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177505 tn?1220442258

very sudden dizziness followed by anxiety attack

has anyone here experience sudden dizziness that comes on like lightning out of the blue followed by anxiety attacks?  i can be sitting at my computer and all of the sudden just get a major dizziness attack...it only lasts for a couple of seconds and then goes away...after that though i get really bad anxiety from it because it scares the hell out of me...is this a normal anxiety symptom?  could it actually be part of a panic attack?  uggghhhhh....i hate having this.
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Avatar universal
Hey, I am a 28 y/o male, similar situation. I have always been a bit anxious but have never experienced the physical symptoms until a few months ago. A couple weeks after my wedding, I was at work and just started feeling very dizzy out of no where followed by a terrible anxiety attack. I had left work and went to a clinic. The doctor advised that I was possibly having anxiety but ordered a full physical just to be sure. Blood work and ECG came back fine and the doctor advised that what I am dealing with is anxiety.

I have also accepted that it is just anxiety but am still finding it very hard to manage the constant dizziness symtpoms with no medication. I have a constant fear that I am going to pass out somewhere.
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Avatar universal
I started having panic attacks in college and did a study on it (got an A+-- they said I had amazing insight LOL).  Anyway, that was a few decades ago so my first hand experience could fill volumes.  There is a usually a triggering event for everyone and it's different for the first Panic Attack.  As for the cause, it's irrelevant.  The common elements to everyone is that the panic attack is traumatic because you think your are going to die the first time.  I was always afraid I was going to pass out and embarrass myself in public.  The problem is, once you have had an attack or two, you are afraid of the fear.   It's a vicious cycle because you become hyper-aware of your body trying to predict the next attack, which causes you to notice normal things that you would not have noticed otherwise and then fixate on them (I was convinced I couldn't get a deep breath).   Calming techniques helped.  I never tried medication because doctors all thought I was exaggerating.  In the end, you just need to think rationally and let it pass and realize there is nothing medically wrong with you (after you get checked out).  Obsessing over physical symptoms compounds the problem.  In 100s of attacks I NEVER passed out.  So I keep telling myself that it's not going to happen and it stops the attack eventually.  I will warn you that leaving the situation will cause more problems.  You will associate the "trigger" with the attack and it will cause another attack when you try to go back.  If you can tough it out and let it pass without running, it will be easier because you have a long list of obstacles to overcome later.  I know it sounds hard but trust me, it's worth the effort.  There are still things that I won't do because I've convinced myself I will have panic attack and they are things I love doing.  I won't mention them because with this crowd, the power of suggestion is too great.  Good luck.  Hope my experience helps.
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Avatar universal
Amen!  

You and I have EXACTLY the same.  I have had it going on since 1998.  To this day it seems worse and worse.  Knowone seems to undertand.  Personally I think it may have to do with excessive Technology waves in certain places.  Just trying to guess!  Nothing else to do since always get the run arounds from doctors.

I am healthy as a fitness guy can get.  God help us find a solution to it because it is tiring.

Jay
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Avatar universal
After visiting friends I was driving home on the motorway and all of a sudden I had a very horrible feeling almost as if my body was draining from head to toe my throat felt as though it was closing and I felt as though I was going to pass out I quickly pulled over but then the panic set in I'm all alone nobody can get to me I'm going to die without thinking I jumped out the car and sat at the side of the road after a few minutes I started to calm down and I knew I needed to get home (30 miles away) I somehow managed to get home but this attack left me very shaky and overwhelmingly tired since this happened I daren't drive anywhere by myself incase this happens again it is taking over my life :(
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Avatar universal
Does anyone have stuffy noses and ear pressure before you have an attack?
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone:
   I have been fortunate I never had any anxiety or panic or depression, but I have some friend that did and my doughtier that had it bad, 3 of them where diagnose bipolar, great news now they are all fine and 2 of them are considered misdiagnosed the solution was simple LOW LEVELS OF MAGNESIUM IN THEIR BODIES so start searching about magnesium, and very interesting one of them had suffered for 22 years and the problem was parasites she is perfectly normal now, hope this may help someone, good luck.  
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Avatar universal
good to see your post.  I quit meth cold turkey a few weeks ago - since quitting I started getting daily dizzy spells, 5-7 a day on average including when I was lying down in bed - worse if i was to turn to the left... at first I also thought chiro - neck out from the 5 days I spent sleeping etc.  However 2 nights ago my partner had to call an ambulance as I passed out from the dizzy spell, came too with horrendous chest pain and muscle weakness along with rapid breathly.  After numerous tests the Doctors advised that I was suffering from anxiety from cold turkey withdrawing. Im still trying to get my head around this as I am not anxious person and have never had issues with depression - in fact in the past 2 weeks I have never felt better both mentally and well physically.... However I am now starting to panic that I have this 'anxirty issue' that I do not seem to have mental control over??
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1480413 tn?1287531888
I had my first lightheaded,dizzy 'dying' panic attack last weekend. Sitting here at the screen. I had been on the town and had far too much beer and chain smoking ciggies,for four hours (8pints) got a kebab and tried to sleep. Couldn't and felt clammy. Got up and sat here fiddling on the net. Then whoaa, head started feeling I was on something,I suppose like vertigo,out of control of myself and breathing fast but I wasn't seeming to get any air. I rushed out into the street and waved my arms and took deep breaths and walked up and down. Eventually it subsided only to happen again the following day. Down Docs heart fine. Blood pressure a bit high but no problemo. Finger test thing fine. Blue stickons with probes fine. put down to system overload booze=sugar,kebab=indigestion,smoking=poor oxygen in blood. CURE was two deep breaths,holding third for a bit and exhaling slowly to calm down. I was so feared of dying I have given up smoking and easily,also weekly binge nights and fast food and sugar. I can breath now without wheezing after only three days and I can SMELL stuff. Not so worn out and more alive and those terrifying attacks (touch wood) have not returned. Doc said it was system overload digestion and smoking. Job done!
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1305767 tn?1361192676
Yeah that's been happening to me all week. I'll get a wave of dizziness and then go into a panic attack over it. I guess maybe the dizziness is just the start of the attack i dunno
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Avatar universal
i have exactly that im fine one minute and a sudden dizzy attack can happen followed by an anxiety attack.  It leaves you feeling light headed with palpatations and shakes like you are going to faint then an really tired feeling to follow a really tight heavy head.  I think its all related to stress and anxiety. ive suffered anxiety attacks for years and have spells where im ok. Its a really unpleasant feeling but i think it will settle down eventually on its own, it is scary and makes you feel drunk after.  Im getting them again at the mo but have been through a stressful time.
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Avatar universal
Oh and in addition to all that... I felt very TIRED...but i couldn't fall asleep because i was in a state of panic.  i felt Delirious like i was REALLY REALLY tired.
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Avatar universal
If you don't like the way traditional treatment (ssri's etc.) make you feel, you can take things like valarian root, or kava kava, valarian root was used hundreds of years ago to treat  anxiety, you can get a bottle of it from walmart for like 5 bucks, real smelly though, but no bad breath, I promise :)

Kava Kava, you'll probably have to go to a health food store for that, but...I never liked to hunt down a health food store, so I just bought mine off amazon.  

I hope that helps,  I just had an anxiety attack last night...but it was weird,  I just got dizzy all the sudden while on the computer, I got up walked around, i feel like I was going to fall over, then I tried to lay down to sleep, felt like I was spinning, then al the sudden i start to panic, and my whole body felt like it as on fire. so once again, I got up, made some hot tea.  and It was weird, I kept feeling like I was confused about what I was looking at, like....it didnt seem real.. i dont know that was scary. almost like I didnt know where I was kinda... :(  I thought iwas having a stroke or a heart attack, or some other heart / brain related issue... :( its so scary.. i'm only 20... so heart attacks, strokes, brain disorders, sound scary...
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1 Comments
This is the exact same feels I get, then ofcourse I get an anxiety attack because of the way I feel.
955560 tn?1250194545
I have experienced the same thing i get dizzy or lightheaded alot scares me because sometimes it interfers with my eyes and make me sick of my stomach.But it comes and goes but here lately i have been really bad headaches so i am guessing its from the anxiety/panic attacks
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Avatar universal
Wow I just had another attack. Been having panic attacks and anxiety since my 2nd child was born. I am relieved to see that I am not the only one with these exact symptoms. I too wish everyday that I would just feel normal for a whole day and not have to worry. I seem to get them everyday after lunch. I work in a cell phone shop and usually it's right when a customer is here which makes it worse. I have been on SSRI's in the past but didn't like the way they made me feel...ie sleepy all the time so I have been struggling the past few years without drugs. I am wondering if there is anything natural a person can take to help eleviate these symptoms. Thanks.
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Avatar universal
well.... if you hear things it could be chemical induced schizophrenia.... and in that category there is paranoid schizophrenia.... just a side note...
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682845 tn?1228665660
my whole life is a panic attack,,however i am getting better..I used to think all this was chiropractic..but that didnt help me..this all started when i did meth in the early ninties...i hate drugs..
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177505 tn?1220442258
It is so weird that you would mention this.... i have been noticing that during ovulation and right before my period my anxiety is at its highest..  i get ALOT of palpatations and i notice that i have to take my ativan more often around these times...  i was just thinking to myself this morning how much i hate feeling this way.  i just wish i would wake up one morning and it would just go away forever!!
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679750 tn?1226456086
To the women out there- i swear it's our hormones as well.  I notice more anxiety when i ovulate or a week away from my menstrual cycle.  I wouldn't wish anyone this "disease" we have.  It does suck, but all your stories gives us some relief and comfort.  I wonder if there's such a thing as anxiety groups to talk with other people suffering.  I heard yoga helps.... but i'm afraid doing those weird positions will make me dizzy!  
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177505 tn?1220442258
Hi...i have been dealing with anxiety/panic for about 7 years now.  i will try and give you some tips, but i am still struggling myself...
1. anxiety sucks.
2.oh...you already know that...
3.anyway, you are not alone, what you have is exactly what i experience....  
Meds can defenitely help, you just have to find the right one for you...i found that zoloft works pretty good for me.  
Also, a really good book to read (what i am reading right now) is called Dont Panic by Reid Wilson.  It gives you lost of info about what a panic attack is, why it happens and it teaches you how to actually overcome them.  i haven't gotten to that part yet though, considering i just had a major attack yesterday.  i does seem like a really cool book though.  
when i have a panic attack i usually try and get outside if i can, to get fresh air and walk around.  i have been told that when this is happening your adrenaline is on overload and you need to burn it off.  Also, i do deep breathing exercises.  i actually learned how to do this by "googling" deep breathing.  there was an instructional website (yoga) that taught you how to breathe.  that seems to help slow my heart rate down a little.  i basically try and keep myself busy, to keep the panic symptoms out of my mind.  
what make panic attacks hard to deal with is that they come on so fast and out of the blue..its like it hits you like a ton of bricks.  i can be sitting hear fine and all of the sudden my heart will skip a beat and then start beating VERY fast and hard.. it really takes me be surprise and then at that point i pretty much feel like i am going to die.  i hate it.  i have also had some heart tests and everything so far is normal.  i am always thinking i have something horribly wrong, like a mitral valve prolapes, arrythmia problems, pretty much any heart problem.  
what we all have to realize is that panic attacks will not harm you...they will come on strong, reach a peak and go away, usually within minutes.  NOW, if you don't get yourself calmed down, you will keep peaking all day....
i know i am rambling but i am trying to think of everything possible that i try...
i am right here with you, experiencing what you do and so many others are too...you are not alone in this..
take care..
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Avatar universal
Hey guys/gals...
I am a healthy 34 y/o male, no medical history at all. I workout and am in tip top shape. Then, about 3 months ago, I started experiencing dizzy spells, followed by what seems is anxiety. It happens everywhere, and sometimes out of the blue. I also experience this when working out. I have had 3 near snycope episodes since it started (dizziness, followed by rapid heart rate, "I can't breath" feeling, and an extreme fear of dying).
Now I get nervous when I go in public because I am afraid of th eembarrassment of fainting.
I have been through a cardiologist already, no heart problems were found.
It seems like everyone here is experiencing anxiety, and recently I had to sit myself down and accept the fact that this maybe nothing more than anxiety. After realizing this, I actually have been feeling better.

Does anyone have any additional self-help tips that helped them?

I am taking xanax and it helps.

Thanks!

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Avatar universal
I don't know if I suffer from panic attacks ie no doc has said it's panic but a few months ago I was out shopping and was on my way back to my car when I suddenly became aware that I was staggering back to the car. It was 10 am in the morning and I was afraid people would think I was drunk. It was awful, I could see my car in the car park but I felt like I just couldn't get to it. I was incredibly dizzy and my legs felt like they wouldn't hold me up, I actually sat on the floor in the middle of the shopping centre and not one person asked if I was alright! After a while I got up and staggered to the car, I had pain in my chest although my breathing was ok but I was shaking all over. Eventually I managed to drive home but felt awful. Since that episode I haven't been out anywhere on my own, I always engineer it that either my husband or 22 yr old daughter are with me although I haven't told them about the incident. Does this sound like any of your symptoms and could it be panic. I can't even go to the doc cos I do panic just sitting in a public place.
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Avatar universal
Yep... and sometimes I get this fainting feeling. I also used to get the out of body experience feeling... that even happened just as I was falling a sleep.  I went with the  sensation and for some reason I no longer have that.  It precedes the panic because we ... panic. If you practice acknowledging them as nothing dangerous.. they will disappear.
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177505 tn?1220442258
i am also relieved that i am hearing that other people experience this.  naturally when this happens to me i think right away that is it something horrible like a tumor or something.  the rush of dizziness is so intense that it actually makes me almost jump because it happens so fast.  I have been told the same things you have hockeyshark and it still scares the hell out of me...i am going to google some stuff and see what i can find.  (i know, "googling" is the worst thing for people with anxiety to do....but what are you suppose to do when you never get any straight answers from doctors????)
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246464 tn?1249452147
Hmmmmm... I have been on Paxil (10+ Years) Then switched to Lexapro (Almost 2 years) and Klonopin. So maybe an SSRI thing?

I am actually relieved to see this thread, and know someone else out there gets these things. I get them randomly, sitting, standing, all times and places. Totally random. I have been told it might be the Meds, "Pre-Syncope" an 'almost fainting' type thing. I have been told it is anxiety, and I have been told I am imagining it.

Well, I can tell you it Procedes the panic, and it is real. I get about 1-2 a month, then they go away, then return. It has been that way for years.

Let me know anything you find out about these. They are indeed very hard to have to go through.
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