Panic attacks and very cold hands

[anonymous680]

So, yesterday I had an episode, and my hands were cold. I took an Ativan, and as soon as I felt well enough to do anything else than pace back and forth across the hallway repetitively, I decided to take the temperature of my hands with a very good temperature scanner (exergen). The temperature of my hands were only a few degrees warmer than body ambient temperature at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This reading is no mistake as I took it about a dozen times. I took the temperature of 5 other peoples hands in the same environment and they were all about 95 degrees or higher. My body temperature was normal at 98 degrees f. As soon as the episode was over, the temperature of my hands rose to 95 degrees like every other subject.

So, why during these spells do my hands get so cold? I have proven that it's not only a feeling, but real coldness. The only thing I can think of is vasoconstriction. Would adrenaline cut off blood flow to my arms and hands? My hands go white and pale when this happens, and I got pain in my left arm during the last episode (real pain). I also get chest pain, altered state of consciousness, and an intense feeling of doom. Every time it feels like I am going to die, but vitals are always ok and going to the E.R. is just a waste of time. During these episodes reassuring myself I am not going to die isn't easy, because I physically feel like I am dying.

I am under control most of the time with klonopin and Ativan, and I can catch an episode up to an hour before it happens. I have no other psychological disorders then anxiety/panic. I tested positive and I am being treated for Lyme disease, and panic disorder is a symptom of the disease.

What do you guys think about the cold hands thing? Is this normal with panic? I find it fascinating, and wish there was info about this phenomenon.

[RubyWitch]

I see that you are new to our forum and you are very welcome, I'm glad you found us and I hope we can offer you some helpful support and advice.
Just a gentle FYI.............it was nice of you to respond to "kday" that you also experience cold hands during an attack, but you should have left it at that. We want very much to hear YOUR story, but what you did is what we call "hyjacking" someone else's story. It can be difficult and confusing to try and respond to two people in the same post with different issues. You need to start your own thread so people will respond to YOUR issues. Please know that I am not "scolding" you, I just want to make sure you get the attention YOU deserve. Why not cut and paste your story into a new thread?
Thanks!
Peace
Greenlydia

[RubyWitch]

"frue" gave you the answer to your question and the reason most of us experience cold extremities during an attack. Your other symptoms of chest pain, pain in your arms, depersonalization and that horrible certainty that you're about to die are classic anxiety/panic symptoms. I find it interesting that you go around taking blood pressures and hand temperatures..........never heard of anyone doing that before.
Since you find this condition fascinating and wish there was more information on this phenomenon, I'm sure if you searched the Net, you could find the answer. Perhaps look up the "fight or flight" instinct or maybe something like "physical reactions to intense fear." If you find something, perhaps you could share it with the forum? There are probably many folks here who would like to know the reason their own hands get so cold.
Peace
Greenlydia

[mistyblu78]

i have recently begun to experience these anxiety episodes...out of no where..the first time i was actually driving with my 8 year old and i felt very weak and fatiqued..and shaky all over ..i could feel my hear racing and my hands went ICE cold and were tingling...i thought it was a stroke went straight to the er and they checked all my vitals...not one thing was off..!! i was so upset and frustrated...so again  4 days later im back in the er with the same symptoms..and the doc spends 10 min with me..checks me over ..says i might want to have my thyroid checked but it didnt really feel enlarged.. and says its anxiety...and i should try to have a drink sometimes? which i dont do ever..or smoke..im pretty active but have a bad diet..i love junk food..im 32..about 130 pounds..im a single mother of 4 children so anytime something feels off i worry because i need to be here to care for them...so i think now im being convinced its anxiety...but i still cant help the over welming feeling during an episode of thinking what if? maybe its worse or im having a stroke...i dont see how i can over come this..its a powerful ..and scary feeling...

[frue13]

during a anxiety/panic moment, your body is pulling your blood back to protect the brain,kidneys, liver heart and also feed the larger muscles like bicepts and legs in order to prepare for fight or flight.  I can tell by that you were very panicky because of all the time you took your tempature.