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ThruFreshEyes
I have been experiencing what I refer to as "episodes" because they come out of nowhere, without warning. I have never had any surgery, no medical problems that I am aware of besides being diagnosed with depression after my sister passed away 2 yrs. ago. It starts with an awful burning sensation that literally travels from my lower back up to my neck. I begin to feel nauseous, light headed and sweat profusely. I have immediate diarrhea but have not actually vomited even though the sensation is there. My heart rate slows and I truly feel like I'm going to die. I am soaking wet as I'm going through this. I also have experienced one episode of eye disturbance where as I approached the stairs, they appeared to be turning in a circle with lines cutting through the whole image. This lasted only seconds. I have also had what I call "body tremors" upon awakening in the morning. The are not visual tremors but I feel like my body is trembling within. This has been ongoing for years and just when I think "it's gone," I have another episode. I've had my heart tested, blood tests including 24 hour urine screen, MRI of the brain and thankfully everything is "normal." I do have a positive ANA, which is not something new. I've always had it. I've been to a rheumatologist and my work up (including for lupus) was all normal. I've been told by my GP and neurologist that I'm suffering from panic attacks but I am so fearful that it is something more than that and we are missing something. I just want to do whatever I can to make sure it's not a "warning" sign of something to come...ANY advice would be much, much appreciated! I'm a 51 yo and otherwise feel totally healthy until this happens.
You've spent more time talking to me here than any doctor has, that's for sure! You've given me options to consider and at least I don't feel like I'll be on the next episode of "Mystery Diagnosis!" You'd make a most excellent doctor! Thanks again for all your advice!
Hello I noticed I actually did not answer your main question of Do they disappear eventually or is it something I will continue to suffer from? No they generally do not disappear on their own. They occur because of an increase of adrenalin- a naturally occurring hormone in our bodies.
The easiest way to describe it is when you get scared, your heart races, you get shaky, anxious, and either want to stay there and fight what ever it is that has scared you or run away from it. That what happens with a panic attack. Adrenalin builds up and your body releases a large amount all at one time causing the symptoms during, and can also cause you to feel mentally and physically drained after.
The only options are 1)medication daily to TRY to prevent them from occurring-sometimes it stops them, sometimes it decreases the number/severity of them, sometimes it doesn't help at all. 2) PRN-as needed medication taken when they occur, or right when you start to feel warm, jittery, sweaty, nervous etc.- may help but sometimes doesn't get into your system until after the attack is over. It generally takes 30-45mins for an oral medication to start working. 3)Take Nothing and ride them out when they occur. &/or 4)Try to find other relaxation tactics as I suggested before to lesson the severity and get the panic attack stopped. The Xanax you were taking before is a good med for the treatment if you feel you again need to treat it.
Have A Nice Night, I Hope This Helps.
The easiest way to describe it is when you get scared, your heart races, you get shaky, anxious, and either want to stay there and fight what ever it is that has scared you or run away from it. That what happens with a panic attack. Adrenalin builds up and your body releases a large amount all at one time causing the symptoms during, and can also cause you to feel mentally and physically drained after.
The only options are 1)medication daily to TRY to prevent them from occurring-sometimes it stops them, sometimes it decreases the number/severity of them, sometimes it doesn't help at all. 2) PRN-as needed medication taken when they occur, or right when you start to feel warm, jittery, sweaty, nervous etc.- may help but sometimes doesn't get into your system until after the attack is over. It generally takes 30-45mins for an oral medication to start working. 3)Take Nothing and ride them out when they occur. &/or 4)Try to find other relaxation tactics as I suggested before to lesson the severity and get the panic attack stopped. The Xanax you were taking before is a good med for the treatment if you feel you again need to treat it.
Have A Nice Night, I Hope This Helps.
During times of distress Depression is not uncommon that is why the diagnosis came so quickly and the medication issued. If you did not have trouble other than at the TIMES OF DISTRESS with depression you may want to talk with your doctor because it may be possible you no longer need the Prozac. Don't just stop taking it on your own though because you will needed to be weaned off it to prevent a rebound case of depression from the removal of the chemicals in the brain.
If you had depression at times other than distressed times (which from what you wrote did not appear that way) then you will probably want to stay on it.
Another possibility could be to see if the doc might want to take you off the Prozac and change you to a different medication like possibly Lexapro (but this has to be taken daily, not just as needed but this med tends to work very well controlling both depression and anxiety and does not tend to make you sleepy.
Another option that you could also discuss with your doctor could be possibly having on hand a low dose, as needed, med like Ativan to take only when the attacks occur. Ativan can be taken daily through the day, or at bedtime, or only as needed depending on how it is ordered by the doctor.
Ativan however does have a tendency to make you a little groggy (nothing major in small doses) but you need to aware of this so you can take it at home first to see how it is going to affect YOU.
The main thing to determine is how frequently are the attacks occurring, are they severe enough, or last long enough when they do occur to warrant treatment? Then decide if a daily or as needed medication would be a better option for YOU, and discuss this with your doctor. I hope this helps. Good Luck!
If you had depression at times other than distressed times (which from what you wrote did not appear that way) then you will probably want to stay on it.
Another possibility could be to see if the doc might want to take you off the Prozac and change you to a different medication like possibly Lexapro (but this has to be taken daily, not just as needed but this med tends to work very well controlling both depression and anxiety and does not tend to make you sleepy.
Another option that you could also discuss with your doctor could be possibly having on hand a low dose, as needed, med like Ativan to take only when the attacks occur. Ativan can be taken daily through the day, or at bedtime, or only as needed depending on how it is ordered by the doctor.
Ativan however does have a tendency to make you a little groggy (nothing major in small doses) but you need to aware of this so you can take it at home first to see how it is going to affect YOU.
The main thing to determine is how frequently are the attacks occurring, are they severe enough, or last long enough when they do occur to warrant treatment? Then decide if a daily or as needed medication would be a better option for YOU, and discuss this with your doctor. I hope this helps. Good Luck!
I appreciate your response! It's something my family/friends did not understand at all. I found it odd that no one I talked to had any such "episodes" and I felt very foolish trying to explain it. I was looking for someone to say, "oh, that happens to me and don't worry about it." At least what you're saying to me makes sense! I understand panic attacks can occur after trauma and after the death of my sister, I went through awful emotional distress. I felt like I was diagnosed with "depression" so quickly and immediately put on Prozac. Initially, I was also given Xanax and I took it at night to help me sleep, which I definitely needed at the time. I have since stopped Xanax as I do not want to become dependent on it. I'm back to sleeping normally without medication. So, my question is, do they disappear eventually or is it something I will continue to suffer from? I'm still on Prozac but wonder if I should be on more of an anti-anxiety medication like you mentioned. The ironic thing is I don't feel anxious or stressed at all yet these things continue to come out of nowhere. Your words were very reassuring and I appreciate youre input very much! Stay well!
Hello I am a RN and before I was finished reading your comment I was thinking to myself, this person is having panic attacks. The reason I thought that, is that I too suffer from them and have all the symptoms you described except the diarrhea. I also have chest pain,shortness of breath, high pitched ringing sounds in my ears, as well at times.
I can understand why you would have diarrhea though because your heart rate and blood pressure increase and you have a rush of adrenalin initially- just like when you get scared which in turn speeds up your peristalsis-(muscle contractions in the GI tract that moves the contents from one end to the other). That initial rush of adrenalin is probably when you have that burning sensation you describe- adrenalin causes the body to feel hot/flushed very quickly. Then you sweat because of the heat and the odd sensation you are feeling.
After that initial rush, then WAM your body then has a drop in everything real quickly, your blood pressure, your heart rate slows down- that is when you get the dizziness/lightheartedness and the funky stuff going on with your vision. I have had the eye stuff happen during and after the episodes.
I do think that this is what you are having. Have you ever been on anti-anxiety medication to see if it helps them? I hope this helps. Have A Wonderful Day.
I can understand why you would have diarrhea though because your heart rate and blood pressure increase and you have a rush of adrenalin initially- just like when you get scared which in turn speeds up your peristalsis-(muscle contractions in the GI tract that moves the contents from one end to the other). That initial rush of adrenalin is probably when you have that burning sensation you describe- adrenalin causes the body to feel hot/flushed very quickly. Then you sweat because of the heat and the odd sensation you are feeling.
After that initial rush, then WAM your body then has a drop in everything real quickly, your blood pressure, your heart rate slows down- that is when you get the dizziness/lightheartedness and the funky stuff going on with your vision. I have had the eye stuff happen during and after the episodes.
I do think that this is what you are having. Have you ever been on anti-anxiety medication to see if it helps them? I hope this helps. Have A Wonderful Day.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
It is possible to feel tremors all over the body. Tremors are often associated with drugs, alcohol, smoking, lack of sleep, poor sleep patterns, stress and fatigue. They can be seen in peripheral neuropathies of diabetes, in hyperthyroidism, parasomnia, multiple sclerosis, TIAs or transient ischemic attacks or mini strokes, hypoglycemia, disorders of calcium metabolism, hyperparathyroidism etc. Certain epilepsies too could be the cause. Consult an internal medicine specialist or your PCP. Discuss these possibilities with your doctor. A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind. Take care!
i would get a second or even third oppinon ur always best to in these sits not all docs or clued up wiv illnesses especially if u hav more than a few symptums it mite not just be 1 thing it could be a combination a diffrent things best to be on the safe side especially if u r normally healthy otherwise hope this helps xxx
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