First post, question about numbness and panic attacks

[Jw26946]

Hey everyone, so every few months I experience very intense panic attacks. From what I've read , mine seem to be very different than most people's . I will lose feeling of my hands, arms, and legs almost completely. I can still move them but it feels as if they just aren't there. This feeling lasts up to 20 minutes and will slowly fade away, also experience difficulty breathing, feeling that I'm going to die, and trembles.

Before you suggest I should get checked out, I have gone to the hospital and had a full scan to make sure nothing else might be causing it. Curious if anyone else has these symptoms, I also get mild to extreme depersonalization .

Also after I have an attack, my general anxiety flares up and I have issues fighting it for sometimes a couple months after. It's as if my body remembers these feelings from the attack and it mildly lingers . The anxiety causes mild depression as well.

I've recently been dealing with slightly more frequent attacks and worse general anxiety and have gotten back on lexapro, 4 days ago. Hopefully it starts to relieve these symptoms a bit, as it has in the past . Thanks for any positive replys :)

[jackie10]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from such very intense panic attacks. I experienced a few intense panic attacks some years ago and I remember feeling numbness in my arms, weakness in my legs as well as difficulty breathing and trembling.

Since changing my diet and lifestyle, I haven't experienced any intense panic attacks. Breathing exercises also helped me a lot, such as consciously breathing into your belly and/or extending the outbreath. Also, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and refined sugar seemed to help me.

During a panic attack, it is important to slow down the breathing rate which will reduce those terrible panic attack symptoms.
Try this:
1. Take a deep breath in and hold your breath for about 20 seconds or so before exhaling.
2. Breathe in while counting to 5 in your head and breathe out counting to 5 again. Continue doing this for the next 2 minutes.

I hope this helps.

All the best,

Jacqueline Brandes
Author of "Calm Your Mind in 5 Weeks: How to Reduce Anxiety Naturally"

[jennssm]

I can tell you I've had some of the same symptoms. In one, the whole left side of my face went numb. I know exactly what you mean about the trembles. Mine were awful and it's so disrupting. I also started taking Lexapro. Started on 10, moved up to 20 and am now up to 30. It was rough for quite some time until the medication fully got into my system. It was very hard for me to function. I'm much better now though it took about 3 months. I still have a little trembling but it's mostly in the morning as I'm waking up. I still have the depersonalization every once in a while. I just deep breath through it and remind myself it's not going to hurt me. I think you just learn to find your own techniques with it. I have both anxiety and panic attacks...I think my anxiety was brought on by my panic attacks because after I had my first one, I constantly worried about having another. Hang it there, it does get better and you're not alone!

Jenn :)

[Nowuccas]

Hey Jw26946,

They are all symptoms of panic attacks.

From a previous post:

"There are some differences between anxiety and panic attacks. While books are written on this topic, the following will attempt to summarize some basics here for a brief overview".

Anxiety Attacks:
An anxiety attack, sometimes referred to as a panic attack, is an unforeseen periods or incidents where there is a sudden fright or fear of intense proportions. These attacks focus on fears that are most often not rational; however the person with the disorder believes he or she is in terrible danger or at extreme risk. Most often these anxiety attacks occur all of a sudden; i.e. they are not planned nor do they come with any type of warning mechanism built in for advance action. Results are that
the person suffering the attack will feel about to faint or near death's door. People who suffer anxiety attacks report the following symptoms, listed in no particular order:
Discomfort or pain in the chest Vertigo or
Dizziness Upset stomach / Nausea Loss of
Control, Loss of Mental Stability Stress
Cold or hot flashes Heart palpitations or
near heart attack Shallow breathing Shakes / Trembling
Anxiety disorder is characterized as having anxiety feelings that are "always there / all inclusive," make people want to isolate themselves from society and hamper everyday activities with others.

Panic Attacks:
On the other hand, a panic attack does not carry with it that "always there" association. In fact, panic episodes generally burst forth, peaking after roughly 10 minutes or so, then ending after about 25 minutes. During a panic attack, 4 of the symptoms listed below (in no particular order) generally make an appearance:
Hyperventilation, Shallow breathing, even to the point of
suffocation sensation...
Increased heart rates Tightness of chest, Chest pain or discomfort
Shakes / Trembling / Sweating Choking
sensation Upset Stomach / Nausea Vertigo
Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)
Surreal feelings Loss of Control, especially
of mental faculties Death coming on Numbing
Cold or hot flashes

The Difference:
The main difference between anxiety attacks and panic attacks is in the duration of the attack and how intense it is for the person with the affliction. While anxiety attacks are less hi-stress, they tend to last longer than the power-packed panic stressors".

If panic, learn an anti-panic breathing method before another attack, so you are proficient.

Advice from a clinical psychologist about panic attacks is to breathe in to the count of 3: ( count: one thousand one; one thousand two; one thousand three) each takes around a second to say to yourself, in your mind, and out to the count of 3. Keep repeating this until the panic subsides, (up to 25 minutes) which will deal with the hyperventilation aspect. Learn to recognise the thoughts which trigger attacks; challenge and reprogram as shown*.

Also learn, and employ either Progressive Muscle Relaxation ( http://www.drcoxconsulting.com/managing-stress.html ) or acupressure tapping / EFT, whichever you find most effective.

Give the Meridian Tapping Technique / EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. It is free via mercola.com or www.tapping.com (13 free videos), or www.eftuniverse.com or www.emofree.com or one of the many YouTube videos. Google: "YouTube; EFT videos".
Professionally instructed is generally preferable (Google: therapists; EFT; [your location] ). - There is a version for use in public places at http://eft.mercola.com (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you employ the acupressure massage / tapping on your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind: "Even though I suffer from anxiety / panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself)."

* REPROGRAMMING:
Use the Technique for Reprogramming Negative Thoughts: It's important to regularly monitor, and deal with a negative internal monologue (self talk), or mental process, such as disturbing thoughts, images, impulses, or emotions, by the process of (a): recognising it, and (b): challenging it immediately. Technique For Re-Programming Negative Thoughts: When you notice something negative, such as: "I can't do this/ am never going to get over this!" or: "Why am I always so useless/such a loser?" or even an image, emotion, or a memory; recognise that it is being generated from the negative part of your mind.

After identifying and labelling it, visualise a large, red, flashing, "STOP!" sign, and/or possibly a stern faced person wagging an index finger at you in a negative manner, then say to yourself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: "I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!" You may want to use either: "ruse", "ploy", "game", or "trick". In the case of an image, visualise a large "STOP" sign, or your preferred version.

Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don't regard it as being strictly necessary. Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method. Try replacing a negative thought with a positive affirmation of your choice, like: "I am a unique individual, with my own set of skills, and good points", or "I may not be perfect, but I'm doing the best I can, right now".

My previous posts about depersonalization & derealization and anxiety may be viewed at:

DEPERSONALIZATION / DEREALIZATION: http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?33833-Fear-of-driving-alone-help&p=223381#post223381

GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER: http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?33964-New-to-the-site-and-looking-for-help&p=223989#post223989

Hoping something in the above helps.

[Spartacus1983]

I don't get total numbness but I do get the tingles/pins and needles. I also get tightness in my throat and chest that make it tough to breathe. I had numerous tests done telling me I'm healthy. Getting out an being active tends to help, for instance I felt incredibly fatigued just yesterday but decided to play the drums for a while to get a work out. Definitely helped. I also have xanax on hand. Anxiety symptoms can be scary but I've learned it really helps to just push through it, get outside and be active!

[Ponder]

Very Good Nowuccas - http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/hand-gestures/hand-clap-smiley-emoticon.gif That about covers it. How's your bed side manner coming along? lol, just kidding buddy. ;)

[Ponder]

PS - http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/word/welcome-smiley-emoticon.gifto the forum guys.