Intense head rushes common of panic?

[italiancookie]

I've been getting these HORRIBLE and terrifying head rushes for the last two years - ever since I got high off an edible. For eight hours, I was suffering from these really weird head rushes, along with tremors, crazy fast heart beat, nausea and headaches, and of course intense and uncontrollable fear . Ever since then, they've been a regular part of my life. They feel like an explosion in my head, so strong I almost pass out and my body goes on high alert.

I've seen many, many doctors, had countless tests done, and most of them agree it's panic. I've been so scared it's seizures since I know all of these can fall under the partial seizure umbrella. Had many EEGs, including one 5 day long one in the hospital. All normal results, no abnormalities. (I didn't have very intense attacks however)

Has anyone else experienced this? I know many people with anxiety and panic and no one has ever had this. I've even had a therapist tell me they didn't sound like panic attacks.

I've been so scared for so long. If anyone can relate, please let me know!

[Dnel82]

If the neurologist cleared you of any. Conditions then you should be ok. If you feel you'd like a second opinion try seeing another specialist.

Anxiety is very unique. It impacts people in different ways and this is the results from the body constantly releasing the stress hormone (cortisol) into the body and adrenaline. It effects people differently. Some people experience dizziness, numbness, tingling, and unexplained pain/cramps. Heart palpitations, fast heart rate, heat flashes, cold flashes.

The list goes on and on. Anxiety just functions that way. The physical symptoms are very real. That's why we all still suffer from it. Think about it. Would we all still be suffering if no physical symptoms occurred with our distress? We all would get over it in a day and move on. It's the physical symptoms that tie us into this disorder. We hate it and want for it not to be there.

Again get a second opinion from another specialist. It won't hurt. And if you're clear you need to work on better management techniques for your anxiety. Meditation, exercise, eating right, etc....

Stay strong and don't let anxiety win. If you can check out other responses I've left others in this community. I go in depth about anxiety. Other wise this response will be even longer.

[Calm_mama in reply to Dnel82]

Spot on Dnel82

Italian cookie I have some good resources on my profile that I think could really help you. Others here have excellent resources to recommend as well.

Anxiety does such a number on the body.... ! Makes it so hard to accept that it’s actually anxiety/panic. That’s common- same story for so many. When u move to a place of practicing acceptance, that’s when recovery begins.

[kvolm2016]

It is hard to have to deal with extreme physical responses like these you mention for any length of time. So it is easy to understand the fear that you are battling alongside the physical responses. You are wise to have all these tests to be able to rule out other conditions. So now that so much has been ruled out, can you refocus your thoughts and efforts on coping more effectively with the physical responses?

[Likeabadstorm]

I so relate to this. So scary. My therapist said it all sounds very complex and just need the eeg again to try to rule things out. It's hard having this daily and even at night waking up feeling this,

[italiancookie in reply to Likeabadstorm]

Yeah, it’s the worst when you wake up with it. That’s why I had to stop taking Prozac.

[Likeabadstorm in reply to italiancookie]

This is happening and not on any antidepressant. Makes me even more scared to try any of them. Since Prozac caused it for you I breakdown crying everyday. Terrible.

[italiancookie in reply to Likeabadstorm]

Prozac has a history of worsening panic and anxiety, actually, so you might not want to take it anyway. But it does work for a lot of people. Medications really are trial and error for everyone.

[Likeabadstorm in reply to italiancookie]

I know and I fear all of them for that reason. It's like playing Russian roulette in my brain with trying a med after the horrible experience I once had with topamax

[italiancookie in reply to Likeabadstorm]

My mom has epilepsy and she had a bad experience on topamax too. I have an appointment with an epilepsy specialist tomorrow, so wish me luck lol

[Likeabadstorm in reply to italiancookie]

Best wishes! Are you seeing the specialist to rule out epilepsy? Let me know how it goes...wishing you the best.

[italiancookie in reply to Likeabadstorm]

It’s more of a follow up, I’ve had four EEGs at this point, and two of them were in the hospital and they didn’t see any evidence of seizures. So I have appts with a specialist every three months to follow up and talk about any new developments.

[Likeabadstorm in reply to italiancookie]

I remember you having the four eegs with no results of seizures. Do the neuro think it is non-epileptic seizures or just panic and anxiety? Or possibly epileptic seizures that are not showing on the eeg, as his occurs sometimes?

[italiancookie in reply to Likeabadstorm]

They lean toward it being anxiety, but they can’t say for sure. I saw my doctor today and we’re going to do a genetic epilepsy test. More needles lol but at least it’s another avenue for an answer. Just waiting for insurance to approve it.

[Likeabadstorm in reply to italiancookie]

Hoping your insurance approves it and you can see and it gives you answers. If you do end up getting it done, let me know how it goes if you don't mind. Funny how needles are nothing compared to the feelings we get with this.

Monday I'll have the MRA of my neck just to rule out anything in the neck with and without contrast. I'll be getting stuck again and more of that contrast, too bad the insurance didn't approve it all at the same time because of the complaints people have had and side effects from the contrast due to the metal in it. It scares me but gotta do it. It always burns a bit in my heart when I have it.

[italiancookie in reply to Likeabadstorm]

Yeah, contrast is never fun, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind

[Likeabadstorm]

I am sorry your mother has epilepsy. I fear it so much. I know people live with it, but whatever is plaguing me is horrible and hard to live with. I hope your mother's is managed well. Topamax was the devil pill for me. Now I fear taking any med and even meds I used to take. I'm scared I'll get those kind of reactions I had with it. It was pure torture.

Hoping all goes well. I'm sure you'll have to get scheduled for the eeg and all of that is what is going to happen. Still waiting for my neuro to get his new machine and staff ready. Told first week of December hopefully. Though I've been told all summer it would've ready by this month and then the following month etc etc and now December. Very long process for them to get this thing up and running in the new office for his patients to be able to wear and take home (video eeg). I will be having the MRA of the neck on Monday. The ent did the peer to peer and got it approved. Let me know how things go for you. Take Care.

[italiancookie in reply to Likeabadstorm]

Thank you I mentioned I’ve had four EEGs but I’ve actually had five! Your bringing up the one you wear at home reminded me haha the silver lining is that doctors have told me that the more EEGs are done with negative results makes it less likely that you actually have epilepsy. So it’s something to think about. I hope yours goes well!

[Likeabadstorm in reply to italiancookie]

Ok. That's a positive note on that for sure. Hope all goes well.