiac stuff will aggravate the panic attacks, too.

On the brighter side, you won't pass out from a panic attack.  At least that was the info I got on them.  Just keep up reassuring yourself that everything's ok, and everything will be ok.

I haven't had a panic attack for about 15 years now.  They just faded away.....

[lavenderlady4556]

Thank you for your reply. I really think so too. I also found today that some triggers for Neurocardiogenic syncope is actually having a panic attack. So I am thinking that I have panic attacks and then it triggers the NCS and make me lightheaded. I had an attack today (worse one in the last few months) and I laid down on the ground at work (as stupid as this sounds) and after a few moments the racing heart rate and dizziness faded away. I still had the panic feeling that something wasnt right, but I felt better physically. I just wish there were some more things I could actively do against this, but I know it is just a change in the way I think or accepting that things are fine. Again, thank you for the reply!