Anxiety Advice

I will try to keep this as short as possible, but I really need some advice on what is happening to me. From what I can tell from reading here, it may be that I am experiencing anxiety attacks and I'm very new to this sort of thing. I'm 41 years old and have never had any issues with anxiety. Here's how it started:

about 2 months ago, I was on my 6th day of taking Wellbutrin to help me quit smoking. While in Wal-Mart (of all places), I began to experience what I now know as "depersonalization", (foggy headed) almost feeling like I was out of touch with reality or watching what was going on from outside my body. This progressed over about 15 minutes into finally experiencing extreme rapid heart rate, dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth and eventually led to a trip to the emergency room. It would come in waves...all of these symptoms would hit me at once, then subside for a few minutes, then start again. Being as they weren't able to find anything wrong with me (after 5 hours of tests), they attributed it to side effects of Wellbutrin. Needless to say, I stopped taking it immediately. After about 36 hours, the symptoms were gone.

Since all this happened, I have had 4 incidents of what seems to be panic/anxiety attacks. The symptoms are not as severe as 2 months ago, but scary just the same. It will start with the foggy-headedness, then the rapid heart rate, which then leads to mild dizziness. It will last maybe 4 or 5 minutes, then subside. Ten minutes later, it will happen again. These times, though, only last for a total of maybe 30 minutes as opposed to the 36 hours when coming off the Wellbutrin. **Keep in mind, I'm a worrier so when this happens it scares me terribly.

There seems to be no trigger. This is my concern. I wouldn't consider myself to be stressed or lonely or depressed. HOWEVER, twice this happened in a large box store, twice while I was driving. Never has happened at home, never in the presence of my husband or children and I'm always alone at the time. My question, I guess, or my need for advice is this:

*Am I pushing myself into these attacks from subconscious fear of what happened with the Wellbutrin?
*Has the reaction to that medication made me more susceptible to anxiety now?
*Does this even sound like anxiety attacks?
OR
*Is this all-together a different problem, possibly? (When in the emergency room, I was put thru three different EKG's, hooked up to a heart monitor, tested for blood clots and poor blood flow, vitamin deficiencies, etc.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am NOT okay with this now becoming an on-going issue. I'm a wife and mother and I have things to do! (lol) I'm not comfortable allowing this to eventually take over my life. I appreciate anyone who took the time to read this and may have a bit of insight. THANK YOU!

I agree with Scaredy Cat

I think the initial attack was probably as a result of the anti-smoking medication which I understand are well-known for possible psychological/psychiatric problems.

The power of an initial panic attack is powerful and sufficient to provoke others...especially when alone, in public places, driving etc.  The good news is that as this is a relatively new problem, you're in a good place to seek advice and deal with it, nip it in the bud.

For many sufferers the problem has become chronic and entrenched before they start to seek help for the problem.

Panic hits hardest when it first strikes.  Recognise your enemy.  If you're in a store, don't run.  Check your breathing, slow it down, try and focus on something else.  If it's bad when you're driving, pull over and do some slow, deep breathing, calm down and carry on.  Try not to run away.

Anxiety is very scary but not dangerous.  Be determined to take back charge and recognise the symptoms as a fight or flight response.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes

Jintie

I just want to thank you all for replying so quickly. It has been quite comforting just to talk about it and have others acknowledge and understand. Being as this is new to me, I think maybe I just needed that confirmation that it's okay to seek help and not try to hide it or as Jintie said, not run from it...which as I'm sure some of you can understand, was my first inclination....ignore it, and it will go away.

I have an appointment with my doctor today. I'm hoping once I explain, he can lead me in the right direction to nip this in the bud.

Thanks again for the advice and kind words. :)

A quick update...I went to see my physician yesterday and he agreed that my symptoms appear to be from anxiety. However, to be on the safe side, he put me on a 24hr heart monitor and drew some blood just to rule a few things out.

He gave me .25mg of Xanax to take on an as needed basis and also wants me to start taking Celexa (20mg) at bedtime. I had the Celexa filled but did not take it last night. I'm still considering it and a bit fearful of it. I expressed to him that I don't need an anti-depressant but he assured me it works well for anxiety.

Anyone had experience with Celexa?

Just a side note...he didn't just try to throw meds at me. We talked for quite some time. He was very understanding, very empathetic and asked a lot of questions before suggesting medication.

I hope things calm for you, Lisa.

From what you described it sounds extremely like panic to me.

The *very* worst part of living with panic disorder for me is the fact they come out of the blue and there is no reason for them.
Of course this is extremely frightening and makes one with an inquisitive and anxious disposition turn to other irrational reasons for this happening.

I read once that one should try and 'welcome' the panic, say to themselves, 'this is a panic attack, it will pass, it will go soon enough and I am fine'..almost facing the beast and dealing with it head on.

I've tried it and it does help.

Prayers,

LP