New Member vivavoce

New to this forum. I read a number of posts on here last night and many echoed the problem I'm currently facing. From being an isolated incidence over the past 4 years this sudden shockwave thing is invariably followed straightaway by sheer panic and anxiety that won't go away. Only sleep relieves it. I've reported to doctors several times but little in the way of positive response from them. "Anti-dizziness" pills were prescribed a few months back but had no effect. I pleaded for diazepam and after some mutterings about possible addiction (as if) I got 16 pills of 2mg from one medic. The other, an unsympathetic doctor, recommended yet another of the many deep-breathing therapies that seem to constitute the last resort when doctors have no answer. Anyway, both worse than useless. I was also referred to an audio clinic 3 months ago. That was a complete waste of time as my hearing and balance are both perfect. I'm now desperate.

Tonight I was driving home and that darn shock thing hit me like an express train. It's only 2-3 seconds long but this occurrence was definitely the worst yet. I thought I was going to black out. I had to slam on the brakes, which wouldn't have pleased the driver close behind me. Ten minutes later and closer to home on a side road it happened again. Once more I had to stop the car there and then and curse loudly. Totally shaken I managed the last mile without incident. This is definitely very a worrying turn for the worse.

For the past 13 years I've been on high blood pressure medication. Also, I reported to the doctor when this began in earnest that I'd been diagnosed with labyrinthitis some 30 years ago. That was cleared up in no time with medication. The "anti-dizziness" pills I mentioned earlier were prescribed on my mentioning of this previously diagnosed condition. However, and this is salient, the unpleasant consultant at the audio clinic said the I could not possible have labyrinhitis as I "would not be able to get out of bed ..." Who do we believe in these contradictory circumstances? Not one on them has come up with a positive recommendation or solution. I've had hardened earwax problems for a long time. Could this be related? Again, the medics seem not to have a clue.

I'd obviously be very grateful for some pointers in a positive direction as this distressing condition is blighting my life and has been for too long. I have an upcoming 2-month business trip far overseas and am naturally apprehensive.<!-- Edit -->

Post Edited (vivavoce) : 10/22/2012 1:11:13 PM (GMT-6)

Sorry, I thought my post was concurrent with that of others on here. Anyway, the primary problem is this sudden whack shock sensation (like being beaten about the head without the physical sensation) which results in a few seconds of blind panic, faintness, and residual anxiety. Whether it is anxiety-induced I cannot say and would not know since it comes right out of the blue. No triggers, no nothing. Just a sudden and immediate inexplicable moment of hell. As I said in my original post, when it happened as I was driving is very concerning. Not once, but twice in the space of 10 minutes. Loss of control in that situation is not a good thing.

I first suffered anxiety/panic attacks in the wake of my first divorce 30 years ago, and have intermittently suffered them in the intervening years. (Possibly due to the period when living with my insufferable - now divorced from - second wife, but who knows?) I consulted the medics and each one in turn prescribed various diazepines. Some worked, some didn't.

Here I am now with not just anxiety/panic attacks per se, but this insidious and frightening shockwave thing which nobody here in the medical profession is prepared to give an answer to. Lost.