If you have panic/anxiety attacks, explain how it feels.

Tigger2Cute · 10-26-2004, 07:19 PM

Ok here's my situation. For a little over 2 years now, I've been having these spells. I don't know how to explain it. It comes over me all at once. It's not necessarily a feeling of impending doom or anything like that, it's not a fear type feeling. I get hot from the neck up. I feel very detached, almost like I'm dreaming. Everything seems soo dejavoux and familiar. It's like I see people that I've never seen before and yet I feel like I know them well. Then when I come out of it, sometimes I am very disoriented and have the oddest feeling for a good while. Kinda like i can't remember what I was doing previous to the attack. One time it was like I didn't even know who my husband was. A couple of times I believe I blacked out because i couldn't remember anything after having the attack and I would wake up some time later and had chewed my tongue. But that's only happened twice. But anyway, I get a weird feeling in my mouth, around the back of my throad, and an odd taste. I just don't know what this is. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Is this panic or anxiety attacks? i took Lexapro for a while which helped a little but got expensive cause my insurance didn't cover it. And recently was taking Tranxene which helped even more. But, call me stubborn, I just hate the idea of depending on a medicine to feel normal. Is this a result of PCOS? Can anyone out here help me please?

Tigger

prunepie · 10-26-2004, 09:33 PM

have you been tested by a neurologist???? not trying to scare you but i think i read somewhere that there are these seizures that sound similar to what you described.

on the other hand..you could be having depersonalization or like nothing around you is real... its part of anxiety. yet... you said you blacked out right?? that usually does not happen with anxiety/panic..i hope someone else reads this and can help you more xo jenn

hilfgirl33 · 10-26-2004, 09:34 PM

I've never experienced anything like that as a sign of anxiety. Mine is more nervous stomach, heart racing, palpitations, shaking tremors, diarrhea type of thing.

I imagine stress can do a lot of things. With the chewing tongue thing, it made me think of seizures (I'm far from any expert though). Have you ever seen a neurologist?

HTH and HUGS!

prunepie · 10-26-2004, 09:42 PM

i had to write again since i missed the chewing of the tongue thing...

like hilfgirl mentioned as well..i think this warrants a neurologist. i ahve had panic disorder for years and researched it alot..and none of this sounds like panic attacks..with the chewing tongue..blacking out.. not remembering things...

i hope you talk to your doc soon ..good luck xo jenn

PcosGirl20 · 10-26-2004, 10:06 PM

my anxiety consists of.......dissyness, quiezyness, trouble breathing, constant state of panic, and cranky/weepyness......

Im just a cluster of things....

mantei517 · 10-26-2004, 10:12 PM

I agree with everyone...I have suffered from panic attacks for years now. Yours may be some type of seizure. During my attacks I am fully aware of what is happening, ie, a wave of anxiety (best description I have used is its like Icy Hot racing through my veins , entire body, then I start to "panic" because I think something seriously is happening to my body, heart palpations, clamy, diarrhea, etc....It typically only last a few minutes up to 1/2 hour believe it or not (although it seems like hours).

Please get checked out...Good luck to you & you will be in my prayers..

susanC · 10-27-2004, 03:03 AM

i also agree with everyone else, that you should see a neurologist. i have had panic attacks for about 5 yrs. and i haven't experience any blackouts or chewing of the tongue. my symptoms are almost exactly the same as woman in the previous post, clamy, nervous, etc.. i suggest you find a good neurologist, if not for anything but to put your mind at rest and maybe get rid of the crazy feelings.

but don't feel too bad, if you have had these feelings for two yrs, a few more weeks probably won't be too bad

Tigger2Cute · 10-27-2004, 01:34 PM

I have an appt with a Neurologist on Nov. 9th. I just wish I knew better how to explain it to him. It's the oddest feeling I've ever had. No explanation I've ever tried to give some one even came close to doing it justice. I've only blacked out and chewed my tongue twice.

Mantei, I noticed that you posted your attacks lasted anywhere from a few minutes to 1/2 hour. My spells usually only last maybe 15-30 seconds, and I'm aware of what's going on the entire time. With the exception of the times I blacked out when I came to about 1/2 hour to an hour later. More often than not, these spells happen when I am very tired, alot of times it will be when I'm laying down about to drift off to sleep.

My brother had epileptic spells when he was younger, but he outgrew them, and his spells where not like mine. He would convulse and his eyes would roll back in his head. I've never done that unless I did it the 2 times I blacked out.

I hope the neurologist can give me a little more insight to this. I just hope he doesn't think I'm a fruitcake. It'll be a couple weeks, but I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thank you all so much for you replies. I really appreciate it!

Tigger

prunepie · 10-27-2004, 01:45 PM

hi tigger..i think there is a website at www.about.com all about neurology..if not please do a web search about seizures.... i am sure you will come up with info that can better prepare you when you see the doc.... 15-30 seconds indicates a sort of seizure for sure....there are tons of different kinds.... i hope your doc is great.and if he does think you are a fruitcake lol get another one!!!

xo jenn