after effects of panic attack

Hi

I haven't had a panic attack for almost a month, but this has happend before. The frequency of my panic attacks revolve around one 4 up to 6 weeks. However I recognize the after effects of your panic attacs. I too feel very weak, almost sleepy, my leggs tremble, I am very dizzy...I think when a panic attack happens our brains are over sensitized and tired, i belive it is normal, because the brain reacts as if it had a brush with death.

Definitely my whole body is sore, exhausted and I can hardly do anything for a few days. That's how intense my attacks are. I do aromatherapy and some breathing exercises.

"Going to die" or "going crazy" are likely the 2 most common feelings to have during a panic attack. Panic attacks can come in waves also and practically leave you bed ridden in that instance. Your base line anxiety may stay high for some time. Panic attacks can also cause you to start feeling depressed.
If possible, try to avoid the emergency room. In my experience, emergency rooms sometimes are not good at distinguishing a panic attacks from a psychotic episodes. Hence tend to offer medication suitable for the latter condition.
Your first line of defense is to try a calm yourself down and stop the thoughts that you are having that could cause the anxiety to become a full blown panic attack. Deep breathing exercises are quite helpful. Hopefull your doctor has given a a prescription of one of the benzodiazepines type medications to use as needed, but NOT daily for prolonged periods. They can be addicting, if not used properly. I have had such a prescription since the 1980s. I don't use it daily or even weekly.

AF,

I don't know if you have ever checked out this site from our Resources or not, but it gives a really good list of the physical symptoms that anxiety can cause.

http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml 

Since you have checked out allright with the ER and your regular doctors...you can probably be sure that this is anxiety related...or you can keep pursing a medical cause, and ask to see a specialist to help you find the answers.

Either way, I wish you luck and peace!

S.C.

p.s. have you tried doing breathing and relaxation exercises consistently, and did it make any difference in how you feel?

Head congestion of any kind could cause dizziness. I had a middle ear infection once that made me very dizzy...

...but I also get dizzy from anxiety and migraines...so there are alot of reasons why people get dizzy at times.

The less I focus on it the better, but I know it is hard to do, since this can be a scary symptom.

I don't like the feeling of being out of control, and dizziness is pretty much the epitome of that feeling for me.

When this is bothering me as far as anxiety goes, I use breathing and relaxation exercises to help center me, get my O2 levels in good shape and restore balance (no pun inteneded!) to my self.

I hope that you are feeling a little better. Keep posting here with us. We understand and are listening.

S.C.

Feeling depressed can come after going through bad anxiety episode/s. Try some relaxation and breathing exercises to help lower your baseline anxiety level.......with it elevated, just one wrong thought could be enough to trigger another panic attack.....a feeling is proceeded by a thought.
If possible, try to seek out some professional help with your problem. The ER is not where you want to end for treatment for anxiety

Did a psychiatrist provide you the Ativan prescription or a regular MD ? It sounds like your baseline anxiety is high at this time. I know from personal experience about waves of panic attacks that can last a long time. It may take awhile to get your baseline anxiety level down. If your need for Ativan becomes a daily need to control anxiety, then in that case the doctor will very likely put you on a antidepressant. If that becomes the case, then keep in mind there are quite a few different antidepressants and if the first one does not work for you and/or has too many side effects, ask to try another one. I don't like antidepressants myself. But, in the past the anxiety & panic attacks have been so bad that I have had to take time off work and could barely function at home.....really had no choice but to go on a antidepressant.....although there has not been one antidepressant that I have be able to tolerate at what is normally considered a therapeutic dosage. Try to take one day at a time now.....try writing your thoughts down in a journal and then reread what you wrote.

My anxiety isn't very high right now, but for almost a week my calves & knees have been so achey & sometimes my arms!!! .I'm very scared its serious (low circulation, blood clots, etc..) I just turned20 on the 12th.. idk any young person with those problems, but they aren't completely impossible!! The only health issue I have is a sinus infection which I'm taking amoxicillin for!!! What could this be???? Serious or not??? This pain isvery physical & not mental WHAT SO EVER!!!!!!

It was a regular Dr that prescribed my ativan. I had a bad attack today. Heart racing, chestpain,shortness of breath,left shoulder blade pain. It lasted about an hour, but I am still feeling the chest pressure and pain in my shoulder. Is this normal? IM also on cefzil for a sinus infection and cough, so I wonder if maybe the cough is whats truly making me have chest pain and THEN im panicking? Idk. But Im trying to figure out if I need to go to ER and be checked because I still just dont feel right.

My heart aches for you. I am so sorry, and I remember being in that exact same place. Heck, I was practically there myself today. I remember so clearly crying when they found nothing wrong because I would rather know what was happening and be able to treat it than continue in that horrible limbo.

It took time, therapy, and medication, but I have had many years without crippling anxiety. Relapsing does happen, but those are typically shorter lived and easier to overcome. Just remember there is a happy side to life, even if it feels far away. Do everything in your power to try and practice some breathing exercises. Those are a miracle once you master them. It is hard, but it is there.

Boy I know that feeling. I am terrified to take my meds too. Or at least start in them. But, it does come back to the fact that at this exact moment we are not well. That means we have to do our best and put our faith in the people who are well, like our doctors. It can be terrifying, but it is worth it to know that there is a chance to feel that happiness and relief.

Had a highly charged weekend. Been weaning off lex for over a month now and Ive had so many sx, to name a few: lethargic/no energy, dizzy, nauseous, skin rash, amped anxiety, depressed feeling, endless ruminations.. The good news is most of these have already subsided :). Am at 7.5mg now and will stay here a while.

Over the weekend, i started to feel quite odd again, like i couldnt place myself where i was - I was in the hospital to see my derma for skin allergy. Afterwhich I saw my therapist whom I havent seen in one year and a lot of issues were discussed.

The odd feeling basically lasted me all weekend and culminated in a panic situation while visiting family. I excused myself and went for a drive and it was at that point that I recall soemthing I had read in Edmund Bourne's book on what to do during a panic attack (Of course while this was happening i wasnt sure if i was having a panic attack), was to get mad at your anxiety as anxiety and anger cannot co exist at the same time. I found myself shouting my guts out at anxiety!!

After some time, I felt so much better! I think for once I stared down anxiety and won. I didnt try to appease or show it respect. I was able to truly enjoy the family function when I went back in.

This morning though, I feel really exhausted. I guess its all the adrenalin surge from the weekend but I aint complaining i am ok :)