Extreme Anxiety/Panic attacks after substance use

Ok so I made the biggest regret of my life last Sunday I took an illegal substance. I understand fully how dangerous it is and it's my own fault I now feel like this. Since that night I have been having the most severe panic attacks! Really bad tremors, my arms go numb my face and mouth goes numb to the point where I lose my speech, hyperventilating! It's so scary and I really have learnt my lesson, I have also been yawning and stretching excessively. It seems that every time I think of that night I just break down, the night was so traumatic to me as I felt at times I was close to dying. Shortly after taking the pill I was so scared because of what was happening to me, I was hallucinating really badly, I'd get to a point where if I focused on something for too long I'd feel a little buzz in my brain or something and then I'd feel like blacking out for a second! I was told by a medic on the night that this could have been because my brain was being starved of oxygen! It upsets me so much and once again I understand how much of a stupid mistake this was. Ive been in and out the hospital since, I've had my bloods taken and they were fine I've had 2 ECG's and they were both fine, I've also had my temperature and blood pressure taken numerous times and they have been fine. Everything in my body is fine so why do I keep getting these attacks! Somebody please help and re-assure me that this is not permanent as I get so worried and scared that I may have damaged myself permanently! My GP has prescribed me with Diazapam 2mg to take before I go to sleep because I have been waking up during the night with serious tremors and sometimes numbness. However the second I took my first Diazapam it instantly made me think back to that night taking that pill and I broke down and had a severe panic attack! I just want my life back and I want to be normal again, I never thought I could ever be affected by panic attacks but I feel like that traumatic night has triggered something in me! I feel like 24/7 I'm focussing on my breathing to try not to start hyperventilating otherwise I'm going to have an attack. If anyone out there could help I'd appreciate it so much. Once again I realise the mistake I made and I dont want anything to do with the drug ever again. The only time I feel safe and ok is when I'm indoors with my family. :(

*edited out illegal substance specifics due to forum rules*

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 11/5/2016 8:12:26 AM (GMT-6)

Thank you so much for the reply I can't tell you how much it means to me! I thought I'd never get a reply because of how stupid my situation is and I just didn't know where else to go!

Il have a look right now, I'm willing to do anything possible to get back on track, thank you!

I know right! I'm 22 and I can honestly I don't want anything to do with it at all it's just not worth the risk and I never want to feel the way I did that night again!

Could you please send me the link I'd appreciate it? :)

Hey girl. I am currently in your same situation. about a month ago I took an edible and had the first Panic attack in my life. It certainly felt like you explained it. Ever since i haven't felt normal. I started experiencing some stuff like depernolization/derealizationn. I thought I was in dream. Till this day I still have allot of anxiety but it has gotten a bit better. I just try to accept that is all anxiety because that way I don't freak out.

It has been a tough month but each day it gets better. I try not to think about how it felt because then I panic. I did start going to a phycologist for therapy. I don't want you take drugs for anxiety. It tough but just have hope it will get better.

I also started drinking vitamins since during this time I did find out I was iron deficiency and vitamin d.

They have helped. I take magnesium, vitamin b, iron, and multivitamin

Haa haa...I knew you were a guy, but I've been doing this awhile, and can just tell.;p

...easy mistake to make though, and now we know. :)

Keep posting...I am glad this is helping you to feel better about things!

S.C.

Hi Gilly! I've been reading through the articles from the link SC sent me and I'm going to give them a go! I just got back from the cinema with a friend (who currently knows my situation) it was all good until I walked out of the cinema, it's kinda cold outside right now but it's like I felt the cold 10x more than I usually would! I started really shivering and my jaw was shivering lots and my legs went a little wobbly. I kinda realised it wasn't the cold making me feel that way it was a little panic attack, however I took some time to simply block everything out and do some deep breathing, I returned to my normal self within around 40 seconds of deep breathing, it really does help!

Hi guys, last night was the first night I've had where I didn't wake up with a panic attack! Slowly but surely :)

I'm going to buy myself some multivitamins today to see if they help as I've heard they help keep the body's chemicals in balance.

Keep you updated :)

That is amazing news! May this progress continue for you...and yes, please keep us posted. We are cheering you on! :)

S.C.

keep strong..... peeps care here. remember slow and steady wins the race. just a turtle on his forum rounds!!!

J.,

D/P D/R is a prevalent symptom with anxiety induced from a substance related experience.

We have some links with information and self help on this issue in our Resources. ..so be sure to check them out.

It is not permanent, but it can be a persistent/recurring symptom when your anxiety is high...so practice of coping skills on a regular basis will be a good goal.:)

Peace and progress,

S.C.

Hi Jake
We are all guilty of thinking Dr Google will help , unfortunately when it comes to health issues , it takes years of study and qualification s to become a doctor.... And you don't know who actually writes for google they maybe somewhat informed but they aren't doctors. So try and stay clear...
I made that mistake and I was dying of pancreatic cancer.... But I actually had gallstones symptoms were similar but wrong thank fully.

But it escalated my anxiety beyond control for a couple of weeks

Stay positive things will improve xx

Morning guys, last night wasn't too great :( I had 4 panic attacks last night, they are honestly getting so scary it literally feels like my body becomes empty and I feel like a wave of death is pumped through my brain. I'm sure I'm not hyperventilating but I still feel numb. I hate this so much, I feel like a different person 24/7 like I'm not even me controlling my own body :(

Also I felt as though every time I would almost drift to sleep is get the same feeling of panic/doom/death wave through me that I did on the night I took the pill and it makes me twitch/jolt up feeling numb and scared. I never thought this but anxiety is an actual real physical feeling that I feel is lingering in my body and I want it out so badly so I can get back to my normal life. I'm booked in to go and see my GP again on the 22nd November and I really want a brain scan to put my mind at ease because I know my body and I know it has never felt like this before and I thought it may have just worn away. The only time I feel a little more normal is usually during the day when I am working, the second I go to bed or try to sleep the thoughts of that night start flooding my head and all my panic symptoms start kicking in :(