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Posted 6/1/2007 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Several years ago, I had full blown panic attacks: (numbness, tingling, palpitations, nausea, lightheadedness, feelings of doom). I completely cut caffeine out of my diet and went 9 years without having them. Well, actually, I have an extreme phobia of thunderstorms and I tend to have the attacks then, but I didn't have any random ones for that period of time. Over the last 6 months, I have been experiencing alot of anxiety for no likely reason. The attacks seem to differ from before somewhat. Several times I have experienced the sensation that I will fall over or pass out while driving. This has happened while driving my kids in the car. I try deep breathing and talking myself down, but my heart really starts racing. It happens out of the blue and has created a fear of driving for me. I absolutely can not be afraid to drive. I'm way too busy for that! Anyway, it has progressed now to where I often feel off balance. It's hard to describe, I'm not dizzy, but I feel like I need to hold on to something or I will fall over. I'm not physically weak or anything while this is happening, it's just my perception that I am going to fall over. I find that walking in bright light or fluorescent lighting makes me feel off balance as well. It is very anxiety provoking when this happens. My heart races and it lasts just for minutes, but the stress is exhausting. I am a registered nurse which makes it all the more embarrassing for me to express what is happening. about a month ago, I went to my sister-in-laws bachelorette party and drank alcohol which I don't usually do. The next day I had a hang-over which made me very anxious. I threw up and went in to atrial-fibrillation. I actually ended up in the intensive care unit overnight. My heart rate was 170-180 at the hospital. This lasted 4 hours. They gave me ativan which helped the panic part.  I had a cardiologist who I trust do a work up. I had an echo, I wore a cardiac monitor for a week and for the most part it was normal (2 premature beats and my heart rate was 145 once). She is not really worried about this. I am having a cardiac MRI this week to be doubly sure. Today, I had the feeling while driving again and I had to pull over this time. I am mentally exhausted. I have been feeling panicky off and on all day. My DR. prescribed xanax prn, but I am too scared to take it. I honestly am scared to even take Tylenol. I've always been this way. I think I am afraid of not being totally in control of my body. Also taking the meds seems like I am giving in to the fear. I don't want the fear to win. I am going back to my pcp tomorrow to address the off balance thing. Being a nurse I tend to go right to the worst case scenario. In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions as to how to calm myself down? Summer is here and the thunderstorms are about to come. This couldn't be happening at a worse time!

 

Posted 6/1/2007 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
When you fear taking your medicines, you're giving into fear. Believe me, I've been there, having stared at a bottle of Klonopin for literally weeks during one of the hardest parts of my life. Taking the medicine gave me my life back. It restored perspective. I'm nowhere near anxiety free, but I am 99.9 percent free of panic attacks. I've chosen to stay on them, but you don't necessarily have to. Just use them to get through the immediate future, continue to rule out other medical problems, and give yourself a break.
Posted 6/1/2007 7:42 AM (GMT 0)

  Hi kcr611

  And welcome to HW there are many nurses here as well, and they to have this crud of A/P and like most of us here do take meds for are moments of high anxiety to help calm us down so we can deal with it on a much better level, as I'm sure you know that xanax is a fast acting med to help calm you down and I would strongly recommend that you take it as your doctor has recommended,

   Cowboy up

Posted 6/1/2007 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning kcr611
Welcome to Healing Well and to the Aniety~Panic forum.
I agree if you have medication to use, please use it when you need it. There is no shame in needing meds.
IMO I would like you to follow thru on the cardiac work-up.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF or A Fib) is a relatively common heart disorder. AF is an irregular, rapid contraction of the atria. When you feel dizzy or lightheaded take your pulse, if it is fast and irregular you may be in A-Fib.
In AF, the atria beat out of rhythm with the rest of the heart. In fact, the atria may beat as many as 400 to 600 times a minute during AF, compared with a normal 60 to 100 times a minute.
Although some people with AF experience no symptoms, many experience a wide variety of symptoms, including palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain. So it is important to recognize the symptoms of AF so you can discuss them with your doctor.
I am sure your Doctor explained these sx to you so this is probably just a refresher
Keep posting as we are here for you.
Posted 6/1/2007 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I am following up on the a-fib. I wore a monitor for a week with no signs of it. They are waiting on the Mri to write it off as lone-afib. I am seeing my pcp this am and am making an appointment with a psychologist to see if that will help.
Posted 6/1/2007 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
That is really great and very proactive of you. Keep posting.
Posted 6/1/2007 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
I take medication but resent it.

I HATE taking pills, and always have. A few years ago I found out that ibuprofen was shutting my kidneys down, and I only took a handful every month. Maybe my body knows something I don't?

As far as the antidepressants go, I'd rather have kidney failure than be depressed. But I dread getting headaches now.....I can take only acetaminophen and that cause cause LIVER failure...

 

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