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Author Topic: Panic attacks are not fun...  (Read 4740 times)
Margalis
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on: August 26, 2004, 10:12:05 PM

Today I was walking home from work and my legs felt a little weak, and I felt a bit dizzy. I kept walking but I felt like I was going to fall over so I decided to rest for a second on a bench. I rested for about 30 seconds then got back up, took about 10 steps, then sat down on the curb. I felt like I just couldn't stand up again, I felt dizzy, and was losing feeling in my legs. I seriously thought I was dying, so I hobbled across the street and asked a restaurant to call a cab to take me to the hospital.

When I got to the hospital I walked in and was like "I need to see a doctor" and they started having me fill out forms. They had my show some ID and I pulled out me driver's license and my hand was shaking so much I could barely hold it, but everyone was very nonchalant. I was thining to myself "fuck, I'm dying here!" Meanwhile they were like "let me go get a pen..."

They took my heart rate/BP and it was insanely high, then they were like "why don't you walk into that room over there" and I was like "I can't  stand up." Isn't that a HINT that I should see a doctor?

They got a wheelchair and wheeled me into a room, they wanted me to take my clothes off but I couldn't really move, I just kind of lied there hoping I wasn't dying. I started shivering and having really intense, abrupt muscle spasms.

I yelled out for some help, and in retrospect it was quite humorous. First I was told I had to wait my turn. Then I asked for a blanket, which lead to this exchange:

"Can I have a blanket?"
Hospital guy: "Why?"
Me: (Shaking uncontrollably) I'm freezing.
guy: "You have all your clothes on, why are you cold."
Me:"....that's why I'n the emergency room." (YOU IDIOT! FUCK! You tell me dumbass)

To make a long story short, I lied in bed for a while, felt better, then I walked home.
----

I' ve never had anything like that happen to me before...there were about 15 minutes in there where I seriously thought I was having a stroke or a heart attack or something. I fit all the classic signs of a panic attack victim, including some precursor symptoms, so I suppose that's all it was...man, it was fucked up though...
---

Just sharing, flame away :)

vampirehipi23: I would enjoy a book written by a monkey and turned into a movie rather than this.
Pineapple
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Reply #1 on: August 26, 2004, 10:26:58 PM

Ok, I'm not a doctor. Never taken any medical classes. But I have fainted before, about 5 times in my life. Some in school, once at work.

What is your diet like?
How heavy are you? Overweight?
Did you just move to a high altitude place? (seems silly but its valid)
Do you get any exercise ever?
Do you smoke? drink? do drugs?
Do you take any vitamins?
Anything significantly stressful in your life going on?
Do you have any noticeable blue or purple tint to your lips?
Ever felt chest pains?
Have you noticed becoming thirsty all the time lately, and peeing a lot?
Losing any weight?

First thing I would do is treat it as if it were purely physical. For example, if you are eating correctly and getting enough water in your diet. You might be missing some vitamins or minerals in your diet and dont realize it. Ever had muscles in various parts of your body just spasm and twitch for no reason, like in your back or cheek or neck? That might point to needing certain vitamins in your diet.

Secondly, I would go get a check up. Get a doctor to listen to your heart. You really need to find out if you have something wrong heart-wise, such as a narrowed aorta, heart valve problem, hole in the interior heart wall. Dont be scared, think of it as your body being a machine and machines need maintenance. Bad circulation is going to tint your lip color.

If you answered yes to peeing all the time and being thirsty all the time, go get a checkup for diabetes.

Remember, sometimes with the right conditions the body can just start having trouble cooling itself off inside. It is summer, after all. Sometimes if you skip a meal, and just get too hot inside your body feels really wierd. It cant cool off, and sweating wont help. Were you feeling hot that day?

Had you just injured yourself? I fainted once after banging my elbow really hard, and I guess it was the adrenalin making me go off balance inside.

Bottom line - I wouldnt panic over this, but go ask a doctor. And watch what you eat. Try not to sit behind a desk all day and the TV all night.
Margalis
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Reply #2 on: August 26, 2004, 11:28:05 PM

I am planning on seeing a doctor ASAP, but I do meet a lot of the criteria of someone with high anxiety. Recently I have been very easily irritable, easy to startle, etc.

A couple of years ago I had an issue where I would get a hot flsh that started a bit below my solor plexus and raced up to me heart and throat, like a wash of acid. Often times I would wake up sweating or wake up with the feeling that my heart had stopped. Doing some research now that is a pretty common symptom of high anxiety people.

Work recently has been stressful, and my diet/sleep over the past few weeks has been very erratic. I also tend to drink a lot of coffee on an empty stomach. Before I walked home I was in a very heated conversation, probably the most stressful day of work in quite a while.

Hopefully the doctor will tell me to take 2 Enya CDs and call him in the morning.

vampirehipi23: I would enjoy a book written by a monkey and turned into a movie rather than this.
jpark
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Reply #3 on: August 27, 2004, 05:31:18 AM

I have had a few girlfriends who have went through this.  Over time, in their case, it increased in frequency.

If I recall correctly they took anxiolytics.  Both had been under a great deal of stress and this did address the problem.  Medication was not required on lifelong basis.

The best person to see is pyschiartrist or clinical psychologist I gather.  This is in their area.

Behaviorally, this is something of a postitive feedback loop.  The occurrence of panic attacks, in the absence of genuine source of panic, slowly invaldates your "reality check" and allows the frequency to increase.  That's my speculation - not an expert reference.

If I were you I would do all the things that I have found in the past help me manage stress (e.g. exercise, diet, sex, time with friends/family and the odd bottle of wine).

"I think my brain just shoved its head up its own ass in retaliation.
"  HaemishM.
Alluvian
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Reply #4 on: August 27, 2004, 07:17:11 AM

There is nothing that makes you feel more stupid than going into the emergency room and then feeling better without them doing anything.  I have had it happen, my wife has had it happen (totally different symptoms).  The shittiest part is of course the feeling that you are being ignored.  Usually the staff really does know enough to understand who REALLY needs treatment immediately, but when you are feeling that bad rational thought is not exactly in large supply.

The second worst part is when the fucking bill arrives for them having done nothing, and the feeling of stupidity washes back over you.

But when you don't know, you don't know.  I don't consider those trips of ours to the emergency room to have been wasted.  They were just precautionary.  Health problems can be scary as shit.  Especially when they come on suddenly.
Pineapple
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Reply #5 on: August 27, 2004, 08:10:40 AM

Quote from: Margalis
I am planning on seeing a doctor ASAP, but I do meet a lot of the criteria of someone with high anxiety. Recently I have been very easily irritable, easy to startle, etc.



I think many people stress more then they realize. We have to deal with traffic, rude people, the job, maybe kids, spouse every day, wishing we lived elsewhere doing something different.

Everyone needs stress release. Everyone also needs time to themselves. Try to think of how you can incorporate stress relief into your life in a productive manner. Dont become an alcoholic, for example.

Try to think of what you really want out of life and move toward that. I'm not talking about financial things.

It sounds to me like you would do some good in seeing a psychologist. It doesnt mean you are crazy. A good one knows what they are talking about, and can help. Think of all the stressed people in the world, thanks to people making their lives so busy and complicated. Psychologists deal with this all the time, so they probably know a few tricks.

I have been in points in my life where I had much more stress than now. It sucked, and it was only after I addressed the problem did I realize just how crappy it was. Having physical symptoms is the sign to do something about it now.
stray
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Reply #6 on: August 27, 2004, 08:13:06 AM

I had similar episodes happen to me before, but not in like 6-7 years. At the time, I was put on Xanax, but I got off that shit quick. That just turned me into a zombie. It was the espresso, man. I've stopped consuming caffiene drinks, and the anxiety hasn't crept up in years. It's not good for you anyways, man, so try that and see what happens. Maybe in your case, it might not be the source of the problem, but it isn't going to hurt either.
HaemishM
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Reply #7 on: August 27, 2004, 09:40:09 AM

My wife has suffered from serious panic attacks for years, and has had little treatment for them. I don't recommend no treatment, BTW. If you can afford it, get what treatment you can.

Watching someone you love go through a panic attack is a stressful fucking thing. It just grabs hold of them and won't let go. The most illogical, crazy shit will come out of their mouths, and you can be as calm and rational as you like and it won't matter a damn. Their mind, despite KNOWING that what it's thinking is complete bullshit, their mind has been possessed with the absolute certainty that whatever is panicking them is going to kill them. From the thought that they will spontaneously start vomiting blood and die for NO REASON AT ALL to the idea they are at that very moment having a massive coronary, you cannot convince them otherwise.

Some people take Paxil for it, and it can help, but it can also turn you into a fucking zombie. Get psychiatric help before accepting a prescription to drugs for it.

Righ
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Reply #8 on: August 27, 2004, 09:48:30 AM

Quote from: Pineapple
Bottom line - I wouldnt panic over this


Still chuckling at that line. The best thing to do in my lay opinion is to see your physician and suggest a stress test if they do not. As suggested, try reducing your intake of stimulants such as caffeine. Ensure that you have enough vitamin B1 in your diet. If you are easily startled, mention this to the doctor, as it may be indicative of magnesium deficiency.

The important thing to remember is that when somebody tells you you had a panic or anxiety attack, they aren't telling you that its all in your mind. Basically your nervous system is unwell. It's important to have a full physical check, and you didn't waste the hospital's time. The causes can be physical, environmental, dietary or psychological.

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Signe
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Reply #9 on: August 27, 2004, 10:32:44 AM

I've had acute panic syndrome since 1989, when my mum died.  I was on anti-depressants for almost 2 years and it was horrible trying to get off them.  I hear the drugs since then are much better, but I never sought treatment after that.  It'm much, much better now, although I still get anxiety attacks, now and then.  Weird things set them off... a doctor's appointment, Righ coming home late and not calling, sometimes nothing at all, or so it seems.  It's easier to control, now, than it was back then.

I have also had symptoms like you experienced, which started about 2 years ago.  Especially the shaking, weakness and near fainting.  I was diagnosed as being rather badly diabetic... my blood sugar levels were quite out of control.  I take medication for that now, and rarely have symptoms at all, unless I've neglected to eat.  

I hope all is ok with you, and you get to the bottom of this and sort it out quickly.  Good luck to you, Margalis!

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esad
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Reply #10 on: August 27, 2004, 11:46:00 AM

I would seriously recommend this book if the problems are psychologically based.

Dr Bruno Book

It's short and to the point and will give you some good ideas on how to reduce anxiety and panic attacks.

[edit: fixed the url]
Paelos
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Error 404: Title not found.


Reply #11 on: August 27, 2004, 11:48:00 AM

I'm on a small does of Paxil now, it doesn't affect me much at all in the "zombie" way people have mentioned. I'm still really upbeat, generally perky, and I don't have many of the side effects they usually bring on. It was weird for the first month though because your nads basically take a holiday. I mean I had zero urges whatsoever on that stuff in the beginning, and that was a bit of a shock, but it wears off. I'd recommend giving it a go to anybody that has good med insurances, preferrably something with a perscription plan. I'm on the generics and I pay a $10 copay per month, so it's not a burden at all. My symptoms are basically respiratory, but they checked me out and its genetic anxiety. People in their 20s are very very prone to it now and should seek some form of help.

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CmdrSlack
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Reply #12 on: August 27, 2004, 06:21:56 PM

Not to be contrarion, but I'd advise against going on meds if you can avoid it.  First of all, while there's lots of material out there that can help you determine your risk categories or whatever, I think self-diagnosis before seeking help tends to subconsciously pigeon-hole you into a "disorder."

I'd highly, highly, highly advise seeking a psychologist first.  They can't prescribe drugs, and if you can solve things without meds, you'll be much better off, and a stronger person to boot.  I'm NOT saying those on meds are weak, but rather that the mental discipline it takes to "control" random mental impulses without meds is a great feeling.  I speak from experience there, so I'm not just talking from my ass this time.

If you go straight to a shrink, try to find one who isn't of the "prescribe first, treat later" variety.  I'm rather jaded, but I think most shrinks out there fit into that category.  The best doc I ever had was the one who took me off the meds I was on (after jacking up my doses to the max safe dose just to see if they were doing ANYTHING), and taught me techniques to identify my anxiety and mood swing triggers, as well as ways to defuse my panic when it sets in.  The Fear is very real, and you don't need to be on heavy psychadelics to experience it, as you are now very aware.

At any rate, it sucks to be in your situation.  Panic disorders and anxiety disorders are the most overly-diagnosed disorders out there, right in line with clinical depression, seasonal effective, and bipolar disorders.  Be very careful about what doctor you go to, and if possible, do research into the doc, see what he/she has published, etc.  

Or you could just smoke a lot of dope and take xanax, which is how I survived my first year of college in the South.

I traded in my fun blog for several legal blogs. Or, "blawgs," as the cutesy attorney blawgosphere likes to call 'em.
Big Gulp
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Reply #13 on: August 27, 2004, 07:54:55 PM

Personally I'd self-medicate with pot and embrace the concept that sometimes you just have to say, "Fuck it."  Things tend to work themselves out as long as you don't turn into a basketcase.

More than anything, though, learning to just do what you can and not get hung up on minutiae is critical.  My old man is a classic type A person; worries about everything, gets pissed off at the drop of a hat, has to plot out everything he's going to do well in advance and can't handle it when his plans go awry.  It hasn't done much for him besides give him two heart attacks and a quadruple bypass.

Sorry, but life is too short for that kind of bullshit.  It's just no way to live.  Do you what you can without stressing out too much and just hope for the best.
personman
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Reply #14 on: August 31, 2004, 10:00:59 AM

After my dad died a few months ago I went on a medication for the first time in my life: an SSRI called Lexapro.  Depression and panic attacks run in my family but until this recent event I'd never been troubled by either other than harsh bursts of temper.

I wish they'd known about SSRIs when I was in my twenties.  It's made an amazing difference.  I'm not at all drugged or in anyway way reduced.  My mood swings are normal and I'm much more energetic.

The only side effects are that my blood pressure noticably dropped and it takes me longer to get off - both of which are perfectly cool by me and the missus... :-)  And it's pretty pricey - after insurance my cost for 90 days is $75 US; uninsured it retails around $265 (and in Canada it's 195 US).
Jimbo
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Reply #15 on: August 31, 2004, 12:12:32 PM

Okay, I’m that bastard paramedic you call or that bastard nurse that you see at the ER.  I’ve been doing this since 1990 and am still amazed at what EMS are expected to do.

Somehow I’m supposed to figure everything out that is wrong with you after saying, “Hi, I’m Joe Nurse or Joe EMT or Joe Paramedic, how can I help you?”  I’ve never met you, don’t know what health you are in, what happened, and probably have to figure everything out in less than 10 minutes.  If you do see us (the EMS team) start swarming around and orders being barked you would know how serious it is, although some people are in such denial that they will try and walk out when they are having a “heart attack”.

I also get a kick out of people who think I can read their minds and don’t want to answer questions when I am checking them in, but after you explain to them that if you don’t talk we can’t treat and if you don’t talk, you end up with a shit load of treatment.  Example of you coming in and being sweaty and saying you feel like your chest is racing, then we get you back and you said your heart rate is insane.  Well, insane to me is 180+, that is when I’ll be slamming an IV into you and slamming a drug called adenosine into you, and believe me you will feel it.  Most people who have had that treatment say if feels like a mule kicking them in a chest, and one patient asked to be shocked instead of the drug when he had it again.  Now, if I got you back and you had a high heart rate of say 120 and your blood pressure was up 140+/90+ and both of them dropped after 5 minutes, and you didn’t look grey, ashen, pale, and diaphoretic, I’m going to think you are having an anxiety attack.  Most of the time people will resolve it themselves or we give them a little sedative (Ativan is wonderful).  Remember the ER is there to treat acute problems and to help you get long term care set up.  Were not your family doctor, were not your specialist, were there for when you get in trouble we will take care of it.  We don’t mind seeing the non-acute stuff as it helps pay the bills, but people have to remember we treat the sickest first and everything will take longer (usually) to get done (labs, treatment, radiology, CAT scans, etc.).

I can only guess as to why they weren’t to worried about you when you walked in, but I can guess:  1. you walked in, that is a +, 2. you were sweating but you weren’t ashen or grey, 3. had fast heartbeat that felt like it was coming out of your chest and both arms and both legs felt numb (good sign…cardiac is usually left and no legs), 4. you’re not over 35, 5. you didn’t look that bad (that is more to do with intuition and experience), 6. your vitals were high, but had they been truly high you would have seen a couple of other things done.

As far as letting you go so quickly, I’m kind of miffed.  If you had a near syncopal episode and didn’t really get to what caused it, either that ER doc was pretty damn confident you had anxiety or he/she could be leaving there ass out on the line.  But it did resolve pretty quickly so that pretty much rules out a lot of things (well I hope you’re not walking around with a facial drop or slurred speech).

And by the way, I may love my job, I may love helping people, but god damn it I expect to get paid for my services I render to you!  I don’t give a fuck if you think medical care should be free, but I spent a lot of time and energy into becoming a RN and expect to be paid for what I do.

Your case is one of those that are in the wishy-washy area, it could be something serious, it could not.  Best thing is to follow up with your family medical doctor. Your case isn’t as cut and dried as when I picked up the 12 year old girl who was in a motor vehicle accident, was posturing like a head injury, moaning unintelligible words, had her top and bottom teeth knocked out, had blood all over her air way (both oral and nasal), obvious facial fractures in the cheeks, upper and lower jaw, nose, and was breathing crappy.  That is when we turned into the well oiled machine and got her the fuck out of that wreck and got her to the hospital.  BTW, she is doing great now, she just had her first reconstructive surgery last Friday and has no neuro deficits and looks like she will heal up nice.
DarkDryad
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Reply #16 on: September 01, 2004, 11:22:53 AM

Just wanted to say thanx Jimbo. I made it through all but 1 semester of nurses school before I decided I could cure computer viruses but AIDS was forever. I truly admire you.
Whats scary is I still remember almost all of it.

BWL is funny tho.  It's like watching a Special Needs school take a field trip to a minefield.
Alluvian
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Reply #17 on: September 01, 2004, 01:08:56 PM

The situation I mentioned about the bill was a situation of apparently going to the wrong place.  My wife was having numbness of her arms, flaky/scaly skin, and a 105 fever.  It came out of nowhere and manifested in about 2 hours from being just fine.  At this point she was pretty bad off and it was 2 AM.  My wife suddenly became concerned about a condition she was well aware of (almost killed her sister once).  I forget what it is called, but it is a nasty infection that can be brought on due to tampon use (pretty rare unless you just leave the damn things in though I hear).  I checked some websites and saw that it could potentially be fatal in about 12 hours from symptoms.  At 2 am on a Sunday that is pretty scary for me.

So I took her to the emergency room to see if they could maybe run some tests to see if it was an infection of this sort.  They checked us in, and then AFTER that we find out the waiting room is full of people who have been waiting 8-10 fucking hours and have not seen a doctor yet.  After 2 hours waiting, most of those STILL had not seen a doctor or anyone other than the person who took their vitals.

My wife was still just as bad, but not any worse so we decided to see her doctor the next morning as a walkin instead.  It was already 4 am and her doctor would be back in before we were going to get anything done in the ER.

The bill came out ot be $175 which seemed more than a little excessive for one page of paperwork I filled out and someone to take her vitals.

I learned since then to never take anyone to that emergency room unless their intestines are falling out.  Least funded and most busy ER in orlando apparently.  I guess it is much faster to drive an hour out of my way to go to the one on the other side of town.  Pretty fucked up funding.
Alkiera
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Reply #18 on: September 01, 2004, 08:48:46 PM

Many ER's have a problem staying solvent, due to people who can't pay for their services, but desperately need them.  People with no insurance, no money, but come in with multiple gunshot wounds, knife wounds, or other trauma that will kill them if not treated ASAP.

They often try to make up for those by raising the fees for those who can/do pay.  For people with insurance, the insurance company often takes it, otherwise they end up paying those increased fees themselves.

There has to be a stance somewhere between 'watch the poor people die' and socialism, that actually works.  IMHO, the US HMO/insurance system is crap.

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Alkiera

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Bunk
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Reply #19 on: September 02, 2004, 10:02:14 AM

Quote from: Alkiera
There has to be a stance somewhere between 'watch the poor people die' and socialism, that actually works.  
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Its called Canada!  ;)

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Alluvian
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Reply #20 on: September 02, 2004, 03:34:00 PM

Canada isn't 'between' though.  It pretty much IS socialism for medical care.  So Alkiera is looking for something between Canada ain't it.  For the record I have no problem with socialism for medical care.  But the canadian system has problems as well.

The problem I see with the US system not going away is that the president who does it will be responsible for the loss of millions of jobs.  Our current system requires so much paperwork it employs a whole fuckload of people.
Arcadian Del Sol
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Reply #21 on: September 02, 2004, 06:21:19 PM

I didn't read the thread - too long too fast.

But panic attacks or aka anxiety attacks are serious - they can lead to stroke or heart failure. Get three things:

1. a doctor
2. a therapist (to just, y'know, talk)
3. medications

as for #2, don't let societal hang-ups keep you from the help you need. Also, don't ever tell anyone here that you're going.
As for #3, tread carefully, some of the medications precribed for panic anxiety episodes are more dangerous than what they seek to remedy.

oh and as a late entry, option 4 is to take a word of advice from your friend and mine, Mister Bing Crosby: accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative. Latch onto the affirmative, and don't mess with mister in-between.

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