Panic attacks worse after exercise. Anyone?

Hi
I ve been suffering from night terrors (i am 45! Female) for 5 Years now. Doctor said i must be suffering from general anxiety disorder. I m still not convinced because i dont feel terribly anxious but have mostly physical symptoms, the worse being panic attacks at night. The thing is i don t always wake up. But I sweat a lot, then wake up with palpitations and bad feeling but don t remember my dream/nightmare. I feel exhausted. Had to stop working because i am so tired during the day that i cannot deal with clients, and can t focus.
I am on antidepressant... They have not removed any physical symptoms, so my doctor after 4 years (new doctor) is switching to another one. I try to relax every day, i eat well. I don t worry actually and never think negatively, i have started exercises again but the worst is i am WORSE AFTER EXERCISING. First i get exhausted and stay exhausted for a couple do days, then my night terrors get much worse, my night sweating also and i am just a mess. The next day i et dizzy, my ears start ringing.... My doctor does not understand!!!

I would like to know if some people feel worse after exercising. It is frustrating.
Thanks to all!

Thank you soooo much for your support and quick answer. I have been on cipralex (escitalopram) 10 mg for 4 years (seems too much, never imagine you could be on antidepressant for so long). I am supposed to switch tomorrow! to what s called sertraline (i now live in france, for last 6 months) i think it is same as Zoloft 50 mg.
I m so afraid of side effects and afraid of the change. But I will try.

I did go to psychiatrist in beginning but she never told me my symptoms for sure were due to anxiety. I don t think i had the best fit with her. She was great but nothing came out of it.
I did experience some eating disorders as a teenager until my late late 20ies. So i am assuming i might have been suffering from depression/an eith at that time but my parents never did anything. My dad has been suffering from depression for many many years.
It feels its kinda my turn but i am more active and reactive in the sense that i want it to change. I want to be able to live a normal life!
Next step indeed in gyne, did hormonal panel, all is ok.
Next step wth new doctor is endocrinologist to check it all
And then i will ask to see psychiatrist. Can t afford psychologist or therapist. Really wondering if knowing why I have those panic attack will make them disappear. Tons of reasons to have them, but many people have worse reasons than me!
Thanks again

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear you have been struggling with these symptoms I also have night terrors so now how disruptive they can be and I also have a diagnosis of GAD.

Anxiety can cause all sorts of symptoms both physical and mental and there are to many to list here but bad dreams/night terrors can be caused by high anxiety.

When changing medication it is unfortunately the norm to get worse before you get better so do stick with your new medication and you should see an improvement in the next couple of weeks if you don't go back and speak with your doctor.

Talking therapy does seem to work the best for Anxiety with CBT and Mindfulness Meditation being the best of these. If you can't afford a therapist have a look at www.moodgym.com which is an free online CBT programme that you can work through at your own speed. Also look on youtube for some Mindfulness Meditation videos as they really help to relax you.

Stay with us and keep us posted.

Hibee

You are all wonderful. Thank you for your support.

I sometimes have night sweats and they seem to be related to a warm room and mild reflux. I went through episodes of night anxiety last year when I was dealing with symptoms that may have been thyroid related (I have Graves disease). The night sweats were definitely worse during this time.

I can also relate to the exercise anxiety. I felt pretty good for a while and decided to start exercisin a few months ago. Only 3 days a week, nothing too intense. I would be anxious after working out, and then my daily anxiety level began to rise and after 3 weeks I had to stop. After I stopped my anxiety level went back down. Not sure why exactly, but my doctor said that it is possible.

I hope you get some answers soon! I know how frustrating this all can be.