New here.. need some advice

SouthernNYer

New Member

Joined : Aug 2013

Posts : 1

Posted 8/26/2013 5:20 AM (GMT 0)

Hi all.. I'm a 48 year old man.. about 6' 240.. with hypertension. I take Dyazide and Norvasc for this. about a month ago I started getting these weird dizzy spells, heavy head and unable to catch a deep breath. I had a minor stroke a few years ago so when this started happening, I was rushed to the ER. They kept me for 3 days and performed a CT and MRI of the brain, arteries in the neck, and heart EKG. They found nothing wrong. Even my blood pressure, although hi, wasn't THAT high and they ruled out stroke. The problem is that it keeps happening now and its usually in the evening around the same time. My wife thinks it could be anxiety. I have pretty much ruled out medication because although I was taking Ambien for a short while to sleep, I quit it as soon as this happened the first time. I am at my wits end and even as I type this have to stand up and raise my arms trying to catch a breath and the numbing weird head feeling comes and goes. My doctor thinks its vertigo but I don't think that would cause shortness of breath like I get. Does anyone else have something similar and could this be a type of anxiety?..

Thanks

Ed

Post Edited (SouthernNYer) : 8/25/2013 11:28:03 PM (GMT-6)

lgm1942

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2013

Posts : 6016

Posted 8/26/2013 3:47 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Ed, strange, I was 48 when I had my first and worst panic attack, went through all the same things
you have. "I also had heart disease" I had known it since i was 35.
Hear is what I did, I found a shrink that gave me a prescription for xanax, I didnt use any other med.
I only used the xanax as needed, if one keeps it in their blood you can become addicted, by using as
needed you don't have that problem, as you get a little more confident you can do what I did, I started
seeing how much I could stand to endure, finally I rode one out without the medicine, that wasnt the
end but it was the beginning of my gaining power over PAD, I still carry the med but have not used one
in two years. "Your symptoms seem to be classic PAD to me" Peace
Larry ***

Scaredy Cat

Elite Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28868

Posted 8/26/2013 3:48 PM (GMT 0)

Hi SNY and welcome!

I am sorry to hear about your recent symptoms and the confusion that you are feeling as a result.

It can be really hard to distinguish between what are symptoms of anxiety, and what needs to be addressed right away as far as a medical concern...so you were wise to seek the help of your docotors.

At any time did the doctor suggest that you might be suffering from anxiety? If so, did they talk with you about your possible options? If not, then I would suggest making an appointment with your GP and having that conversation. (therapy and or medication are commonly discussed treatments.)

In the meantime, you can check out our Resources here on the main page (1st post) and see if you find some of the self-help ideas useful.

I have had all of your symptoms. The 'heavy head' thing especially rings a bell...becaues I used to get the undeniable urge to lay my head down when I would have an anxiety attack. It was as if I couldn't hold it up a moment longer!

Deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation are two really effective coping skills to reduce symptoms of dizzyness, shortness of breath and thes head sensations.

If you practice them (again, find directions in our Resources) 10 minutes, 3x a day, you should see improvement in how you feel.

There are also informative articles, book recommendations and more to check out.

Keep posting with us if you find it helpful. Being a part of a community that understands is important to recovery!

Let us know how you are doing soon,

Scaredy Cat

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