panic disorder?

[hypochondriac1993]

Good evening everyone,

This is my first post and introduction. I've had precious minor anxiety since I was 17. I'm almost 21 now! My anxiety was mild ocd like checking things and what not. Than I developed a health anxiety. Both weren't too severe. But in the past 3 years I've thought ive had everything under the sun. I've probably thought I've had over 20 life threatening diseases and cancers in that time period. I totally blame Google and web md for this thinking pattern. About 5 month ago i had my first panic attack im assuming . It was a great day, and out of nowhere I felt a strange sensation in my chest, I immediately reacted with intense anxiety and left the room. I was at my sister's police explorers class. Than I went out side, and I felt better. My girlfriend came out and I told her what happened. Than it came back. My body started to go numb, my mouth arms, body, everything, lightheaded, weak, disoriented, and I knew my life was seconds away from ending. I begged my mom to take me to the er, she finally did. When I got there they did blood work and that was it. I sat in the back for an hour and the doctor came in, told me I was fine, and sent me home. Completely dumbfounded. They did no tests and send me on my way. I've had many more over the course. And already blaming some underlying health problem. Heart disease, brain tumor. You name it. Ever since than I've developed gad and tons of irrational fears and I'm miserable! It's ruined my personality, affected everything. I wake up and wonder when is this going to kill me. I have developed better coping skills, but I'm still dealing with it. I was and still am totally scared to drive, occasionally be alone in case somethibg happens. I was doing great, I bought that panic away program, and I went to therapy a few times but can't afford it. And I had a bad one out of the blue and ever since this I'm back to where I was almost. I have no insurance but I'm finally getting to go to a free clinic this week. I'be convinced myself I have a heart condition or a brain Tumor and it's just any day now... I live in constant fear of death like I'm gonna die any day. My body is over sensitized. I feel every little sensation and it's created tons of weird symptoms. Heart Palps, chest pain In the middle and left, numbness, tingling in foot and other areas, eye twitch, horrid headaches, and just tons of weird neurological symptoms. Fingers that buzz, these head rushes, derealization, weak, off balance(like in walking on an uneven surface),so much more. It totally sucks and I have no insurance for all of these overpriced tests. I just wanna be the person I was before august 14.... I hate this .All of my fears are death and health related. Cancer, brain anneurism(I get these stabbing head pains) they always freak me out. I'm such a logical and smart person, I have no idea why I think so irrationally and catastrophize. But they say people who are intelligent are more at risk for developing an anxiety disorder. I've never been diagnosed with panic disorder but I felt if my stupid health fears were put to rest I can get over it. I have no idea how I got hwre and my family all makes me feel terrible for going through it. No support.

[hypochondriac1993]

Also my biggest irrational fear is passing out. That's why I'm scared to drive or practically do anything. Even though I know how unlikely that is and very rare during a panic attack.

[GeneAllen]

Welcome I am new here as well. Sounds like classic symptoms. You are in a great place and with friends so you can feel safe here. I am new like I said, but have read a lot on the forum and am enjoying the others who have shared their stories. Welcome and Peace.

[hypochondriac1993]

You too man! Do you suffer panic attacks?

[Enduronman]

um, not going to die. Period...

Welcome!

E-Man...

[GeneAllen]

Yes I am currently experiencing panic symptoms once again. One thing important for me is to remember to let them flow, don't resist the intrusive thoughts, fear, and pay attention to what you place in your thought consciously while having a bit of peace from panic. Have you noticed there are those times when you just are not in panic and think wow where did they go? This is the time to ask yourself what do I prefer? We always prefer to feel better, happier, more confident etc. That's you, the real you the noticing you, all the rest is a mind game you're playing with yourself and that's okay. We all do it, well I do. Always tell yourself the truth, you will find this becomes a key to your recovery and you will recover from this. You are what some call awfulizing, generalizing, and getting specific at these times will help shift you away from the panic and back to the real you, the one you prefer. While in the panic, let it be there, don't try to get away (I know it's hard, but you can do it if I can and so many others have.) When you notice yourself asking why, flip that to what, and again what do I prefer would be your question to yourself. There are so many resources, I use you tube, and I avoid negative television, or diagnostic web sites. Symptoms are common you speak of. You're truly safe, you can be with the thoughts, and I assure you they will change, at times you'll see it goes from one thing to the next (the mind). Let it go, it's always talking in there. Like right now, that voice in your head is saying is this guy being honest, can I trust him, is my Dr. right, am I kidding myself. I see these in myself. Your thoughts really are not you, remember you are the one noticing these thoughts, and the one who ultimately will let them go (not fight them out, or push them away, just let them be, and they lose the power and you regain yours) , and you will ultimately be the one who has all your answers. Like me I have mine, I just need to remove the blocks to see them or remember them again. I hope this helps, but remember this will not resonate with all, some will have other ideas and this is great, we must find what we resonate with. I recommend the book the "untethered soul" Author Michael Singer. It's free on audio at the library or on your computer. Be as easy on yourself as possible, lose the judgments, you're seeking answers, sharing your story, and reaching out, this is a sign of a person who is on their way back to clarity and health. Peace dude.

[alankay]

Yep sounds like anxiety for sure. Well try this for a kick.
Clean up your diet. Minimize caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol and(a new area which I always considered but don't mention so much) remove all nutrasweet and MSG from your diet for a few weeks and see how you feel.
I'm hesitant to talk about a topic that's bound to be controversial but here goes anyway. Do that and also add a L-Tryptophan supplement of about 1000 mgs per day. It's a natural protein that's is a precursor to our dear friend serotonin. It's safe despite the bad batch from Japan in the late 80's. Research it. Youtube and google it.
I have read about artificial sweeteners and MSG and felt they were OK, had issues only a ridiculously high doses and that there might be a very small subset of the population that these things "bothered". Just by worsening existing issues.
Recently I was dealing with a bit a spike in anxiety that I could not tract down. Being a grizzled anxiety veteran I usually can track down what is bothering me(life stresses, issues, etc) but could not for the life of me find anything. Ran is by a therapist but really nothing going on I have not dealt with in the past more easily and I'm 50.
So I figured it may be something not psychological so I did more research and did something I considered in the past but never fully acted on. I eliminated all nutrasweet and as much as the MSG(both excitatory items to the brain) I possibly could and guess what.......... I feel much better with respect to anxiety and in general(I had been getting giant diet coke form our quick mart because of a price special). 79 cents for all draft sizes so started getting the giant one. That's how a realized I was taking in allot more nutrasweet.
There, I won't go into what I found but will sure give links to some Youtube videos made by known MD's and Phd's for anyone who asks. I just think I would be fear mongering to post them here.
Anyway what can it hurt to drop these from a while? For the first day or so you may have a little headache but that's all really.
I hope others try this a report back. I feel I have benefited a great deal with virtually no risks.
Just some thoughts. PM me any time. Alankay

[hypochondriac1993]

Thanjs for the support guys! I need it. My family does not understand at all. They tell me "you're a grown man now, get over it!" ,"you're gonna get fired from you're job if you keep this up" etc. It really hurts especially being the fact that you are ny family! Panic attacks I can get over, it's all these weird symptoms . I've had SO many!!! And thanks for the advice. I cut caffeine from my diet about two months ago, started drinking more water, and eating healthier. I wanna look into this chamomile tea. I tried st john wort root and it didn't work. Magnesium either. Or b complex.

[alankay]

Yeah really try l-tryptophan or 5 HTP. It's what it turns into on the way to becoming more serotonin. That's the calming, "feel safe" neurotransmitter which we need.
We get it. If it were just "normal" levels or anxiety and fear......we wouldn't be here either would we. Alankay

[hypochondriac1993]

I was gonna tru 5hpt but I heard it can cause some reaction like muscular or somethibg and you can die from it. I freaked out. Ever heard of gaba? I have no idea where to get it. Is that safe?

[Enduronman]

GABA does not cross the blood/brain barrier...BUT L-Glutamine does...and is safe upwards over 20,000mgs a day...

L-Glutamine converts into GABA.

[hypochondriac1993]

I'm down!!! Where do I buy it?

[Enduronman]

At any big box retailer...if you're in America, Walmart supplement and vitamin section..about $6 for a bottle. Take 2 to 3 tablets, 3x's a day....Oh, and if you have trouble swallowing giant tablets, chew them slightly (tasteless, odorless).....then drink. :)

[hypochondriac1993]

Sweet!!! Thanks man!!

[hypochondriac1993]

I have a horrible time swallowing pills. Especially big ones. Feels like I'm risking my life every time I swallow. Haha

[Enduronman]

Chew em or crush them and mix into a juice, milk, shake, anything...0 taste. :)

[alankay]

Yeah GABA is the main slowing or inhibitory transmitter(what benzos work on). The product PharmaGABA can cross the blood-brain barrier better than regular GABA so go with that.
Really 5 HTP should be fine but your body makes 5 HTP from the protein l-tryptophan anyway so that's why I like it. It then uses the 5 HTP to make serotonin and melatonin. Let the body use the raw material at a lower level instead of further along the biological process. All it will do is give the body more of the only source for material to make that good serotonin from. The body cannot make it's own trytophan and some folks need more even though most get all they need from a normal decent diet. Whatever that is these days.:) Alankay

[alankay]

Opps GABA is a protein itself but glutamine is excitatory so don't use that unless depressed only I guess. That's why MSG(glutamic acid, etc) makes us nervous.:)
GABA and serotonin calm while Dopamine, Glutamine, Noradrenaline and Adrenaline as well as Histamine all excite in some way. Bad unless only depressed that is.
Serotonin is thought to be more of a "master" neurotransmitter as low levels of it cause improper levels and functioning is possibly all the others. They believe it's the single most important one and why all/most the meds act of it. It's thought restoring proper serotonin levels can fix improper levels of some or all of the others and why they(docs) starter there. I think they have that part of the puzzle right. :) Alankay

[alankay]

Ops...glutamate...:)