Panic attacks out of nowhere..

[trueman]

Nothing connected to Lupus this but I have been told before that I get panic attacks. Have often felt it was not always anxiety over the years that really was the problem but my balance issues that come and go.

But in the last two days - I have certainly had panic attacks! Couldn't get my breath, felt sick and very very faint and dizzy, then shaking (whole body) and very cold and tired, clammy hands. Panicked that it was something much worse. Nearly called the doctor. But managed to lie down and try to let it pass. An hour or so later felt exhausted, still not right but it seemed to pass.

Horrible! And I don't know why I am suddenly getting them

[Purpletop]

Have you checked your blood pressure when you have these attacks? I would go see the GP and get him/her to check your heart - lupus sometimes causes inflammation to the heart valves or muscle or its lining that restricts its ability to function properly. When it doesn't function properly it can cause anxiety and feeling of doom, coupled with dizziness etc.

It may be panic attacks but I'd check it anyway, to be sure.

[trueman in reply to Purpletop]

Thanks Purpletop. I just feel that I can't go back to GP with yet another problem. I do wonder over the years because I have got an irregular heartbeat and get palpitations from time to time. Thanks for the advice. I think I will see how I go over the weekend and then if I have another couple of 'panic attacks' that ridiculously overwhelming go then.. ugh.

[purple-lou]

Since having lupus, I have started having panic attacks. I have never had them before. I get panicked in small spaces (heart racing, can't breathe) and also if I'm a passenger in a car. The first time this happened last year, I was so shocked. I'm used to it now and avoid situations that bring on the attacks.

I have read that lupus can bring on attacks like this.

Take care xx

[rockchic]

Yes you must get this checked out by your doctor , I was told for years that I was having panic attacks even though I never felt anxious or distressed , I was having trouble breathing , tightness in my chest and just generally felt unwell , to cut a long story short one night 4 years ago I woke in middle of night to extreme breathlessness and thumping in my chest I literally thought I was having a heart attack , I was admitted to a and e and given a heart trace which found my heart was beating abnormally fast so was given an echocardiogram and was told I had a heart murmur and mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation! not bad considering it was supposed to be anxiety ! my rhummie is almost certain the heart probs are caused by my lupus and I have to have an echocardiogram every 2 years just to keep a check, I am not saying this to alarm you yours could be anxiety but you need to get it checked , good luck x

[Supernat]

I had my first "panic attack" 2 nights ago, and thought I was not going to make it to the hospital. I haven't been formally diagnosed with Lupus, but I had the titer 1:640 and several other symptoms like sensitivity to the sun. I'm glad to find this forum, because the ER staff and my dr just call it a panic attack, I've had 8 in the last day and half. I just get a welling up of cold in my mid to chest area that moves outward, heart is racing, and tingling in my left hand initially followed by the right hand and up to my head. I can breathe completely normal during these. It still seems heart related to me since I don't feel anxious when these come on?

[Herbs77]

I get terrifying panic attacks that come from nowhere & last only a few minutes, I have Hughes syndrome (APS) Lupus, if anyone knows how to deal with them or has any idea what triggers these episodes I'd love to hear from you.