New to here, not to anxiety

[azmarktb]

Hey all, Iam soon to be 50 year old male. Last Thursday, I had a MAJOR panic attack,or so I think it was(actually not sure), LOL. Anyway, I was at home on my day off and drank 1 extra cup of coffee-maybe a cup and a half. I usually have 2 cups of bulletproof coffee per day. I have high blood pressure so I frequently take my BP with my home monitor, probably a little OCD about taking it to be honest. About 2 hours after my 3rd cup, I felt "weird" so I took my BP. It was climbing which gave me more anxiety. I was feeling tingly all over, blurry vision and fainty. Beer calms me down so I stupidly went up to the gas station in my car and got 2 Buds, came back and drank 1. Didn't help. My BP kept rising. I was a mess. I called my wife and said meet me at the ER. So, Idrove myself to the ER and was experiencing major panic in the ER. I HATE hospitals so that just doubled my anxiety. The nurse took my BP. 186/115. I was surprise I was still standing. I am in good shape but I drink too much alcohol. My wife meets me and I am pacing outside waiting to get seen. Still freaking out. I ask her to go get me 2 beers and this is the only way at this point I am going to survive this without going nuts. She did(she's a great wife). My BP and anxiety began to subside. After 2 more after that, I felt normalish again. We left the stupid ER after 2 hours waiting!! I went home and my BP was 120/80.

I now realize I need to cut down on the beers because that triggers anxiety the next day, but I have been experiencing that full eye feeling and not normal vision.. Today, for some reason, I just realized I am much less anxious when I don't wear my glasses. I wonder if the eye strain per se could be an underlying factor. Thanks for listening, Mark

[azmarktb]

I forgot to say, I f frequently get flashes of feeling very warm all over, my skin gets clammy and very warm to the touch, then disappears or not. My doc gave me sertraline but I haven't taken any yet. CBD and cannabis does help. In fact, I smoked too much last weekend and it gave me LOW BLOOD PRESSURE and I had to lie down. LOL.

[Blueshirt]

I quite understand how you feel. It's very difficult coping with anxiety, and whatever works, works. I've suffered from it for all of my life; but even knowing what causes it doesn't help. You seem to have coped well with your recent panic attack; so fair play to you. Well done. I used to use beer and gear to cope with my anxiety. Worked for a while, well years, but long term it caused me even greater anxiety so I knocked them on the head. I still suffer from anxiety and depression, but the downs usually don't last so long and are not too bad. I admire your good humour and the way you have coped. Thanks for sharing your experience

[rossdav]

Hi, you really should consider cutting out the coffee, or at least cutting down. It's a huge trigger for me. When you look at what caffeine does to your central nervous system its no surprise that it affects those of us who are prone to anxiety.

What you describe is classic and I've been there many times. I once ended in A&E with 220/120 and it was all anxiety. I barely check my BP now and if I do I only pick a time when I'm feeling well with no anxiety thoughts at all. You will spiral out of control very easily with a single negative thought.

Like the coffee, alcohol can set me off too but I'm OK with a little but if I have too much the sensations it brings immediately get me into an anxiety state. In fact any odd sensations can cause it. Like you have identified maybe the glasses are making you feel a little odd and hence the anxiety.

It's all very unpleasant and I feel for you.

[azmarktb]

Rossdav, yes, I have cut down on my coffee the past week since my incident and I have cut down on my beer intake. :)) I agree with you. Checking my BP every 5 mins DOES NOT help my mindset. It has dropped considerably since cutting back on caffeine and alcohol. Funny story, my sister wants me tocome back for my mom's 75th bday party next week. LOL. There is no way in hell I could step on a plane right now

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I need to go in an airplane too and I’m scared dd