Could this be anxiety/panic attacks?

Hi everyone! I've been on HW for a while over on the Crohn's Disease forum, but this is my first time over here.

To make a very long story short, I've had CD for 3 years now. I was married two years ago, and in the first year of marriage I was hospitalized 14 times with CD complications, including pancreatitis (which required a feeding tube for a month) and c. diff. (three times). Then I got pregnant, my husband graduated college, we moved to a new state, he started a new job, we bought a house, and we had a baby all in 2013. Through most of this I was in decent remission from CD. So there was a lot going on!

The baby is now almost 6 months old. In the last three months, my CD took a dive down and I've been hospitalized 4 times (I am currently in the hospital now). 4 weeks ago I had emergency surgery and went septic. All of this made my CD flare really badly, and I am currently on 20 mg of prednisone to try to get it under control.

I bring all this up because in the last 3-4 weeks or so, I'll be just sitting or walking up the stairs or doing laundry, and all of a sudden my heart with start racing about 110-120 BPM and I'll be out of breath. It was happening about once a day, but then a week ago Sunday it started being more frequent. On Tuesday my heart rate went over 140 BPM and I started seeing stars and was short of breath, so we went to the ER. All tests were good (EKG, etc.) so we concluded I was just dehydrated and slightly anemic. It happened again on Thursday just by pushing the laundry basket down the hall with my foot while holding my daughter. Only my HR was over 150 BPM for about 10 minutes, again short of breath. It now happens several times a day.

My PCP thinks it's anxiety or panic attacks, but from what I understand, I don't think that they are. When these incidents occur, I have absolutely NO emotional reaction to them. I don't feel scared or panicked. I don't have to stop what I'm doing. They happen mostly when I'm doing physical activity (as in walking up the stairs, or dancing with my baby). If I am talking with someone or doing a project, I can keep doing it without any interruption (other than breathing more quickly). Again, there is no emotional feeling associated with this.

My PCP referred me to a cardiologist, but in the meantime insisted I try Zoloft to see if it would help. I took it Friday afternoon. Saturday morning I woke up really shaky and weak, but I thought I was just tired. I took the Zoloft again, and then throughout the day I just kept feeling worse and worse. My hands couldn't stop shaking, my chin was trembling and teeth were chattering (even though I wasn't cold), and then that night I started having hallucinations about ants and demons. It scared me, so we came to the ER and they admitted me to try to get everything sorted out (not just with the med reaction, but with my CD and other health things).

They've had me attached to a heart monitor this whole time I've been here, and it shows the heart racing and how it's mostly when I get up and move around and that I'm not having any kind of emotional distress when it happens. I haven't seen my PCP yet since it's been the weekend, but he should be coming to see me today.

So I guess I just wanted insight from those of you who struggle with panic and anxiety attacks. Could this be what is happening and I'm in denial? Even if it is, I don't think I will ever take Zoloft again.

Hi scifigal and welcome to the A/P.:)

I am really sorry to hear of all that you are going through currently. You have had quite a year, and it would not be suprising that so many changes could bring about first time anxiety and panic issues.

Any change, even postive ones such as your move, home purchase and birth of your baby (congrats on all!!) can be a catalyst for anxiety.

Add to that an existing chronic health condition (we have many members who deal with Crohn's, U.C., ect..) and you very well could be dealing with A/P

You will however need to get the final word from your doctors. There are a couple of things that don't quite fit...like the lack of fear/emotional panicky feelings...and the fact that only increased physical activity seems to bring it on.  So definitely pursue this from a medical perspective to rule out all possibilites.

Have you previously been on Pred? Or other streoids? How did you tolerate them if so...I am wondering, as Prednisone can affect BGL's and cause other side effects that can cause/mimick panic, so I would ask in regards to this as well.  (even if you previously tolerated a certain Rx, our bodies can change, for eg., like after having a child!)

I wish you the best, and hope that you get the answers that you need soon. Will you let us know how you are doing soon?

Post with us anytime, and have a look into our Resources for some good stress relief/self-help ideas. I would recommend them for anyone going through a stressful time! :)

Peace and wellness!

Scaredy Cat

Thanks guys! I appreciate everything you've had to say.

I have been on prednisone before. I was on 40mg for 10 months when I first got diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago. I didn't have the heart racing like I do now on 20 mg, but I was a little bit on edge the whole time I was on it. I think that it combined with all of the health problems just has my body worn out and tired.

I am still in the hospital because yesterday a test came back positive for c. diff. I think that also contributed to everything. The heart racing has gone down, but that could be because I'm in a hospital bed instead of at home doing things. :) I am hoping to be able to go home soon and go from there. The cardiologist has been really nice.

I think I am going to see a psychiatrist anyway, if nothing else to just get coping techniques for everything. I think I'm handling it well, but it couldn't hurt.