Can such realistic physical symptoms be panic attacks? - Anxiety Message Board

msmkrs · 12-09-2004, 06:24 PM

I have been having these symptoms for almost 2 years now. Have been to many doctors and specialists to rule out more serious life threatening illnesses and everything seems fine except that panic and anxiety attacks always seem to come up at these visits.
It started not long after I donated bone marrow to my brother (which sadley failed) in January 2002.
The symptoms include, palpatations, uncontrollable high blood pressure, fatique, feeling flushed, hot ears and neck, pain in the neck area, medicine head feeling alot of the time, feeling of passing out, thickness in throat, ......I could go on, really.
I have had a CT scan of my sinuses, thyroid ultrasound and biopsy, (negative), MRI of kidney, EKG, EEG, Echocardiograhm, every possible blood test, 24 hour urinalyis,.....ALL negative so far.
Driving makes the symptoms worse, so does any alcohol consumtion.
I am now on Lotrel 5/20 2x a day, and Lopressor 12.5mg 2x a day.
No change yet, does anyone have any words of advise? It just seems so impossible to me for all of these pyhsical symptoms that I am having to be phycologically manifested.
HELP!

stcarlsen · 12-09-2004, 09:11 PM

do you remember if your symptoms started with a panic attack? I have different symptoms, dizziness lightheadedness, muscle twitches, and pain, and they have all been atributed to panic and anxiety. how frequently do you get them? mine are most the time.

MIpigpen · 12-09-2004, 09:36 PM

Yep...they can. I woke up one day after the worst PA ever! Lump behind ear, sore neck, short term memory problems, dizzy, all over ache, eyes ached and I was jittery as well. I freaked out and called my DR. he told me to climb into bed and sleep for as long as I could, and if I couldn't...he'd write me something to knock me out. 16 hours later I felt so much better. I guess the anxiety drains your energy and fatigue can cause these symptoms.

It sure stinks, but it could be worse. I hope it's as simple as getting a nice 10 hour nap for you!

Good luck.

hilery79 · 12-09-2004, 09:52 PM

Hi msmkrs,
I'm sorry I probably can't be of much help, but sometimes it helps just to know you're not alone.
I've had a long list of symptoms, as well, since May 03. I did end up having thyroid cancer to begin with, but that is now taken care of and I still have all of my symptoms. My PCP keeps referring me to all of these specialists. I have had loads of tests over the last year(I even went as far as agreeing to a cardiac cath) and everything keeps turning out negative. It seems like anxiety is the only thing left for my Dr.'s to blame my symptoms on.

I also have a hard time believing that so many REAL physical symptoms can be caused by anxiety and nothing else. But, there are quite a few others on here who are in the same boat. We all seem to have a lot of similar symptoms...fatigue, feeling faint, rapid heart rate, lightheadedness, palpitations, fog headed, etc.

Have you tried CBT? I'm a little skeptical, but I know there have been a few people on here who have found it to be very helpful. So, I'm thinking about looking into it.

Hang in there and take care

Hilery

msmkrs · 12-10-2004, 10:12 AM

Thanks so much for your replies. I experience these symptoms pretty much every day, although some days are better than others. I am just figuring out what has been going on with me so, other than the meds to controll the HBP, no other treatment such as CBT has been considered as yet.
The biggest annoyance is the "medicine/fog headed" feeling and the neck pain, which is probably tension. (not sure) Does anyone else get this? Also, the feeling of burning up from the inside out alot of the time.
I sure hope I can get some help and advise so all of this will go away once and for all!
Thanks again.