Hi all, I'm new to this forum but not new to the vicious cycle of anxiety. I've been diagnosed with General anxiety/panic disorder. About 3 weeks ago it decided to get worse than it's ever been. The feeling of dying lasts for days now. My symptoms include:
Dizziness
Feeling like I'm dying
Heart racing and palpitations
Chest pain/tightness
Arms and legs tingling
Nausea
Not being able to breathe/catch my breath
Vision changes, things look too bright or wrong
And the newest one, which I've come to understand may be depersonalization. I see myself in the mirror but I don't think that's me or I feel like I'm outside of my body or in a cartoon.
I've recently been to a neurologist and I have an MRI coming up after my cat scan came up clean. He diagnosed my migraines and cluster headaches as well. It seems like an oncoming migraine will trigger an anxiety attack. Those symptoms include:
Pain above my eyes, into my neck and face
Sensitivity to light and sound
Vision changes (everything goes sideways) and dizziness
I'm posting here because I'm terrified of everything that has happened to me in 3 short weeks. I feel so alone and like I'm trapped inside my body. I can't sleep anymore or eat very much. I can't get comfortable in my bed or in my skin. I just want confirmation that I'm not the only person who's dealing with these symptoms. Thanks for reading.
Short reply, no you're not alone.. The amount of these symptoms we all have daily is.. Shocking. Sometimes anxiety will get super low, then shoot right back up. Just try to relax and keep your mind off of it.. I know, easier said than done. Maybe try going for a walk outside or going out with some friends to keep your mind calm??
Last nights attack lasted from 10 till after midnight. I ended up walking around my house till my heart calmed down. Do you feel like you're dying then you start stressing about it and it just cycles over and over? That and not feeling normal, like there's something seriously wrong with me.
Hiya you are definitely not alone I have all those exact symptoms too and have for about 2 years now. Luckily they are getting less and less as I've learnt what triggers them and when one is coming on. Tiredness alcohol and caffeine are major triggers. I know exactly how you feel. It's so scary but you can learn to control it and hopefully get rid of them altogether. x
Some of these symptoms are so classic to anxiety attacks. Migranes can trigger a panic attack. Log your diet for two solid weeks and see if you can find issues there. Read thru this forum you are one of the pack basically.
You have people on this site who understand your concerns and will try and give you support.
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First if not already I would recommnd you do have words with your GP and see if Support for you can be arranged. If you let your situation go on it will make your anxiety worse. You have seen various Specialists, now you need coping exersises to help you control your concerns. At least now your concernes have been proven as anxiety so you need a CPN to help you control your fear
You're definitely not alone. Propranolol (a beta-blocker) helps me a lot as and when I feel it's really bad. I don't tend to develop in to panic attacks (although I've had panic attacks in the past) it's more of a constant state of being on edge, not being able to fill my lungs, aches and pains around shoulders, back, neck and upper chest, tiredness and weakness. I'm too scared to exercise as I cannot seem to accept that there probably isn't anything wrong with me (except anxiety). I've had a 24hr holter monitor, several ECG's and blood tests - all came back fine. My doctor won't send me for any more tests. It seems to be worse when I'm at work, compared to when I'm at home.
That's a good idea, logging the diet. I think I'll give that a try see if there's something in there messing me up. I just found this forum but I think I'll be here a lot. It feels good to have a place where people can relate to each other about their mental health issues without judgement.
I actually have an appointment with my GP coming up and I plan on asking him what my next steps should be. I really think medication is the next stop for me.
I've had blood tests and a couple ekg's done too and those were all fine. Everything came back normal so the doctors don't want to do more tests too besides the MRI but that's mostly for my migraines. I'm in the same boat as you with the constant state of panic feeling with attacks thrown in. I hate feeling like my life is out of control.
I classify my panic attacks with one question.. "Did you have the feeling of doom during it?" if I answer yes, then that proves it was a panic attack to me.. Your mind is speeding so quickly that it just goes to death.. I've had a pain in my finger before and convinced myself I was dying.. Sounds like a bad case of hypochondria/health anxiety.
Definitely a feeling of doom but also the health anxiety as well. I get stuck in the cycle of feeling the panic attack symptoms and thinking something is wrong with me so it gets worse and worse. It's terrible.
I hear ya.. My doctor sat me down today and told me she cannot find anything physically wrong with me. My heart looks healthy and normal, and she said "I'm sorry I really looked for something wrong but. There's nothing" lol. Just so frustrating that we still can't believe anything even after reassurance. Ugh
Ya just gotta tell it to shut up sometimes haha. The other day I was palp after palp. I finally looked crazy and yelled "stop it already!" and they haven't been back since.. Don't be embarassed to just sit in a room and talk outloud to yourself and just tell ur body ur not scared. Its almost empowering standing up to it, it really does sometimes make symptoms go away