Hey guys, firstly, I know everyone experiences different symptoms of panic attacks but I just wanted to see if I could relate to anyone to see if I’m really having a panic attack or if it’s something greater. I’ve gone to different specialists for everything. I’ve been to ER, countless of blood tests, CT scans, etc. Most of them came back normal and some of them I have to be watchful (high blood pressure, sugar count, etc) but nothing out of the norm. Although I just feel this underlining of fear that there really is something wrong and the doctors aren’t looking in the right place. I’m scheduled for an EEG and MRI soon. My panic attacks have developed throughout the years. Some things have faded, stayed, and new things have developed. If this is really a panic attack (I’m still not convinced it’s, even though it’s been 7 years), I get shortness of breath, I feel like my chest is always caved in and I can’t inhale, I start to salivate, it’s extremely difficult for me to swallow as if it’s my throat clinches when I have to swallow anything especially my saliva. I get this pressurized headaches from the upper neck region to the sides of my head and piercing sporadic stabbing pains around my head. I feel restless now, and sometimes I can get shortness of breath from walking long periods of time. I’m not overweight although I could loosen a few pounds. I get tingling and numbness on face, arms, legs. And occasionally I get this cold spots that just come about on my body. I get really dizzy and now I’ve come to believe in starting to feel like I’m experiencing derealization. It’s hard for me to sleep at night cause I feel like I can’t breathe. But I’m still alive. Thank you Jesus. I think this is a bit long so I’m going to stop here. There’s a lot of other symptoms that I get but I just wanna hear your guys stories and your symptoms. Thanks for reading. Hope to hear from one of y’all soon.
Relatable symptoms : Hey guys, firstly... - Anxiety and Depre...
Relatable symptoms
You've had a lot of medical tests and attention and they say you're physically fine. That leaves anxiety disorder which includes panic/anxiety attacks. If it was anything else, after 7 years you'd have known about it by now!
Have any of the doctors and specialists actually diagnosed you with anxiety disorder?
My advice: you can't cure yourself of an illness you don't have no matter how hard you try.
Yes my primary care doctor has ruled that I do have anxiety and has scheduled me to see a psychiatrist. But I’m not too sure atm if that’s something that I really want. You know ?
I get the most of your symptoms as well, the worst being the throat clenching feeling like choking. I also went through a battery of tests thinking it was physical. I would recommend medication if your doctors think it's a good idea. Helped me a little. But overall you need to address anxiety and panic with diet, exercise, therapy, just a healthier lifestyle. Hope it helps to know you are not alone! Hope things get better soon for you!
Thanks. How does your panic attacks start ?
Heart palpitations, hyperventilation, and shaking
See I don’t get hyperventilating or shaking.
If you feel dizzy, out of breath, and feel tingling in your hands, feet, arms, legs, etc. you may very well be hyperventilating.
Oh ? I never knew that could be that
The most frequent symptom of hyperventilation for me is feeling short of breath when I haven't exerted myself. Sometimes tingling in the hands and so on. Frequently, until the symptoms show up, I'm unaware I'm breathing improperly. The good news is it is something you can control once you recognize it. It does take some practice. Sometimes just slowing your breathing and taking controlled breaths, even if you feel like you're not getting enough air clears it up. Hope this helps 
anxietycentre.com/anxiety-s...
And there's more! The list is incomplete. The list of things that the revved up nervous system can do is truly amazing.
If you are experiencing derealization, that's OK. Really, it's OK. If you look at this board you will see tons of people with symptoms consistent with derealization. It's nothing special, just a part of anxiety that is incredibly common. It is not a special symptom. The resources I have on my profile include a lot of info about this. And the amazing Claire Weekes talks about it in depth ("feelings of unreality") as just another part of anxiety - yes, anxiety- which so many people recover from, all the time. Jeff1943 speaks the truth. It appears you don't have an illness at all- just anxiety (not an illness IMO). When you start down the path of acceptance, there will be no stopping you....
Thank you for that. However I did not mention one symptom which was constant bloating especially when I’m showering. I’m not sure what that is and I mentioned to my doctor but he didn’t seem to find a problem. So I’m not sure b
It sure doesn't feel ok. In my case it is almost constant on edge of a full blown event that can only be chemical in the brain. Any known ways to defeat it? I've been trying for over 36 years.. I started TMS therapy because I'm treatment resistant to medications. 31 more to go, but they seem to be doing something.
What is TMS? I thought that there is a chemical imbalance as well.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven't been effective. What I was told was that in people like myself with long term anxiety and depression, part of the brain is under active. TMS is used to get that part of the brain to do it's job. That's how I understand it. Theoretically, if the brain is doing it's job, the chemicals will fall in line... that's what I'm hoping. I am feeling some relief. I've had 6 out of 36 treatments as of today.
That really sounds like panic attacks. If you want help and have been diagnosed with anxiety, I really would suggest a psychiatrist.
Hmm. Yeah. I just. Idk. I just feel like there’s more tests to be done. You think ?
Not really, tbh. If you've been diagnosed and tested for all sorts of other things, it is most likely that you have a panic disorder. If you're afraid of there being stigma with a panic disorder, look around this site! You're not alone. Mental health has recently become a huge deal, and if anyone gives crap for it, they have honestly been living under a rock. I suggest you go to a psychiatrist, if only to see what it's like. Give it a try. You may get an even more specific diagnosis, and possibly medication to help you function and live a normal life. Really, give it a shot.
How are your symptoms like ?
I get very shaky, sweaty, I start to breathe too fast, it feels like there is a weight on my ribs. It's difficult to swallow. I get trembly, and I can hardly think to even begin to calm myself down. It's like there is static or a swarm of bees in my head. I tend to cry as well. It's very overwhelming.
Man. It’s really difficult to swallow as well. I always fee weighted down too and weak and can hardly breathe when I move or sometimes I’m out of breath for words
Yea moving just isn't an option for me because I shake so much. I'm stuck wherever it happens till it's done.
I am not here to diagnose, but for my two cents: this desire for more testing sounds like your anxiety hijacking your thought processes.
You’re terrified (anxious!) that the doctors are going to miss something- so you want tests to rule out anything worse before trying to treat your anxiety.
However, the simplest answer is that it IS just anxiety. Please, take real steps to treat it. You might just find you feel better.
If you don’t feel better after *really doing the work* to improve your anxiety, then that would be an indicator to reopen the discussion with your doctors for physical testing.
BTW, I get almost every physical symptom you’ve described, including stomach upsets & bloating, when I have a panic attack. The gastrointestinal symptoms can go on for weeks if my anxiety is unchecked.
It may be. But how can you explain that then when I walk I’m out of breath and I feel like gravity is just so heavy and it’s hard for me to take a breath.
I’ve described it to my doctor as feeling like my chest is too weak to get enough air, or as if I’m not getting enough oxygen from the air I am getting... even when my oxygenation levels are fine.
“How do you explain...” (fill in the blank) is more of your anxiety running your mind in circles- only now you’re directing it towards us instead of trained professionals. Even if you don’t feel ready, talk to your doctor about new ways to manage your anxiety because what you’re living with now is not working and it’s ruining your quality of life.
I finally made that first appointment for myself. After I did, I felt like crying and I couldn’t tell you why. My heart flutters like a bird trying to escape and I feel like my body is vibrating. My teeth, jaw, neck, & head ache and my chest feels tight. I get bloated, I burp a lot. Sometimes I vomit or get diarrhea. Sometimes terrible gas. Sometimes it’s a wave of pins and needles washing through to my extremities. It’s ALL an over abundance of fight and flight panic coursing through my body and I can’t shut it off on my own. I’ve tried to talk myself out of it. It doesn’t work often enough to continue to ignore.
Well I e talked to doctors and specialists and I just feel like what’s talking to a psychiatrist gonna do? Talk to me then give me meds and mess me up even more. ? Idk. I’m gonna take it into consideration but I just feel like all the testing are not ruled out yet. Like today for example. I was heading to the mall. Fine as a dandelion. Then all of a sudden I felt my breathing going shallow and as I was walking, I felt myself getting slower and heavier and i couldn’t breathe. And then I come home thinking it’s over and it’s not. This is a new feeling of overwhelming sensation and symptoms for me.
There are all kinds of weird symptoms you can get. Mine constantly change. I’ll have chest pains one day. Right now all of my muscles are sore and my chest is tender to the touch. I’ve had numbness in my face, left arm also in my feet and legs. I’ve had heart palpitations, de realization, dizziness. Anxiety sucks. I’ve done so many tests too. In fact I’ve had a loop recorder in my chest for about a year. I started seeing a psychiatrist about 2 weeks ago and it helps some. I’m also considering meds. You are definitely not alone.
Thanks dude, I appreciate that. One thing that gets me weirded out is that I start to bloat while I’m walking, showering and I wouldn’t even eat. So I’m concerned about that. I already did two colonoscopies and it was fine. Do you get symptoms where you can’t swallow ?
No but I get symptoms where I feel like I can’t breathe. I have had a lump in the throat feeling though. There is actually a scientific name for it. I rushed to the doctor for that one too lol. You are fine. Just see a psychiatrist and learn to cope. It is not easy but you can do it.
See mine, when I can’t breathe, it becomes where everything feels weighed down on me. Like walking is hard for me when I feel this way, I feel weak. So idk how to explain that.
I’ve had more weird stuff happen to. I’ve had a warm feeling come over my chest and disappear. My chest gets so tight it hurts to breath in deep sometimes. I got a chest x Ray after that happened it freaked me out. My left hand would feel weird and weak from time to time. For the most part these days though it’s been chest pain and severe muscle tension. I’m telling you it will always be something. It’s like your anxiety changes and tries to trick you. I just tell myself I’m going on two years and I’m not dead so I guess I’m crazy lol. No but seriously I know how hard this is. It definitely makes the good days seem way more awesome. Health anxiety sucks!!!!!!! It has literally robbed me of my life but I won’t let it beat me. I will get better and be stronger than I’ve ever been. You will get through this. Accept it and work on the true illness, your severe anxiety.
Hawaiiguy, I suggest you are going about things the wrong way round.
First you should face the fact that what your doctors have told you is true. You have anxiety disorder. Face it. Don't think the doctors have missed something or you know better than them. They went to medical school for 5 years which with respect is probably 5 years longer than you did.
You are directing all your attention at your symptoms. Trying to investigate and treat them one by one. I suggest you accept your symptoms for the time being, they are not real physical illnesses: they are fake symptoms caused by an over sensitised nervous system. Even if you did manage to fix one symptom something else would probably pop up to take its place. Isn't that what's been happening?
So instead of stressing and obsessing about your symptoms redirect your attention to what's the real problem: the over-sensitised nerves which are causing your symptoms.
One way to do this is by accepting all your symptoms for the moment thus breaking the vicious circle of symptoms causing fear causing more symptoms causing more fear etc etc. This is the Acceptance method devised years ago by Claire Weekes referred to by Calm_mama and described in Doctor Weekes' book 'Hope and help for your nerves'.
So I suggest you forget obsessing and stressing over the symptoms and treat the cause: anxiety.
The things is. Panic attacks will happen regardless if you’re thinking about it. And that’s why I just get so frustrated into thinking that it can’t be just a panic attack. But yes I will talk to psychiatrist soon and if that doesn’t work, then idk what will on this earth
Panic attacks WILL happen out of the blue. This is why people develop fears because they think it is the place or situation that made them panic so they avoid. The fact is, it isn’t the place or situation that makes them panic, it is usually the thought of panic that makes them panic. They withdraw and become agoraphobic.
These panic attacks happen because your nerves have become sensitised to all that stress and tension you have been putting yourself under worrying that you have a serious illness. It’s like a negative energy ( actually, it’s adrenalin and cortisol and completely harmless) that gets stored up within and then gets released. The term panic attack is not really an accurate description. It should be called an energy surge because that is all it is. It is your body’s way of priming you to fight or run away ( or freeze) from perceived danger. The trouble is, most people become afraid of this energy surge and their reaction to these strange symptoms is to.....PANIC! They then worry and afraid it will happen again which adds more stress and strain leaving the door wide open for more energy surges. Like Calm Mama and Jeff1943 have already said, acceptance that you have anxiety ( and not worrying about it) will be the first step in your recovery and overcoming the disorder.
When your nervous system has become over-sensitised it remains in that state (until you eventually recover) regardless of whether you are thinking about it or not.
You may be having a good day free from anxiety and BANG out of the blue you can have a panic attack. You don't have to be thinking about anxiety for a panic attack to come.
I recommend that you should let go of this false belief that panic attacks only come when you're "thinking about it", simply not true. You can be feeling fine and pre-occupied with other matters and panic attack still comes. Because your nerves are sensitised 24/7 for the forseeable future.
You will start to make progress only when you understand and accept this fact. When you arrive at that stage come back to this thread and take note of the Claire Weekes book both Calm-mama and I have spoken about.
I repeat: you cannot cure yourself of a physical illness you don't have no matter how hard you try.
I presume that one of the tests you had was to check your thyroid level as either a low or high reading (I forget which) can cause symptoms of anxiety but this is very unlikely.
I actually never checked my thyroid level. I have a doctors visit tomorrow. I’ll ask him about it.
I'm willing to bet you've had your thyroid checked. Do make sure, though.
Here are some lyrics from one of my favorite songs - I think you can relate:
The doctor said it was anxiety
But how could it be anxiety?
How could anxiety make me physically feel off balance?
How could anxiety make me feel as though I was fading from this world
And on the brink of death?
This physical feeling
It can’t be anxiety
It can’t
Or can it?
Can it in fact be the mind controlling the body?
Yeah, of course
I’m so in control of my mind and my body
But I’m subconsciously forcing myself into a state
Of self bondage entangled by the ropes of my own mind
But one thing is I do know this feeling, this horrible feeling is going to kill me
No, no this feeling
This anxiety is nothing
I have anxiety
Just like you, the person I wrote this for
And together we will overcome this feeling....
Do mention thyroid to your doctor but as Calm_mama says it would almost certainly be part of the blood tests you've had. Once it's been confirmed it's not thyroid I suggest again that you must now accept this is anxiety disorder as your doctor says if you are to make progress in bringing the panic sttacks to an end.
Feel better. Your story is word for word my life. Been going on 5 years now. Also convinced it can’t be anxiety or stress but all signs are pointing to that.
I sincerely sympathize with your situation. You aren’t alone. We literally experience the same symptoms and have the same opinion and outlook towards them. I hope you find some comfort in that!
Be well. I am always just a PM away from helping out!
I used to have bad problems trying to breath as well. I got blood tests, CT scans, multiple breathing tests, EKGs. Nothing was wrong. Then I went to my psychiatrist and he said I had been having panic attacks. He gave me some medicine and it got better. I’m having a lot of other issues at the moment due to anxiety/panic/depression including numbness and tingling in my left part of my body. Go see the psychiatrist and things will get better.
Are you 27 too? I’m only assuming cause it has 91 in your name. How are the panic attacks though? Do they still happen? I’ve been getting mine quite often.
I’m 26 and things haven’t been going well for me recently. I’ve been getting panic attacks often and I’m trying to reach out to my psychiatrist to help with my meds and trying to find a therapist.
I’m sorry to hear. Hopefully we can beat this. It really freaking sucks.
Hey! I have a question! It sounds like (without diagnosising you) that you have illness anxiety disorder or hypochondriaism as maybe a manifestation of your anxiety. Have you ever had a health trauma in your life that could’ve been prevented by a doctor doing a million tests? I ask because I have that and my illness anxiety disorder is a manifestation of my ptsd. Mental health can be really complicated and tricky, and it isn’t easy to trust that the doctors are getting it right. But if you truly do have anxiety you can’t fix it on your own. I tried to do that for a very long time, but recently I hit “rock bottom” mentally and I was desperate for any type of help so I went and was evaluated and now I’m on Prozac. What works for me may not work for you, but all I want you to take from this is that it is worth getting better, and you may have to feel uncomfortable or anxious to start getting better! Hope that helps!
I took these diet pills that I feel messed me up to this day. It’s been 7 years. I heard everyone says that the body should have flushed it out a long time ago but I still don’t feel it.
Can you elaborate on that? What do you mean feeling it? And how long did you take them for?
I don’t feel normal. After taking those pills, mind you I only took two pills and it messed me up to this day.
Was taking those pills the onset of the panic and anxiety?
I believe that was the starter. Because when I took those pills, later that night I felt ill. I tried to sleep it off and it triggered this sensation I’ve never felt in my life and I went to the ER thinking it was a heart attack.
That definitely makes sense to me. What have doctors said about that?
Sounds a lot to me like anxiety induced panic attacks. Especially if you’ve been through a lot of medical tests. Everyone experiences anxiety differently but basically it’s our nervous system telling our brain something is wrong and to be afraid when there really is nothing wrong. It’s a matter of becoming more aware and training your brain to realize there’s nothing wrong. It takes time (I’m still in the midst of working on it as well). Next time this happens, instead of getting worked up try to just observe your symptoms and be curious, this is one strategy that has helped reduce my anxiety attacks. Hope that helps and good luck to you.
Hey, thank you. The only thing is, I don’t force myself to get all worked up and I don’t know if it’s fear per say. Example:!id be walking, and then all of a sudden, my body starts to feel heavy and then I can’t breathe well. So I just heard back to my car and I still feel this gravitational pressure that makes me think, is this really part of a panic attack?
I think it is. I have a lot of anxiety/panic when there’s nothing triggering it, like when I’m laying in bed with no where I have to be the next day. It’s like your nervous system and brain are out of whack and you’re feeling panic when there’s nothing to really panic about, and then you (if you’re like me) have continual panic about the panic, haha. Ruling things out medically doesn’t hurt though, I did the same when I was concerned it was a disgestive issue but all of my symptoms seem triggered by my anxiety. I would look into talking to someone since it’s been 7 years of you going through this!
Hey, I understand for what you are having right now. I get panic attacks out of blue, means when ever I feel something strange or odd in my body it sends me automatically into panic attack. I did plenty of tests and still I convince that I have something wrong or going to pass out in that moment. The most thing that is killing me right now is when ever I get ache in my left arm.
When I google about the left arm pain it only says heart related. I did a lot of tests regarding the heart and nothing ruled out wrong in fact my heart is in a good and strong state. I describe my panic attack as a terrible moment when ever I get it. Muscle aches, dizziness, shortness of breath, brain fog, tingling and numbness, indigestion, coughing for breath, sweating, odd sensations that move from place to other, electrical shots and bunch of other symptoms.
Even when I'm not anxious I do get them and they f*** that moment or the positive day I was having. I'm feeling that I developed my self into hypochondriac. Good luck mate and hope you get recovered soon.
Do you ever get bloatation out of nowhere ? Or feel heavy from walking and can’t breathe ? I have that and it scares to crap out of me. I hope you find recovery as well soon.
I used to get bloated before I discovered I'm gluten and dairy intolerant. About heavy feel and breathing during or after a walk/running yes I know the feeling. Last Saturday I went for a short run and started getting slight of chest pains and heavy feeling, scared the hell out of me. You too bud when ever you want message me.
When I'm pushed to my limit, like someone has interrupted me two or three times, I start to breathe fast. My pulse rate accelerates and I my vision goes a little blurry. It's hard to focus on others who might be in the room with me. I can't concentrate and I can barely speak. Most of the time I have to force the words out of my mouth. I start to hyperventilate and get dizzy. I start crying uncontrollably and I just can't shake the pressure in my chest. I usually have to leave wherever I'm at and get to my truck. Go for a drive if I can. If not I just sit there and scream with the windows shut, or cry until I can't cry anymore.
This happened with a new doctor I went to after mine had retired. His nurse ignored me about a question I had asked. That just set me up to find fault when when the doctor came in. He seemed contrite and brushed off my illnesses/problems one by one. His biggest failure was stating that weight loss would help me the most. He never asked about my physical limitations. Or he said that I needed psychotherapy. I did walk out on him and saw another doctor the next time. Much better with him.
Keep fighting. You can pull through the tough times even if you have to walk out to get calmed down. Some won't understand why you leave a situation. You have to decide if you tell them why. I usually say that I needed some time alone or I had a call to take.
I’m sorry you had to go through that unfortunate event. I’m going to see a new doctor today and explain to him what’s going on but also get a second opinion.
Hi Hawaiiguy,
come back to this thread from time to time to re-read the wisdom here from many people. Right now anxiety has taken over and is preventing the rational part of your mind from listening/processing. This is common, normal in the circumstances. I've been there. But I can tell that you aren't experiencing complete and total anxiety hijack right now (and even if you were, that is completely reversible, too). The rational part of your mind is trying.... but anxiety keeps telling that part of the mind to "be quiet, pay attention! There's an emergency here and my job is to save you from it!" You can glimpse what is going on, I can tell from your words. Whenever you glimpse it, let that clarity roll around in there a little. Gently tell anxiety to shhh for a minute so you can listen to the calm, rational, logical part of your mind do a little pondering of the facts.
Dr. Weekes helped me so much. She has helped so many. She was a brilliant woman who completely understood how anxiety works, and how to recover. I had to listen to her words (I prefer audio) oh man- 50 or so times before it started to sink in. Anxiety had brainwashed me and undoing that took reverse-brainwashing. That's a strong word but it really applied to me. I read "At last a Life" by Paul David 4 times (he based his approach on Dr. Weekes). There's a logical process at work here. There is no need to be bewildered by your symptoms. Learn about anxiety- listen to (or read) Dr. Weekes. That is the first step. Acceptance is possible once you understand, and are no longer confused and bewildered by your symptoms. A good therapist can be tremendously helpful. Keep us posted.
Doctor Claire Weekes' books and YouTube videos have helped more people recover from anxiety disorder than any other single form of therapy. And they continue to do so all these years after her passing.
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