Physical symptoms after an attack

[whose_da_man88]

Hi,

I had a panic attack yesterday. Prior to that, I can recall 2 previous ones since i was official diagnosed with anxiety in July/August 2017.

I have no idea what triggered the panic attack but I have lots of questions that I can't seem to find which is why I registered to post today.

I was shopping with my wife and daughter. I was there the previous day no problems. For some reason yesterday it resulted in a panic attack whereas the day before, wasn't a problem.

The lead up. I had a coffee at 11:30AM something I haven't had for a long long time but I really wanted to enjoy a beverage with my wife. Walking around the shops together and i went to feed my daughter and could feel panicky so started to breathe deeper. This didn't work and got to the point where I was sweating profusely and the world was moving no matter where i looked. I had a sense of dread that I could not cope and that I would black out and was trembling and shaking. Eventually I had to leave my wife and daughter to lay in the car.

Today i've been trying to meditate and relax. The way I mediate is lying on the bed. Each time I have gotten out of bed, I have been really dizzy and I have hot and cold flushes. Body could be warm but the feed is cold.

Now the questions.

- Does this sort of sound like a panic attack? What is the difference between panic and anixety attack?

- I've been reading articles, I can't tell if it was voluntary or involuntary. Why would doing something normal lead to this kind of feeling?

- Can coffee really bring on a panic attack? I'm guessing it is a stimulant so is it possible that it pushed my body beyond what it can currently cope?

- Could coffee plus the stress of looking after my daughter in a crowded mall all add up to cause a sense of not being able to cope?

- All forums about panic attack tell you that the panic attack symptoms peak for minutes to hours. However rarely any forums can tell what happens after. I feel fatigued (from insomnia, but muscles feel tired too), dizzy, weird sensations in my head like light headed, pressure moving around inside, hot and cold flushes. Is this normal after an attack? What is everyone's experience.

- I lay down for meditations with the Headspace app. Does laying down work?

Thanks in advance!

[whose_da_man88]

Hi blondyguy,

Thank you so much for the reassurance.

Re GP - I've been seeing them. A bit of history is I had my first officially recognised panic attack in JUL17. I saw a psychologist about 6 times and then stopped as I was too busy after the birth of my daughter, but also I wasn't certain what he was doing worked. I went to a psychiatrist recently but due to cost and pro-meds, I stopped after the 1st. Hence why I'm not seeing the GP anymore as all my results are fine whether it be blood or ECG etc.

How long did your symptoms last? Mine is nearly a week and Annie is 2 weeks.

On a side note, when I relapse (not to the point of a panic attack, but a lot of the other symptoms like brain fog, muscle fatigue etc) for me I feel better towards the evening but when it's time to wake up, it is impossible to get out of bed because the muscles are so sore. Any idea why i would feel so horrible in the morning but it gets better at night? I have my theory but hoping to not be so narrow-minded and listen to other people's experience.

Thanks!

[blondguy]

Hey whose_da_man88

Thanks heaps for posting back and to all the members above too!

You are a proactive guy..One of the main reasons I see my GP is for my long term anxiety....The GP's have a better understanding about anxiety now than the 1980's when I was in my 20's...I dont see my GP for tests...only for some counseling and a 'tune up' for my own anxiety

You are not narrow minded at all...The effects of anxiety can be awful (even without a panic attack) The sore muscles...can sometimes be anxiety related if we are generally tense or stressed even during our sleep

My GP bulk bills me which is a huge bonus.....The cost of a psychologist/psychiatrist can be prohibitive...which is why I have a GP that has strong interest in mental health....for support and general counsel 🙂

Can I ask how the quality of your sleep is?

My physical symptoms were severe after my 1st mega panic attack.....I was in bed for a week....sweating and super scared of when the next attack was coming....exhausted...fatigued

Just for my own anxiety the feelings after an attack sometimes just kept going....for weeks..Everyone's anxiety issues are very different...low level...mid range....and then the chronic level....where the symptoms have a negative affect on our day to day well being

It does take huge patience and serious determination to work through these symptoms....It can sometimes take a very long time...There is no easy fix except to somehow start to see a GP as often as you can....Monthly is great....fortnightly can be better..especially when we need to 'offload' and have a good talk....

you are not alone....I hope you can stick around...(if and when you wish!)

you rock...seriously

Paul

[cakeboss]

Hi there i recently had a medical scare and everything is okay now .But my anxiety went trough the roof on thursday .It was horrible ,i just couldnt settle thinking what if its this what if its that and felt like vomiting .The next day i was so tired and quite waking up early with nausea .The dredded anxiety panic disorder is back and making mornings horrible .Ive been told that when this happens it takes days for me to slow down and feel back to normal part of anxiety panic attacks .im trying mindfulness it kinda works .having panic attacks on and off at the moment .Its all triggered from thursday and i unfortuately hate this feeling im trying to keep busy and stay active .Does you feel this way to

[Monkeysss]

Hi,
Most definitely sounds like a panic attack.
I think the difference between anxiety attack and panic attack (could be wrong) but a panic attack is a sudden rush of fear, with at least 4 of the following symptoms.


Racing heart
Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy
Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers
Sense of terror, or impending doom or death
Feeling sweaty or having chills
Chest pains
Breathing difficulties
Feeling a loss of control




Caffeine can certainly bring on anxiety/panic attack. I didn’t have a panic attack or major anxiety for a while, I decided one day to have a coffee with my mum and afterwards I was anxious all day. And that night I woke up and had a major panic attack. Also yesterday, I had a can of Coke Zero, and was super anxious and panicky up until I went to bed.


You certainly do feel fatigue after a panic attack. Personally, after my panic attacks I’m super tired and hungry, craving sugar mostly. And my shoulders burn for days. Feel like a sunburn but i haven’t been in the sun.


Laying down works for me. My psychologist taught me this; and I find it works. When you feel a panic attack coming on, or even during a panic attack. Breathe in deeply and tense every single muscle in your body, hold for a few seconds and then release. Continue until you feel relaxed.


I also have this app on my phone (iOS not sure if on android) but it’s called WYSA, you talk to a computer and if you type ‘panic attack’ it’ll give you a few helpful things to do.


Sorry you’re experiencing this. And I hope things get better for you.

[whose_da_man88]

Hi blondguy,

So when you go see the GP, what do you discuss with them? Do you only go see them when you don't feel well?

Today is the first day that I actually feel closest to normal again. That's nearly a fortnight. I have a theory ... I feel like my brain has a cramp and then it takes a lot of time to heal. unlike a leg muscle cramping u can not use it, the brain is constantly in use which is why the symptoms take forever to go away. Thoughts?

Quality of sleep during the bad times is not great. Fractured sleep a lot of the times. Otherwise the last 2 nights seem to be almost back to how it should be - sleeping through.

Can I ask if you are pro-med? I've been very torn on this one. I recognise my lifestyle is the most likely cause of the anxiety aside from day-to-day contributors which is why I don't want to use meds. I've read some ppl use it for years and years and others get on it and a few months it's gone. I rarely hear discussions of relapses where for me, every 2-3 months I have relapses where I feel the symptoms - not to the extent of the recent panic attack.

I want to stick around to help others but I hope not to stick around feeling sorry for myself!

Thanks for all your responses thus so far!

[whose_da_man88]

Hi cakeboss,

Yes ... very similiar. I had the panic attack. Felt better at night. Woke up next morning exhausted and dizzy. Went out in the evening to pick up some groceries and I felt panicky for absolutely no reason. Some times I feel like that for no reason and can't find a way to calm down while I'm doing things. I hope things settle down for you.

[blondguy]

Hi whose_da_man88

ummm....32 years ago I didnt know that my GP's (I had 2) such a good grasp of anxiety attacks....I thought they only did basic procedures...to answer your post I will use bullet points if thats okay with you

• I wasted 15 years of my 20's and 30's being stubborn and refusing help as I thought I could self heal...oops
• Just prior to losing my home and job....I went back and sought help...and yes I was anti-meds
• I was a mess with my anxiety and eventually agreed to taking a small dosage of an antidepressant in 1996
• My anxiety levels (for me) reduced by approx 70% within 4 weeks after starting the AD's....Yay!
• My job performance and personal life improved a great deal..(I nearly lost my job due to high anxiety prior)
• The meds are the best decision I have made in my life...Even though they are never a fix all....the regular counseling also vastly improved my general health too (for my anxiety levels)
• Yes...I am pro-meds....they have given me my life back....(with counseling)

When I started seeing my GP I cried...(yes I was super uncomfortable doing so) and he was super caring and then I understood that he had a really good understanding about anxiety and how awful it really is

My GP asks me about my anxiety levels and how work is going etc....so we have a talk and he is brilliant in providing me with the reassurance I really need....You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by making a double appointment and having a talk 🙂

You are not feeling sorry for yourself in any way.....anxiety is an awful set of feelings to have...If you feel like you can provide support to others in a non judgemental way...you are welcome to

You have a proactive attitude with your health whose_da_man88!

any other questions are always welcome Man88

Great to have you as part of the Beyond Blue forum family too!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[whose_da_man88]

Hi blondguy,

I was fantastic yesterday after nearly a fortnight of feeling like crap. Today I feel like i've hit rock bottom again. Picked up my daughter this morning and did something to the back. Don't think it is related to how I've been feeling today. Head feels like it is in the cloud and tinnitus is through the roof where the head feels like it will go into panic attack mode again if the tinnitus continues to go on a higher pitch. I feel like I can't focus on objects so I tend to look downwards. The head feels like it has a searing pain all over. Ears feel hot too.

I can't understand how this really is anxiety symptoms ... i feel like there is something wrong with my head! nothing much has changed since 2 days ago - i felt real good so was doing normal things like work, house work etc and this happens. Don't tell me my body can't cope with what is meant to be normal? But I still can't understand how it is anxiety?

[blondguy]

Hey Man88

You and I seem to have some similar symptoms....I also have tinnitus occasionally and its a pain....as in frustrating. Also when I am suffering from major stress my lower back locks up in spasm...Interesting?

Its great that you had a fantastic day yesterday after a fortnight of crap....Having a good day is always a bonus

Feeling like you may be headed for panic attack mode is a a very common (normal) symptom of anxiety Man88

The roller coaster ride of even low level anxiety can be frustrating as we have the crap days followed by one or a few good days.....It usually means we are 'oversensitised'

Is there anything happening in your life that is sometimes a huge stress factor?

Anxiety can also have nothing to do with recent events....(in the last couple of days)....It can sometimes go back to when we were children too...

I have attached a copy & paste link for a well recognised anxiety and depression test that will give you a better idea of your general anxiety levels for the last few months

www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety-and-depression-checklist-k10

I hope your weekend is going well for you and your daughter!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[whose_da_man88]

Hi Blondyguy,

Tried to start a new post about my doubts it is anxiety but it wasn't posted.

Friends and even family ask me what I am anxious about. But frankly I don't feel like I'm stressed or anxious anywhere as much as I use to be.

In fact, I feel what happens is my physical symptoms happen, such as lethargy/muscle fatigue, spaced out, hot flush when I do something, brain fog etc, and because of these physical symptoms I feel like crap or am anxious about it - anxious about what to do and whether it will make it better or worse (e.g. woke up feeling so tired it was ridiculous. Do I go for a walk and risk being making myself more tired or do I go to sleep or lay down, which could also make me more tired?!?)

Thus, is it even possible that what I experiencing for the roughly past 2 years actually because of anxiety? I don't feel that I am anxious which then brings the physical symptoms on to then make me anxious.

Is it possible that I screwed my body/brain up by pushing it too hard back then, and it snapped in the form of a panic attack, and since then it hasn't been able to recover which is why I'm getting these physical symptoms?

It is funny because people tell me to accept my physical symptoms and I can see why people say it is just in your brain. But if I am going through "anxiety", I can see how it isn't "just in the brain" because I'm actually feeling it which makes me sick and because I'm actually feeling it, its not something I can just accept ...

Thanks for your continued post. I find it very hard to talk to someone and get some or opinions ...