Sudden increase in panic attacks?

[Monkeysss]

Hi everyone I’ve never posted here before so sorry if I’m in the wrong place or whatever.


I’m 22 years old, diagnosed with GAD and depression in high school. I had a couple panic attacks here and there but nothing to complain.


Recently it’s gotten a lot worse with no trigger that I know of.


I had an iron infusion I have major health anxiety, so for the iron infusion i was quite anxious, In the end I felt a bit dizzy and my blood pressure was a bit high that was last Thursday (13.12) as I was walking out of the medical centre I started feeling really dizzy, hot, and just felt like I was gonna pass out. I wanted to go back and see the nurse but my mum assured me that it was just anxiety and if I was gonna have a reaction I would have had one while the infusion was happening.

On Saturday I went to a bday party w family. I started feeling a bit sick and had a stomach ache, then I just started feeling dizzy, my skin felt hot and I thought I was gonna pass out. I made my mum take me to the drs I thought I was dying. Was put in with the nurse who took my blood pressure and it was too high for my age, and my heart was fast. Which he said can be normal since I was panicking, he sent me to wait for a doctor just to make sure everything was okay. The doctor said it could have been side effects to the iron infusion with anxiety on top of that.


Sunday I woke up with a headache and it was with me all day. I went to a concert I had been looking forward to for ages and couldn’t enjoy myself bc I was just feeling so out of place and on edge the whole time.


I went back to my GP yesterday bc I still don’t feel normal and he has given me anxiety meds.

I’m convinced there’s an underlying medical condition like a brain tumour or cancer somewhere in my body bc it all just came on so suddenly and with no trigger no warning etc. I brought this up with my doctor and he said if symptoms persist he’ll definitely run some tests to rule it out. I get a lot of physical symptoms like racing heart, dizziness, pins and needles/aching in my arm (this has only happened twice but is disturbing anyway) a lot more I can’t write bc of the character limit. I’ve also started getting headaches daily for the past week.

So ever since the Thursday from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed I’m just anxious and I just don’t feel right

I guess I just wanna see if anyone else has ever experienced this so I don’t feel so alone and can hopefully calm my mind a little bit.

[Trav24]

You’re not alone I promise - I’ve had very similar to you

[jess334]

Hi Monekeysss's,

Welcome to the forums.

Health anxiety can be really tricky. Especially because we get bombarded with so much medical awareness information now. Plus often our anxiety symptoms are similar to symptoms of severe health issues.

When I have a panic attack I get similar symptoms to what you are describing; hot flashes, dizziness, fast heat rate, pins & needles (usually in my hands & lips), and nausea. I also get really tired and down for about 12 hours afterwards and usually just want to sleep. I think this is my body recovering from the massive amount of stress.

It's great that you are seeing your doctor and that he agreed to further tests if the symptoms persist. I hope the medication he gave you starts to work.

Please keep posting if you need to talk further. There are lots of great people on here with a lot of experience.

Kind thoughts, Jess

[Doolhof]

Hi Monkeysss,

I too welcome yo to the forum. Anxiety and panic attacks can affect us all in different ways from what I have read.

It is good that you went back to the Dr to be checked out. Sounds like the Dr is understanding and willing to do further tests if required.

Once we start thinking about the negativeness of things like panic attacks and anxiety, we may make ourselves more susceptible unconsciously. My thoughts anyway, not a proven fact.

Recently we were on holidays and for some reason I was experiencing panic attacks and high anxiety every day. I became aware of how I was reacting and tried some distraction techniques.

Once I was home again and back to my usual routine I have been feeling a lot better. I have actually been pushing myself to do things and not just hide at home.

It has provided me with a greater sense of self strength which is also helping!

Hopefully by talking to your Dr. sharing here and maybe doing some reading about how to help yourself with anxiety, you can move on.

All the best. Cheers from Dools