Ask Me Help Desk - Panic Attack Questions

Well, I had my first ever panic attack today and it was truly a frightening experience. Ended up calling an ambulence, they came and gave me oxygen, checked my pulse and told me I was okay- I thought I was having a heart attack. But after they checked me and gave me oxygen, I gradually started to feel better. The whole episode lasted for about two hours of extreme panic.

I think (just a guess) it was induced by too much caffeine- also I've been working out a lot recently and think I damaged something in my left arm- it gets kind of numb occasionally- and I think that because of the excessive caffeine in my system at the time, when my arm went numb, I freaked out and thought I was having a heart attack because I had too much caffeine-

I was lightheaded all of a sudden, then very very shakey, pretty much uncontrollably. My heart was pounding, I felt like my body was throbbing- I was nauseous, threw up a few times- my skin was crawling, my lips went numb, very disoriented, I felt like I was going to pass out, my fingers and left arm alternated between numb and tingling...

My question is

1. Could this have been caused by too much caffeine? Or is it something that was bound to happen to me eventually and maybe just exacerbated by the caffeine?
2. How likely is it that I'll have another one?
3. Does this sound like anything other than a panic attack that I should visit a doctor for? Or if it is a panic attack, do I need to see the doctor soon, or only if it happens again?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

That was a beaute of a panic attack... they are really scary.

I think there were an unfortunate combination of events including working out, combined with a possible sport's injury, and some residual anxiety from perhaps, trying to accomplish a lot and therefore stressing out, and too much caffeine.

Could it be that you haven't been eating regularly and healthily, plus neglecting your intake of water? That can really exacerbate hand shaking and a spiking fear response and cause lots of stress on your body.

This sort of situation is like a rock rolling down a hill... it gains momentum as time passes.

I don't think you will necessarily have another attack... I do think you have to evaluate some of your life habits such as intake of caffeine, it is hard to quit(wicked withdrawal), but well worth it, per my life experience.

Best wishes,

I totally agree on giving up the caffeine. Or at least limiting it only to an occasional tea, rather than loads of coffee and energy drinks.

I feel like I had an epiphany today. I'm too young (22) to be pouring unnecessary crap into my body, and seeing the effect it has (coupled with other things) I really am seeing a much more pressing need to take care of myself.

As far as what I've been eating--- I greatly decreased my daily calorie intake, trying to lose some weight for the summer-- but I was eating healthy things and pretty regularly throughout the day. But maybe the sudden changes I've made just threw my body out of wack- major cut in calories, exercising daily when I hadn't exercised in years, cutting out caffeine for about a week, and then taking in a lot of caffeine today, when I hadn't had much sleep the night before. I had been taking a multivitamin fairly regularly for about a week and a half, but had forgotten to take it for the past few days too.

I have been drinking a lot of water, and I practically drowned myself in water today while I was having my panic attack, believing it to be caused primarily by the caffeine and desperately trying to flush myself out.

But I'm glad to hear that you think it won't become a regular thing... that's really my main worry. I don't want to have to deal with these on a regular basis. It was really the scariest thing that's every happened to me.

Thanks for your well-wishes. Just going to relax for a few days now, try to take it easy, and see where that leaves me. =)

Good... just a combination of negative health things converging all at once. :) People don't realize sometimes how powerful a drug caffeine is because it's sold on every corner.

Yeah, I don't see this as a regular occurrence.

This happens to me often it is the scariest thing to go threw. So I know what you mean. I would go to your doctor and talk to them about it cause most likely if you worry about it it will happen again. Its something that you can't control.If you need to talk let me know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jody1974

This happens to me often it is the scariest thing to go threw. So I know what you mean. I would go to your doctor and talk to them about it cause most likely if you worry about it it will happen again. Its something that you can't control.If you need to talk let me know.

Your question: "I am a 31 year old woman who had gallbladder removal surgery last oct. for the last 4 days I have been feeling really faint off and on all day. I get a numbness throughout my body with a tingling feeling. I start to sweat a little and I also have stomach bubbling and watery stools. I have no appetite for food. I went to the er and they gave me anxiety meds because they couldn't see anything wrong. I have recently started a 3rd shift job. I have not been drinking water and I have been drinking soda all night at work and I accidentally went 3 days without eating right before I started feeling like this! And it has lasted for 4 days now.