gracegrace211
02-23-2014, 11:59 AM
Hello everyone,
I would like to share my story briefly, hoping someone will be able to provide insight or common experiences or advice. Two years ago, at the age of 25, I had my first panic attack, probably due to having the flu and taking Tylenol and Excedrin, AND ibuprofen together, which caused weird sensations. I experienced regular dizziness for a month or two after that, had an MRI and hearing test (all fine) and the dizziness went away by itself.
Fast forward two years, to age 27. In September of 2013, I started having occasional panic attacks. I went to urgent care once. There was no reason for these starting up, although anxiety runs in my family. I even had a few moments where I felt "detached", though I didn't know what it was at the time. Anyway, I decided to plan a trip to India. I got my meds and vaccinations and all that, never taking into account the mental health portion.
So off we went. On the fourth day, I started my anti malaria meds and we were shopping at an outdoor market. Suddenly my thumb became stiff. (Perhaps due to malaria meds?) I went into a full blown panic attack and I kept thinking that if I were to become ill it would be very difficult to reach a hospital in time. (India's traffic is indescribable, and there is no 911. I believe they're attempting to start a system but it's rudimentary at best) It took me a good half hour to calm down, and that evening I became dizzy. I was dizzy for the rest of the trip, but no more panic attacks. It basically ruined what would have otherwise been a great trip, and I went to see two doctors in India, who prescribed anti-dizziness medication, which just made me sleepy and did nothing for the dizziness.
After returning to the USA, I seem to have developed some AGORAPHOBIA as in I can barely handle the grocery store or any public place where I need to be social or there are a lot of people or noise. My dizziness was constant at first but now increases when I enter these situations and it's a bit ridiculous. I have had lots of panic and many doctor visits. I have had tingling all over my body, eye twitching, etc. and somehow developed health phobia. I wake up many times convinced I'm dying and won't make it through the night/next day. I feel startled when I realize an object is in motion out of the corner of my eye, even something like a rocking chair moving. I am scheduled for MRI /dizziness /inner ear testing next week, and have a fear they'll find a brain tumor or MS or something, but deep down I know it's probably me in shock from the overstimulation while travelling, though that hardly seems fair.
I am trying to tackle this thing head on. So far I am simultaneously doing:
10 mg Celexa (anti anxiety meds, low dose)
Self Hypnosis (anti anxiety mp3 download, headphones at night)
Weekly cognitive behavior therapy with qualified therapist
This anxiety is a monster that has taken over my life. I just want to feel normal again. I'll not be able to travel
again until I conquer it completely. I LOVED India, I just wish I could have enjoyed it more.
Also I was in an abusive [physical and emotional] relationship from age 18-23...possible delayed PTSD? I never think about that time though, and have pretty much blocked it out. I have a totally supportive partner now. I feel like I don't want to get married and have kids until I get a hold of this though. I don't want children who are traumatized because mommy is afraid to go to the zoo and won't come out of the bedroom.
Thanks for any insight anyone can provide. Nice to meet you all.
I would like to share my story briefly, hoping someone will be able to provide insight or common experiences or advice. Two years ago, at the age of 25, I had my first panic attack, probably due to having the flu and taking Tylenol and Excedrin, AND ibuprofen together, which caused weird sensations. I experienced regular dizziness for a month or two after that, had an MRI and hearing test (all fine) and the dizziness went away by itself.
Fast forward two years, to age 27. In September of 2013, I started having occasional panic attacks. I went to urgent care once. There was no reason for these starting up, although anxiety runs in my family. I even had a few moments where I felt "detached", though I didn't know what it was at the time. Anyway, I decided to plan a trip to India. I got my meds and vaccinations and all that, never taking into account the mental health portion.
So off we went. On the fourth day, I started my anti malaria meds and we were shopping at an outdoor market. Suddenly my thumb became stiff. (Perhaps due to malaria meds?) I went into a full blown panic attack and I kept thinking that if I were to become ill it would be very difficult to reach a hospital in time. (India's traffic is indescribable, and there is no 911. I believe they're attempting to start a system but it's rudimentary at best) It took me a good half hour to calm down, and that evening I became dizzy. I was dizzy for the rest of the trip, but no more panic attacks. It basically ruined what would have otherwise been a great trip, and I went to see two doctors in India, who prescribed anti-dizziness medication, which just made me sleepy and did nothing for the dizziness.
After returning to the USA, I seem to have developed some AGORAPHOBIA as in I can barely handle the grocery store or any public place where I need to be social or there are a lot of people or noise. My dizziness was constant at first but now increases when I enter these situations and it's a bit ridiculous. I have had lots of panic and many doctor visits. I have had tingling all over my body, eye twitching, etc. and somehow developed health phobia. I wake up many times convinced I'm dying and won't make it through the night/next day. I feel startled when I realize an object is in motion out of the corner of my eye, even something like a rocking chair moving. I am scheduled for MRI /dizziness /inner ear testing next week, and have a fear they'll find a brain tumor or MS or something, but deep down I know it's probably me in shock from the overstimulation while travelling, though that hardly seems fair.
I am trying to tackle this thing head on. So far I am simultaneously doing:
10 mg Celexa (anti anxiety meds, low dose)
Self Hypnosis (anti anxiety mp3 download, headphones at night)
Weekly cognitive behavior therapy with qualified therapist
This anxiety is a monster that has taken over my life. I just want to feel normal again. I'll not be able to travel
again until I conquer it completely. I LOVED India, I just wish I could have enjoyed it more.
Also I was in an abusive [physical and emotional] relationship from age 18-23...possible delayed PTSD? I never think about that time though, and have pretty much blocked it out. I have a totally supportive partner now. I feel like I don't want to get married and have kids until I get a hold of this though. I don't want children who are traumatized because mommy is afraid to go to the zoo and won't come out of the bedroom.
Thanks for any insight anyone can provide. Nice to meet you all.