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Posted 3/25/2011 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm a 22 yr old f who has recently started having panic attacks...at least I think thats what they are. about 2 months ago I started feeling dizzy. Not a 'the room is spinning' dizzy but lightheaded and nauseous car sick feeling. It wasn't too bad, I'd have small spells. Well one night was hell on earth. I couldn't figure out what was happening, I was so dizzy, sweating, scared out of my mind with a horrible upset stomach. No matter what I did I couldn't get away from the dizzyness.

The next day I had a lot of sore spots on my head, they felt like boils and my ears ached. I was petrified...scared to death with the feeling of dread for the next 4 days. I couldn't quit crying, I was dizzy I just felt TERRIBLE. But I had to go to school and work. 4 out of the 5 days weekdays I have school 9-4 and work 5-9 + weekends. I never seem to be able to just relax. I went to to doc and was told I had "alleriges" she gave me some xanex to take if feel panicy but the pills scared me. And her brush off of my symptoms made me even more scared/panic/trapped feeling. It got bad enough that I took one and it did help. She finally (days later) decided that her diagonous was wrong (really?! You don't almost fall over because of allergies). She gave me some prednisone because my ear canals were swollen which was making me dizzy.

But here's the thing. I'm not dizzy anymore (THANK GOD!!!) but I still have bouts with panic. I don't know why, there is really no reason. I don't know if I'm afraid that the dizzy will come back? ugh Last night I woke up in a sweat scared to death over nothing. I shake and just feel horrible, I have no idea what I'm so scared of. I don't know what to do. I feel like I am getting better but about once a week I feel so freaked out.

Does anyone else have kind of the same thing or went through it? Is there hope for me? Any advice?

Thank you for reading :)

Posted 3/25/2011 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Fan!
I am a 30 year old female. I was about your age when I encountered my first onset of anxiety.. It was a terrible time in my life!
Since then, I have had panic/anxiety on and off. Here is one good tip for you. I have been dizzy, tingly, numbness everywhere, shaking, nausea, hyperventilating, heart palpatations, thought I had a lump in my throat, no appetite, flu feeling, JUST TO NAME A FEW. and guess what? I am still here, alive and kicking!!! So don't let your nerves get the best of ya!
These feelings you are having are very scary but will not hurt you in any way.

Hope this helps, and always remember, anxiety will not hurt you :-)
Posted 3/25/2011 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Fan!

I am sorry to read of the tough time you are going through.  It does feel to me like you may have anticipatory anxiety.

Anticipatory anxiety is where a person experiences increased levels of anxiety by thinking about an event or situation in the future. The worries you experience specifically focus on what you think might happen, often with catastrophic predictions about the event.

To begin treating anticipatory anxiety, we must be able to admit that we cannot predict the future. Any scenario we are able to imagine is nothing more than speculation and fabrication.

Picturing positive outcomes can significantly reduce apprehension, which can lead to increased levels of confidence and an overall elevation in mood.

When you find yourself wondering, "What if..." Stop! Take a deep breath; breathe in through the nose, hold the air in your lungs for a count of four, then slowly let the air out through the mouth. While you are doing this, consider the possibility that what you fear is you will not get better.  Focus on positive or neutral outcomes. Don't let the "stinkin thinkin" creep up on you.

If you are not confident with your Dr's dx, do seek out a second opinion. Give yourself permission to advocate for yourself.

You have come to the right place to find many members who feel as you do.

Again, a warm welcome.

Kindly,

Kitt


 

 
Posted 3/25/2011 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi FOH and welcome! I am sorry that you are still suffering with the anxiety and panic right now. Some statistics say up to 35% of the population will experience a panic attack at some point in their lives. Of those, most are isolated incidents, with no reocurring problems. For some of us though, the first attack is a trigger for more to come!

Our bodies may have a senitivity to adrenaline, or make too much...We may be hyper-aware/vigilante to our body's normal sesations, causing us to panic at a normal ache, twinge, dizzy spell...

There can be several factors as to why A/P returns to bother us. The good news is that it is treatable. I used to suffer daily panic attacks and constant and debilitating worry regarding my health. I sought help in the form of therapy, and am enjoying a great recovery from both.

If you think that you could benefit from this, ask for a referral from your doctor for a therapist who offers CBT-a therapy specifically proven to help those suffering A/P.

I hope that you will keep on talking to us here as well. This is a great place for information, sharing and support. Post anytime!
Scaredy Cat
Posted 3/28/2011 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, thanks for the warm welcomes everyone! I know part of this is stress with school and work and being burnt out constantly. I've been having a few good days! Yay!

Thank you for identifying what they heck I have. Its so great to see I'm not alone.

Again, thank you!
Posted 3/28/2011 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Try some dietary changes.  When I stopped caffeine, anxiety was reduced by 50%, an overload of sugar does not help either.

Gem

Posted 4/7/2011 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Gem. Yesterday and last night have not been good. Ugh. Its so annoying.
Posted 4/7/2011 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
thank you for your story...
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